**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1187784**
## **Merland Rise Church**
**(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)**
**Report of the Trustees and**
**Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
**Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Merland Rise Church**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1 to 4|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|5|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|6|
|**Balance Sheet**|7 to 8|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|9 to 22|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|23 to 24|
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024**
The Trustees present their annual report with the financial statements of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the Church comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Church's governing document and the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) ("SORP (FRS 102)"), FRS 102 and the Charities Act 2011.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and aims**
The principal purposes of Merland Rise Church are the advancement of the Christian faith and the provision of service and support to all sections of the community, including people of other faiths and none, with a particular focus on the socially and economically disadvantaged living within the Preston and Tadworth area and the surrounding neighbourhood. The Church also carries out such other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world that, in the opinion of the members of the Church in General Meeting and the Trustees, shall further the work of the Church and serve disadvantaged people groups.
## **Significant activities**
In fulfilling its purposes, the Church will engage in a range of activities either independently or in collaboration with other Churches, public and third sector and voluntary organisations which share the social justice priorities, and with whom it can work in partnership to improve the life chances and opportunities of those it seeks to serve.
The Church's activities include, but are not restricted to:
- regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching and Believers baptism;
- the Communion of the Lord's Supper, which shall normally be observed at least once a month;
- evangelism and mission, whether locally, regionally, nationally or internationally;
- promotion of family life, diversity, strong and supportive personal and community relationships;
- the nurture and growth of Christian disciples, including the imperative of serving others selflessly, giving of their time and financial resources;
- encouraging pastoral care, with a particular focus on the elderly and vulnerable, supporting and encouraging charitable and community causes both locally and abroad;
- supporting provision and access to those with disabilities, with a particular focus on the deaf and deaf/blind community;
- counselling and support to those experiencing relationship difficulties, financial support to the economically disadvantaged including a Food Bank and debt counselling service, employment advice including resolving conflicts and enhancing the employability of those seeking work;
- practical support, including the provision of furniture, white goods and emergency cash to those experiencing financial hardship as a result of their immigration status, long-term ill health, unemployment or similar;
- services to children and young people including life skills, training and social and recreational facilities;
- - maintaining our long established collaborative working with Epsom Downs Primary School;
- use of our premises by various charities, community groups and public bodies which share our priorities.
## **Public benefit**
In planning the activities of the Church, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
Page 1
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Charitable activities**
During the year the Church has continued to serve its’ members and the local community. The Church offers weekly Sunday morning and Sunday evening services together with multiple prayer meetings/bible study and home group meetings.
The Church also offers pastoral care to its’ members and supports the local community in various community activities such as running a food bank.
## **Fundraising activities**
The Church does not engage in public fund raising activities.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial position**
The financial position of the Church is set out in the Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet and the related notes and have been prepared in accordance with statutory requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and SORP (FRS 102).
## **Principal funding sources**
The principal funding sources of the Church are the voluntary donations and giving by members of the Church's congregation together with allied income tax rebates under the gift aid scheme.
## **Investment policy and objectives**
Any money not required for day to day use is placed on deposit with the Church's bankers, CAF Bank Limited. At the balance sheet date, the Church part-owned one freehold residential property which is used to provide accommodation to the Pastor.
## **Reserves policy**
The Church has a General Reserve Fund of £15,000 that represents approximately 10% of the Church's annual revenue expenditure including legal commitments under contracts of employment to cover unforeseen increases and decreases in revenue and expenditure. The Church also has a General Repairs and Maintenance Fund to cover major uninsured repairs and maintenance expenditure on the Church premises and equipment. At the end of the financial year the Church's reserves met these targets.
## **Going concern**
The financial statements are drawn up on the going concern basis, which assumes Merland Rise Church will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Trustees consider the current and forecast cash resources to be sufficient to cover the working capital requirements of the Church for at least 12 months.
Page 2
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The Church members approved and adopted a Constitution at a Special Church Members Meeting held on the 15th December 2019.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The running of the Church is under the control of an "Eldership" comprising the Senior Pastor and Elders. The Pastor was appointed by the Church at a Special Meeting and is employed under a contract of service, effective 1[st] September 2017. The other Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Constitution and they meet regularly, administering the Church by majority decision.
## **Organisational structure**
The Church appoints a Pastor and other paid staff as circumstances require. The Pastor and Elders lead the Church in terms of both spiritual matters and governance of the Church. The day to day co-ordination of the Church's programme and various practical matters are then managed by the Leadership Team, members of which are similarly elected by the members of the Church at a Church Meeting. In addition to this management structure the Church employs a part-time Administrator, Cleaner and Caretaker Hosts.
## **Governance code**
The trustees are aware of the Charity Governance Code and are considering how the relevant matters can be applied to and implemented by the Church.
## **Wider network**
The Church is a member organisation of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and FIEC Ltd, charity number 251395.
## **Risk management**
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Church is exposed and ensure that appropriate controls are in place to mitigate or eliminate those risks.
The Trustees regularly review the major risks to which the Church is exposed and have established systems and procedures to mitigate those risks, particularly in such areas as financial management, child and vulnerable adult protection.
Page 3
Merland Rlse Church
Report of the Trustee5
forthe year ended 31 December 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity numbèr
1187784
Prlnc5pal address
Merland Rise
Tadworth
Surrey
KT20 5JQ
Trustees
P Oliver Elder
Rev R Powell Pastor and Elder
D Thomas Elder
S Paine Elder
K Lane Elder
Independent Examiner
Leanne Humphreys
FCCA
Shaw Gibbs Limited
19 Cedar Road
Sutton
SM25DA
Solicitors
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
134 Edtnund Street
Birmingham B3 2ES
Bankers
CAF Bank Limited
25 Kings Hill Avenue
West Malling
Kent ME19 41Q
CAF Bank Limited is a subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation ICAFI
FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN FOR OTHERS
There were no funds held as a custodian for any other charities.
Approved
orde
fth
ard of tr
es on 4 February 2026 and siÈned on its behalf bv..
P Ollver- Tr
ee
Page 4
**Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Merland Rise Church**
I report to the Church trustees on my examination of the accounts of Merland Rise Church (CIO), charity number 1187784, for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 22.
## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner**
The Church’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
The Church’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Act and that independent examination is needed.
- It is my responsibility to:
1. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charity Act;
2. to follow all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and;
3. to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent examiner’s statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Church and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
## LHumphreys
Leanne Humphreys FCCA Shaw Gibbs Limited 19 Cedar Road Sutton SM2 5DA
Date: 4 February 2026
Page 5
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024**
|Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
**Charitable activities**
Use of halls 3
Investment income
4
Other income
5
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
6
Staff costs and related expenditure
Housing expenses
Church expenses
Printing, publicity and outreach
Departments
Donations and giving
Administration and other expenses
**Total**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**Transfers between funds**
17
**Net movement in funds**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
**Total funds brought forward**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
funds
£
**180,493**
**14,926**
**1,905**
**6,307**
**203,631**
**103,839**
**2,369**
**45,921**
**-**
**8,078**
**26,152**
**18,915**
**205,274**
**(1,643)**
**-**
**(1,643)**
**294,414**
**292,771**|
Restricted
funds
£
**18,674**
**-**
**-**
**500**
**19,174**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**19,372**
**41,164**
**60,536**
**(41,362)**
**-**
**(41,362)**
**1,758,640**
**1,717,278**|**Year ended**
**31/12/24**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
**199,167**
**14,496**
**1,905**
**6,807**
**222,805**
**103,839**
**2,369**
**45,921**
**-**
**8,078**
**45,524**
**60,079**
**265,810**
**(43,005)**
**-**
**(43,005)**
**2,053,054**
**2,010,049**|Year ended
31/12/23
Total
funds
£
194,917
14,600
1,511
9,177
220,205
100,700
1,373
42,921
1,398
8,376
48,874
56,303
260,015
(39,810)
-
(39,810)
2,092,864
2,053,054|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Balance Sheet 31 December 2024**
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
11
Investment
12
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
13
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
14
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due after more than one year
15
**NET ASSETS**|Unrestricted
funds
£
**422,826**
**100**
**422,926**
**49,667**
**52,327**
**101,994**
**(32,149)**
**69,845**
**492,771**
**(200,000)**
**292,771**|Restricted
funds
£
**1,689,534**
**-**
**1,689,534**
**-**
**27,744**
**27,744**
**-**
**27,744**
**1,717,278**
**-**
**1,717,278**|**Year ended**
**31/12/24**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
**2,112,360**
**100**
**2,112,460**
**49,667**
**80,071**
**129,738**
**(32,149)**
**97,589**
**2,210,049**
**(200,000)**
**2,010,049**|Year ended
31/12/23
Total
funds
£
**2,156,123**
**100**
**2,156,223**
**34,999**
**85,880**
**120,879**
**(24,048)**
**96,831**
**2,253,054**
**(200,000)**
**2,053,054**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
continued...
Page 7
Merland Rise Church
Balance Sheet- continued
31 December 2024
Notes
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds..
General fund
Manse fund
General Reserve Fund
General Repairs and Maintenance Fund
17
22,211
220,934
15,000
34.626
38,710
220.934
15.000
19,770
17
17
17
292.771
294A14
Rèstricted funds..
Building Fund
Emergency Fund
Men's Ministry Fund
Women's Ministry Fund
Youth Ministry Fund
Other fund
17
17
17
17
17
17
1,689,538
S,221
6,153
4,862
4.198
7,306
1,730.702
7,502
7,761
5,476
2.974
4.225
1,717.278
1,758,640
TOTAL FUNDS
2,010,049
2,053,054
The financial 5taternent5 were approved by the Board of Trustees and aLfthorised for issue on 4 February 2026
and were si
d on it5 behalf bv..
P Oliv
Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparation**
The financial statements of the Church, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the Trustees can be held responsible in law. They do not include the financial statements of the church groups that owe affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
## **Going concern**
The financial statements are drawn up on the going concern basis, which assumes Merland Rise Church (CIO) will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Trustees consider the current and forecast cash resources to be sufficient to cover the working capital requirements of the Church for at least 12 months.
## **Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions**
The Church has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the Church has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Church to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
## **Allocation and apportionment of costs**
Cost are allocated to the principal activities of the Church on the following basis:
- Salaries and related costs : time spent
- Other costs : in accordance with purpose and nature of expenditure
continued...
Page 9
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Freehold Church premises - 2% on cost Freehold Residential property (Manse) - nil Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost and 20% on cost
The Church has in place an accounting policy of carrying out regular maintenance and repairs on its freehold residential property (the cost of which are charged in full to the SOFA). No depreciation arises in the year on the freehold residential property used as tied accommodation as in the opinion of the trustees the residual value of the property is not materially less than its carrying amount in the financial statements. An impairment review of such fixed assets in accordance with FRS 102 section 27 is carried out as at the end of each financial period.
## **Taxation**
The Church is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
All the Church’s expenditure is shown inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Church. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Endowment funds are resources received by the Church that represent capital and the trustees are required by charity law to retain and use the endowment for the Church's purposes.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Hire purchase and leasing commitments**
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The Church operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the Church's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
## **Investments**
Investments are categorised as current assets where the intention is to realise the investment without reinvestment of the sale proceeds. All other investments are classified as fixed assets. All investment assets are stated in the balance sheet at fair value and both realised and unrealised gains or losses are recognised in the statement of financial activities. The fair value of listed investments is taken at the market price of the asset as at the year end date.
continued...
Page 10
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Financial instruments**
Apart from certain investments, the Church only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **Currency**
The Church's functional and presentational currency is pounds Sterling (GBP).
## **Preparation of consolidated financial statements**
The financial statements contain information about the Church as an individual entity and do not contain consolidated financial information as the parent of a group. The Church is exempt under the Charities Act 2011 from the requirement to prepare consolidated financial statements.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|Freewill offerings
Donations
Gift aid
Commission receivable|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
£
142,774
6,963
30,756
-
180,493|**Restricted**
**funds**
£
-
16,948
1,726
-
18,674|**Year ended**
**31/12/24**
**Total**
**funds**
£
142,774
23,911
32,482
-
199,167|
|---|---|---|---|
The prior year total is allocated between fund categories as follows:
|Freewill offerings
Donations
Gift aid
Commission receivable|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
£
135,729
8,464
28,179
43
172,415|**Restricted**
**funds**
£
-
21,880
622
-
22,502|**Year ended**
**31/12/23**
**Total**
**funds**
£
135,729
30,344
28,801
43
194,917|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 11
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
||||**Year ended**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**31/12/24**|
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
||**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|
||£|£|£|
|Use of halls and meeting rooms|14,926|-|14,926|
The prior year total is allocated between fund categories as follows:
||||**Year ended**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**31/12/23**|
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
||**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|
||£|£|£|
|Use of halls and meeting rooms|14,600|-|14,600|
## **4. INVESTMENT INCOME**
||||**Year ended**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**31/12/24**|
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
||**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|
||£|£|£|
|Deposit account interest|1,905|-|1,905|
The prior year total is allocated between fund categories as follows:
|Deposit account interest|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
£
1,511|**Restricted**
**funds**
£
-|**Year ended**
**31/12/23**
**Total**
**funds**
£
1,511|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 12
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **5. OTHER INCOME**
|Other income
Government grants|**Year ended**
**31/12/24**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
£
£
£
6,307
500
**6,807**
- -
**-**|
|---|---|
||6,307
500
**6,807**|
The prior year total is allocated between fund categories as follows:
|Other income
Government grants
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
£
5,477
3,700
9,177|
**Restricted**
**funds**
£
-
-
-|**Year ended**
**31/12/23**
**Total**
**funds**
£
**5,477**
**3,700**
**9,177**|
|---|---|---|---|
## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
|||Grant funding|||**Year ended**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||of activities|Support costs||**31/12/24**|
||Direct Costs|(see note 7)|(see note|8)|**Totals**|
||£|£|£||£|
|Staff costs and related expenditure|103,839|-||**-**|**103,839**|
|Housing expenses|2,369|-||**-**|**2,369**|
|Church expenses|45,921|-||**-**|**45,921**|
|Printing, publicity and outreach|-|-||**-**|**-**|
|Departments|8,078|-||**-**|**8,078**|
|Donations and giving|26,152|19,372||**-**|**45,524**|
|Administration and other expenses|15,640|41,164|3,275||**60,079**|
||201,999|60,536|3,275||**265,810**|
continued...
Page 13
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS (continued)**
The prior year total is allocated between fund categories as follows:
||Direct Costs|Grant funding
of activities
(see note 7)|Grant funding
of activities
(see note 7)|Support costs
(see note 8)|**Year ended**
**31/12/23**
**Totals**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Staff costs and related expenditure|100,770||-|-|**100,770**|
|Housing expenses|1,373||-|-|**1,373**|
|Church expenses|42,921||-|-|**42,921**|
|Printing, publicity and outreach|1,398||-|-|**1,398**|
|Departments|8,376||-|-|**8,376**|
|Donations and giving|23,491||25,383|-|**48,874**|
|Administration and other expenses|30,599||23,491|2,213|**56,303**|
||208,928||48,874|2,213|**260,015**|
## **7. GRANTS PAYABLE**
|Evangelical Alliance
FIEC
Tithes
Energy Grant
Other charitable giving|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
£
120
3,544
22,388
100
-
26,152|
**Restricted**
**funds**
£
-
-
-
-
19,372
19,372|**Year ended**
**31/12/24**
**Total**
**funds**
£
120
3,544
22,388
100
19,372
45,524|
|---|---|---|---|
The prior year total is allocated between fund categories as follows:
|Evangelical Alliance
FIEC
Tithes
Energy Grant
Other charitable giving|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
£
250
3,596
17,177
2,469
-
23,491|
**Restricted**
**funds**
£
-
-
-
-
25,383
25,383|**Year ended**
**31/12/23**
**Total**
**funds**
£
250
3,596
17,177
2,469
25,383
48,874|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 14
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **8. SUPPORT COSTS**
|**Governance costs**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Year ended**
|Year ended|
||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
||**£**|£|
|Independent Examiner's fees|**600**|600|
|Legal and professional fees|**2,675**|1,613|
**3,275 2,213**
|**9.**|**TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**Year ended**
|Year ended|
|||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
|||**£**|£|
||Trustees' salaries|**50,767**|47,798|
||Trustees' social security|**2,354**|2,043|
||Trustees' pension contributions to money purchase schemes|**2,531**|2,388|
|||**55,652**|52,229|
||**Trustees' expenses**|||
|||**Year ended**|Year ended|
|||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
|||**£**|£|
||Trustees' expenses|**-**|361|
In the current period the trustees' expenses totalled £- (2023 - £361). The expenses related to the Pastor's expenses in connection with their duties.
continued...
Page 15
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **10. STAFF COSTS**
||**Year ended**|Year ended|
|---|---|---|
||**31/12/24**|
to 31/12/23|
||**£**|£|
|Wages and salaries|**45,720**|46,987|
|Social security costs|**-**|**-**|
|Other pension costs|**1,796**|1,555|
||**47,516**|48,542|
|The average monthly number of employees during the period was as follows:|||
||**Year ended**|Period 1/4/23|
||**31/12/24**|
to 31/12/23|
|Pastoral|**1**|1|
|Administration and support|**6**|6|
||**7**|7|
|No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.|||
## **11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|**COST**
At 1 January 2024
Additions
At 31 December 2024
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 January 2024
Charge for period
At 31 December 2024
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023|Freehold Fixtures and
properties
fittings
£
£
**2,479,122**
**54,142**
**-**
**-**
**2,479,122**
**54,142**
**327,486**
**49,655**
**41,164**
**2,599**
**368,649**
**52,254**
**2,110472**
**1,888**
2,151,636
4,487|Totals
£
**2,533,264**
**-**
**2,533,264**
**377,141**
**43,763**
**420,903**
**2,112,360**
2,156,123|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 16
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued**
The freehold properties comprises the Church's premises and a freehold residential property. The Church's premises are stated at its capitalised value of £2,058,187 relating to the new building. The residential property comprises a freehold property which is used as tied accommodation by the Pastor which is stated at cost of £420,934 at the beginning of the period.
## **12. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENT**
|**FIXED ASSET INVESTMENT**||
|---|---|
||Shares in group|
||undertakings|
||£|
|**COST**||
|At 1 January 2024|**100**|
|At 31 December 2024|**100**|
|**NET BOOK VALUE**||
|At 31 December 2024|**100**|
|At 31 December 2023|100|
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
The Church holds 100% of the issued share capital of Merland Rise Church Trading Limited, a company registered in England and Wales.
## **13. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Year ended**|Year ended|
||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
||**£**|£|
|Other debtors|**295**|1,817|
|Amount due to subsidiary undertaking|**9,758**|11,966|
|Tax recoverable|**32,482**|14,870|
|Prepayments and accrued income|**7,132**|6,346|
||**49,667**|34,999|
continued...
Page 17
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|**14.**|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**Year ended**|Year ended|
|||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
|||**£**|£|
||Trade creditors|**1,643**|6,113|
||Social security and other taxes|**2,041**|1,288|
||Other creditors|**25,428**|9,482|
||Accrued expenses and deferred income|**3,037**|7,164|
|||**32,149**|24,048|
|**15.**|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR**|||
|||**Year ended**|Year ended|
|||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
|||**£**|£|
||Other loans (see note 16)|**200,000**|200,000|
## **16. LOANS**
|An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
Amounts falling due in more than one year:
Repayable otherwise than by instalments:
Unsecured loans
See further details in note 18.|**200,000**|200,000|
|---|---|---|
||||
continued...
Page 18
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Manse fund
General Reserve Fund
General Repairs and Maintenance Fund
**Restricted funds**
Building Fund
Emergency Fund
Men's Ministry Fund
Women's Ministry Fund
Youth Ministry Fund
Other Fund (destined giving)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
Net movement in funds, included in the above a
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
General Repairs and Maintenance Fund
**Restricted funds**
Building Fund
Emergency Fund
Men's Ministry Fund
Women’s Ministry Fund
Youth Ministry Fund
Other Charitable Giving Fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/1/24
£
38,710
220,934
15,000
19,770
294,414
1,730,702
7,502
7,761
5,476
2,974
4,224
**1,758,639**
**2,053,054**
re as follows:|Net
movement
in funds
£
(1,499)
-
-
(144)
(1,643)
(41,164)
(2,281)
(1,609)
(614)
1,224
3,082
**(41,362)**
**(43,005)**
Incoming
resources
£
**203,631**
**203,631**
**-**
**500**
**745**
**2,923**
**1,538**
**13,469**
**19,175**
**222,806**||Transfers
between
funds
£
(15,000)
-
-
15,000
**-**
**-**
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
Resources
expended
£
**(205,130)**
**(144)**
**(205,274)**
**(41,164)**
**(2,781)**
**(2,354)**
**(3,537)**
**(313)**
**(10,387)**
**(60,536)**
**(265,810)**|At
31/12/24
£
22,211
220,934
15,000
34,626
292,771
1,730,702
5,221
6,152
4,862
4,198
7,306
**1,717,278**
**2,010,049**
Movement
in funds
£
**(1,499)**
**(144)**
**(1,643)**
**(41,164)**
**(2,281)**
**(1,609)**
**(614)**
**1,225**
**3,082**
**(41,361)**
**(43,004)**|
|||||||
|||||||
|||||||
||||
|||
continued...
Page 19
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Manse fund
General Reserve Fund
General Repairs and Maintenance Fund
**Restricted funds**
Building Fund
Emergency Fund
Men's Ministry Fund
Women's Ministry Fund
Youth Ministry Fund
Other Fund (destined giving)
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/1/23
£
21,117
220,934
15,000
33,128
290,179
1,771,865
9,101
6,840
6,232
2,213
6,434
**1,802,685**
**2,092,864**|Net
movement
in funds
£
17,593
-
-
(13,358)
4,235
(41,164)
(1,599)
921
(755)
761
(2,209)
**(44,045)**
**(39,810)**|Transfers
between
funds
£
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|At
31/12/23
£
38,710
220,934
15,000
19,770|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||294,414
1,730,702
7,502
7,761
5,476
2,974
4,224
**1,758,640**
**2,053,054**|
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
General Repairs and Maintenance Fund
**Restricted funds**
Building Fund
Emergency Fund
Men's Ministry Fund
Women’s Ministry Fund
Youth Ministry Fund
Other Charitable Giving Fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
**197,703**
**197,703**
**-**
**-**
**2,350**
**1,295**
**1,431**
**17,426**
**22,502**
**220,205**|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
**(180,110)**
**17,593**
**(13,358)**
**(13,358)**
**(193,468)**
**4,235**
**(41,164)**
**(41,164)**
**(1,599)**
**(1,599)**
**(1,429)**
**(921)**
**(2,050)**
**(755)**
**(670)**
**761**
**(19,635)**
**(2,209)**
**(66,547)**
**(44,045)**
**(260,015)**
**(39,810)**|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 20
**Merland Rise Church**
**Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **18. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
Details of the remuneration and expenses paid to trustees is shown within the Notes to the accounts.
The total amount of donations without conditions received by the Church from the trustees during the period was £24,061 (period to 31.12.2023 - £15,107).
At 31 December 2024, the Church owed trustees £200,000 (31.12.2023 - £200,000). This loan is unsecured, interest free and repayable after more than one year.
Apart from the above, there were no related party transactions between the trustees and the Church.
## **Merland Rise Church Trading Limited**
Merland Rise Church Trading Limited (MRCTL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merland Rise Church (CIO). Any profits made by the company will be donated to the Church under gift aid. No charitable donations were made to the Church during the current period nor prior year. At the year end, the Church was owed £9,758 (31.12.2023 - £11,966) by that company.
## **19. PENSION SCHEME**
The Church operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the Church to the scheme and amounted to £5,330 (31.12.2023 - £3,943).
Contributions totalling £nil (31.12.2023 - £nil) were payable to the scheme at the end of the year and are included in creditors.
## **20. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY**
The Church is controlled by the trustees under the general guidance of the Church Meeting in accordance with the Church's constitution.
## **21. UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED FUNDS**
The nature and purpose of the Church's unrestricted designated funds are as follows:
## **Manse**
This fund comprises the interest in freehold Manse owned by the Church. The Church sold its Manse and purchased another Manse in 2017 and granted the Pastor an option to purchase a part interest in this Manse. This option was exercised in January 2019.
## **General Reserve Fund**
This fund has been established to allow the Church to cover unforeseen and unbudgeted increases and decreases in revenue and expenditure.
## **General Repairs and Maintenance Fund**
This fund has been established to cover major uninsured repairs and maintenance costs of the new Church building.
continued...
Page 21
**Merland Rise Church**
**Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **22. RESTRICTED FUNDS**
The nature and purpose of the Church's restricted funds are as follows:
## **Building Fund**
This fund comprises the Church's premises whose redevelopment was completed in 2017.
## **Emergency Fund**
This fund is available to the Pastor to use on a discretionary basis for particular needs and situations he identifies among the Church fellowship and the local community.
## **Other Charitable Giving Fund**
This fund receives offerings from members of the Church which are for specified third party charities.
## **Men’s, Women’s and Youth’s Ministry Fund**
This relates to donations received from members to support the activities carried out by the respective ministries.
continued...
Page 22
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024**
||**Year ended**|Year ended|
|---|---|---|
||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
||**£**|£|
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**|||
|**Donations and legacies**|||
|Freewill offerings|**142,774**|135,729|
|Donations|**23,911**|30,344|
|Legacies|**-**|-|
|Gift aid|**32,482**|28,801|
|Commission receivable|**-**|43|
||**199,167**|194,917|
|**Investment income**|||
|Deposit account interest|**1,905**|1,511|
|**Charitable activities**|||
|Use of meeting rooms|**14,926**|14,600|
|**Other income**|||
|Other income|**6,807**|9,177|
|**Total incoming resources**|**222,805**|220,205|
|**EXPENDITURE**|||
|**Charitable activities**|||
|Trustees' salaries|**50,767**|47,798|
|Trustees' social security|**2,354**|2,043|
|Trustees' pension contributions|**2,531**|2,388|
|Trustees' expenses|**-**|361|
|Wages|**45,720**|46,987|
|Social security|**-**|-|
|Pensions|**1,796**|1,555|
|Other operating leases|**-**|-|
|Rent and rates|**360**|28|
|Insurance|**8,107**|6,726|
|Light and heat|**14,754**|10,636|
|Telephone|**944**|994|
|Postage|**7**|24|
|Sundries|**3,283**|1,429|
|Carried forward|**130,623**|120,969|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 23
## **Merland Rise Church**
## **Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024**
||**Year ended**|Year ended|
|---|---|---|
||**31/12/24**|31/12/23|
||**£**|£|
|**Charitable activities**|||
|Brought forward|**130,623**|120,969|
|Training|**3,660**|1,964|
|Repairs and maintenance|**5,386**|12,183|
|Cleaning and gardening|**7,726**|7,567|
|Licences|**1,316**|1,348|
|Office supplies|**856**|1,494|
|Photocopying|**592**|595|
|Other staff costs|**667**|944|
|Speaker and signer fees|**360**|150|
|Bank charges|**1,217**|862|
|Candles & decorations|**284**|105|
|Church Service|**2,890**|1,095|
|Church expenses||5,319|
|Computer software|**2,650**|2,559|
|Website|**6,114**|-|
|Youth/children ministry expenses|**8,902**|7,633|
|Other expenses|||
|Freehold property|**41,164**|41,164|
|Fixtures and fittings|**2,599**|2,977|
|Donations & Giving|**45,524**|48,874|
|Trustees Discretionary Fund|**-**|-|
||**262,534**|**257,802**|
|**Support costs**|||
|**Governance costs**|||
|Independent Examiner's fees|**600**|**600**|
|Legal and professional fees|**2,676**|**1,613**|
||**3,276**|**2,213**|
|Total resources expended|**265,810**|**260,015**|
|**Net expenditure**|**(43,005)**|(**39,810**)|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 24