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2023-12-31-accounts

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CHARITY INCORPORATED ORGANISATION

Accounts – 31st December 2023

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY Charity Incorporated Organisation

Charity number: 1188780

Accounts – 31st December 2023

INDEX

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st December 2023

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of The Welcome Church, Witney CIO (‘The Church’) for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 .

Governance

The Church was established as a registered charity on 26[th] March 2020 under registered charity number 1188780. It was established to receive by transfer the operations and assets of its immediate predecessor, the Welcome Evangelical Church Trust (‘The Trust’) (registered charity number 1045455). This was achieved on 31[st] December 2020. During 2021, The Trust was wound up.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (second edition) and Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102.

Reference and Administration Details

The charity’s name is The Welcome Church, Witney.

Charity Registration Number: 1188780

Principal Address: The Welcome Church High Street Witney Oxfordshire OX28 6HL

Trustees

The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Mr J R Brien Mr S Brown Mr K N Hubbard Mr C A Gibson Mr M Wright

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st December 2023 ( Continued)

Objectives and Activities

The purpose of the Church can be summarised as:

The core public activity is the provision of public worship on a regular basis. This is supplemented by groups for different ages. During 2023, the Church continued to use its premises for worship and ministry, as well as regularly providing access to worship services through the digital streaming of Sunday public worship. The Church has continued to operate its Welcome Counselling Service, a professional and confidential counselling service available to the general public. In addition to Sunday public worship services, the Church operates groups for all ages and abilities during the week, as well as community engagement activities.

During 2023, the Church has also actively engaged with the local authority’s planning office to seek permission to develop the Church’s building to provide more space for the Church’s growing congregation & activities

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 operating for the advancement of religion.

Achievements and Performance

The Church has seen positive steps in engaging with the local community, both inside the Church’s premises, and outside in the community. The Church’ growing activities and events providing help and support for those who may need it, as well as much need fellowship over free food.

The Church has continued to partner Christian missionaries who are involved in spreading the Christian faith in different countries. This is done primarily through prayer and financial assistance. It has also continued to provide support to a number of individuals and organisations that are UK-based. This has in turn, enabled the Christian faith to be shared with individuals in this country and in some countries overseas.

Financial Review

The total income for the year was £163,552 and total expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £133,388. The statement of financial activities shows a net income from unrestricted funds of £30,489 (2022: £8,882) and a net outflow of restricted funds of £325 (2022: £132). After transfers between funds the balance on unrestricted funds at the year-end was £324,707 and on restricted funds £927.

Reserves Policy

Operating surpluses are maintained in general (unrestricted) reserves in order to fund ongoing operational activity and asset replacement. Restricted reserves are maintained to fund current or future ministry activities, in respect of funds received for specific purposes.

The Church’s reserves at the end of the 2023 year were:

Unrestricted (general use) funds: £324,707

Restricted income funds: £927

The amount of free general reserves not invested in fixed assets at the end of the year amounted to £185,737 (2022: £147,087).

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st December 2023 ( Continued)

Structure, Governance and Management

The Welcome Church, Witney operates under a constitution and a church handbook. The Church’s leadership is composed of Elders, including the Pastor of the Church. Elders are supported in their responsibilities by Ministry Team Leaders, who are appointed to oversee particular activities of The Church. The Pastor acts as chair person to the Elders and to business meetings of the members of the Church. Elders also act as trustees of The Welcome Church, Witney CIO. Elders and therefore trustees are appointed by the existing Elders, and confirmed by members during a subsequent members’ business meeting.

Appointment of Trustees

New trustees when elected are given details of the background of The Church in order to make them aware of current activities.

Approved by the trustees on 3rd September 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

C A Gibson ………………………………….. Trustee

Witney

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Welcome Church, Witney CIO for the year ended 31st December 2023.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity 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.

A P Williams BSc FCCA A J Carter & Co Chartered Accountants

22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB

5th September 2024

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

Statement of Financial Activities

(including an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31st December 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations (and legacies)
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Other
Total incoming resources
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds for the year
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
141,903
-
141,903
16,759
961
17,720
3,829
-
3,829
100
-
100
162,591
961
163,552
132,102
1,286
133,388
132,102
1,286
133,388
30,489
(325)
30,164
(139)
139
-
30,350
(186)
30,164
294,357
1,113
295,470
£324,707
£927
£325,634		 Total
Funds
2022
£
102,208
16,441
3,398
-
122,047
113,297
113,297
8,750
-
8,750
286,720
£295,470

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets
14
The funds of the Charity
Restricted income funds
15
Unrestricted income funds
15
Total unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 2023
£
138,970
138,970
19,454
169,024
188,478
1,814
186,664
325,634
£325,634
927
324,707
324,707
£325,634		 2022
£
147,270
147,270
3,796
147,326
151,122
2,922
148,200
295,470
£295,470
1,113
294,357
294,357
£295,470

These accounts were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 3rd September 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:

C A Gibson

...................................................... Trustee

The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st December 2023

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a) Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items being recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the notes to these accounts.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognized at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Public Benefit Entity

The Welcome Church, Witney CIO constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

Going Concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that The Church has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

b) Income Recognition Policies

Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once The Church has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation of donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

c) Donated Services and Facilities

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the general time of volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st December 2023 (continued)

d) Resources Expended

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both its costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

e) Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the Charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for the particular areas of the Charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity.

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Freehold land and buildings 2% of buildings on a straight-line basis Fixtures and fittings 10% - 20% on a straight-line basis

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st December 2023 (continued)

i)

Creditors and Provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting 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. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

j) Pensions

The Charity operates a defined contribution scheme, the assets of which are held outside the Charity.

2. Legal Status of the Charity

The Welcome Church, Witney operates as a Charity Incorporated Organisation which was established by the Charity Commission on 26[th] March 2020.

3. Income from donations

Gifts and donations
Gift aid		 2023
£
118,321
23,582
£141,903		 2022
£
84,238
17,970
£102,208

Of the £141,903 received in 2023 (2022: £102,208) £nil was restricted funds (2022: £nil) and £141,903 (2022: £102,208) unrestricted funds.

4. Income from charitable activities

Welcome Counselling Services
Other church group activities
Church ministries		 2023
£
9,420
2,839
5,461
£17,720		 2022
£
9,718
916
5,807
£16,441

Of the £17,720 received in 2023 (2022: £16,411) £961 was restricted funds (2022: £1,503) and £16,759 (2022: £14,938) unrestricted funds.

5. Income from investments

Rental income
Interest		 Unrestricted
2023
£
3,521
308
£3,829		 Unrestricted
2022
£
3,340
58
£3,398

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st December 2023 (continued)

6. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Depreciation
Pastoral staff costs
Ministry and mission
Church premises and administration costs
Total		 2023
Total
£
8,300
38,708
43,840
42,540
£133,388		 2022
Total
£
8,181
38,120
42,506
24,490
£113,297

Of the £133,388 expenditure in 2023 (2022: £113,297), £1,286 was charged to restricted funds (2022: £1,635) and £132,102 to unrestricted funds (2022: £111,662).

7. Net income/(expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging:
Depreciation
Independent examiner's fee		 2023
£
8,300
1,080		 2022
£
8,181
960

8. Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses

Salaries and wages
Pension costs		 2023
£
41,490
1,775
£43,265		 2022
£
42,411
1,690
£44,101

No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2022: Nil). Pension costs are allocated to activities in proportion to the related staffing costs incurred and are wholly charged to unrestricted funds.

During the year, one trustee (or any persons connected with them) received remuneration of £35,490 (2022: £33,800) and pension contributions of £1,775 (2022: £1,690) from the Trust in respect of services related to the mission of the church, as opposed to services as trustees.

With this exception, the charity trustees were not paid, nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2022: £nil). They were paid expenses of £396 during the year in relation to telephone costs. No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2022: £nil).

The total amount of donations received without conditions from trustees or other related parties was £9,330 (2022 £8,130) with restricted donations totalling £125 (2022 £nil).

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st December 2023 (continued)

9. Staff numbers

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2023 2022
Number Number
2 2

10. Related party transactions

There were no further related party transactions that need to be disclosed.

11. Tangible fixed assets

Cost:
As at 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
As at 31 December 2023
Depreciation:
As at 1 January 2023
Charge for year
Depreciation on disposals
As at 31 December 2023
Net book value:
As at 31 December 2023
As at 31 December 2022
12.Debtors
Other debtors
13.Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Accruals		 Freehold
land and
buildings
£
150,000
-
-		 Fixtures
and fittings
£

57,594

-
(1,399)
56,195

30,324

5,800
(1,399)

34,725

£21,470
£27,270
2023
£
19,454
£19,454
2023
£
734
1,080
£1,814		 Total
£
207,594
-
(1,399)
150,000 206,195
30,000
2,500
-		 60,324
8,300
(1,399)
32,500 67,225
£117,500 £138,970
£120,000 £147,270
2022
£
3,796
£3,796
2022
£
-
2,922
£2,922

THE WELCOME CHURCH, WITNEY CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st December 2023 (continued)

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Total		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total
£
£
£
£
138,970
-
-
138,970
167,993
104
927
169,024
17,640
-
-
17,640
£324,603
£104
£927 £325,634

15. Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Youth Mission Fund
Pathways
Total		 Balance
Incoming
Resources
Funds
01.01.23
resources
expended
Transfers
31.12.23
£
£
£
£
£
376
-
-
-
376
737
961
(1,286)
139
551
£1,113
£961
£(1,286)
£139
£927

Pathways - is an active fund. It raises funds for its own use or for expenditure that is related to its activity (the provision of persons with a learning or physical disability).

Youth Mission Fund - is moneys gifted in the past to provide travelling support to young people who were taken on ministry trips overseas. This activity has not occurred during recent years but the fund has been reinstated in these accounts to reflect the correct position.

Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds

General fund
Burkina Faso
Kate Royal
Open Doors
Development fund (designated)
Total		 Balance
Incoming
Resources
Funds
01.01.23
resources
expended
Transfers
31.12.23
£
£
£
£
£
294,357
159,029
(128,644)
(139)
324,603
-
2,617
(2,513)
-
104
-
720
(720)
-
-
-
225
(225)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
£294,357 £162,591 £(132,102)
£(139)£324,707

Burkina Faso - a fund set-up to aid a pastoral visit

Kate Royal - to fund a minister in Burkina Faso for street children

Open Doors - in response to the needs of people following an earthquake