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2024-12-31-accounts

Longmeadow Evangelical Church CIO

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

LONGMEADOW EVANGELICAL CHURCH CIO

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Oaks Cross Broadwater Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 8LT GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO - Constitution dated 07 Apr 2020 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1188950 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Wayne Campbell MANAGING THE CHARITY John Cooper Ben Epps Russell Knell James Thompson John Remison - appointed March 2024 CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES FIEC Limited 39 The Point Market Harborough LE16 7QU BANKERS CAF Bank Redwood Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue The Nexus Building Kings Hill Broadway West Malling Letchworth Garden City Kent Hertfordshire ME19 4TA SG6 3TA INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA, CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2- 6 Trustees' Report Page 7 Independent Examiner's Report Page 8 Receipts and Payments Account Page 9 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 10 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees present their annual report and the independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Name and Registered Office of the Charity

The full name of the charity is Longmeadow Evangelical Church, and the operating address is Oaks Cross, Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Legal Status

Longmeadow Evangelical Church was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 7 April 2020, Charity Number 1188950.

Longmeadow Evangelical Church was constituted in 1959 as a church and was governed by the Constitution and Notes adopted on 24 October 1959 and amended on 15 September 1962. A new constitution and church practices was adopted on 2 December 2008. The church was registered as a charity on 3 February 2010. A new constitution establishing a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) was approved by the Charity Commission on 7 April 2020.

Trustees

The trustees who served during the year are set out on the index tab of the accounts.

The trustees are those who exercise oversight as elders within the church. New elders are appointed by nomination of the elders from the membership of the church and subject to the approval of the church membership at a business meeting of the church. Each elder is required to be fully in agreement with the Basis of Faith.

Page 2

Objects

The purposes of the Church shall be: -

Aims and Organisation

Longmeadow Evangelical Church is a fellowship of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ gathering together in His Name in the Longmeadow neighbourhood of Stevenage and affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC). We are a gathering of ordinary people who by faith in Jesus have been adopted by God our Father. So, with prayer and love we seek to: listen to His voice in the Bible, serve one another, and share His good news in the power of the Holy Spirit. Longmeadow Evangelical Church: it’s trustees, elders and members are committed to following these New Testament principles.

Our vision is to encourage and serve one another so that we grow in our love for God and make the most of where He has placed each of us; to support and mentor members in training for gospel work; to plant a new church or revitalise an existing church, as the Lord grants the opportunity.

The church employs two full-time pastors, two part-time pastoral workers to assist primarily with ministry to women, and one part-time church administrator.

The two pastors are also elders and trustees of the church. The elders are required by constitution to call a meeting of the members to conduct Church Business at least once in each quarter of the year.

Public Benefit

The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Page 3

The church seeks to fulfil its charitable object of advancing the Christian faith in accordance with its Basis of Faith in the following ways which bring benefit to the community of Stevenage in which it is situated.

Every Sunday the Church holds two services of worship at its Oaks Cross building which include preaching and/or Bible teaching; age-related activities are also provided in the morning for children and teenagers. All these meetings are open to the general public, whom we regularly invite by word of mouth and through door-to-door leaflets and visitation.

Our weekday activities for children include an evening group for 6 to 11-year-olds, and an evening group for those aged 11 to 16.

Home groups are also held on various days and evenings during the week.

We have continued to run new regular activities that were started this year,

Both activities continue to see regular attendees and are greatly appreciated by those people who directly benefit from them.

The pastors of the Church take funeral services for deceased members of the community who are not members of, nor attend, this Church. From time to time, we engage in various activities such as family fun days which are for the benefit of all members of the public. The Church building is regularly used as a public polling station by Stevenage Borough Council.

The Church assists with the religious education of local school children, with the Pastors taking assemblies in local primary schools.

We support the local branch of Good News for Everyone!, which has as its main activity the distribution of Bibles to local Year 7 school children, hotels, sheltered accommodation for senior citizens and hospitals.

The Church promotes the spread of Biblical Christianity which has brought significant public benefit to society. Some of the Church's current members are former offenders and addicts whose lives have been dramatically changed for the benefit of society.

The Church also seeks to fulfil its charitable objects by supporting several overseas missionaries working in various countries in relief, education and other Christian

Page 4

activities. In times of disaster the Church also facilitates the collection and sending of funds to various parts of the world where the Church has contacts for emergency relief.

We continue to make use of internet technologies to allow engagement with those unable to attend in-person meetings. Sunday services are live-streamed, several of our small groups have opted to continue to meet online, and our quarterly members’ meetings are now held in a hybrid format – allowing members attending both in-person and online to engage in the decision making of the church.

These activities are made possible through the voluntary support of the members and friends.

Review of Financial Transactions

We are grateful to the Lord for meeting our financial needs.

We were able to continue our financial support to our mission partners who are serving the Lord both in the UK and in other parts of the world.

During this period total income was £132,478, and total expenditure was £137,129. This meant cash funds held by the charity decreased by £4,651 to £63,024, of which £62,680 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.

Once again, we want to express our gratitude to all church members who have given so generously towards the work at Longmeadow. Most of all we want to give thanks to God for all his blessings and provision for yet another year.

Second Pastoral Worker

In 2023 we appointed a second part-time pastoral worker, providing pastoral support particularly to ladies and young people, this was a fixed-term contract running to the end of 2024. Recognising the value of this pastoral work, we made this role permanent at the start of 2025.

Reserves

The Church seeks to retain reserves at a level which will enable it to continue its activities. Given current regular obligations we seek to hold minimum reserves of £30,000 (which equates to about 3 months of unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. The unrestricted reserves of the fellowship at the year end were £62,680 and the reserves policy is met.

Page 5

Trustees Responsibilities

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

Risk

The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.

Disclosure of information to Independent Examiner

The trustees have taken all the steps necessary to ensure that the charity's examiners are aware of all relevant information. To the knowledge and belief of the trustees, there is no relevant information of which the charity's independent examiners are not aware.

This report is agreed and signed on behalf of the trustees:

Ben Epps, Trustee

Page 6

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

LONGMEADOW EVANGELICAL CHURCH CIO

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Longmeadow Evangelical Church CIO ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 8 to 10 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 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 accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Archie McDowall

Archie McDowall (Oct 23, 2025 14:08:37 GMT+1)

Archie McDowall BA, CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Oct 23, 2025

Page 7

LONGMEADOW EVANGELICAL CHURCH CIO

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes
Income receipts
Gifts and donations
Gift Aid Recovered
Other
Letting of facilities
Interest
Total receipts
Payments
2
3
Total payments
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Cash funds as at last year end
Cash funds at this year end
A
Net
of
receipts
/
(payments)
before
transfers
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly		 General
Funds
£
108,255
19,872
821
1,675
1,022
131,645
112,552
23,891
136,443
(4,798)
-
(4,798)
67,478
62,680		 Restricted
Funds
£
773
-
60
-
-
833
105
581
686
147
-
147
197
344		 2024
£
109,028
19,872
881
1,675
1,022
132,478
112,657
24,472
137,129

(4,651)
-
(4,651)
67,675
63,024
 2023
£
119,677
21,777
1,187
553
806
144,001
104,374
21,048
125,422
18,579
-
18,579
49,475
67,675

The notes on page 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 8

LONGMEADOW EVANGELICAL CHURCH CIO

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes
A Cash funds
CIO Current
Redwood 35 Day
B Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
C Liabilities
Pension due
HMRC Payments
Fee for Independent Examination
D Assets retained for charity's own use
Property
Equipment, Furniture and Fittings		 General
funds
£
35,049
27,631
62,680
4,580
1,158
5,738
514
1,875
1,080
3,469
3,469		 Restricted
funds
£
344
-
344
63
-
63
-
-
-
-
-		 2024
£
35,393
27,631
63,024
4,642
1,158
5,801
514
1,875
1,080
3,469
3,469
Fund to
which asset
belongs
unrestricted
unrestricted		 2023
£
41,005
26,670
67,675
4,820
475
5,295
494
1,932
1,080
3,506
3,506
£
1,275,052
84,911

The trustees have used insurance values as an approximation for current values.

E Guarantees and secured debts

The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

_____ B Epps (Oct 13, 2025 14:39:51 GMT+1)B Epps Ben Epps, Trustee

Oct 13, 2025 Date:_____

The notes on page 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 9

LONGMEADOW EVANGELICAL CHURCH CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Care
Ministry Activities
Office/General Administrative Expenses
Accounts Preparation & Independent Examination
Payroll Expenses
Premises Costs
Insurances
Utilities
Staff Costs
3
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Grants to other charities and organisations
SIM International
Africa Inland Mission
OMF International
FIEC
Other small grants to organisations
Grants to individuals		 General
funds
£
2,050
5,345
2,941
110
95,288
1,738
1,527
3,306
247
112,552
5,885
4,298
3,118
1,779
2,688
6,123
23,891		 Restricted
Funds
£
45
60
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
105
-
-
-
-
543
38
581		 Total
2024
£
2,095
5,405
2,941
110
95,288
1,738
1,527
3,306
247
112,657
5,885
4,298
3,118
1,779
3,231
6,161
24,472		 Total
2023
£
1,866
5,674
2,337
960
87,779
941
1,499
2,881

438
104,374
5,521
4,037
2,850
1,680
1,806
5,154
21,048

4 Transactions with related parties

Ben Epps and Russell Knell served as church pastors and were paid a gross salary of £37,927 and £37,815 (2023: £36,251 and £36,191) respectively and each benefited from employer's pension contribution of £1,513 (2023: £1,448) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

5
Movement of funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Holiday Club
Christmas Offering Fund
Missionary Fund
Care Fund
Fun Day
Total funds		 Opening
balance
£
67,478
95
103
-
-
-
197
67,675		 Income
Receipts
£
131,645
-
690
38
45
60
833
132,478		 Payments
£
(136,443)
-
(543)
(38)
(45)
(60)
(686)
(137,129)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Closing
balance
£
62,680
95
250
-
-
-
344
63,024

Page 10