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2023-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1190541

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FOR

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS) CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 to 15

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The principal purpose is to advance the Christian faith as well as to advance education and to carry out other charitable activities. The church's vision is 'to build the Kingdom and to make disciples'. Grants are made as directed by the donor or where the Trustees consider the payment would further the objectives of the church.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The church worked hard to fully implement the vision previously adopted. The vision is 'to build the Kingdom and to make disciples', and alongside this we have a set of values which govern how we operate and help us determine our priorities and inform our decision making. The values are as follows:

We depend on God for immeasurably more Everyone has value and adds value We seek the well-being of our community We don't maintain we multiply We are joyfully all in

In the context of the objectives, the following achievements show how our vision has increasingly come to life:

Care

We continue to offer pastoral support on request, and we have worked really hard to build robust systems to ensure that we are helping individuals and families to meet their needs; spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. The vast majority of our care and support is of individuals by volunteers on a regular basis.

Children & Youth

Throughout the year we have continued to include children and young people within the life of the church, supporting parents and families where possible, and we remain committed to providing holiday clubs and Sunday provisions for local children and young people.

Discipleship

We continue to offer Connect Groups during the week at different times and locations, making it easier for people to engage on a regular basis.These groups are an important setting for personal development, as well as a space for personal care.

Our weekly gatherings also continue to be an opportunity for Christian learning, and we have also been encouraged by the teaching and support of various invited individuals and organisations, and have provided training opportunities for various leaders and volunteers from within the church.

Gatherings

The church continues to meet each Sunday, and during these times various teams ensure that this expression of our church life is inclusive and welcoming as well as providing an environment for spiritual growth and Christian worship. We continue to meet as a church for corporate prayer and ministry.

Mission

Through both of our locations at Ashby Road and Crosby we have continued to serve the local community, regularly providing meals, social opportunities, befriendment and more. We have also continued to work with others in the community to seek the wellbeing and welfare of those who are most vulnerable, particularly working with 'Warm Spaces' during the winter and the current cost of living crisis.

Public Benefit

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commisson's general guidance on public benefit and complied with section 17 (5) of the 2011 Charities Act when reviewing the aims and objectives prior to planning and developing activities.

Page 1

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

In accordance with the Charities Commission guidance, the Trustees meet regularly during the year to review the level of reserves and consider that at the balance sheet date there were adequate free reserves for the church's future plans of £121,394 (2022 - £105,907).

The church has a reserves policy of 3 months wages and 3 months utilities and building commitment costs, we have set this amount for the year 2022/23 as £25,000.

Budgets are prepared on an annual basis by the staff and Leadership Team and approved by the trustees and subsequently by the church meeting.

Reviews of income and expenditure are carried out quarterly by the Leadership Team and trustees prior to being presented to the church meeting.

Those responsible for procurement of goods and services are required to ensure that best value is achieved, and that preferred suppliers are reviewed on a regular basis.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

We are extremely grateful to our members and local community who have continued to support us financially during recent difficult times, meaning that we are able to remain in a healthy financial position despite the challenges that remain in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains the case that we have a reserves policy in place and as such we seek to have 3 months of costs in reserve. So far these reserves remain available and unaffected by the pandemic.

We are pleased to see that by the end of this financial year Connect Church has been able to return to near full operational capacity again, giving us confidence moving forward.

FUTURE PLANS

We are now working toward a third location of Connect Church being planted in Brigg, with the groundwork and teams being developed now.

Our trustees have been conducting an organisational review, giving consideration to our strategic objectives moving forward. A SWOT analysis with a focus group has been conducted, and a new action plan will be developed in the near future.

It is also expected that this process will result in a new leadership team structure being adopted.

As we continue to work together with Connect Foundation, we anticipate that in the coming year we will partner with them to focus on alleviating poverty, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).

Organisational structure

Connect Church was registered as a CIO on 23 July 2020, and operates in accordance with its constitution, which was adopted on 15 January 2020. The Trustees are appointed through an open and public process by the church members' meeting to be responsible for the governance of the church. Trustees, except the Lead Pastor, are appointed for an initial three-year term and serve for so long as they have the support of the church members' meeting. They have the opportunity to be nominated for re-appointment at the end of their three-year term, after which there must be a break of at least one-year before they are nominated again. The Trustees control, manage and administer the church, subject to any specific or general directions from the church members' meeting. The Lead Pastor, who is also a Trustee, takes responsibility for the implementation of direction set by the Trustees and works through the staff and Leadership Team.

Volunteers are involved in the management, administration and activities of the church, and they play a vital role in ensuring that all of our efforts are carried out to a high standard, are effective to our objectives, and are done so in line with our vision and values as a charity. The trustees would like to place on record their sincere gratitude to all our volunteers.

The trustees during the period were those listed below.

Page 2

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1190541

Principal address Ashby Road Scunthorpe DN16 1NR

Trustees

Rev T W Macdonald P Clark A Sturman M Roberts (resigned 5.7.22) M Hockey (appointed 5.7.22) J Sadler (appointed 5.7.22)

Independent Examiner Helen Spauls FCA Smethurst & Co LLP 12 Abbey Road GRIMSBY DN32 0HL

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

............................................................................ P Clark - Trustee

Page 3

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Connect Church (North Lincs)

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Connect Church (North Lincs) (the CIO) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO 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 CIO's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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 CIO as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. 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.

Helen Spauls FCA

Smethurst & Co LLP 12 Abbey Road GRIMSBY DN32 0HL

Date: .............................................

Page 4

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
124,981
Charitable activities
Core
14,111
Investment income
2
11,903
Other income
-
Total
150,995
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Core
147,440
Net gains on investments
9,000
NET INCOME
12,555
Transfers to Connect Foundation (North Lincs)
13
-
Net movement in funds
12,555
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
702,954
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
715,509
Restricted
fund
£
13,511
-
-
-
13,511
11,489
-
2,022
(76,908)
(74,886)
83,280
8,394
31.3.23
Total
funds
£
138,492
14,111
11,903
-
164,506
158,929
9,000
14,577
(76,908)
(62,331)
786,234
723,903
31.3.22
Total
funds
£
184,356
2,953
9,369
401
197,079
199,920
30,000
27,159
-
27,159
759,075
786,234

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

BALANCE SHEET

31 MARCH 2023

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
7
Investment property
8
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
9
Cash at bank
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
10
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year
11
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
13
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Unrestricted
fund
£
309,115
285,000
594,115
8,220
121,395
129,615
(8,221)
121,394
715,509
-
715,509
Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
8,394
8,394
-
8,394
8,394
-
8,394
31.3.23
Total
funds
£
309,115
285,000
594,115
8,220
129,789
138,009
(8,221)
129,788
723,903
-
723,903
715,509
8,394
723,903
31.3.22
Total
funds
£
321,047
276,000
597,047
21,912
200,194
222,106
(9,719)
212,387
809,434
(23,200)
786,234
702,954
83,280
786,234

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. P Clark - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, 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, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Donations

Donations are accounted for gross when received.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Investment Income

Investment income is accounted for in the year in which it is received.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity 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.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Depreciation on fixed assets costing over £250 is calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful lives.

The church premises owned prior to 2002 are considered to be inalienable and historic fixed assets. They are excluded from the balance sheet because reliable cost information is not available and valuation would incur significant costs, which would be onerous compared to the additional benefit gained by the user of the accounts. Expenditure since 2002 on premises is included in the balance sheet at cost.

The building extension in 2002 is included in fixed assets at a cost of £485,200 and depreciated at 2% straight line. The Trustees consider that none of its separate components has a significantly different useful economic life that collectively would materially affect the carrying value in the accounts.

Furniture and equipment acquired since 2002 for the church premises is included at cost where the expected useful life exceeds 5 years. Fixed assets are reviewed annually for impairment where a market value can be reasonably assessed.

Investment property

Investment property is measured at cost and subsequently at fair value at each reporting date. No depreciation is provided on investment property.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

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 charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Page 7

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs

Employer's contributions to the defined contribution pension schemes of eligible employees are included in the Statement of financial activity in the year in which they become payable. Obligations under a defined benefit multi-employer plan are recognised as though they were a defined contribution plan. A liability is included for the present value of contributions payable that result from the terms of the agreement with the multi-employer plan and the impact of deficiency contributions are included in the Statement of financial activity.

2. INVESTMENT INCOME

2. INVESTMENT INCOME
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Rents received 9,900 8,701
Bank interest 2,003 668
11,903 9,369
3. GRANTS PAYABLE
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Core 8,900 8,640
The total grants paid to institutions during the year was as follows:
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
BMS World Mission 4,320 4,320
Home Misson 4,320 4,320
Pakistan Flood Relief 260 -
8,900 8,640
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Trustees' salaries 30,780 30,480
Trustees' pensions paid 3,530 3,616
34,310 34,096

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The above Trustees remuneration relates to pastor, Rev T W MacDonald in respect of his services as Lead Pastor. In addition to the above T W Macdonald, lived rent-free in housing owned or leased by the chuch, as is customary for clergy. For pension purposes this benefit has been valued at £6,000 (2022 - £6,000)

Page 8

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

5. STAFF COSTS

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

Church

31.3.23 31.3.22
5 6

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

Total paid to key management during the period inclusive of national insurance and pension contributions was £34,310 (2022 -£34,096).

6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
109,879
Charitable activities
Core
2,953
Investment income
9,369
Other income
401
Total
122,602
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Core
138,740
Net gains on investments
30,000
NET INCOME
13,862
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
689,092
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
702,954
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
109,879
Charitable activities
Core
2,953
Investment income
9,369
Other income
401
Total
122,602
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Core
138,740
Net gains on investments
30,000
NET INCOME
13,862
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
689,092
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
702,954
Restricted
fund
£
74,477
-
-
-
Total
funds
£
184,356
2,953
9,369
401
197,079
199,920
30,000
27,159
759,075
786,234
122,602
138,740
30,000
13,862
689,092
74,477
61,180
-
13,297
69,983
702,954 83,280

Page 9

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1 April 2022
Additions
At 31 March 2023
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022
Charge for year
At 31 March 2023
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
8.
INVESTMENT PROPERTY
FAIR VALUE
At 1 April 2022
Revaluation
At 31 March 2023
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
Freehold
property
£
512,539
-
512,539
202,891
11,072
213,963
298,576
Fixtures
and
fittings
£
84,990
1,359
86,349
73,591
2,219
75,810
10,539
Totals
£
597,529
1,359
598,888
276,482
13,291
289,773
309,115
321,047
£
276,000
9,000
285,000
285,000
276,000
309,648 11,399

Investment property was initially purchased for £155,000 in 2003.

The Trustees have estimated the fair value of the investment property at each period end using publicly available government information on local house prices.

9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Gift aid debtor 5,686 21,562
Other debtors 2,534 350
8,220 21,912

Page 10

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Trade creditors - 630
Other creditors 8,221 9,089
8,221 9,719
11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Other creditors - 23,200
12. LEASING AGREEMENTS
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Within one year - 3,780
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Transfers to
Net
Connect Foundation
movement
(North Lincs)
At
At 1.4.22 in funds on 1.4.22 31.3.23
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 702,953 12,556 - 715,509
Restricted funds
Restricted 83,280 2,022 (76,908) 8,394
TOTAL FUNDS 786,233 14,578 (76,908) 723,903
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources
Gains and
Movement
resources
expended

losses
in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 150,995 (147,439) 9,000 12,556
Restricted funds
Restricted 13,511 (11,489) - 2,022
TOTAL FUNDS 164,506 (158,928) 9,000 14,578

Page 11

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
At 1.4.21
£
689,092
69,983
759,075
Net
movement
in funds
£
13,862
13,297
27,159
At
31.3.22
£
702,954
83,280
786,234

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
122,602
74,477
197,079
Resources
expended
£
(138,740)
(61,180)
(199,920)
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
30,000
13,862
-
13,297
30,000
27,159
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
30,000
13,862
-
13,297
30,000
27,159
27,159

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
At 1.4.21
£
689,092
69,983
759,075
Transfers to
Net
Connect Foundation
movement
(North Lincs)
in funds
on 1.4.22
£
£
26,418
-
15,319
(76,908)
41,737
(76,908)
At
31.3.23
£
715,510
8,394
723,904

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
273,597
87,988
361,585
Resources
expended
£
(286,179)
(72,669)
(358,848)
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
39,000
26,418
-
15,319
39,000
41,737
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
39,000
26,418
-
15,319
39,000
41,737
41,737

Page 12

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Included within restricted funds in the current and comparative periods are as follows:

Foodbank

These funds are given specifically to support our Foodbank project, offering emergency food parcels to people in crisis.

Change for Change

These funds are loose change donations that are given to allow us to support vulnerable people with one-off support, for example, purchasing a microwave, buying a train ticket etc.

Holiday Club

These funds finance the holiday clubs we provide in conjunction with the local schools and local authority, particularly during the Easter and summer breaks.

Next Generation

This is a one-off legacy donation that was given with the express purpose of being used to develop future leaders for service within the charity.

Christmas Hampers

Donations were made to sponsor a Christmas hamper. The Christmas hampers were then prepared and delivered in partnership with local children's services, ensuring that the most vulnerable and needy families, received a full Christmas dinner and gifts for children.

Ukraine Appeal Fund

One off donations were received and distributed to some of our partner organisations and/or churches who were supporting refugees on the Ukrainian border, following the Russian invasion.

Fuelled Fund

The delivery of holiday clubs in Crosby as part of the local authority campaign to support those who receive school meals.

Interfaith

Supporting the promotion and delivery of equality and diversity training within North Lincolnshire as part of national interfaith week.

Trauma Training

Providing training to those from within local education settings to ensure that children and young adults are being cared for in a way that is appropriate for their needs.

Burglary

Raising funds to support a family who were the victims of a burglary, leading to significant financial losses.

Mission All

One off donations were made to support the work of various partner charities who are seeking to share the Christian message in areas that are considered to be missionally challenging. These donations followed those involved in these charities sharing their stories and providing some training to Connect Church.

Transfers

Transfers are amounts transferred to Connect Foundation (North Lincs) on 1st April 2022.

Page 13

CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

During the period elected Trustees donated £9,330 (2022 - £7,550) to the church.

£12,000 management fees were received from Connect Foundation (North Lincs) during the year.

Amounts outstanding at the 31st March 2023 from Connect Foundation (North Lincs) were £2,534.

15. PENSIONS

The custodian trustee of the church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited (Charity no. 249635) which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council. The church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the East Midlands Baptist Association.

The Church is an employer participating in a pension scheme known as the Baptist Pension Scheme ("the Scheme"), which is administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The Scheme is a separate legal entity and the assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.

For any month, each participating employer in the Scheme pays contributions as set out in the Schedule of Contributions in force at that time.

The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Scheme's assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme.

The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are contributions payable towards benefits and expenses accrued in that year, plus any impact of deficiency contributions (see below).

The Minister is eligible to join the Scheme. From January 2012, pension provision is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members' Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Legal and General Life Assurance Society Limited. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members in the event that they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva plc. [Members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%.] The further 4% contribution rate is reduced to 3% for Employer contributions made to the Segregated DC Arrangement

.

Benefits in respect of service prior to 1 January 2012 are provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan within the Scheme. The main benefits for pre-2012 service were a defined benefit pension of one eightieth of Final Minimum Pensionable Income for each year of Pensionable Service, together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income. The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers' Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011.

Actuarial Valuation as at 31 December 2019

A formal valuation of the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was performed at 31 December 2019 by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. The market value of the DB Plan assets at the valuation date was £298 million.

The valuation of the DB Plan revealed a deficit of assets compared with the value of liabilities of £18 million (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The Church and the other employers supporting the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit.

The key assumptions underlying the valuation were as follows:
Type of financial assumption % pa
RPI price inflation assumption 3.20
CPI price inflation assumption 2.70
Minimum Pensionable Income increases (CPI plus 0.75% pa) 3.20
Assumed Investment returns - Pre retirement 2.95
- Post retirement 1.70
Deferred pension increases
- Pre April 2009 3.20
- Post April 2009 2.50
Pension increases
- Main Scheme pension 2.70

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CONNECT CHURCH (NORTH LINCS) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

15. PENSIONS - continued

Post retirement mortality in accordance with 80% of the S3NFA and S3NMA tables, with allowance for future improvements in mortality rates from 2013 in line with the CMI 2019 core projections, with a long term annual rate of improvement of 1.75% for males and 1.5% for females, with the core smoothing parameter and with additional initial mortality improvement factor A=0.5%.

The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme will commence in 2023 to reflect the position as at 31 December 2022.

Recovery Plan

In addition to the contributions to the DC Plan set out above, where a valuation of the DB Plan reveals a deficit the Trustee and the Council agree to a rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan. Following the 2019 valuation a Recovery Plan was signed in September 2020 under which deficiency contributions are payable until June 2026. These contributions were broadly based on each employer's membership at 31 December 2014 and increase annually in line with increases to Minimum Pensionable Income as defined in the Rules.

On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure DB Plan members’ pension benefits. Just are now providing financial backing for all pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan and following this transaction, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which recovery contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per month from August 2022.

Therefore the balance has been reduced to nil in the year.

Accounting date (year ending): 31 March 2023 31 March 2022
Balance sheet liability at year start £23,200 28,489
Minus deficiency contributions paid -£1,878 -£5,160
Interest cost (recognised in SoFA) £478
Remaining change to balance sheet liability *(recognised in SoFA) £21,322 -£607
Balance sheet liability at year end £0 £23,200

16. RELATED CHARITIES

The custodian trustee of the church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited (Charity no. 249635) which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council. The church is also a member of the Baptist Union Great Britain and the East Midlands Baptist Association.

The church has made donations to the Bapist Union Home Mission Scheme and BMS World Mission as set out in note 3.

17. CHARITY RECONSTRUCTION

From 1 April 2022 the activities and restricted funds relating to Scunthorpe Foodbank and Change for Change were transferred to Connect Foundation (North Lincs), a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which was set up by Connect Church (North Lincs).

The minister of Connect Church (North Lincs) is automatically a Charity Trustee of Connect Foundation (North Lincs), and the members of Connect Church (North Lincs) shall nominate candidates for election as Charity Trustees to the board of Connect Foundation (North Lincs) when appropriate.

On 1st April 2022 £3,049 was transferred from Connect Church to Connect Foundation (North Lincs) held in relation to Change for Change and £73,859 was transferred from Connect Church (North Lincs) to Connect Foundation (North Lincs) held in relation to Foodbank.

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