Annual Report and Financial Statements 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Churches, Agencies and Christians proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ together
Affinity is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales with registered charity number 1192455
Report of the Trustees
Members of the Trust Board have the pleasure of submitting their report and the independently audited financial statements of Affinity for the year starting on 1 January 2022 and ending 31 December 2022. The trustees have adopted the Provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts following the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) published in October 2019 and comply with the charity’s governing document and the Charities Act 2011.
Charity name: Affinity Registered charity number: 1192455 Charity’s principal address: PO Box 905, Haywards Heath RH16 9TJ
Constitution
Affinity was constituted in June 1969 as an unincorporated organisation (although it has been a recognised body since 1952) and became the current CIO with the same name and charitable purposes in November 2020.
Objetives and Activities
The main objective of Affinity is to promote the advancement of the Christian religion, as expressed in Affinity’s doctrinal basis, by means of a fellowship of evangelical churches, agencies and individuals. Affinity exists to:
Promote gospel unity among us by engaging in activities that encourage mutual recognition, understanding and respect and that serve to strengthen each other and to help each other maintain and exhibit the highest standards of godly living and Christian discipleship.
Encourage all like-minded churches, agencies and individuals to identify themselves with Affinity. To demonstrate unity to the world by supporting and, where possible, promoting the evangelistic enterprises of Members and Associates. In particular, to be committed to supporting the planting and restoration of Bible-centred, evangelical churches.
Represent our Members and Associates to governments, the media and to those responsible for formulating policy and influencing public morality and social justice. To apply the Word of God to public life and join with others of like persuasion in making representation on these issues where this serves to advance godly, just and wholesome ends.
Engage in theological research and discussion to advance an understanding and acceptance of biblical Christianity. To promote biblical teaching on true ecumenism and to encourage its practice among Members and Associates.
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Express our unity and fellowship with like-minded churches and evangelical agencies worldwide.
Governance
Affinity is governed by five trustees who make up the Trust Board, they are supported by the Advisory Council made up of representatives from Corporate, Church and Agency members. The Trustees meet with the Advisory Council twice a year to discuss matters of strategy and planning and to share information about the work of Affinity. Trustees are appointed by existing Trustees.
The Trust Board has considered the general guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and in particular, its supplementary guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
Members of the Trust Board
Rev Dr Thomas Brand (Chair)
Rev Paul Yeulett
Rev David Meredith (re-elected in September 2022)
Rev Mark Thomas
Rev John Stevens
Organisational structure
The Trust Board is responsible for the governance and policy for Affinity. The implementation of the policy and the day-to-day management is delegated to the Director, who is appointed by the Trust Board. Graham Nicholls has been in post as Director since 2018. The Director is supported in his responsibilities by an Executive Assistant.
Achievements and Performance
Throughout 2022, Affinity has continued to provide advice, support and services to its member churches and associate agencies in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It provides a focus for cooperation, mutual encouragement and assistance in our united witness.
Resources and advice are provided to churches, agencies and individuals through our website and other published materials.
Key activities are undertaken by teams which work in the areas of theological advocacy, public engagement, social issues and world mission. In particular, the Director has given considerable time to develop Affinity’s profile through local and national media, to represent the views of its members on matters of concern to evangelical Christians.
A theological study conference is held every two years as a focus for discussion and debate on matters of mutual concern to Affinity members. The most recent Study Conference happened in March 2023 and preparations are already underway for the next one in March 2025.
The Director and Executive Assistant have continued to oversee and develop the various ministries of Affinity and have ensured an efficient and cost-effective administration.
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Financial Review
The 2022 deficit of £8,070 was an improvement on the budgeted level. The trustees, with input from the advisory council, have implemented strategies to make sure this level of deficit would not be repeated in 2023.
Comparison with the previous year is complicated by the fact that the Affinity CIO did not begin operating until 12 July 2021, at which point funds were transferred from the previous charity.
The Trustees confirm they have exercised careful financial oversight of the charity’s resources and provide the following overview.
Income
Excluding the transfer of funds, we saw income increase in 2022 to £54,228. The main reasons were as follows. The introduction of a new sliding scale for membership contributions resulted in a more standardised level of giving from contributing members. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of evangelical Christian organisations becoming Agency members. We are grateful to God for this strengthening of the work of Affinity. We are also grateful to all our Corporate, Agency and Church members and the numerous individuals who support the work financially. While the 2022 accounts show an income of £5,471 for the biennial Theological Study Conference, we anticipate this activity will have made an overall loss by the time of the event in March 2023.
Expenditure
Expenditure increased significantly in 2022 to £62,298. The main reasons for this were as follows. Staffing costs increased as the Executive Assistant role became full-time. The website was rebuilt with a view to increasing individual donors and reducing ongoing website maintenance costs.
Reserves policy
Affinity aims to maintain free reserves (unrestricted funds less debtors) at a level sufficient to cover three months’ general expenditure, to give Affinity time to respond to unexpected developments. At the end of the period available, unrestricted funds were £24,375 (2021: £32,445) which is around five months’ general expenditure. A deficit budget was planned for 2023 which will further reduce the level of the reserves.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved this Annual Report for 2022.
Signed on behalf of the Trust Board:
Thomas Brand Chair
Date: 11 September 2023
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Independent examiner’s report on the accounts
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Affinity for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of Affinity 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 Affinity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of Affinity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
Signed:
Name: Aaron Chen
Address: 31 Syresham Gardens, Haywards Heath, West Sussex. RH16 3LB.
Date:
17 October 2023
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Statement of financial activities
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
| Notes Incoming resources Donations and Legacies 2) Charitable Activities 3a Other 4) Total Resources expended Staff Costs 5) Charity Management & Administration Charitable Activities 3b Communications Total Net resource movement Transfers beteen funds New movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Total 2022 funds Total 2021 funds £ £ £ £ 46,628) 600) 47,228) 24,517) 7,000) 0) 7,000) 733) 0) 0) 0) 32,560) |
|---|---|
| 53,628) 600) 54,228) 57,810) |
|
| 37,279) 0) 37,279) 16,957) 7,003) 0) 7,003) 2,782) 2,410) 0) 2,410) 0) 15,606) 0) 15,606) 5,625) |
|
| 62,298) 0) 62,298) 25,364) |
|
| (8,670) 600) (8,070) 32,445) 600) (600) (8,070) 0) (8,070) 32,445) 32,445) 0) 32,445) 0) |
|
| 24,375) 0) 24,375) 32,445) |
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Balance sheet
As at 31 December 2022
| Notes Current assets Bank Balances 6) Debtors Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Supplier Accounts Payable Payroll Liabilities Total Total net assets Unrestricted funds General Designated Total funds |
31/12/2022 31/12/2021 £ £ 26,300) 34,270) 117) 344) |
|---|---|
| 26,417) 34,614) |
|
| 44) 510) 1,998) 1,659) |
|
| 2,042) 2,169) |
|
| 24,375) 32,445) |
|
| 24,375 32,445 0 0 |
|
| 24,375 32,445 |
Approved by the trustees on: 11 September 2023
Signed on their behalf:
Thomas Brand Chair
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Notes to the financial statements
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
1. Accounting principles
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.
a) Basis of accounting
The accounts are prepared in accordance with the historic cost basis of accounting.
b) Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned.
c) Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Charity management costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SoFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.
2. Donations and legacies
| 2. Donations and legacies | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Total | 2021 Total | |
| £ | £ | |
| Corporate members | 28,912 | 16,152 |
| Agency members | 7,875 | 3,450 |
| Church members | 4,963 | 2,880 |
| Affiliates | 2,219 | 1,436 |
| One off donations | 2,417 | 300 |
| Grants | 600 | 0 |
| Gift Aid | 242 | 299 |
| 47,228 | 24,517 | |
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
3a. Charitable Activities - Income
| 2022 Total | 2021 Total | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Theological Study Conference 2023 | 5,471 | 0 |
| Other conferences and events | 1,529 | 733 |
| 7,000 | 733 | |
3b. Charitable Activities - Expenditure
| 2022 Total | 2021 Total | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Theological Study Conference 2023 | 1,800 | 0 |
| Other conferences and events | 610 | 0 |
| 2,410 | 0 | |
4. Other - Income of funds from Affinity unincorporated
On 12 July 2021, Affinity unincorporated (charity number: 258924) ceased trading and all assets were transferred to Affinity CIO .
5. Staff costs
| Payroll costs Pension contributions |
2022 Total 2021 Total £ £ 35,500 16,854 1,779 103 37,279 16,957 |
|---|---|
6. Custodian & charity trustees’ remuneration
During the period payments of £118.60 (2021 - £0) were made to 1 trustee (2021 - 0 trustee(s)) in respect of the reimbursement of travelling expenses incurred by trustees attending meetings on behalf of Affinity.
The trustees received no other remuneration in their capacity as trustees of the charity.
Affinity Annual Report
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022