## **Hope Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield**
## **Reports & Accounts**
Financial Year Ending 31/12/2024
## **Contents**
Legal & Administrative Details Trustees Report Independent Examiners Report Receipts & Payments Statement Notes to the Accounts
Created using ExpensePlus
## **Legal & Administrative Details**
Charity Name: Hope Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield Charity Number: 1193133 Charity Address: 24 Heath Road Ashton-in-Makerfield Wigan WN4 9DY
Trustees: Andrew Parsons Harold Heath Howard George Williams James Edward Magleave Michael Richard Cornall
Nick Williams Philip John Robert Davies (Appointed 01/07/2024)
Independent Examiner: Heather Middlehurst
## **Trustees Report**
## **Objects of the charity**
The objects of the CIO are: (1) The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Ashton-in-Makerfield Wigan and the surrounding neighbourhood; and (2) Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the Charity Trustees, further the work of the Church.
## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements**
To further the above objects and vision, the charity’s main activities and achievements were as follows:
The main activities in relation to those objects are the regular meetings of the church. These include the main gathering of the church on Sunday mornings and evenings, as well as regular mid-week groups for church members there are separate events for, children and young people. In addition, throughout the year the church runs various events.
All activities are offered free of charge to ensure they are accessible to all and are regularly promoted and publicised in the local community. The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Over the year, we had 9 people baptised; this was a source of real blessing for the church family for which we give thanks to Almighty God.
During the course of the year the Church has run a range of activities and each has been a source of encouragement. The regular Sunday gatherings of the church have been well attended, both by members of the church, regular attenders and those exploring the Christian Faith. It has been particularly encouraging to see good attendance on a Sunday evening.
The church has supported other mission endeavours locally and further afield. Thousands of pounds and many man hours have been given to see God's kingdom extended. We give thanks to God for the work he is doing in the lives of many people in the church family.
The work with children and young people has been a source of encouragement. Following on from difficulties in 2023 a decision was made to develop our youth ministries resulting in XtB (year 6 to younger teens) and Rooted (older teens and young adults) forming. These have gone from strength to strength.
The Church benefits from many voluntary hours and unclaimed out of pocket expenses, contributed by many people. It would be impossible to place a value on these gifts in kind, for which the Trustees are extremely grateful. But through these gifts the Church has been able to meet its objectives.
In planning the activities, the trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
## **Financial Review**
We give thanks to Almighty God for his abundant provision through the generosity of his people. Throughout the year we have been able to cover all our ongoing ministry costs and also add to our building fund.
## **Reserves Policy**
The charity aims to hold unrestricted cash reserves to be able to cover 12 months operating costs, so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £245,859.75.
The church is looking to undertake a building project and therefore is seeking to increase its cash reserves.
## **Signature**
This report was approved by the trustees, and is signed on their behalf by:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Name: Michael Cornall
Signature
Date 30/04/2025
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Independent Examiners Report**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Hope Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield ('the charity') for the year ended 31/12/2024.
## **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.
## **Independent Examiner’s Details**
Name: Heather Middlehurst Address: 29 Brandforth Gardens Westhoughton Bolton BL5 3ZP
Name: Heather Middlehurst Signature Date16.04.25
## **Receipts & Payments Statement**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Total Prior Year
Receipts
Donations & Legacies
Donations 104,633 104,633 94,476
Gift Aid 19,412 19,412 15,932
Investments
Bank Interest 5,780 5,780 3,237
Other
Other Income 3,301 3,301 2,321
Total receipts 133,126 133,126 115,966
Payments
Charitable Activities
Activities 69,226 69,226 52,748
Other Expenditure 2,126 2,126 9,020
Premises 5,980 5,980 10,347
Governance Costs
Governance Costs 9,262 9,262 10,333
Total payments 86,595 86,595 82,448
Net Receipts / Payments 46,531 46,531 33,519
Total Cash Funds Brought Forward 199,429 199,429 165,910
Total Cash Funds Carried Forward 245,960 245,960 199,429
Represented By
General (Unrestricted) 245,960 245,960 199,428
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Asset & Liability Statement**
||**Unrestricted**|**Total**|**Prior Year**|
|---|---|---|---|
|General (Unrestricted)|245,960|245,960|199,428|
**Signature** These accounts have been approved by the trustees, and are signed on their behalf by:
Name Philip John Robert Davies
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature
Date 30/04/2025
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **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.
The charity maintains sufficient reserves to cover 12 months costs and is currently growing reserves as we look to embark on a building project.
## **Transactions to Related Parties**
Michael Cornall (trustee) received remuneration for serving as church Pastor in line with charity commission authorisation. There were no other related party transactions during the accounting period.