Annual Report and Financial Statements Year ending 31 March 2024
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024
Trustees report for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the Financial Statements of the Church for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Reference and Administrative Details
The Trustees and Treasurer during the year were as follows:
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Mr. Bruce Jenkins (Trustee)
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Mr. Joe King (Trustee)
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Mr. Peter Seccombe (Trustee)
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Mr. Kevin Judge (Treasurer)
Structure, Governance and Management
The Church is governed by its constitution. Trustees are appointed by the Church Meeting and are responsible for leading the church. They are assisted by the Deacons in the running of the church. The church is a registered CIO - Registered Charity No. 1193698
Objectives
The Church’s aims are to worship God, to make known the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to edify the congregation through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.
Activities
The Church’s work engages the community in Emmer Green through its meetings in the Emmer Green Youth and Community Centre and the community in Sonning Common through activities mainly on its own premises. The main objectives of the church are carried out through its Sunday services which are advertised through notice boards, leaflets and on-line and to which all in the community are invited and welcomed. These services are designed to be accessible for families with children both in terms of timing and content. They are supported by weekly meetings for bible study and prayer.
The work also includes a range of regular community focused activities for mothers and toddlers (weekly, music-based session) and young people of primary school age (fortnightly youth club). There are also opportunities for one-to-one or group discussions for those are seeking to learn more about the Christian faith or who need counsel and pastoral care.
Public Benefit
In carrying out its activities in the year under review, the Trustees have had regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission and are satisfied that the activities mentioned above have all been for public benefit.
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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024
Financial Review
General funds are used to pay the Pastor’s salary, to pay any rents and running costs, to provide literature and to fund various projects. Designated gifts are for the support of Building projects.
Income across the funds exceeded Expenditure by £1,743.
Reserves Policy
The Church seeks to maintain enough in the General Fund to cover 3 months of expenditure. The General Fund balance is reviewed regularly and amounts are transferred to/from the General Reserve Fund to maintain the target General Fund balance (currently set at £15,000).
Church Building Project
The Church is planning to replace the existing building at Sonning Common with a new structure. There have been some donations made to the church and these are currently held in a designated Sonning Common Building Project Fund. There is also a Gifts Fund that contains a donation with no designated purpose. These funds will be used towards the building costs. Total expenditure in the reporting period was £17,017 for Architects and Quantity Surveyor fees.
These accounts were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024
Receipts and Payments Account
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Prior year total funds |
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|---|---|
| Receipts: Donations Income from charitable activities Investments Total receipts Payments: Expenditure on charitable activities Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
73,602 — 73,602 189,509 1,097 — 1,097 866 1,660 — 1,660 — |
| 76,359 — 76,359 190,375 58,972 15,643 74,615 52,780 |
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| 58,972 15,643 74,615 52,780 |
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| 17,387 (15,643) 1,743 137,595 19,188 — 19,188 42,310 (19,188) — (19,188) (42,310) |
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| 17,387 (15,643) 1,743 137,595 |
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| 305,603 15,643 321,246 183,651 |
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| 322,990 — 322,990 321,246 |
Statement of assets and liabilities
| General Fund Designated Fund Restricted Fund Total Prior Year Total |
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|---|---|
| Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand CEC Current Account - Totals Current assets - Investments Business Savings - Totals Grand total |
3,329 — — 3,329 321,245 |
| 3,329 — — 3,329 321,245 11,670 307,990 — 319,660 1 |
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| 11,670 307,990 — 319,660 1 |
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| 15,000 307,990 — 322,990 321,246 |
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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. Accounting Policies
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a) The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Charities SORP.
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b) Donations represent monies received during the year, including gift aid. Gift Aid is collected on our behalf by Grace Charities Trust.
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c) Charitable Activities Expenditure comprises all expenditure directly related to the Church's objectives.
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d) The church owns no property but is the beneficiary of the Chiltern Evangelical Church property which is held in trust.
2. Charitable Activities - Expenditure
| General Fund Designated Fund Restricted Fund This Year Total Prior Year Total |
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|---|---|
| Salary Costs See Note 3 Visiting Speakers Independent Examination Insurance Hall Hire Worship Various Utilities DBS Checks Licenses Catering/Cleaning Items Mainly Music Youth/Craft Literature/Leaflets Architect & QS Fees |
43,745 43,745 42,255 2,397 2,397 960 450 450 1,257 1,257 1,238 3,078 3,078 2,962 1,118 1,118 1,035 2,223 2,233 1,567 31 31 634 634 525 394 394 580 1,604 1,604 1,061 603 603 470 64 64 127 1,374 15,643 17,017 |
| 55,994 2,978 15,643 74,615 52,780 |
3. Employee Information
The number of employees was 1. No employee received remuneration more than £60,000 p.a.
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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024
4. Funds Reconciliation
| GENERAL FUND DESIGNATED FUNDS Church Building Project Unallocated Gifts Mainly Music General Reserve Business Savings Account Total RESTRICTED FUNDS Building Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Brought Forward Received Paid Transfer between Funds Carried Forward |
|---|---|
| 15,000 75,182 (55,994) (19,188) 15,000 |
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| 100,000 80 (1,374) 98,706 117,094 117,094 1,097 (1,604) 507 73,508 18,682 92,190 1 (1) |
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| 290,603 1,177 (2,978) 19,188 307,990 |
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| 15,643 (15,643) |
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| 321,246 76,359 (74,615) 322,990 |
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Annual f4epTrrt Financial Statemenis 2023f2024 report on the accounts of the ChLJrch for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 4 to 6. Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent exami ner The chuich's trustee5 are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider thar ari audit is not required for this year (under section 44121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Actll and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. Examine the accounts u nder section 145 of the 2011 Act., To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section1451$1 Ibl of the 2011 Act., and To srate whether parricular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report My examirnation was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners An examination inclLJdes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity ar)d a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking expla nations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedu res underraken do not provide all rhe evidence that would be required in an audir, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report Is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 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 which give me cause to believe that. in any material re5PQCt the accou nting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accou nts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charitie5 (Accounts and Fleportsl Flegulations 2008 other than any requir&.ment Ihat the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part ofan independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention shou Id be drawn in this report in order ro enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. David Cooke MA (Oxonl FCA FCIE David Cooke and Co. Chariered Accounrants S Briar Close, anbury. Oxon. OX16 9DS Date.. D*I-,I Ly- Page 7