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: - Mr. Bruce Jenkins (Trustee) - Mr. Joe King (Trustee) - Mr. Peter Seccombe (Trustee) - 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. _Page 2_ 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: _Page 3_ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024 ## Receipts and Payments Account ||Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
Prior year
total funds| |---|---| |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| ||58,972
15,643
74,615
52,780| ||17,387
(15,643)
1,743
137,595
19,188
—
19,188
42,310
(19,188)
—
(19,188)
(42,310)| ||17,387
(15,643)
1,743
137,595| ||305,603
15,643
321,246
183,651| ||322,990
—
322,990
321,246| ## Statement of assets and liabilities ||General
Fund
Designated
Fund
Restricted
Fund
Total
Prior Year
Total| |---|---| |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| ||11,670
307,990
—
319,660
1| ||15,000
307,990
—
322,990
321,246| _Page 4_ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024 ## NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ## 1. Accounting Policies - a) The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Charities SORP. - b) Donations represent monies received during the year, including gift aid. Gift Aid is collected on our behalf by Grace Charities Trust. - c) Charitable Activities Expenditure comprises all expenditure directly related to the Church's objectives. - 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| |---|---| |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. _Page 5_ 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| ||100,000
80
(1,374)
98,706
117,094
117,094
1,097
(1,604)
507
73,508
18,682
92,190
1
(1)| ||290,603
1,177
(2,978)
19,188
307,990| ||| ||15,643
(15,643)| ||| ||321,246
76,359
(74,615)
322,990| _Page 6_ 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