Welling Evangelical Free Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 30 September 2024
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
Welling Evangelical Free Church
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Welling Evangelical Free Church Upper Wickham Lane Welling DA16 3AQ GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution dated 25 April 2021 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1194415 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Tarl Benjamin Reeves MANAGING THE CHARITY Justin Dallas Rhoades Richard Michael White Emmanuel Oluwatosin Akinyosoye Armand Michael Nejand Jonathan William Gardner (appointed 19 May 2024) Martin Parsons (appointed 20 April 2025) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB INDEX Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-3 Trustees' Report Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report Page 5 Receipts and Payments Account Page 6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 7-8 Notes to the Accounts
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Welling Evangelical Free Church
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are:
a) the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, primarily, but not exclusively, within Welling, Kent and the surrounding neighbourhood;
b) to put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life;
provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the Church from time to time.
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:
a) the regular gathering for corporate worship of God
b) to practice of ordinances of the church, baptism and communion, as instituted by Jesus Christ c) to accurately teach the Word of God, the Bible, to all generations
d) to share the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, with all who desire to learn about Him
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial review
During the year income decreased by £20,512, to £116,992, and expenditure increased by £17,008, to £108,899. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £8,093, to £100,363, of which £97,953 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £35,000 (which equates to about 4 months' of unrestricted expenditure) 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 £97,953 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
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Governance
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. Responsibility for the day to day operation of the charity has been delegated to church staff led by the church Eldership. New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees, by a majority vote.
Relationships with other charities and related parties
We are a part of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches(FIEC). The FIEC is a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland, and Wales. Its mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.
Being part of FIEC links us to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches, and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated with FIEC.
Risk statement
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Justin Rhoades
……………………………………………………….. Justin Rhoades (Jun 28, 2025 08:43 GMT+1) Justin Rhoades
Jun 28, 2025
Date:_____
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
Welling Evangelical Free Church
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Welling Evangelical Free Church ('the charity') for the year ended 30 September 2024 on pages 5 to 8 following.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
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.
Sarah Crispin
Sarah Crispin (Jul 7, 2025 09:03 GMT+1)
Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Jul 7, 2025
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Welling Evangelical Free Church
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted | Funds | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Restricted | ||||||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Income receipts | ||||||||||
| Donations | 98,217 |
- |
8,240 | 106,457 | 120,444 | |||||
| Gift aid receipts | 7,299 |
- |
- |
7,299 | 9,860 | |||||
| Rental income | 1,400 | - | 1,400 | 7,200 | ||||||
| Interest income | 1,836 | - | - | 1,836 | ||||||
| Total receipts | 108,752 | - | 8,240 | 116,992 | 137,504 | |||||
| Payments | ||||||||||
| Payments in relation to activities undertaken directly |
charitable | 2 | 96,998 | - | 1,350 | 98,348 | 80,791 | |||
| Grants paid in relation to activities undertaken by others |
charitable | 3 | 8,301 | - | 2,250 | 10,551 | 11,100 | |||
| Total payments | 105,299 | - | 3,600 | 108,899 | 91,891 | |||||
| Net of receipts / (payments) before | 3,453 | - | 4,640 | 8,093 | 45,612 | |||||
| Transfers between funds | 5 | 7,587 | - | (7,587) | - | - | ||||
| Net movement in funds | 11,040 | - | (2,947) | 8,093 | 45,612 | |||||
| Cash funds as at | last year | end | 86,913 | - | 5,357 | 92,270 |
46,658 |
|||
| Cash funds at this year end | A | 97,953 |
- |
2,410 | 100,363 | 92,270 |
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
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Welling Evangelical Free Church
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Insurance paid in advance C Liabilities Falling due within one year Fee for Independent Examination D Assets retained for charity's own use |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 97,953 - 97,953 - 40,772 - 2,063 - 42,835 - 1,260 - 1,260 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 2,410 2,410 - - - - - |
2024 £ 100,363 100,363 40,772 2,063 42,835 1,260 1,260 |
2023 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92,271 | ||||
| 92,271 | ||||
| 7,340 2,031 |
||||
| 7,340 |
||||
| 960 | ||||
| 960 | ||||
| Church Building Youth building Music and PA equipment Computers, IT and other equipment |
Cost £ - 39,000 28,454 8,589 76,043 |
Insurance value £ |
|---|---|---|
| 1,726,000 - - - |
||
| 1,726,000 |
The trustees have used insurance value for the Church Building as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values. All other assets are shown at cost.
E Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Justin Rhoades _____Justin Rhoades Justin Rhoades (Jun 28, 2025 08:43 GMT+1)
Date:_____ Jun 28, 2025
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
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Welling Evangelical Free Church
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1 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.
| Unrestricted Fun General funds £ 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Staff & intern costs 40,355 Building 10,367 Equipment 4,989 FIEC 2,232 Hospitality 3,197 Kids/Teens 10,105 Marketing 1,480 Men/Women 2,457 Missions - Outreach/Evangelism 3,524 Pastoral 3,163 Administration 4,980 Sundries 20 Utilities 10,129 Legal & Professional - 96,998 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for: Hope Community Church UK Mission 1,750 Stockwell Baptist Church UK Mission - Other small grants to organisations UK Mission 1,000 Central Missionary Clearinghouse UK Mission - Grants to individuals 5,551 8,301 |
ds Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Restricted Funds £ 1,300 50 1,350 2,250 - - - - 2,250 |
Total 2024 £ 40,355 10,367 4,989 2,232 3,197 11,405 1,480 2,507 - 3,524 3,163 4,980 20 10,129 - 98,348 4,000 - 1,000 - 5,551 10,551 |
Total 2023 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,693 7,600 8,811 1,728 3,513 11,001 941 3,125 2,002 9,548 9,133 4,883 - 5,172 2,640 |
||||
| 80,791 | ||||
| - 4,000 600 5,200 1,300 |
||||
| 11,100 |
4 Transactions with related parties
Justin Dallas Rhoades served as church leader and was paid £nil (2023: £1,500) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document. During the year, Rachel Rhoades, who is closely related to Justin Rhoades, a trustee, received £24,000 (2023: £1,500) for her services to the church. Jonathan Gardner who served as the associate pastor of the church was paid £13,127 for serving in that capacity, and not for serving as a trustee.
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Welling Evangelical Free Church
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
5 Movement of funds
| vement of funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds Restricted funds : Youth Building Christmas Offering On Mission Summer camp Sponsorship Licence Other restricted funds Total funds |
Opening balance £ 86,913 4,995 - - - 194 168 5,357 92,270 |
Receipts £ 108,752 2,230 2,250 2,410 1,300 50 8,240 116,992 |
Payments £ (105,299) (2,250) (1,300) (50) (3,600) (108,899) |
Transfers £ 7,587 (7,225) (194) (168) (7,587) - |
Closing balance £ 97,953 |
| (0) - 2,410 - - - |
|||||
| 2,410 | |||||
| 100,363 |
£1,898 of the transfer to general funds relates to correction of expenses spent in previous years for Youth Building (£1,536), Sponsorship Licence and other restricted funds that was paid out of general funds.
The balance of £5,689 transferred from the Youth Building fund to general funds relates to permission being given by the donors to transfer the funds following the completion of the Youth Building in 2022.
The Youth Building fund relates to money raised towards the building of a separate 'garden room' for youth work built in the grounds of the main church building.
The Christmas offering in December 2024 was donated to Hope Community Church, Middleton. The On Mission fund relates to money raised for On Mission attendees requiring financial support for the retreat. The Summer camp fund was for a youth camp that took place in July 2024.
The Sponsorship Licence fund relates to money raised towards the various costs for application of Sponsorship Licences for 2 members of staff. The Typhoon appeal was to help an individual in the Philippines whose house was destroyed by the typhoon. Other restricted funds relates to specific smaller appeals to support causes and individuals.
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