Trustees Report Financial Statements For the period ended 31 March 2022
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number: 1194423
Contents
Trustees’ Report and administration details 1 - 2 Report of the Independent Examiner 3 Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of assets and liabilities, together with supporting notes 4 – 5
0
ALTITUDE CHURCH
Trustees’ Report
Reporting Period
Altitude Church (‘AC’) was registered as a CIO with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (‘CC’) on 11 May 2021. This report covers a period from registration up to 31 March 2022 (between ten and eleven months of operation).
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by the constitution dated 11May 2021. This was under the terms of a proforma constitution already agreed between the Charity Commission and the Assemblies of God (‘AoG’) for churches under their auspices. The CIO Foundation model constitution is the governing document for this newly formed church on the Isle of Wight (‘IoW’).
Trustees may be appointed by ordinary resolution by the members, or by a decision of the trustees. The first trustees, listed below, were formerly appointed at the time of registration; during the year they have met almost every month, always online due to distances involved, to follow through on agreed actions, formulating policies and obtaining insurance cover and licenses. The Chair and Treasurer communicate between meetings as necessary, also with the pastors in connection with their role on site in the IoW.
Objectives and Activities
The constitution for AC to operate as a CIO was accepted in May 2021 in order to achieve registration at the CC that month and continued the activities of an unincorporated entity of that name which had been in existence since October 2020 as plans were made to move the family from Brentwood, Essex to the IoW to establish a new church.
The objectives of the charity, as set out in the Constitution, (“the Objects”) are for the benefit of the public:
-
(a) to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement in such ways and in such parts of the UK or the world as the Trustees and Leadership from time to time may think fit.
-
(b) to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, good or services of any kind including the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the UK or the world as the Trustees and Leadership from time to time think fit.
-
(c) to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees and Leadership from time to time may think fit.
The trustees have taken account of the Charity Commission’s guidance and believe that they demonstrate that public benefit has been provided through seeking to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of people in the local community and beyond. This was extremely prevalent throughout the year, during the Coronavirus Pandemic which was present from the start.
Achievements
Ben and Emma Carman arrived in Shanklin. Isle of Wight in the midst of the Covid pandemic in December 2020 and were very quickly subject to the most severe level of restrictions imposed by the government. Despite this inauspicious start to their ministry to establish a new church community there in fulfilment of the vision they received earlier that year on a visit to the Isle, there were immediately apparent real needs in the community due to the lockdown imposed.
In the early months food parcels were put together and distributed to families in serious need, and through this expression of God’s grace contacts were made and the work became known in the local area. As restrictions were eased and contacts could be made in the locality, a period of teambuilding was established for those already in the Shanklin area with a vision for a new expression of church.
Whilst regular gatherings for training and fellowship were commenced in various homes as Collectives a growing desire to meet regularly together led to finding a temporary home, for whole church gatherings, in the local YMCA facility, where a single room Chapel was available for use each Sunday.
This soon proved inadequate as there was no opportunity for separate provision for children and young people. At this point there were younger members of families who were aligning themselves with Altitude Church and
1
this became a limiting factor as the children prayed for their new friends to come and join them. Space then became available at the local primary school with additional break out space for children’s groups.
In May following the end of the period of this report Ben Carman was accredited as a pastor at the annual Assembles of God Conference and Altitude Church gained recognition as a Church of Good Standing. This recognises a milestone in the level of attendees to regular gatherings of the church community as it is established and grows, and is a great achievement after just eighteen months, but the blessings of this new church working in and through the local community brings glory to God who gave the vision.
Accounts preparation
The accounts have been prepared to comply with the accounting principles of charity’s governing document, and the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have chosen to prepare the attached accounts for this initial period ended 31 March 2022, and in future years, under the rules for Receipts and Payments accounts. The receipts less payments of the period from establishing the church up to the date of registration will be brought into these accounts as a foundational gift.
Financial Review
Before registration the church-plant in Shanklin, IoW known as Altitude Church had received various gifts and spent out on equipment and administrative costs leaving £6,237 in the bank on the date of registration; this has been shown as a foundational gift in the attached Receipts and Payments accounts. For the first period of accounting from the date of registration in May 2021 to 31 March 2022 the church received a total of £30,446 and made payments to meet all necessary expenses to a total of £29,893, which would appear to show a surplus of just £553, but together with the cash at the bank on the day of registration there was a total retained surplus of £6,790 at 31 March 2022, which is represented by cash in the bank at that date. These are all considered to be unrestricted funds.
Reserves
After less than a year for this first financial report on the church’s operations it is difficult to determine a Reserves policy, particularly where income is reliant on the generosity of many individuals, but the Trustees are heartened to be able to report the level of funds at the Bank on 31 March 2022 at over £6,500 which represents about two months of support for the pastors, plus general church expenditure. The Trustees will seek to establish a reserves policy in the light of this recent experience and growing financial support by members local on the Isle.
Responsibilities of trustees
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records in order to prepare these annual financial statements for Independent Examination.
Reference and Administration details
Registered Name: Altitude Church Registered Charity Number: 1194423 (registered 11.05.2021) Registered Office : 13 ST PAULS CRESCENT, SHANKLIN PO37 7AW
Trustees: Mr Jeffrey J Fair (Chair) Mrs Tandia Hughes Mr Timothy J Roberts (Treasurer) Mr Christopher W Speller Mr Benjamin L Carman (Pastor) Joint Pastor: Mrs Emma C Carman Bankers: Unity Trust Bank, Birmingham Signed
Jeffrey J. Fair Chair of Trustees Date 14/12/2022
2
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
ALTITUDE CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Altitude Church ('the charity') for the period ended 31 March 2022 on pages 4 to 5 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.
Jaimée Young
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 16 December 2022
Page 3
ALTITUDE CHURCH
Receipts and Payments Account
For the period ended 31 March 2022
| Receipts and Payments Account For the period ended 31 March 2022 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| Receipts | ||||
| Pre-registration net income as establishment gift | 6,237 | 6,237 | ||
| Support by individuals (inc. Gif Aid as appropriate) | 19,346 | 19,346 | ||
| Other churches and groups | 7,500 | 3,600 | 11,100 | |
| 33,083 | 3,600 | 36,683 | ||
| Payments | ||||
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Support in the community | 124 | 124 | ||
| Costs of church activities | 3,794 | - | 3,794 | |
| 3,918 | - | 3,918 | ||
| Support costs | ||||
| Ministry support costs | 14,800 | 3,600 | 18,400 | |
| Other equipment | 4,455 | - | 4,455 | |
| IT licences etc | 969 | - | 969 | |
| Stationery Ads etc | 504 | - | 504 | |
| Insurance & legal | 757 | - | 757 | |
| Administration Misc | 890 | - | 890 | |
| 22,375 | 3,600 | 25,975 | ||
| 26,293 | 3,600 | 29,893 | ||
| Surplus for the period | £ 6,790 | £ | - | £ 6,790 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | ||||
| 31 March 2022 | ||||
| £ | ||||
| Cash at Bank – Unity Trust Bank | 6,790 | |||
| There is also approximately £5,000 of equipment purchased before the date of registration. | ||||
| Amounts owed to AC | Nil | |||
| Amounts owed by AC | ||||
| Fees for Independent Examination | 500 | |||
| Owed to The Bay C.E. School for use of premises | 325 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | ||||
| Unrestricted Funds | £ 6,790 | |||
| The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities. | ||||
| The Financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by: |
Signed……Jeffrey J Fair ………Chairman Signed………Timothy J Roberts…….Trustee……14/12/2022.Date
4
ALTITUDE CHURCH
Notes to the financial Statements
1. Accounting Principles
Basis of Preparation
For this first period the financial statements are prepared under a Receipts and Payments format.
Receipts
Grants and Donations are recognised on receipt.
Payments
Costs are accounted for as they are paid out.
Going Concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Cash
Cash includes cash at bank and in hand. The Charity does not hold any other short-term highly liquid investments
2. Receipts
Receipts are made up of donations from individuals (plus the Gift Aid refund thereon where applicable); there are additional donations received from other churches and Christian charities.
3. Analysis of Payments
Charitable activities
In the early days on arrival in Shanklin the Church was able to distribute hardship gifts by way of food parcels; since the end of lock down this activity has reduced and the main charitable activities are involved in organizing services, in a public building, and other groups in members’ homes. Total £3,919
Support costs
These cover a wide range of administrative costs, for IT, equipment, insurance, safeguarding and support of the pastors and so much else required to run a church Total £24,974
4. Trustees and Staff remuneration
None of the Trustees have been paid remuneration for acting as a Trustee, also no trustees claimed expenses during the period
During the period, the Charity did not employ any staff; the two pastors were supported out of personal gifts made by individuals and other churches supporting this start-up of a new church. Since the registration of the church as a charity these gifts have been migrated across to support the church charity, which in turn can rightly support those involved in the work of pastoring the church. From 1[st] April 2022, immediately after the close of this initial period the pastors became employees of the church.
5. Related Party Transactions
There were no other related party transactions during the period.
5