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2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees Report Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number: 1194423

Contents

Trustees’ Report and administration details 1 - 3 Report of the Independent Examiner 4 Receipts and Payments Account

and Statement of assets and liabilities, together with supporting notes 5 – 6

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ALTITUDE CHURCH

Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31 March 2024

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 the year of operation up to 31 March 2024, with comparisons for the year to 31 March 2023.

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:

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.

The Trustees meet monthly as a ‘Board of Management’. The discussions are recorded in minutes of the meetings.

Staff Team

The Charity employs staff to carry out its operations in furtherance of its charitable objectives. The employed staff roles are:

Remuneration

The pay of staff is reviewed annually by the Trustees. The Salary Review Panel decide pay awards against the criteria of affordability, comparability/parity, and performance, taking account of equivalent local and national pay benchmarks. The Charity makes available auto-enrolment to a pension for all eligible staff in line with Government policy and legislation. The Charity made employer contribution towards the cost of pension as part of remuneration to the staff team.

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Volunteers

The church’s ability to run its activities is heavily dependent on the willingness of people associated with the church to volunteer their time and gifts in support of the paid staff team. Volunteers are unpaid. They committed to volunteering in a range of activities and roles. The Trustees appreciate greatly the contribution that all the volunteers make to the life of Altitude Church. As necessary, training was provided for all our volunteers.

Activities & Achievements this year

The following is a commentary on activities carried out during the last year and the public benefit achieved through serving the spiritual and pastoral needs of people in the local community and beyond. In planning and delivering these activities, the Trustees have had regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

This year has been another exciting one for Altitude Church, filled with growth, new initiatives, and continued dedication to serving our community.

Sunday Meetings

Altitude Church moved its main Sunday meeting to St Francis School in Ventnor this year. The new venue has proven to be very suitable for our gatherings, and we are grateful to the school and their staff for their flexibility and support. Our congregation numbers have remained steady, with an average attendance of 70 people, including a large number of children under 14.

Activities

Our church has continued to actively engage with the local community through door-to-door outreach, which has successfully led to more people joining our Sunday services. We have also ran both an 'Alpha' and a 'Youth Alpha' program this year, attracting a number of regular participants, some of whom have expressed interest in attending baptism classes. Additionally, our "Soul Food" program continues to offer a 90-minute talk on Bible literature, accompanied by a hot meal.

In March, we hosted a men’s ministry event that was very well attended, reflecting the growing interest in our community. Pastor Emma has also been actively involved in delivering regular assemblies and providing pastoral support to a local school, further extending our church’s reach and impact.

Church Organisation

This year also marked a significant milestone for Altitude Church as we moved into our first office space in March. The new office is part of a shared building with other charities, which allows for a collaborative and dynamic working environment.

We, as trustees, remain deeply grateful for the large number of volunteers who generously offer their time and talents across various ministries within the church. Their commitment is essential to the vibrancy and effectiveness of Altitude Church, and we thank them for their invaluable contributions.

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, under the rules for Receipts and Payments accounts.

Financial Review

In the reporting year to 31 March 2024 the unrestricted income was £62,273 (£39,997 in 2023) and expenses of £53,701 (£44,632 in 2023) meaning there was a surplus from activities of £8,572 (against a deficit of £4,635 for 2023). The Unrestricted Funds at the start of the year was therefore £2,155 at 31 March 2023 and with the retained Surplus of £8,572 the total of surpluses to date is £10,727, which is represented by the money in the bank and in hand at 31 March 2024.

In the previous year a specific Restricted Gift of £5,000 was received for securing or developing new premises, this was unspent at 31 March 2023. There was also a continuing stream of restricted monthly gifts from Sawyers Church which was for the support of the pastors amounting to £3,300 (2023 £4,500). So at the commencement of the year the money in the bank was £7,155, made up of £5,000 restricted as described, and £2,155 retained

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surpluses to date. The restricted fund of £5,000 received in the previous was unspent at 31.03.2023 but has been used in full in equipping and setting up new premises for use for Sunday Morning gatherings of the church.

Risks

The Trustees sought to manage risks to which the Charity is exposed with a view to mitigating these to the fullest extent possible, for example, through insurance. During the last year, the Trustees considered a range of risk related matters, including issues associated with Safeguarding, data management and seeking a new venue for weekly gatherings. Individual Trustees were allocated particular areas of operational oversight e.g. personnel, finance, Safeguarding, etc. to help strengthen control. This and other of the Charity’s policies and practices are regularly reviewed by the Trustees.

Reserves

In the early years of 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 2024 of £10,727 all of this being unrestricted funds (2023 - £7,155 of which £5,000 was restricted funds) . This sum represents about three months of support for the pastors and is very encouraging to the trustees as a significant increase over the year.

The Trustees have set a target for Reserves of £6,000, which would represent two months support for the pastors. Since the year-end, due to a temporary fall in additional gifts and some non-repeat expenditure, the total funds at the bank have fallen below this target level. The Trustees are looking carefully at future budgets, particularly its ongoing committed expenditure, in order to ensure that the church can meet its other general and charitable expenditure. The Trustees will seek to further develop the reserves policy in the light of this recent experience and make local supporters in the congregation and further afield aware of the situation going forward.

Trustees

During the year, in May, the trustees were joined by Eddie Rich, and then in November Rachel Cornes also joined the trustees. This is part of the refreshing of the board to include new and more local trustees to lead Altitude Church in its future development; and at the same time the original trustees are looking to stand down, after these first four years which has seen the establishment, registration and growth of a new church on the Isle of Wight.

Reference and Administration details

Registered Name: Altitude Church Registered Charity Number: 1194423 (registered 11.05.2021) Registered Office : Hope House, 47 Fort Street, Sandown PO36 8BA Trustees: Mr Jeffrey J Fair (Chair) Mrs Tandia Hughes Mr Timothy J Roberts (Treasurer) Mr Christopher W Speller Mr Eddie J. Rich (appointed 20.05.2024) Mrs Rachel Cornes (appointed 21.11.2024) Mr Benjamin L Carman (Pastor) Joint Pastor: Mrs Emma C Carman Bankers: Unity Trust Bank, Birmingham

Signed

J J Fair J J Fair (Dec 3, 2024 15:01 GMT) J.J. Fair Date Dec 3, 2024 Chair of Trustees

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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 2024 on pages 5 to 6 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:

  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.

J. Young

J. Young (Dec 3, 2024 16:19 GMT)

Jaimée Young

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Dec 3, 2024

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ALTITUDE CHURCH

Receipts and Payments Account

Receipts
Support by individuals
(inc. Gift Aid as appropriate)
Other churches and group
Other Income
Payments
Charitable activities
Support in the community
Costs of church activities
Support costs
Support for pastors
Other equipment
IT Phone etc
Assemblies of God contribution
Insurance & legal
Administration Misc
(Deficit)/Surplus for
period
Funds brought forward
Funds carried forward		 Year Ended 31 March 2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
58,551
-
58.551
3,350
3,300
6,650
372
-
372
62,273
3,300
65,573
1,579
-
1,579
10,424
-
10,424
12,003
-
12,003
30,600
3,300
33,900
1,583
5,000
6,583
1.603
-
1,603
1,200
1,200
1,638
1,638
5,074
5,074
41,698
8,300
49,998
53,701
8,300
62,001		 Year Ended 31 March 2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
36,937
5,000
41,937
3,000
4,500
7,500
60
60
39,997
9,500
49,497
2,382
2,382
7,522
7,522
9,904
-
9,904
26,041
4,500
30,541
1,322
1,322
1,649
1,649
900
900
476
476
4,339
4,339
34,727
4,500
39,227
44,632
4,500
49,132
8,572
(5,000)
3,572
2,155
5,000
7,155
£ 10,727
0
£ 10,727		 (4,635)
5,000
365
6,790
6,790
£ 2,155
£ 5,000
£ 7,155

Notes to the financial Statements

1. Accounting Principles

Basis of Preparation - 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 liquid investments.

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ALTITUDE CHURCH

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 - involve organizing services, in a public building, other groups in members’ homes, and the distribution of food and other items and staging outreach events in the community. £12,003 (2023 - £9,904) Support costs - 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. £49,998 (2023 - £39,227)

4. Trustees and Staff remuneration Ben Carmen, a trustee, and his spouse served as Pastors and together were paid a total of £33,900 [2023: £30,541], for serving in that capacity only; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document, and these figures include the employer pension contribution.

No other payments were made to trustees or persons related to them, except for reimbursement of expenses paid out on behalf of the charity.

5. Related Party Transactions

There were no other related party transactions during the period.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at 31[st] March 2024

31.03.24 31.03.23
£ £
Cash at Bank – Unity Trust Bank 10,612 7,155
Petty Cash in Hand 115 Nil
Amounts owed to AC Nil Nil
Amounts owed by AC
Fees for Independent Examination 562 400
Owed for use of premises and rent of Office space 917 Nil
Owed for other charitable activity expenses 994 Nil
TOTAL FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds £10,727 £2,155
Restricted Funds 0 £5,000

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:

J J Fair T J Roberts J J Fair (Dec 3, 2024 15:01 GMT) T J Roberts (Dec 3, 2024 14:23 GMT) Signed……J.J. Fair….…………Chairman Signed…T.J. Roberts……….Trustee Date Dec 3, 2024 Date Dec 3, 2024

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