(Registered Charity No – 1194572)
Light Bearers for Christ
Trustees’ Report and Accounts For the Year Ended 31 August 2023
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Details | 2 |
| Trustees' Report | 3 |
| Independent Examiners’ Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9 |
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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
Trustees 1. Robert Onuorah 2. Leopold Ngoma 3. Uju Okolie
Charity registered Number 1194572
Date of charitable registration 24 May 2021
Principal office address 5 Great Fishers Ashford TN23 5JB
Independent examiners Accounting Assist Ltd
Bankers Barclays Bank PLC
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TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
The Board of Trustees, who are the trustees for Charity law purposes, submit their annual report and the financial statements of Light Bearers for Christ for the year ended 31 August 2023. The Board of Trustees confirms that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005)'.
Structure, governance and management
The 3 Trustees are:
Robert Onuorah Leopold Ngoma Uju Okolie
The Trustees play a primary role in ensuring good governance and functioning of the Charity. The Board’s role, functions and responsibilities are quite clearly defined.
Governing document:
Light Bearers for Christ is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and registered as a Charity on 24 May 2021. The Charity is governed by its CIO registered 24 May 2021.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees:
The members of the General Trustee Board are trustees for the purposes of Charity law. New trustees may be appointed by resolution of a meeting of the trustees.
Much of the Charity's work focuses upon the promotion of the Christian religion and the running and maintenance of its places of worship.
The General Trustee Board seeks to ensure that the needs of this group are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trustee body. To enhance the potential pool of trustees, the Charity has, through selective advertising and networking with voluntary organizations active in the sector, sought to identify those who would be willing to become members of the Charity and use their own experience to assist the Charity.
Risk Management:
We are committed to a policy of identifying, monitoring and managing the risks that might adversely affect the activities in which we are involved. In this context, risk is defined as the potential to fail to achieve Charity objectives and for loss, financial and reputational, inherent in the environment in which we operate in the nature of the transactions undertaken.
The principal risk of the Charity has been its dependence on voluntary income. Trustees have initiated various processes to mitigate such risk, so that the Charity has sufficient reserve in the event of adverse condition(s).
The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have taken steps to mitigate the significant risks.
Public Benefit:
The Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 and have paid due regard to public benefit when preparing this report. The benefit provided to the public is consistent with the aims of the Charity in UK.
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TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
Objectives and activities:
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To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the statements of belief appearing in the schedule.
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To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Kent and the surrounding area the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.
Financial review:
The largest contribution to the Charity for the year came from general offerings. The Charity has begun its charitable activities from its inception.
The Charity currently aims to designate the total fund received less expenses for the main objective of the Charity.
Plans for future periods:
The Charity plans to develop various fundraising strategy to include mass marketing. Besides mass marketing and events, the Charity is aiming to achieve its targets through securing donations from willing individuals. A development board may be created to help include other avenues of fundraising to be included in the yearly programme.
Statement of Board of Trustees’ responsibilities
The Board of Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Charity law applicable to charities in England/Wales requires the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the Board of Trustees have:
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Selected suitable accounting policies and applied them consistently,
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Made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,
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Stated whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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Prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis (unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation).
The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for ensuring that the Charity has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the
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TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the detection and prevention of fraud and other irregularities.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Statement of disclosure of information to independent examiner
We, as the Trustees of the Charity who held office at the date of approval of these financial statements as set out on page 2 each confirm, so far as we are aware, that:
- There is no relevant information of which the Charity's independent examiner are unaware; and we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Charity's independent examiner is aware of that information.
Independent Examiner:
The Charity's independent examiner, Accounting Assist Ltd C/o Good to Give has indicated their willingness to offer themselves for appointment.
This report was approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:
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…………………………………..…..
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Robert Onuorah
PRINT NAME……………………………………………………………………….
Date : Sept 24, 2024
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER`S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet with associate notes.
This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my examination work.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts (under Section 145 of the Charities Act);
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Group/Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, 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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
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to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Signed:
Anum Hassan, FCCA
On behalf of Accounting Assist Ltd
Dated: 24/09/2024
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Incoming resources General Offerings 23,795 - 23,795 30,121 Gift Aid - - - - Total Incoming resources 23,795 0 23,795 30,121 Resources expended Advertising 1,219 - 1,219 4,113 Furniture & Equipment 1,199 - 1,199 2,614 Priest 8,400 - 8,400 8,080 Software Subscriptions 934 - 934 1,122 General Expenses 3,489 - 3,489 3,529 Musician 173 - 173 348 Rent 4,900 - 4,900 7,218 Gift & Donations 1,609 - 1,609 1,891 Utility Bills 1,653 - 1,653 2,498 Governance Costs 900 - 900 515 Total Resources expended 24,475 0 24,475 31,928 Movement in total fund for the year- Net income / (expenditure) For the year -681 - -681 -1,806 Fund balance brought forward 1,244 - 1,244 3,050 Fund balance carried forward 563 - 563 1,244 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Incoming resources General Offerings 23,795 - 23,795 30,121 Gift Aid - - - - Total Incoming resources 23,795 0 23,795 30,121 Resources expended Advertising 1,219 - 1,219 4,113 Furniture & Equipment 1,199 - 1,199 2,614 Priest 8,400 - 8,400 8,080 Software Subscriptions 934 - 934 1,122 General Expenses 3,489 - 3,489 3,529 Musician 173 - 173 348 Rent 4,900 - 4,900 7,218 Gift & Donations 1,609 - 1,609 1,891 Utility Bills 1,653 - 1,653 2,498 Governance Costs 900 - 900 515 Total Resources expended 24,475 0 24,475 31,928 Movement in total fund for the year- Net income / (expenditure) For the year -681 - -681 -1,806 Fund balance brought forward 1,244 - 1,244 3,050 Fund balance carried forward 563 - 563 1,244 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Incoming resources General Offerings 23,795 - 23,795 30,121 Gift Aid - - - - Total Incoming resources 23,795 0 23,795 30,121 Resources expended Advertising 1,219 - 1,219 4,113 Furniture & Equipment 1,199 - 1,199 2,614 Priest 8,400 - 8,400 8,080 Software Subscriptions 934 - 934 1,122 General Expenses 3,489 - 3,489 3,529 Musician 173 - 173 348 Rent 4,900 - 4,900 7,218 Gift & Donations 1,609 - 1,609 1,891 Utility Bills 1,653 - 1,653 2,498 Governance Costs 900 - 900 515 Total Resources expended 24,475 0 24,475 31,928 Movement in total fund for the year- Net income / (expenditure) For the year -681 - -681 -1,806 Fund balance brought forward 1,244 - 1,244 3,050 Fund balance carried forward 563 - 563 1,244 |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming resources General Offerings Gift Aid Total Incoming resources Resources expended Advertising Furniture & Equipment Priest Software Subscriptions General Expenses Musician Rent Gift & Donations Utility Bills Governance Costs Total Resources expended Movement in total fund for the year- Net income / (expenditure) For the year Fund balance brought forward Fund balance carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 23,795 - 23,795 30,121 - - - - |
|
| 23,795 0 23,795 30,121 |
||
| 1,219 - 1,219 4,113 1,199 - 1,199 2,614 8,400 - 8,400 8,080 934 - 934 1,122 3,489 - 3,489 3,529 173 - 173 348 4,900 - 4,900 7,218 1,609 - 1,609 1,891 1,653 - 1,653 2,498 900 - 900 515 |
||
| 24,475 0 24,475 31,928 |
||
| -681 - -681 -1,806 1,244 - 1,244 3,050 563 - 563 1,244 |
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BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023
| 2023 2023 2022 2022 £ £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Building - - CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - - Cash at bank 563 1,244 563 1,244 CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year - - NET CURRENT ASSETS 563 1,244 NET ASSETS 563 1,244 CHARITY FUNDS Unrestricted funds 563 1,244 Restricted funds - - TOTAL FUNDS 563 1,244 |
2023 2023 2022 2022 £ £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Building - - CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - - Cash at bank 563 1,244 563 1,244 CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year - - NET CURRENT ASSETS 563 1,244 NET ASSETS 563 1,244 CHARITY FUNDS Unrestricted funds 563 1,244 Restricted funds - - TOTAL FUNDS 563 1,244 |
2023 2023 2022 2022 £ £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Building - - CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - - Cash at bank 563 1,244 563 1,244 CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year - - NET CURRENT ASSETS 563 1,244 NET ASSETS 563 1,244 CHARITY FUNDS Unrestricted funds 563 1,244 Restricted funds - - TOTAL FUNDS 563 1,244 |
2023 2023 2022 2022 £ £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Building - - CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - - Cash at bank 563 1,244 563 1,244 CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year - - NET CURRENT ASSETS 563 1,244 NET ASSETS 563 1,244 CHARITY FUNDS Unrestricted funds 563 1,244 Restricted funds - - TOTAL FUNDS 563 1,244 |
2023 2023 2022 2022 £ £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Building - - CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - - Cash at bank 563 1,244 563 1,244 CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year - - NET CURRENT ASSETS 563 1,244 NET ASSETS 563 1,244 CHARITY FUNDS Unrestricted funds 563 1,244 Restricted funds - - TOTAL FUNDS 563 1,244 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ - 563 |
2023 £ - 563 |
2022 £ - 1,244 |
2022 £ - 1,244 |
|
| 563 - |
1,244 - |
|||
| 563 | 1,244 | |||
| 563 - |
1,244 - |
|||
| 563 | 1,244 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf, by:
……………………………………..………..
Robert Onuorah
PRINT NAME………………………………………………………………….
Date:
24 September 2024
The notes on page 9 form part of these financial statements
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008). The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' published in March 2005 and applicable accounting standards.
1.2
Fund accounting
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 and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.3 Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of financial activities when the Charity has entitlement to the funds, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Donated services or facilities, which comprise donated services, are included in income at a valuation which is an estimate of the financial cost borne by the donor where such a cost is quantifiable and measurable. No income is recognised where there is no financial cost borne by a third party.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
1.4
Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities, they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the Charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the Charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
1.5 Trustee Expenses
During the year payment to trustees totalled £8400 which was paid as Pastor’s stipend.
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