Scott Drive Church, Exmouth (CIO) - Registered Charity No. 1195047 ## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1[st] Jan. 2023 – 31[st] Dec. 2023** ## **CHURCH INFORMATION** **Address:** Scott Drive, Exmouth, EX8 3LF **Trustees:** Lee Emerson, Steve Owen, Ian Margeson, Gurjit Malli, Gary Currie, Iain Randall, Jonathan Hughes **Charity Number:** 1195047 **Bankers:** TSB bank plc, PO Box 373, LS14 9CG **Independent Examiner:** Mr David Simms, 58 Moormead, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6PU ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and accounts for the period ended 31st December 2023. ## **1 Objectives and Activities** The purposes of the church are: 1 The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Exmouth and the surrounding neighbourhood; and **2** Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the members of the charity trustees, 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 in accordance with the provisions of the Church Handbook. ## **2 Public Benefit** The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance in the exercise of their powers and duties, and consider that the activities undertaken in pursuance of the church’s objectives fulfil the requirements of the Charity Commission’s public benefit disclosure. ## **3 Structure, Governance and Management** The church is a registered charity. Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) number 1195047 registered on 8[th] July 2021 and governed by its Constitution dated 2[nd] July 2021 The trustees who served in the period 1[st] Jan. 2023 to 31[st] Dec. 2023 were: Lee Emerson – 1[st] Jan. – 31[st] Dec. 2023 inclusive (Pastor & elder) Jonathan Hughes – 1[st] Aug. – 31[st] Dec. 2023 inclusive (Assistant Pastor & elder) Steve Owen – 1[st] Jan. – 31[st] Dec. 2023 inclusive (elder) Ian Margeson – 1[st] Jan. – 31[st] Dec. 2023 inclusive (deacon) Gurjit Malli – 1[st] Jan. – 31[st] Dec. 2023 inclusive (deacon) Gary Currie – 1[st] Jan. – 31[st] Dec. 2023 inclusive (deacon) Iain Randall – 1[st] Jan. – 31[st] Dec. 2023 (elder) Governance of the church is in the hands of the elders & deacons (the Trustees), who met at least quarterly in person. Day-to-day oversight of the congregation is exercised by the elders who met weekly. Major decisions are made by the members at Church Members’ Meetings held as required and normally not less than four times a year. During 2023 the AGM was held on 20[th] April. ## **4. Review of activities** ## **4.1** Meetings for worship, prayer and the ministry of God’s word were held at the church’s premises in Scott Drive on every Sunday throughout 2023. For those who were unable to attend in person, services could be followed live on Zoom. Morning services were recorded and available on the church website. In addition to services, the church met midweek, alternately either for corporate prayer in a single venue, or for Bible study & prayer in homes (there were five such groups meeting in both Exmouth & Budleigh Salterton). Other regular meetings included the _Ladies’ & Men’s Breakfasts_ , and the _First Saturday Games Afternoon_ , to which members of the public have been warmly welcomed. A _Ladies’ Bible Study_ group has also met weekly in term-time on the premises during 2023, and _Christianity Explored_ courses have been run for several newcomers to the church. The church grounds have continued to operate as a community garden, open to all local residents. Outside groups who used the premises also often made use of the garden, especially in the summer months. Door-to-door visiting of homes in the area continued with Mark Perkins until the end of May. Mark’s marriage and subsequent move to Lapford in Mid-Devon brought an end to his work with the church, which has brought us many new contacts and helped the church to be outward-looking. Three new members joined in the course of the year, bringing the total membership to 26. Two of these were Jon & Katie Hughes, who came to Exmouth with their three children in order for Jon to take up the position of Assistant Pastor, from 1[st] August. This has significantly increased the scope of the church’s ministry. Besides the three new members, a number of others joined the congregation, bringing the average total on Sunday mornings to around 50. Three outside groups use the church premises: the WI meet in the building monthly; _Bosom Buddies_ (a breastfeeding support group) meet weekly; as do the _Esteem Team_ , a group which supports parents & carers of children with SEN. In August the church staged its first-ever Holiday Bible Club, which was enjoyed by all who attended. In December the church buildings were again transformed into a series of middle-eastern sets from the1[st] century in order to facilitate a ‘Walk to Bethlehem’ event, enabling members of the public to engage with the Christmas story; and later in December church members helped with the Exmouth Christmas Village event in the Strand. Members of the church also led meetings at a local care home (Resthaven) and the church also provided preachers for other local churches, such as Dawlish Baptist Church, Topsham Gospel Hall, Honiton Congregational Church and New House Baptist Church in Smeatharpe. Meetings on a Sunday evening at the Church on the Green in Budeigh Salterton continued through the year. In September it was decided to hold formal services on every Sunday evening, rather than just once a month. Numbers attending have been fairly steady (normally around 15-20). Prayer meetings and home groups have also used the building regularly, and a church awayday was held there in March. The building was also made available for the Budleigh Literary Festival and the Budleigh Music Festival. The long-term goal remains to establish a separate congregation at these premises, and eventually help this congregation to form a new independent church – provided this is justified by numbers attending. In the course of the year, the church meeting agreed to hold a review of its tenure of the Church on the Green in Jan. 2026. ## **4.2 Involvement of the congregation** Members of the congregation are involved in all aspects of the work of the church; examples include taking part in services, prayer meetings and home groups; helping with garden maintenance & social activities; church cleaning. The church would be unable to function without their aid. ## **4.3 Risk Assessment** Four main areas of risk have been identified, and the following mitigation procedures have been put in place:- a) The trustees review the finances at their quarterly meetings to ensure that funds are available for ongoing support of its objectives. b) A new Safeguarding policy was been adopted at the January church meeting. DBS checks are made for all those who work with children or other vulnerable groups as part of the charity's activities, using the services of _Christian Safeguarding Services_ . c) Appropriate insurance is in place to protect the charity. d) Fire safety inspections are conducted by an outside agency on an annual basis. ## **4.4 Charitable giving** 4.4.1 The church supports a number of missionaries, Christian workers, Christian organisations and charities both financially and in prayer. In the period 1[st] Jan. – 31[st] Dec. 2023, these included the following, who were financially supported from church funds: Crosslinks (Bernie & Rachael Muluuta) The ministry of FIEC Good News for Everyone (formerly The Gideons) The Christian Institute Barnabas Fund Open Doors Passion for Life (a nation-wide mission to be held in 2022) Mark Perkins (an outreach worker with Outreach UK) Slavic Gospel Association (for Ukraine) UCCF (Universities’ & Colleges’ Christian Fellowship) MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) PGP (The Peninsula Gospel Partnership) EPW (Equipping Pastors Worldwide) ## **5 Financial Review** Total receipts on unrestricted funds amounted to £49,447.03. The great majority of this came from the personal giving of members of the congregation. We are deeply grateful to God for this commitment and generosity at a time of financial hardship in the country as a whole. Overall, there was a surplus of £1,300.51 over expenditure. Outgoings include just under £12k for the employment of an Assistant Pastor for the last 5 months of the year. This latter figure will increase significantly next year when a full year’s salary will be paid. The trustees are confident that this salary will be met out of donations, but in any case, there are still considerable reserves that have built up during the period when the church has been without a salaried employee. A significant proportion of this will be needed to cover the re-surfacing of much of the driveway over the next 12 months. Two major items of expenditure are unique to this year; one is a sum of £10k which had been designated to help with accommodation expenses for a new Assistant Pastor – this was accordingly used to pay moving expenses when the Hughes family relocated from Braintree in Essex. The second sum is one of just over £5k under ‘Pastoral Support’. The great majority of this was used to support the Hughes family during Jon’s final year of study at London Seminary, as the income they had been receiving from rent for their property in Braintree had ceased when the tenants had left (in preparation for the sale of the property and the family’s relocation to Exmouth). The church operates a policy whereby 10% of donations are transferred to a Mission Fund for distribution to mission agencies. In total, £4,900 was made available during this period for mission work at home or abroad. There is also, separately, a sum of £2,000 which was paid to Mark Perkins for his help with the Church’s evangelism. As Mark’s work for the church came to an end in May, this expenditure will also not be repeated next year. |**RECEIPTS**
Offerings, Donations, Gifts
Covenant Gift Aid
Stewardship
Hire of Hall
Gift Aid Tax Refund
Interest Income
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Accountancy Fees
Building Repairs & Maintenance
Staff Costs
Other Expenses
Utilities
Insurance
Pastoral Support
Publicity
Conference Fees
Leagal Fees
Mark Perkins Support
Gifts Distributed
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
Excess Income over Expenditure
Transfer of Funds:
10% Offerings & Gift Aid
**Balances as at 31/12/2022**
**Balances as at 31/12/2023**|**General Fund**
£10,183
£26,080
-
£648
£7,863
£467
**£45,240**
£819
£3,528
£11,717
£2,033
£4,192
£1,895
£448
£1,988
**£26,620**
£18,620
(£3,300)
**£50,838**
**£66,158**|**Missionary Fund**
**(Designated)**
£200
**F**|**Housing Fund**
**(Designated)**
**-**
£10,000

**£10,000**
(£10,000)
**£10,000**
**-**
**SCOTT DRIVE CH**
**RECEIPTS & PAYME**
**or The Year Ended 31**|**Children & Youth Fund**
**(Designated)**
£1,754
**URCH CIO**
**NT ACCOUNTS**
**December 2023**|**Pastoral Support Fund**
**(Designated)**
£1,754
£500
**£2,254**
£5,291
**£5,291**
(£3,037)
**-**
**(£3,037)**|**Hospitality**
**(Designated)**
**-**
£229
**£229**
(£229)
**-**
**(£229)**|**TOTAL**
**2022**
£13,890
£47,827
£26,580
£16,160
-
£900
£648
£848
£7,863
£12,399
£467
£137| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**£200**||**£1,754**|||**£49,447**
**£78,271**| |||£4,900||£1,107|||£819
£350
£3,528
£2,032
£21,717
£13,153
£8,269
£9,575
£4,192
£3,281
£1,895
£1,271
£5,291
£1,606
£448
£142
£1,988
£1,506
-
£2,484
-
£7,200
-
£3,374| |||**£4,900 -**||**£1,107**|||**£48,147**
**£45,974**| |||(£4,700)
£3,300
**£2,386**||£647
**-**|||£1,301
£32,297
**£63,224**
**£30,927**| |||**£986**||**£647**|||**£64,524**
**£63,224**| ## **SCOTT DRIVE CHURCH CIO STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES At 31 December 2023** |**Fixed Assets**
Tangible assets
**Current Assets**
Bank accounts
**Current Liabilities**
Accruals
**Total Current Assets**
Net Assets|**31/12/2023**
£515,779
£65,047
(£522)
£64,524
£580,303|**31/12/2022**
£515,779
£63,224
-| |---|---|---| |||£63,224| |||£579,003| These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by: Signed_____________________________________________________________________ Lee Emerson, Trustee Date__________________________________ ## **SCOTT DRIVE CHURCH CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For The Year Ended 31 December 2023** ## **1. Receipts & payments accounts** Receipts and payments accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. Cash received and cash spent will include transactions through bank accounts and cash in hand. ## **2. Grants & donations** |**Grants & donations**|| |---|---| |Sundry|£40,470| ||£40,470| ## **3. Trustees' remuneration** No trustees received any remuneration during the year to 31 December 2023. ## **4. Tangible Fixed Assets** |**Cost or valuation**
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2023
**Carrying amount**
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022|**Total**
£472,095
£43,684
£515,779
**Land &**
**Property**
**Furniture,**
**fittings &**
**equipment**| |---|---| ||£472,095
£43,684
£515,779| ||£472,095
£43,684
£515,779| ||£472,095
£43,684
£515,779| ## **5. Guarantees & debts** The charity has not provided any guarantees, nor does it have any debts subject to a charge on its assets, during the year to 31 December 2023. CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts S•ctlon A Ind•pond•nt Examln8r'• R•port R•port to lh• tTU$t•••l Scott Driva Church CIO m•mb•rn ol ￿..-. On th• ymr 31 Cwerthr 2023 •nd•d Chatoty no Irf any) 11951)47 S•twton￿￿ 3to5 I rBport 10 the twslees rny examinalwjn of accounts of the atrThe charity I"Ihe Trust'l for the year ended 31 Decernbpr 2023. R•¥ponthlllts and As the tharity trustees of the Tru51. you are responsib￿ for the preparatw)n of r•ptsrt of Ihe account5 in accord8nco wAh Ihe reqLtioment$ of the Charitses Act 2011 llhe Acl'l. l ￿tK)rt in ￿speCt of my examinatth of the Tnjst's accounts Lxrried out under section 145 of the 2011 Acx and In carrying tsul my examinatiw. I have followed Ihe applicable Diredions given by the Charty Commiss*on under %clion 14515Xbl of the Act. I have COmp￿ted my examination. I confirrn that no rnatenal matters have come lo my attenti(￿ In connection ￿th the exaFninat￿n %thich giv8S rne cause lo b&liÈvÈ that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with sect￿ 130 of th8 Act or the acts)unls do accord wrth Ihe arA))unb"rKJ records I have no ¢oncems and have come acro88 Th) olher rnaitsrs in eonrncti with the 8xamination lo which attent￿n should be drawn in order to enabk a proper underslèndhg of the acccxjnts lo be ￿#thed. . Pl88se d8lete the %•orLls in Eh8 btsek8ts If IP>ey do not apply. examinerfs $tatement Slgmd.. Dat•.. N•m•- ' David Simrns R•b•vant prol•Mlonal FCCA 58 th)onre8d Bu¢Jknvah &llertnn Dovon EX9 6PU Section B Oi¥clo•urtr Only ¢ompbte rf th8 examiner nee