Sanderstead Evangelical Church
Hearing God, trusting Christ, loving people
Report and Accounts For the year ending 31[st] December 2024
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 1
Reference and administrative information
Sanderstead Evangelical Church,
82 Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 9EB.
Charity registration number: 1197194
Trustees
The trustees at the date of this report, and during the year under review were James Hill, Alison Wilson, Heather Mann, Carl Andrewartha (Appointed 12/02/24, resigned 14/10/2024), David Downs (appointed 12/02/24).
Bankers
Lloyds TSB Bank plc, George Street, Croydon
CAF Bank plc, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner
CE Thomson ACA ICAEW, 124 Ranby Road, Sheffield, S11 7AL
Structure, governance and management
The Charity was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 17[th] November 2021. On 1[st] April 2022 it assumed, by way of transfer, all the assets and liabilities of the UK charity registered number 1117042 “Sanderstead Evangelical Church” and began operating on that date.
The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission and is accepted by HM Revenue & Customs as being exempt from tax under the provisions of section 505(1) Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.
The trustees listed above are responsible for the work of the charity before the charity commission. These trustees appoint other trustees where they feel necessary. The pastoral and spiritual responsibility for the church is overseen by elders who delegate leadership to deacons and a pastoral team. In practice, the trustees and the elders work closely together.
The church is self-governing and independent of any external ruling body. However, unity with other evangelical churches is expressed through informal links with other churches in the area and with Christian organisations and Christian workers, both in this country and overseas.
In the year covered by this report, the Western Counties and South Wales Evangelisation Trust completed the transfer of the freehold of the premises to the trustees of SEC. We refer in more detail to this significant development later in this report.
Objectives and activities
The purposes of the charity, according to its constitution, are the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with its basis of faith, and the provision of relief and help to persons who are in need or hardship or who are aged and sick. The trustees are aware of, and have complied with, the guidance regarding public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
The church functions through the voluntary unpaid service and active participation of those within the congregation and supporters. They are involved in a wide range of activities, including the teaching, leading and organisation of meetings on Sundays and throughout the week, the teaching
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 2
of children and young people, support for the sick and elderly, the maintenance of the premises and its facilities, catering services, prayerful support for the work of the church, and not least the provision of most of its income. The church employs a cleaner for 4 hours a week.
Review of Activities
This year at Sanderstead Evangelical church, we have continued to seek to grow in our relationship with God, grow in our relationship relationships with each other, and grow in our relationship with those around us here in our area in Sanderstead, South Croydon.
Growing in our relationship with God:
We continue to be captivated by the news that God has come in the person of Jesus to bring ordinary people like us into relationship with Him. Every time that we meet, a core element of our time together is spent reading the Bible and having it explained to us. As well as our own in-house Bible teachers, we have received many visiting teachers from other churches. It is remarkable how the news of a God who loves us and has created us to live in relationship with Him brings such liberation and transformation.
A number have joined us this year who have become re-captivated by this news. Others have heard these things for the first time – sometimes drawn in via a conversation with a friend or by seeing the posters on the road.
As well as Bible teaching, we worship God together through music and sharing bread and wine to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made when he went to the cross.
Our 'Sanderstead Sessions’, for those younger among us, have grown this year with an excellent team from the church family leading these times parallel to our morning meetings. The team are using material produced by ‘Faith in Kids ’an inspiring charity who seek to 'equip and encourage parents and churches to raise children who trust in Jesus eternally, providing resources, training, and support to those who influence children's faith’. The Sanderstead Sessions team take safeguarding very seriously with safeguarding training sessions for the leaders, DBS checks carried out for all of the team and policies carefully compiled and followed.
This year, we have launched a series of prayer events, these are times when the church can gather to praise God and to bring requests to Him.
For any church, this growth in relationship with God is key and we pray that we will continue to make this the headline of our activities at Sanderstead Evangelical church.
Growing in our relationship with one another:
With meals out, time in each other’s homes, walks together, shared practical activities and more, our growing community has grown in relationships through the year.
During the year we have had regular times of meeting in smaller groups - sometimes in each other’s ’homes, on other occasions in the church building. Whether ‘home group ’events, the men’s monthly breakfast, or the women’s Bible study, these times together deepen the faith of those involved and serve as a catalyst to grow in our relationships with each other.
One of the features of our fellowship is the belief in the priesthood of all believers. This is a New Testament concept that has shaped the church for two millennia. Among us are many who serve the church community – from preparing meals to leading music, from working on the grounds to bringing Bible teaching.
Our pastoral team aims to serve in such a way that all are cared for and supported through the joys and the challenges of life, meeting up regularly to encourage and support those in the church family. Rather than a CEO structure with an impressive leader, we want to grow into being a community that cares for and serves each other.
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 3
In the year ahead, we have various projects designed to help nurture new leaders among us.
Growing in our relationship with those around us.
Some of the highlights of our year have included receiving the theatre company “Artless” for a Christmas production where around 120 heard about the good news of Christmas in a most creative way.
We continue to support the Purley Food Hub and have been involved in trying to help some local people experiencing difficulty in employment, become settled in work.
This year, we are very grateful to the Western Counties trust for the way that they have generously given to us the building that we meet in. We are looking at ways that we can improve the building to facilitate more effectively the work of the church - especially our connection with the wider Sanderstead community - and hope to be able to report more on this next year.
Financial review
Income
The charity was financially dependent during the period on the voluntary support of those within the church and other supporters. No fund-raising activities or events were undertaken.
Total Income for the period was £41,678 of which £38,686 was from offerings and donations to the general fund and £2,763 was from Gift aid claimed on donations, also for the general fund. The church received £228 in investment income (bank interest).
The statement of financial activities shows a surplus of £24,710 in unrestricted funds.
Expenditure
Total expenditure in the period was £16,968, including payments to visiting preachers of £400 and payments to Mission organisation of £3,300
Reserves & Going Concern
Unrestricted reserves at the end of the period were £133,072. Restricted reserves were £861 in the building fund. Total reserves at the year-end were £133,933.
There are no material uncertainties of which the Trustees are aware that affect the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
There were no guarantees given by the CIO or net debt at the end of the period.
The trustees are satisfied with the position of reserves at year end.
Trustees’ responsibilities
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting period which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the period.
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 4
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.
Approved by the managing trustees:
James Hill, Chair of Trustees Date: 27[th] May 2025
Registered Charity Number 1197194 Page 5
Annual Accounts 2024
Sanderstead Evangelical Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the year ending 31.12.24
| Notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | General | Funds | £ | £ | |
| Voluntary receipts | |||||
| Grants and gifts received | 38,686 | - | 38,687 | 41,972 | |
| Tax refunds under Gift Aid | 2,763 | - | 2,763 | 4,250 | |
| Other receipts | - | ||||
| Interest received | 228 | - | 228 | 147 | |
| Total Receipts | 41,678 | - | 41,678 | 46,369 | |
| Payments | |||||
| Payments in furtherance of the church's | objectives | ||||
| Direct costs | 2 | 4,764 | - | 4,764 | 3,883 |
| Indirect Costs | 3 | 12,204 | - | 12,204 | 12,909 |
| Total Payments | 16,968 | - | 16,968 | 16,792 | |
| Net Receipts before transfers | 24,710 | - | 24,710 | 29,577 | |
| Assets from transfer | |||||
| Net Movement in Funds | 24,710 | - | 24,710 | 29,577 | |
| Balances B'fwd | 108,362 | 861 | 109,223 | 79,646 | |
| Balances C'fwd | 6 | 133,072 | 861 | 133,933 | 109,223 |
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 6
The notes on pages 9 form part of these accounts.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf on the 27[th] May 2025
by:
James Hill, Chair of trustees
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 7
5. Employee & Trustee Benefits
There was no pastor employed during 2024 or 2023. The church employs a cleaner 4 hours per week.
There were no payments to trustees or related parties during the year.
The building fund is held for the purpose of maintenance and improvements on the church building.
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 8
Independent Examiner's Report
To the Trustees of Sanderstead Evangelical Church
I report on the accounts and notes to the accounts for Sanderstead Evangelical Church, Charity number 1197194, for the year ending 31st December 2024. These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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 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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 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.
Carol Thomson ACA ICAEW 124 Ranby Road Sheffield
S11 7AL
Date: 28[th] May 2025
Registered Charity Number 1197194
Annual Accounts 2024
Page 9