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2024-03-31-accounts

Centre Church Droitwich

Report and Accounts Period ended 31 March 2024

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

CENTRE CHURCH DROITWICH

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Centre Church Droitwich c/o 10, Oakland Avenue DROITWICH WR9 7DD GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution dated 22 May 2022 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1199135 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Benjamin Putt MANAGING THE CHARITY Stephen Marshall Peter Barham BANK The Co-operative Bank - Business PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 9-10 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

Report of the Managing Trustees for the year ended 31[st] March 2024

The Managing Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared based on the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s Trust Deed.

1 LEGAL and ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

1.1 Church Address

Centre Church Droitwich c/o 10, Oakland Avenue DROITWICH WR9 7DD

1.2

Governing Documents

Church Constitution adopted by the members of Centre Church, Droitwich on 22[nd] May 2022 and approved by the Charity Commission on 30[th] May 2022. The church is registered as a CIO-Association, (Number 1199135) and is affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, FIEC. (Registered Charity 1132700)

1.3 Charity Trustees

Benjamin Putt, Pastor (Salaried) Stephen Marshall (Non-salaried) Peter Barham (Non-salaried)

1.4 Independent Examiner

Archie McDowall Stewardship Services (UKET) 1, Lamb’s Passage London EC1Y 8AB

1.5 Principal Banker

The Co-operative Bank – Business PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

2 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE and MANAGEMENT

2.1 Trustees and organisational structure

The Government of the Church is vested in a Body of Elders who are the Charity Trustees of the charity. There are currently three Elders, one of whom is a paid Pastor. Elders are nominated for appointment or re-appointment by the other Elders and 67% of Church Members must vote in favour for the individual to be appointed.

Elders, except the paid Elder serve for a term of three years and may then be re-appointed. The Charity Trustees who held office during the financial year are shown in 1.3 above. When new Charity Trustees are appointed, they will be given an introduction to the work of the Trustees.

Page 2

Current Elders will generally oversee a particular area of church life, working with appointed Team Leaders and the active involvement of all members in the life of the church is encouraged by holding bimonthly members meetings. There were 39 members in March 2024.

2.2 Remuneration of Charity Trustees

Extract from Church Constitution, paragraph 6 entitled ‘Scope and powers permitting trustees’ or connected persons’ benefits’. Dependent on stated provisos:

“A charity trustee or connected person may receive compensation (including the provision of accommodation) for acting as an employee of the Church under a contract of employment”.

In addition, all Charity Trustees are entitled to be reimbursed from the property of the Church or may pay out of such property reasonable expenses properly incurred by him or her when acting on behalf of the Church.

2.3 Responsibilities of Charity Trustees

Under the Charities Act 2011, the Charity Trustees are required to prepare a statement of accounts for each accounting year which gives a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the church.

They are required to:

  1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

  2. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

  3. State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed;

  4. Prepare the financial statements on an ongoing basis.

Charity Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church and they must ensure that such accounts and records comply with the Charities Act 2011.

They also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to detect fraud or other irregularities and to provide reasonable assurances that:

  1. The church is operating efficiently and effectively;

  2. Its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition;

  3. Proper records are kept and that financial information used within the church and for publication is reliable;

  4. The church complies with relevant laws and regulations.

2.4 Risk Management

All activities undertaken by the Church are subject to a review as part of the risk management. Risk Assessments are reviewed and agreed annually by the Charity Trustees at a meeting of the Elders.

3 OBJECTIVES and ACTIVITIES

Mission statement:

“As a Church we are committed to following Jesus, loving one another, and seeing lives changed in Droitwich”.

Value statements:

Page 3

of Jesus is therefore central to all we do because it is only through turning to Him that lives can be renewed and transformed for the better, both now and in the life to come.

Activities and Achievements

Centre Church Droitwich was a church planted with the support of Woodgreen Evangelical Church Worcester and had its first service using the premises of Droitwich Baptist Church in September 2021. It became independent in May 2022 when it was registered as a CIO-ASSOCIATION with the Charity Commission therefore this report is a testimony to God’s grace towards us in our second year.

In planning the activities, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

• “Following Jesus”

The teaching and preaching of unchanging Biblical truths is foundational to being disciples of Jesus at Centre Church. We believe in the inspiration and authority of all Scripture which means that relevant exposition and explanation of Biblical truths is a key aspect of all our activities across all ages.

We seek to worship God in our Sunday services in a contemporary way and preaching from the Bible is an indispensable part of our corporate worship. Our pastor has provided a majority of the preaching at Sunday services with their themes derived from sequential exposition of books of the Bible. We believe that relevant and faithful preaching is essential not only for building up Christian disciples into mature believers, but also to point unbelievers to Jesus Christ.

We encourage children of all ages to be actively involved in our Sunday services and during the Bible talk for adults, children in reception and school year one will have their own session learning from the same Bible passage as the adults.

Older children and young people have their own activity on Monday evenings which includes discussion of the Bible talk the previous day.

We recognise that Jesus prayed. And unless God blesses all we do as a church, our labour will be in vain, so we show our reliance on him through times of prayer. Our bi-monthly members meeting includes prayer for agenda items and after the second Sunday in a month we meet together for lunch followed by a time of prayer.

• “Loving one another”

We have continued our main objective to establish a ‘church family’ that provides mutual support and encouragement as we live in today’s world. To this extent our aspirational Membership Covenant, which individuals agree to when becoming members, speaks of intentionally creating deep and meaningful relationships with each other putting others needs ahead of our own.

Mid-week, inter-generational ‘Side-by-Side’ groups for church members are our focus in meeting this objective. Group leaders are tasked with creating their own way of developing those relationships throughout the week.

Page 4

• “Seeing lives changed in Droitwich”

Centre Church was not planted to just be a place for Christians to enjoy mutual support as we seek to follow Jesus. The church was planted in order to share the timeless good news of Jesus within the community. We have therefore kept the ‘church programme’ to a minimum and members have spent time building meaningful friendships with people in Droitwich community groups including voluntary work in the local Food Bank.

4 FINANCIAL REVIEW

We end the year with cash reserves of £21,890 which more than meets the amounts required of our reserve policy. Expenditure in 23/24 was £80,464.47 which was less than the budgeted expenditure of £81,689.92. Income in the financial year was lower than expected due to a delayed gift aid payment of £7,106.25 which was received after the financial year end.

Looking ahead to FY 24-25 we anticipate a small rise in income through giving and we have agreed a budget of around £87k which includes maintaining our gifts to mission partners and setting aside about £4000 to support future ministry costs in a non-restricted fund. We would expect reserves to be sufficient to cover any deficit.

5 INVESTMENT POLICY

The Managing Trustees have power to invest in such assets as they see fit for the furtherance of the aims and objectives that are agreed by the Trustees and supported by the Church Membership.

6 RESERVES POLICY

The Managing Trustees have an agreed Reserves Policy whereby a contingency is held of at least two months’ expenditure. This year we have started to use our funds to establish long term partnerships with other Christian ministries outside of our local community and our cash reserves are still in excess of the targeted level.

7 GRANT MAKING POLICY

In the past financial year grants have been made to mission partners and we anticipate a similar level of circa £10k being made available this year. These grants are made following recommendations of our supporting mission team and agreed by trustees as set out in our Financial Management Policy.

8 FUTURE PLANS

After a short time Centre Church is still learning about the people in our community and how best to serve them. Beyond their fortnightly meetings the Charity Trustees take an ‘advance’ once a year to prayerfully and strategically look forward at where God is leading us in the years ahead, A key outcome has been to begin the process of identifying and appointing new Trustees in 2025.

It has been agreed that our employed Pastor should take a three month sabbatical in the 2024 summer which will include times of refreshment, reflection and investigation of future commitments in line with our overall mission statement and values. During 2024/25 we will establish a new budget line for ‘Future Ministry’ in anticipation of long term opportunities.

Approved by the Managing Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Benjamin Putt, Pastor Benjamin Putt 25 November 2024

Page 5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

CENTRE CHURCH DROITWICH

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Centre Church Droitwich ('the charity') for the period ended 31 March 2024 on pages 7 to 10 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.

Archie McDowall

Archie McDowall BA, CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: 4 December 2024

Page 6

CENTRE CHURCH DROITWICH

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Income receipts
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Other grants
Other
Total receipts
Payments
2
3
Total payments
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Cash funds as at last year end
Cash funds at this year end
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly		 General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
71,306
-
8,134
-
-
-
-
-
79,440
-
62,878
-
17,586
-
80,464
-
1,024
-
-
4,085
-
4,085
5,109
-
4,085
22,914
-
17,805
4,085
Unrestricted		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2024
£
71,306
8,134
-
-
79,440
62,878
17,586
80,464
1,024
-
-
1,024
-
22,914
21,890		 2023
£
41,762
-
5,000
50
46,812
23,898
-
23,898
22,914
-
22,914
-
22,914

The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

CENTRE CHURCH DROITWICH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
A Cash funds
Cash at bank with immediate access
B Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
C Liabilities
Falling due within one year
Taxes due
Fee for Independent Examination		 General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
17,806
4,085
17,806
4,085
7,106
-
7,106
-
2,731
-
520
-
3,251
-
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2024
£
21,890
21,890
7,106
7,106
2,731
520
3,251		 2023
£
22,914
22,914
4,920
4,920
2,638
480
3,118

D Guarantees and secured debts

The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Stephen Marshall

_____Stephen Marshall, Trustee

Date:_____25 November 2024

The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.

Page 8

CENTRE CHURCH DROITWICH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

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. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Employment costs (see note 4)
Ministry expenses
Outreach activities
Small equipment
Rent
Insurance
Independent examination
Office costs
Conferences and Training
Other costs
3
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Grants for:
Woodgreen Evangelical Church, Worcester
Mission
FIEC
Mission
Beach Camp
Mission
Other small grants to organisations
Mission
Grants to individuals
Mission		 Unrestricted Fun
General
funds
£
45,275
3,407
330
2,883
6,110
375
480
1,244
2,156
618
62,878
6,250
1,300
746
350
8,940
17,586		 ds
Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
45,275
3,407
330
2,883
6,110
375
480
1,244
2,156
618
62,878
6,250

1,300
746
350
8,940
17,586		 Total
2023
£
18,754
2,113
174
1,053
-
2,870
-
-
222
-
818
23,898
-

Page 9

CENTRE CHURCH DROITWICH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3 Transactions with related parties

Benjamin Putt served as pastor and was paid £42,707 for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

The church also contributed £2,568 to a personal pension plan for Benjamin Putt.

4 Movement of funds

vement of funds
General funds
Designated funds
Future Ministry
Total funds		 Opening
balance
£
22,914
-
-
22,914		 Receipts
£
79,440
-
-
79,440		 Payments
£
80,464
-
-
-
80,464
-		 Transfers
£
4,085
-
4,085
4,085
-		 Closing
balance
£
17,805
4,085
4,085
21,890

Page 10