Registered Charity No 1202945
Trustees Annual Report and Accounts
For the period 4[th] May to December 2023
Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Contents Page
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| • | Legal and Administrative | 3 |
| • | Trustees Annual Report | 4-7 |
| • | Financial Statements | 8-9 |
| • | Notes to the Financial Statements | 10-11 |
| • | Analysis of Receipts and Payments | 12-13 |
| • | Analysis of Charitable Funds | 14 |
| • | Independent Examiner’s Report | 15 |
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Legal and Administrative Information
Address Mill Lane The Common Tunstall Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 2JR Correspondence Address Mr M Oliver 53 Fountain Road Rendlesham Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 2UF Trustees D I Rushbrook (Chair) M B Oliver (Administrator) G J Oliver (Treasurer) S M Whayman Bankers Co-Operative Bank P O Box 250 Dell House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT Independent Examiner T Steed ACCA 6 Woodlark Drive Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 5FJ
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Trustees Annual Report
Structure and Governance
Grace Church Rendlesham is an Association Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which was incorporated on 4[th] May 2023. The registered charity number is 1202945. Prior to its incorporation it existed as a Charitable Unincorporated Association known as Sudbourne and Tunstall Baptist Church.
The Governing Document or Association Constitution was adopted by the members of Grace Church Rendlesham constituted on 13[th] March 2023, and the Trustees of the CUA were appointed as Trustees of the CIO.
Objectives and Activities
The purposes of the Church are:
the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith and with Particular Baptist principles primarily but not exclusively within Rendlesham, Suffolk and the surrounding neighbourhood; and
such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion 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.
Our main activities are Sunday services (morning and evening), mid- week Prayer Meetings and Home Groups, Children’s Club, adults & toddler group, women’s fellowship group, dads and children’s group. We also hold regular outreach activities and support a few mission and care agencies
Achievements and Performance
Our primary objective as a church is spiritual growth and that is not easy to quantify in a report such as this. However, the following points are causes for encouragement over the period of this report
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We are entirely reliant on the financial giving of our members to cover our costs, and our accounts show that this has been generous and sustained.
We have employed 2 members of staff for the period of this report, and this has been comfortably managed from our income.
The CIO Application process was quite intense and hard work, but the clarity that this has brought to the functioning of the church has been a real help and we believe we are stronger as a result.
Attendance at our Sunday morning services has still not reached pre COVID levels, but our Christmas services and events showed a large increase in people coming along compared to the previous 3 years and we are hopeful that we are finally getting over the pandemic restrictions.
We currently hold our Sunday morning services in the local primary school as our chapel buildings are not big enough for our morning congregation. Whilst we are really grateful that the school is prepared to let out their space to us, it is hard work, and we are keen to progress our plans for a new building. A planning application was submitted in July but as of the end of 2023, no decision has been forthcoming.
Although our morning services are now held in Rendlesham School, we are keen to meet in other places as well. At present we still hold a carol service in Sudbourne village and a monthly service in the local care home.
Our regular weekday activities have continued with a good number of volunteers taking on most of the responsibilities for these. We get up to 40 children, 20 parents and toddlers and 20 ladies coming to our weekday events. At present these are all held in our chapel building in Tunstall. We are hopeful that a new building in Rendlesham will enable us to increase this provision and make attendance much easier.
We have been putting considerable effort into establishing an annual programme for the planning and delivery of regular outreach events and during the period of the report the Church, as a CUA and then a CIO has held: a village “Praise in the Park Service” alongside our involvement in the Rendlesham Village Show, a Men’s Breakfast, a Clay Shoot, a Quiz Night, a children’s Light Party, and a Family Fireworks evening as well as many Easter and Christmas events and services. These events and services have brought us into contact with many hundreds of people in our villages.
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Financial Review
The Charity’s statement of Receipts and Payments shows a net surplus of £10,747 for the period ending 31[st] December 2023.
The Charity’s Receipts for the year were £27,368 and Payments were £16,621. We are thankful to God and His faithful people who regularly donate to our Church throughout the year, which means the Church can continue to achieve its aims and objectives.
The Fund Balances at Year end were:
| Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds |
2023 £ 737,820 21,157 758,977 |
2022 £ - - |
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|---|---|---|---|
| - |
Going Concern
The Trustees are satisfied that the Charity is a going concern and do not know of any uncertainties regarding the organisations ability to continue as a going concern.
Reserves Policy
The Church held £40,000 in restricted Funds at the end of December 2023. It is the Trustees intention to hold restricted reserves of at least 3 months of operating expenditure.
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Public Benefit
Public Benefit:
The trustees have considered the guidance produced by the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit and they confirm that public benefit has been provided
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Providing regular public worship open to all.
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Teaching Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.
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Conducting pastoral work including visiting the sick and the bereaved.
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Providing youth groups with a Christian ethos.
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Holding regular events where the Christian Gospel is clearly explained
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Distributing evangelistic materials.
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Financially contributing to mission and relief organisations that carry out activities that are in accordance with our charitable purposes
Approved by Trustees
Name of Trustee:
David Rushbrook
Signed on behalf of Trustees
Date of Approval 23/10/2024
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Statement of Receipts and Payments
| Note Receipts Donations and Legacies Charitable Activities Investment Income Total Receipts 1 Payments Charitable Activities Total Payments 2 Net Receipts/ (Payments) Net movement in funds (Cash) 3 Brought Forward Transfers Total Funds Carried Forward |
2023 £ Unrestricted Funds 24,935 - 2.083 27,018 16,621 16,621 10,747 727,073 10,747 - 737,820 |
2023 £ Restricted Funds 350 - - 350 - - - 21,157 - - 21,157 |
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
The Accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis, so there is no formal Balance Sheet or Statement of Financial Position.
A Statement of Assets and Liabilities is outlined below giving an indication of the charity’s assets and liabilities at the end of the year. This includes the buildings that are retained for the use of the Church.
| Note Fixed Assets Buildings 4 Equipment 5 Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Bank – Current Account Bank – Savings Account Total Cash Funds 6 Liabilities Total Liabilities Total Assets and Liabilities |
2023 £ 755,000 6,394 761,394 53,626 705,351 758,977 - - 1,520,371 |
2022 £ - - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| - - |
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| - | ||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| - |
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Basis of preparation
The financial Statements have been prepared on a cash basis when Receipts and Payments take place through the bank account.
Assessment of Going Concern
Preparation of the accounts is on an ongoing basis. The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted Funds comprise of those funds which the Trustees are free to use for any purpose that further the charity’s objects. Unrestricted Funds include Designated Funds where the Trustees at their discretion, have set aside resources for a specific purpose.
Restricted Funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor. Currently Restricted Funds comprised of the Building Fund.
Incoming Resources (1)
All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources and the money has been paid.
Resources Expended (2)
Expenditure is recognised on a cash basis when payments have been made through the bank account.
Governance Costs
Include costs of the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Cont)
Net movement in funds (3)
Although Grace Church Rendlesham was incorporated as a CIO on 4[th] May 2023, the CIO was dormant until the funds and fixed assets were transferred to it from Sudbourne and Tunstall Baptist Church on 31[st] October 2023. The financial information shown for the CIO therefore relates to the two months of activity following this i.e. from 31[st] October 2023 to 31[st] December 2023.
Receipts and Payments accounts for Sudbourne and Tunstall Baptist Church for the period 1[st] January to 30[th] October 2023 below:
| Receipts Total Receipts Payments Total Payments Net Receipts/ (Payments) Transfers In Transfers Out Net movement of Cash Funds Total Cash brought forward Total Cash carried forward |
2023 £ Unrestricted Funds 194,854 194,854 118,824 118,824 76,030 - 727,423 (727,423) - - |
2023 £ Restricted Funds 12,214 |
2023 £ Restricted Funds 12,214 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.214 | |||||
| 8,126 | |||||
| 8,126 | |||||
| 4,088 | |||||
| - 20,807 (20,807) - - |
Fixed Assets (4)
The buildings included in the fixed assets were last revalued in 2021 and are as follows;
Tunstall Baptist Church, Sudbourne Baptist Chapel, Tunstall Manse and Rose Cottage.
Equipment (5)
Purchases over £500 are capitalised and depreciated over the useful life of the item.
Cash Funds (6)
Cash Funds are held with the Co-Operative Bank, and the bulk of the funds are in a 95day notice account earning interest
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Analysis of Receipts
| Donations and Legacies Offerings and Donations Special Appeals Gift Aid Reclaimed Grants Interest Property Rental Other Charitable Activities Investment Income Interest Property Rental Total Receipts |
2023 £ Unrestricted Funds 18,139 4,713 - - - - - 22,852 - - 351 1,732 2,083 27,018 |
2023 £ Restricted Funds 350 - - - - - - 350 - - - - - 350 |
2023 £ Total Funds 18,469 4,713 - - - - - 23,202 - - 351 1,732 2,083 27,368 |
2022 £ Total Funds - - - - - - - |
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Analysis of Payments
| Payments Administration Bank Charges Buildings Donations Gifts Insurance Ministry Outreach Professional Fees Equipment Sponsorship Training Utilities Total Payments |
2023 £ Unrestricted Funds 1,922 - 490 2.332 281 - 7,214 480 1,378 636 - 1,888 - 16,621 16,621 |
2023 £ Restricted Funds - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
2023 £ Total Funds 1,922 - 490 2.332 281 - 7,214 480 1,378 636 - 1,888 - 16,621 16,621 |
2022 £ Total Funds - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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| - | ||||||||
| - |
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Analysis of Charitable Funds
| Unrestricted General (Unrestricted) Designated Reserves Benevolent Fund Total Unrestricted Restricted Funds Building Fund Total Restricted Funds Total Funds and Cash |
31/10/23 £ 687,423 40,000 - 727,423 20,807 20,807 748,230 |
Income £ 27,018 - - - 27,018 350 350 27,368 |
Expenditure £ (16,621) - - - (16,621) - - (16,621) |
Transfers £ (2,500) - 2,500 - - - - |
31/12/23 £ 695,320 40,000 2,500 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 737,820 | ||||||||||
| 21,157 | ||||||||||
| 21,157 | ||||||||||
| 758,977 |
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Grace Church Rendlesham
For the Period 4[th] May to 31st December 2023.
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Grace Church Rendlesham
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grace Church Rendlesham (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
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.
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:
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Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act
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The accounts do not accord with the accounting records
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The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and contents of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:Tom Steed (ACCA) Dated:21/6/2024 Name:Tom Steed 6 Woodlark Drive Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 5FJ
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