GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Report and Accounts Year ended... 31 March 2023
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 123 Grove Hill South Woodford LONDON E18 2HY Church constitution adopted 28 September 2006 as GOVERNING DOCUMENTS amended 6 July 2008. The church is affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 235525 - Grove Hill Evangelical Church TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Timothy Crispin MANAGING THE CHARITY Andrew Emohare Avon Edward (from 18 June 2023) Adam Herbert (until 27 September 2022) Lynda Holmes Martin Hull (until 2 July 2023) Peter Last (from 31 July 2022) Peter Parson Peter Sharp Matthew Weston (from 1 July 2023) NAMES OF ADVISERS CAF Bank Ltd Edward Connor Solicitors HOLDING TRUSTEE Fellowship Property Trust INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jaimee Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-3 Trustees' Report Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report Page 5 Receipts and Payments Account Page 6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 7-10 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are:
-
The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the basis of faith primarily but not exclusively within South Woodford and the surrounding neighbourhood, and
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Such other charitable purposes as shall in the opinion of the members of the church in general meeting, further the work of the church.
Government
The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Trust.
New trustees are appointed following a ballot of Church members.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
The church exists as a body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who are committed to each other in Christian fellowship. We seek to encourage each other in the faith as it is laid out in the Bible and to share the truth about Christ with those around us.
The Church has held services of worship every Sunday, including preaching and Bible studies. On-line streaming has continued to maximise accessibility: The Sunday services are broadcast live via the Church's 'YouTube' channel, accessible to all via the Church website https://www.ghec.co.uk/ and other activities via 'Zoom'. The Church has been pleased to welcome newcomers on a regular basis. The congregation reflects the multi-cultural make-up of the neighbourhood.
Throughout the year age related activities for children have continued to be provided. Children's activities span the whole age range: from the ever popular 'Ready Steady Go' sessions for babies, toddlers and their parents/ carers to 'Revolution' working with older teenagers. In between there are the Sunday youth groups, week night clubs and ad-hoc school holiday activities. All these activities are available to Church families and the wider community.
The Church joins with other local Churches to provide outreach events. Grove Hill was pleased to host a Holiday Club. The short course 'Christianity Explored' is offered to those interested in finding out more about Christianity.
Key activities are publicised by leafleting local homes, word of mouth and via the website. The website provides a valuable insight into the work of the Church (www.ghec.co.uk), where Sunday services can be viewed via 'YouTube'. The church is pleased to support missionary work both in the UK and abroad and sets aside 25% of its regular income for this purpose. During 2022-23 the Church, together with several others in the area, continued to support the setting up of a Church Plant in the Barkingside and Clayhall area (All Nations).
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Page 2
The leadership team continue to seek to fulfil their responsibilities. The trustees remain very grateful to all involved in the fellowship for the different ways in which they assist the church in fulfilling its calling. 2023-24 sees a change in the Church leadership with the Pastor, Martin Hull, retiring after more than 20 years' service. Trustees would like to formally acknowledge Martin's faithful contribution to the Church and are pleased to welcome Matthew Weston as their new Pastor from July 2023.
Financial review
The trustees prepare the accounts on a Receipts and Payments basis. It is deemed a more appropriate basis having regard to the charity's turnover. This means that the accounts are based on a reconciliation to the bank account and no adjustment has been made for income due; in particular the Gift Aid refund from HMRC is not recognised until the following year.
Overall reserves stand at £161k. These comprise £122k Unrestricted (General £77k and Designated £45k) and £39k Restricted funds. General congregational income increased by about £4k over the previous year; Property rental income remained stable at about £74k. Expenditure was lower than the previous year due to a delay in undertaking some property repairs. The General Fund is showing an inyear surplus of £32.5k after transfers - this was a planned increase to contribute to the cost of major repairs to the Church building in 2023. A restricted donation was also received to be used for the planned repairs, thus increasing the restricted Property Trust Fund at year end to £30k. The Designated Fund balance at year end has increased due to receipt of a £17k legacy (no restrictions). The Pre-school Restricted Fund of £8k is being held pending a decision on its use.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £25,000 (which equates to about 3 months of routine unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £122k. This includes £28k designated for the Missionary Fund for the following year; the excess funds are held for the purpose of anticipated essential maintenance works as discussed above.
Risk statement
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
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.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Matthew Weston Date: 7 January 2024
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grove Hill Evangelical Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2023 on pages 6 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:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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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.
Jaimee Young
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 11 January 2024
Page 4
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Notes Income receipts Donations and grants Legacies Gift aid receipts Income from charitable activities Rental Income Fee Income Other Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Transfers between funds 7 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 75,588 3,421 - 17,172 13,931 805 399 - 73,859 - - 1,499 - 91,416 95,258 82,411 22,954 5,650 24,346 88,061 47,300 3,355 47,957 29,140 29,140 - 32,495 18,817 44,318 26,375 76,813 45,192 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ 27,410 - 1,189 - - - - 28,599 6,410 7,468 13,878 14,722 - 14,722 24,325 39,046 |
2023 £ 106,419 17,172 15,925 399 73,859 - 1,499 215,273 111,776 37,464 149,239 66,034 - 66,034 95,017 161,051 |
2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds £ 75,588 - 13,931 399 - - 1,499 91,416 82,411 5,650 88,061 3,355 29,140 32,495 44,318 76,813 |
|||||
| 82,274 - 14,857 490 74,432 - 15 |
|||||
| 172,068 | |||||
| 134,258 39,596 |
|||||
| 173,855 | |||||
| 1,787 - - |
|||||
| 1,787 - 96,804 |
|||||
| 95,017 |
The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Notes A Cash funds 5,6 Cash Float Cash at bank with immediate access B Other monetary assets 5,6 Gift aid due to charity Other debtors C Liabilities Falling due within one year 5,6 Loan Fee for Independent Examination Accrued expenses Falling due after one year: Loan Total |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 51 76,813 45,141 76,813 45,192 14,826 675 4,312 5,038 19,138 5,713 - 7,454 1,300 - 1,382 792 2,682 8,246 12,494 - 12,494 2,682 20,740 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 39,046 39,046 603 250 853 - - 59 59 - - 59 |
2023 £ 51 161,000 161,051 16,103 9,600 25,703 7,454 1,300 2,233 10,987 12,494 12,494 23,481 |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - 95,017 |
||||
| 95,017 | ||||
| 15,907 6,901 |
||||
| 22,808 | ||||
| 7,454 1,200 7,729 |
||||
| 16,383 | ||||
| 18,767 | ||||
| 18,767 | ||||
| 35,150 |
The above loan is repayable in monthly instalments and is repayable in full by April 2026. All other liabilities fall due for settlement within one year.
D Assets retained for charity's own use
| Fund to which asset belongs General Property Trust Property Trust Property Trust Property Trust The value of the freehold assets owned are: Church equipment Church Building (NBV 2016) 30 Byron Avenue (2001) 121 Grove Hill (2001) 62-64 Grove Hill (2001) |
Book Value £ 578,000 151,000 92,000 280,000 1,101,000 |
Insurance value £ |
|---|---|---|
| 162,310 3,300,388 569,791 269,994 973,028 |
||
| 5,275,511 |
The trustees have used insurance values as an approximation for current values
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
MATTHEW WESTON
Date: 7 January 2024
The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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.
Acting as agent
On occasion the charity receives money on behalf of other charities, which it banks and then pays out to these charities. This income is received as agent for these other charities and the income, and the related payments, are excluded from the Receipts and Payments account.
During the year, the charity received money on behalf of All Nations Church. This income was received as agent; the receipt totalling £10,000, and the subsequent payment, are excluded from the Receipts and Payments account.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs (see note 4) Youth and children's work Outreach activities Courses and Conferences Maintenance, repairs & equipment Loan Repayments Utilities Insurance Independent examination Office and support costs Visiting Speakers Other costs |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 43,541 - 307 615 976 - 215 - 11,299 8,406 - 7,454 8,880 1,507 4,551 3,317 1,170 - 7,503 1,656 2,970 - 1,000 - 82,411 22,954 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ 5,000 - - - - - - - 1,410 - - 6,410 |
Total 2023 £ 48,541 923 976 215 19,705 7,454 10,387 7,868 1,170 10,569 2,970 1,000 111,776 |
Total 2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ 43,541 307 976 215 11,299 - 8,880 4,551 1,170 7,503 2,970 1,000 82,411 |
|||||
| 50,059 1,083 1,570 85 49,360 7,454 4,973 7,971 1,140 8,749 1,025 790 |
|||||
| 134,258 |
Page 7
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Unrestricted Funds
| 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others (All payments were made to UK based individuals/organisations) Grants for: For work in the UK Overseas mission Relief of poverty The grants to institutions amounting to more than £1,000 were: Grace Baptist Mission Pastor Training International Eurasian Ministries Mission College Azores (via Impact Giving) Lebanon Baptist Trust (via Impact Giving) UCCF Relay (via Stewardship Services) Christian Education Project All Nations Church - Clayhall and Barkingside International Mission to Jewish People(formerly Christian Witness to Israel) |
General funds £ 5,650 - - 5,650 2023 £ 8,485 5,220 3,264 3,264 5,230 - - 2,538 4,875 |
Designated funds £ 2,663 21,683 - 24,346 2022 £ 9,403 5,787 3,616 3,616 - 1,500 2,420 2,400 7,213 |
Restricted Funds £ 1,763 5,230 475 7,468 |
Total 2023 £ 10,076 26,913 475 37,464 |
Total 2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15,226 24,121 250 |
|||||
| 39,596 | |||||
4 Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity had 1 full time employee.
Ministerial costs, as permitted by the governing document, are employment costs in respect of the Pastor, Martin Hull, was paid £46,089 (2022 £41,997) in his capacity of minister of the church and not as a trustee and includes a restricted gift of £5,000 and an anniversary offering of £0 (2022 £2,108).
One of the trustees, Lynda Holmes, is a tenant of one of the Church owned properties. Her tenure is assessed using the rental policy applied to all tenants; her interest is declared at trustee meetings and she does not partake in decisions relating to the properties where she has a pecuniary interest.
One of the trustees, Adam Herbert, a trustee until September 2022, is a tenant of one of the Church owned properties. His tenure is assessed using the rental policy applied to all tenants; his interest is declared at trustee meetings and he did not partake in decisions relating to the properties where he has a pecuniary interest.
One of the trustees, Tim Crispin (Crisp Finish), on occasions undertakes urgent maintenance work at the Church and properties. During 2022-23 this totalled £1,516 (2022 £5,296).
Page 8
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| 5 Cash float Cash at bank with immediate access A Cash funds Gift aid due to charity Other debtors/ prepayments B Other monetary assets Loans Accrued expenses/ deferred income C Liabilities 6 Cash at bank with immediate access A Cash funds Gift aid due to charity Other debtors/ prepayments B Other monetary assets Accrued expenses C Liabilities Breakdown of Designated funds - Assets and Liabilities Breakdown of Restricted funds - Assets and Liabilities |
Property Rental Fund £ - - - - 2,515 2,515 19,948 792 20,740 All Nations Church Plant £ 275 - 275 - 325 325 50 |
Ready Steady Go £ 51 97 148 - - - - - - Specific appeals/ donations incl. Hardship £ 981 981 278 250 528 9 |
Legacies £ - 17,172 17,172 - - - - - - Property Trust Funds £ 30,375 30,375 - - - |
Missionary Support Fund £ - 27,872 27,872 675 2,523 3,198 - - - Pre-school £ 7,965 7,965 - - - |
Total £ 51 45,141 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45,192 | |||||
| 675 5,038 |
|||||
| 5,713 | |||||
| 19,948 792 |
|||||
| 20,740 | |||||
| Total £ 39,046 |
|||||
| 39,046 | |||||
| 603 250 |
|||||
| 853 | |||||
| 59 | |||||
| 50 | 9 | - | - | 59 |
Page 9
GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
7 Movement of funds
| vement of funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds Designated funds Property Rental Fund Ready Steady Go Legacies Missionary Support Fund Restricted funds Property Trust Fund All Nations Church Plant1 Pre-school Covid Relief Fund2 Hardship Fund2 Specific appeals/ donations: TEAR Fund, Azores etc.1 Total funds |
Balance at 31 March 2022 £ |
Receipts £ |
Payments £ |
Transfers £ |
Balance at 31 March 2023 £ |
| 44,318 | 91,416 | 88,061 - |
29,140 | 76,813 | |
| - 157 - 26,218 26,375 11,785 413 - 7,965 275 - 4,713 24,325 95,017 |
73,859 606 17,172 3,620 95,257 20,000 1,763 - 1,000 15,836 38,599 225,273 |
22,339 - 615 - - 24,346 - 47,300 - 1,410 - 1,625 - - 275 - 20,568 - 23,878 - 159,239 - |
51,520 - - - 22,380 29,140 - - - - 275 - 275 - - - |
0 148 17,172 27,872 |
|
| 45,192 | |||||
| 30,375 275 - 7,965 - 1,000 19 - |
|||||
| 39,046 | |||||
| 161,051 |
1 The deficit balance at the year end relates to gift aid to be claimed - see note 6 above
2 Trustees renamed the 'Covid Relief Fund' as a 'Hardship Fund' and transferred the balance. At the outset donors to the 'Hardship Fund' agreed that any unused funds could be used for other purposes.
Page 10