2024-03-31-accounts - Grove Hill Evangelical Church

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GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH

Report and Accounts Year ended... 31 March 2024

GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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) Derek Fieldhouse (from 14 January 2024) Lynda Holmes Martin Hull (until 2 July 2023) Peter Last Peter Parson Peter Sharp (until 31 July 2024) 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 2024

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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
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. 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/. 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 'Hope 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). 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 2023-24 the Church, together with several others in the area, continued to support a new Church 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 saw 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 £99k. These comprise £87k Unrestricted (General £42k and Designated £45k) and £12k Restricted funds. General congregational income remained stable at £75k (a slight reduction in real terms). Property rental income fell by £12k. This was expected because the Manse is now provided to the Pastor as part of his renumeration instead of being let commercially. General Fund expenditure was in line with budget - payroll costs fell due to accommodation being provided to the Pastor and support costs increased due to the legal costs of becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Reserves were deliberately kept at a high level at the previous year end to meet necessary roof and guttering works. This project was successfully completed during the year, resulting in an in year deficit of £35k in the General Fund and year end general reserves falling back to £42k. This is still higher than the trustees' reserves policy, but more premises costs are anticipated in 202425. A restricted donation of £20k was received to renew/ update the Church heating system. During the year the boiler was replaced and the remaining balance of £3k will be used in 2024-25 to repair the Church heaters. The legacy fund of £17k (no restrictions) remains at year end, together with the Preschool Restricted Fund of £8k which 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 87k. 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: 3/12/2024

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 2024 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: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 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.

Jaimee Young

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: 12 December 2024

Page 4

GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

	General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 75,294 3,992 - - 14,890 675 1,141 613 - 61,949 - - 2,876 2,523 94,201 69,752 86,301 24,748 4,520 29,817 90,821 54,565 3,380 15,187 38,522 14,849 - 35,142 338 76,813 45,192 41,671 45,530 Unrestricted Funds	2023 £
	General Funds £ 75,294 - 14,890 1,141 - - 2,876 94,201 86,301 4,520 90,821 3,380 38,522 35,142 76,813 41,671
		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

The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 5

GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 £ £ - 41,671 45,530 41,671 45,530 12,688 888 4,041 2,944 16,729 3,832 - 7,514 1,290 - 926 94 2,216 7,608 6,216 - 6,216 2,216 13,824 Unrestricted Funds	Restricted funds £ 12,211 12,211 363 250 613 - - 1,229 1,229 - - 1,229	2024 £ - 99,412 99,412 13,939 7,235 21,174 7,514 1,290 2,249 11,053 6,216 6,216 17,269	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

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 3,564,419 574,349 272,154 980,812
		5,554,044

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: 03/12/2024

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 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.

ents 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 Roof and guttering replacement project Loan repayments Utilities Insurance Independent examination Office and support costs Visiting Speakers Other costs		General Designated funds funds £ £ 39,298 - 223 589 1,806 - 395 - 15,339 7,619 - - - 7,493 8,353 3,128 4,742 3,988 1,260 - 12,691 1,931 1,105 - 1,089 - 86,301 24,748 Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ 3,418 - - 16,700 76,807 - - 459 - 6,480 - - 103,864	Total 2024 £ 42,716 812 1,806 395 39,658 76,807 7,493 11,481 9,189 1,260 21,102 1,105 1,089 214,913	Total 2023 £
		General funds £ 39,298 223 1,806 395 15,339 - - 8,353 4,742 1,260 12,691 1,105 1,089 86,301
					48,541 923 976 215 19,705 - 7,454 10,387 7,868 1,170 10,569 2,970 1,000
					111,776

2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly

Page 7

GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 Equipping Pastors Worldwide (formerly Pastor Training International) Eurasian Ministries Mission College Amor (Europe) Azores (via Impact Giving) Christian Education Project All Nations Church - Clayhall and Barkingside International Mission to Jewish People(formerly Christian Witness to Israel)	General funds £ 4,520 - - 4,520 2024 £ 10,424 6,415 - 8,015 - - 2,400 2,120	Designated funds £ 3,360 26,457 - 29,817 2023 £ 8,485 5,220 3,264 3,264 5,230 2,538 4,875	Restricted Funds £ - - - -	Total 2024 £ 7,880 26,457 - 34,337	Total 2023 £
					10,076 26,913 475
					37,464

4 Transactions with related parties

During the year the charity had 1 full time employee. Martin Hull was the Pastor until 2 July 2023; Matthew Weston took over the role on 1 July 2023.

Ministerial costs, as permitted by the governing document, are employment costs in respect of the Pastor, Martin Hull, was paid £14,116 (2023 £46,089) until 2 July 2023 in his capacity of minister of the church and not as a trustee and includes a leaving gift of £3,418 (2023 £0) and a restricted gift of £0 (2023 £5,000). Matthew Weston was paid £22,500 for the period from 1 July 2023 in his capacity of minister of the church and not as a trustee. He lives in the Manse rent free and the Church meets the cost of the council tax for the property.

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, Tim Crispin (Crisp Finish), on occasions undertakes urgent maintenance work at the Church and properties. During 2023-24 this totalled £144 (2023 £1,516).

Page 8

GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Property Rental Fund £ - - - - 2,894 2,894 13,730 - 13,730 All Nations Church Plant £ 50 50 - - 50	Ready Steady Go £ - 172 172 - 50 50 - 94 94 Specific appeals/ donations incl. Hardship £ 896 896 363 250 613 9	Legacies £ - 17,172 17,172 - - - - - - Property Trust Funds £ 3,300 3,300 - - - 1,170	Missionary Support Fund £ - 28,186 28,186 888 - 888 - - - Pre-school £ 7,965 7,965 - - -	Total £ - 45,530
				45,530
				888 2,944
				3,832
				13,730 94
				13,824
				Total £ 12,211
				12,211
				363 250
				613
				1,229
50	9	1,170	-	1,229

Page 9

GROVE HILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Movement of funds

Balance at 31 March 2023 £	Receipts £	Payments £	Transfers £	Balance at 31 March 2024 £
76,813	94,201	90,821 -	38,522 -	41,671
0 148 17,172 27,872 45,192 30,375 275 - 7,965 1,000 19 - 39,046 161,050	61,949 738 - 4,542 67,229 20,000 325 250 3,083 23,658 185,088	24,159 - 714 - - 27,169 - 52,042 - 100,446 - - - 3,418 - 103,864 - 246,727 -	37,790 - - - 22,941 14,849 - 53,371 - - - - 53,371 -	0 172 17,172 28,186
				45,530
				3,300 50 7,965 1,250 354 -
				12,211
				99,412

1 The deficit balance at the year end relates to gift aid to be claimed - see note 6 above

Page 10