NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
The Trustees, Report and Accounts of New Life Church Bedfordshire Trust Charity No: 299289 For the year ended 5 April 2025
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 April 2025 Contents Pages Objects and Purposes of Charity Statement of Doctrine Legal and Adminislralion Details Trust Policies and Procedures Trustees, Responsibilities Trustees Report Independent Examiner's Report 10 Financial Statements
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 April 2025 OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CHARITY The objects of the Charity as slated in rts Declaration of Trust are'.- The adv2ncemenl of the Christian Faith in accordance with the doctrines set out on the following page and the worship of God in 8edfordshire and elsewhere by any rneans whatsoever including the preaching and proclamation of the Christian gospel and the leaching of Christian doctrine and pr5nciples and the pastoral care ol Christian people and the printing and distribution of the Bible and Christian Iilerature. The relief of persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress or who are aged or sick. The advancement of education on the basis of Christian principles and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the provisions of such education in any educational eslablishmenl and if the Trustees so decide the provision of one or more ¢hanlable education establishments for the general education of children Dr adults on the basis of such Christian principle.
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 April 2025 Statement of Doctrine The Unity of the Godhead and the divine co-equality of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.. the Sovereignty of God in creation, providence, and redemption. The true and proper deity of our Lord Jesus Christ,. his virgin birth, his real and perfect manhood." the authority of his leaching, the infallibility of all his ullerances.. his work of atonement for sinners of mankind by his vicarious suffefings, his death, bodily resL+rreclion and ascension into Heaven., his priestly intercession lor his people. The full inspiration of the holy scriptures", their authority and efficiency as not only containing but being in themselves the word of God, the reliability of the New Testsmenl in ils leslimony to the character and authorship of the old leslamenl, and the need of the preaching of the Holy Spirit to a true and spiritual understanding of the whole. The reality of original sin in consequence of the fall and the necessity of regeneration. The justification of the sinner solely by faith through the atoning merits of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion and sanctification., also in ministry in worship and In the exercising of spiritual gifts through the body of believers
NEW LIFE CHURCH 8EDFORDSHIRE TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 April 2025 Le al and Administration Details The Trust was formed as P.C.F Trust on 6 April 1988 by a deed of the same date. By a resolution of the Trustees on 7 March 1995 il was agreed that with effect from 6 April 1995 the Trust would be known as New Life Church Bedfordshire Trust. Trustees are appointed by the elders of New Life Church Dunstable or if there be none by the recognised spiritual leaders of the Church. Trustees Al the end of the year the management of the Trust was undertaken by the following people who each seNed as Trustees for the full financial year.. Mr Graham Simpson 83 Pipers Croft Dunstable Beds LU6 3JZ Trustee Ms Sian Rous 21 Highfield Leighton Buzzard Beds Trustee Mr Andrew E Robertson Trustee 7 Oakridge Close Houlton Rugby Warwickshire CV23 1 DJ Mr Paul Wilson 3 Bryant Road Toddinglon Bedfordshire LU5 6EX Trustee Bankers HSBC Bank George Slreet Luton Beds Inde ndenl Examiner Ruth Hayden
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 April 2025 Trust Policies and Procedures Reserves Polic The Trustees do not consider that the Trust should build up large reserves because the Tru51 aims lo spend ils income on the charitable work of the Trust and the other charities that it supports. However, they believe that a minimum unreslricled reserve of £7.000 is required to effectively administer New Life Church Dunstable.'_ To ensure that all invoices and other payments dLFe can be met promptly To allow for short term fluclualions in income To cover contractual and moral obligations To meet unforeseen needs. Risk Assessment The Trustees have considered the operational, financial, and strategic risks faced by the Charity. Management information is available lo the Trustees lo enable them lo regularly monitor these risks and take appropriate mibgalion measures. A church insurance policy covering material loss and damage and public and employers liability risks together with loss of income cover and personal accident insurance for employees is in force. Twinkle pre school management carry out regular detailed health and safety risk assessments which also satisfy Ofsled requirements. Staff Disci lina and Grievance Procedure The Trust has a formal written staff disciplinary and grievance procedure in place. Child Prole lion The Trust subscribes lo the Thirty one'eighl Service lo provide guidance and carry out Criminal Rewrds Bureau checks on all staff and volunteers who work with children and young people Wrillen child prolecb'on and drugs policies are In force. Data Protection The Trust is registered with the Information CoMmS1oer under the Data Protection Act 1998. Registration Number Z7796819. Co New Life Church Dunstable holds copyright licences issued by Christian Copyright Licensing Inlernalional.
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEOFORDSHIRE TRUST TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are required to prepare financial slalemenls for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the church and of ils income for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required lo.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consislenlly make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent prepare the financial slalements on the going concern basis unless il Is inappropriate to presume that the church will continue The Iruslees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with Teasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the church and lo enable them lo ensure that the financial slalements comply w11h the Charities Act 1993. They afe also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 April 2025 Trustees, Re ort The Trust has provided financial support lo Ewen Robertson and lo Alan Scotland of the Lifelink network ol churches, who provided spiritual oversight and leadership lo the Church. Sian Rous continued to provide leadership to the church on a full lime basis. The Church Continued lo be part of the Lifelink Global neork of associated churches that work together in the UK and overseas. The charitable work of Lilelink International (Registered Charity 10707701 continued lo be financially supported Charitable gifts were made lo various good causes during the year Funds were raised lo support the Nyanga Children's Home, 8 humanitarian project of Lifelink Global in Zimbabwe Gifts were given lo Foodbank clients for Christmas and Christmas boxes donated lo Operation Christmas Child. Three people make up the senior leadership team who mel fortnightly lo pray, plan and organise pastoral support. A wider core team of len individuals mel six weekly, providing a creative. support and planning forum. The church continued to grow slowly 11 mel for Sunday morning worship on a weekly basis, including monthly brunch events. Smaller Life Groups mel regulady for smaller group support and personal discipleship. Men's and women's groups mel regularly, and a Young Adults group was started. Monthly worship and prayer events were held. Fortnighlly prayer meetings and hospilalily events were initiated. Creative prayer and 24-hour unbroken prayer Inilialives were organized Ministry lo children and young people continued with a Sunday children's and youth ministries. Community-facing activitles A youth group served local youth beyond the church. meeting weekly and going on day trips together Tumbles toddler group continued lo be very popular. serving many families from the local community The service is free and includes Christma$ and summer parties. The church continues lo support and contribute by way of personnel lo the Ounstsble Foodbank Charity where the building is also used as a distribution outlet. The 8ereavernenl Journey Course was run lor people in the local community The church supported the Houghlon Regis Carnival with two stalls with free offerings of crafts, giveaways and prayers Light up the Street - an alternative lo Halloween event where 200 gifts and drinks were given away. The donations e1Ved by the Trust are almost entirely through the giving of the people within the Church, The income of the trust was up 2. on the previou5 year primarily as a result of one of income from an HMRC rebate, which replaced the building donations Income we saw in the previou5 year Thids resulted In a small Sufplus pre depreciation charqes. Signed on behalf of the Trustees.. S Rous G Simpson Date
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NEW LIFE CHURCH 8EDFORDSHIRE TRUST I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 5 April 2025, which are sel out on pages 11 10 13 Respective responsibilltles of trustees and examiner As described on page 8, the Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts." you consider that the audit requirement of section 43121 of the Charities Act 1993 Ilhe Acll does not apply. 11 Is my responsibility lo slate, on the basis of procedure$ specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 4317llbl of the Act, whether particular matters have come lo my attention. 8asis 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 comp8rison of the accounts presented with those records. 11 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 I do not eXp$S an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examinerfs Statement In connection with my exarnination, no matter has come lo my atlenlion.. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements. lo keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act, and lo ppare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. Have not been met., or lo which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Ruth Hayden Date. 10-
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 5 A ril 2025 Unreslricled Funds Reslricled funds Total 2024-25 Total 2023-24 INCOME Income from Twinkle Love Offerings received 1,909 1.909 Offerings 5.440 5,440 4.410 Other Income 9,394.58 1.550 10,945 7.789 Gift Aid tax refund 11,235 11,235 11,728 Tithes 42,324 42,324 45,996 Twinkle Playgroup Income TOTAL INCOME £62,334 £7,789 £71,853 £70,123 EXPENSES Adminislralion Building expenses Child sponsoring Youth & children's work Professional Fees paid General Church Love Gifts made Ministry expenses Depciall0n 2.379 12,994 2.379 12.994 1,173 27,741 325 1,645 1,918 325 1,645 1,918 2.000 49.634 1.092 389 1.691 2,400 1,663 46,707 1,092 2,000 49,634 1.092 TOTAL EXPENSES £69,988 £2.000 £71,988 £81,193 We approve these accounts and confirm that we have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation. Signed on behalf of the Trustees.. S Rous G Simpson Date
NEW LIFE CHURCH BEDFORDSHIRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 Princi al Accountin Policies Accountin Convention The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Income Donations received are shown as income for the year in which they are received and are credited lo either reslricled or unreslricled funds depending upon the terms of the donation. enditure Revenue expenditure Is written off to the Statement of Financial Aclivilie5 as Incurred. Expenditure of a capital nature Is included in fixed assets and Is wnllen off over it5 useful life as follows.. Fixtures and Fittings Office equipment wrillen off over 20 years. wrillen off over 3 years. All fixtures and fittings have been costed in full al the lime they are incurred. The NBV has however reduced in line with the depreciation charge outlined above. Fixed Assets Land and Buildin9S Fixtures & Fillings Total COST As of 5 April 2023, Additions Disposals £114,661 £0 £114,661 As al 5 April 2023 £114,661 £0 £114,661 DEPRECIATION As of 6 April 2024. Charge in the year Disposals As of 5 April 2025, £40.470 £ 2.698 £0 £0 £40.470 £ 2.698 £43,168 £0 £43,168 Net book value al 5 April 2024 £71,493 £0 £71,493 Net book value al 5 April 2024 £71,493 £0 £71,493 The charity acquired York House. 80a Houghton Road Dunstable on 29 February 2000. Historically the trustee5 have not Charged depreciation and have left the as5el In the accounts at cost. During
2009 the trust spent £26,975 on roof repairs and renovations lo Ihe property. These have been capilalised The Iruslees have decided to depreciate the capilalised expenditure on a straighl-rine basis over 10 years. An Estate agent 'view ol value. was obtained prior lo the renovation and repair works and a value of £249.995 given This is confirmed by way of leller from Smith E51ales (Lulonl Ltd dated 241h July 2009 The truslees have nol thought it appropriate to revalue the asset in line with this value Creditors & Debtors Currenl Creditors on 05 April 2025 £0 12024 £01 Bank and Cash Balances Bank balances on 5 April 2025 £4,308 {2024 £2,345) Cash float £ nil 12024 £ nil) Lon Term Liabilities Bank loan balance on 5 April 2025 £0 12024 £01 During 2009 the Trust reslructureé ils Loan and took out additional funding of £10,000 to part fund the costs of the roof repairs and renovations. To achieve this a new loan of £35.000 was taken out over 10 years with Lloyds TSB. Interest was charged al 2.900/0 above bank base rate and was repayable by way of 120 repayments of capital and Inlerest. The loan was repaid early from surplu$ cash deK)osiI during the 2018-19 financial year Trustees, Remuneration and Ex enses Remuneration and expenses lotalling £42,56012024 £42.6531 was paid In total lo Ewen Robertson ITrusleel for oversight of the church, Sian Rous {Trusleel for her full-lime role as the leader of the church, Eleanor Hearin9 for her role as treasurer and Pam Shucker for her cleaning ol the church. No other Iruslee received remuneration or expenses during the year.