Registered Charity Number: 518178
HOPE CHURCH, LANCASTER
ANNUAL REPORT AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2023
HOPE CHURCH, LANCASTER
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Contents | Pages | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 | ||
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 2 | ||
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 3 | ||
| Receipts and Payments Account | 4 | ||
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 5 |
HOPE CHURCH, LANCASTER
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
___________________
| The Board of Trustees | SJ Ehly |
|---|---|
| SJ Ellershaw | |
| AJ Gardner | |
| JLC Haxby | |
| TP Morris | |
| PB Murphy | |
| JE Osborne | |
| EJ Sudell | |
| M Thomson | |
| H Wilkinson | |
| NFC Wilkinson | |
| Principal Address | Hope Church |
| Queen Street | |
| Lancaster | |
| LA1 1RX | |
| Charity Registered Number | 518178 |
| Independent Examiner | M R Cornall Esq |
| 74 Nicol Mere Drive | |
| Ashton-in-Makerfield | |
| Wigan | |
| Lancashire | |
| WN4 8DH | |
| Bankers | Barclays Bank plc |
| 38 Market Street | |
| Lancaster | |
| LA1 1HR | |
| CAF Bank Limited | |
| 25 Kings Hill Avenue | |
| Kings Hill | |
| West Malling | |
| Kent | |
| ME19 4JQ |
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HOPE CHURCH, LANCASTER
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
___________________
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Basis of preparation
Charities registered in England and Wales that are not companies are allowed under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Charities Act’) to prepare receipts and payments accounts provided the charity’s gross income is not over £250,000. The Charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with these provisions.
Structure, governance and management
The charity was established by trust deed dated 09/03/00 (New Scheme) and is registered with the Charity Commission, No 518178. Hope Church, Lancaster is one of a number of Free Methodist Churches in the United Kingdom Conference. The members of the Church elect the trustees on an annual basis. The Annual General Meeting is held in June each year.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The object of the Hope Church, Lancaster is the furtherance, in Lancaster, of the religious and other charitable work of the Free Methodist Church of North America in accordance with the doctrines, disciplines and usages of that church for the time being as set forth in the book of discipline.
Objectives, strategies and activities
The church was established for Christian worship, prayer, Bible teaching and the preaching of the gospel. We seek to serve the local community by providing a place of prayer and worship.
Public benefit
We regularly promote and publicise our activities in the local community.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Achievement and Performance
Looking back over 2023 we are thankful to God for His continued provision of the gifts, tithes and offerings for His work. We count it a privilege to have been able to support many missionary societies and individuals home and overseas. We have continued to reach out into our local community with God’s love and care.
Financial review
Policy on reserves
Reserves held are usually sufficient to pay on-going expenses for at least two months. Any surplus funds are transferred to interest bearing accounts. Free reserves held at the year end are £55,599 (2022 - £107,963)
Investment policy and objectives
At the present time the trustees do not have a selection policy for investment as finances are such that there are only low surplus funds.
Structure, Governance and Management
Signed on behalf of the trustees
T P Morris Trustee Approved by the trustees on 28 October 2024
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HOPE CHURCH, LANCASTER
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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I report on the accounts of the Hope Church, Lancaster for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 4 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiners’ statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiners’ statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Charities Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
MC berth
M R Cornall Esq 74 Nicol Mere Drive Ashton-in-Makerfield Wigan Lancashire WN4 8DH
28 October 2024
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HOPE CHURCH, LANCASTER
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and Endowments from: | ||||
| Donations and Legacies | 75,794 | 26,869 | 102,663 | 85,821 |
| Charitable Activities | 13,521 | - | 13,521 | 13,522 |
| Investment Income | 329 | - | 329 | 100 |
| Other Income | 1,502 | - | 1,502 | 1,888 |
| –––––––––––––– | –––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | |
| Total Income | 91,146 | 26,869 | 118,015 | 101,331 |
| –––––––––––––– | –––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | |
| Expenditure on: | ||||
| Charitable Activities | ||||
| Ministry Costs | 53,608 | - | 53,608 | 49,418 |
| Facilities | 19,544 | - | 19,544 | 15,664 |
| Capital Expenditure | 32,422 | - | 32,422 | 7,745 |
| Mission Gifts | 7,820 | 43,603 | 51,423 | 50,043 |
| Technology Costs | 1,456 | - | 1,456 | 591 |
| Youth and Children | 313 | - | 313 | 511 |
| Other Activities | - | 1,609 | 1,609 | 1,599 |
| Support Costs | 10,004 | - | 10,004 | 9,004 |
| –––––––––––––– | ––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | |
| Total Expenditure | 125,167 | 45,212 | 170,379 | 134,575 |
| –––––––––––––– | ––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | –––––––––––––– | |
| Net of (Payments) | (34,021) | (18,343) | (52,364) | (33,244) |
| Cash and Bank Balances as at | ||||
| 1 January 2023 | 59,937 | 48,026 | 107,963 | 141,207 |
| –––––––––––––––– | –––––––––––– | –––––––––––––––– | –––––––––––––––– | |
| 31 December 2023 | 25,916 | 29,683 | 55,599 | 107,963 |
| ═══════════ | ═════════ | ═══════════ | ═══════════ |
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HOPE CHURCH, LANCASTER
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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Cash Funds
Bank Accounts
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|2023|2022|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|
|Funds|Funds|Funds|£|
|£|£|£|
|–––––––––––|–––––––––––|–––––––––––|–––––––––––|
|25,916|29,683|55,599|107,963|
|════════|════════|════════|════════|
----- End of picture text -----
These financial statements were approved by the trustees on 28 October 2024 and are signed on their behalf by: KOWors T P Morris Trustee
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