GREAT OAKS CHURCH N.1. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 DECEMBER 2022 The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recornrnended Practice (SORP) applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number NIC105664 Principal address 82 Rainey Street Magherafelt Co Londonderry BT45 SAH Trustees Lawrence Mcswiggan Desmond Watt Bary White Independent examiner T S Patton FCA Patton Rainey and Associates Chartered Accountants 6 East Bridge Street Enniskillen Co. Fermanagh BT74 7BT Bankers HSBC Bank plc 20-22 Railway Street Coleraine Co Londonde BT52 IPD STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by its governing documenL a constithtion and is therefore an unincorpordted charity. It was registered with the Charity Cotnmission for Northern Ireland on 31 August 2016 and was fornierly known as Hillhead Christian Fellowship. The Management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Charity Trustees. All of the Trustees have served since their appointment, during the financial year ended 31 December 2022 and up to the date of approval of the financial statements. Risk management The tStee5 have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims The objectives of the Church ale the advancement of the Christian religion, in particular to the North West of Ireland, for the benefit of the public. Page I
GREAT OAKS CHURCH N.I. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 DECEMBER 2022 PUBLIC BENEFIT The pUoseS of Great Oaks Church N.1. (fonnerly known as Hillhead Christian Fellowship) És the advancement of the Christian religion in particular in the North West of Ireland for the benefit of the public. The direct benefits. flowing from this purpose includes the well being of beneficiaries who go on to become better citizens, leading useful and purposeful lives. A150, many beneficiaries get involved in their local communities helping others as they themselves have been helped. These benefits can be demonstrated by feedback from those who have been helped and whose lives have been improved. Also, by feedback from the beneficiaries family members and the wider community and from those who go on to promote the church purposes in other areas. The purposes of our charity will not lead to any harni. There has never been any feedback to indicate that harrn has been caused. The charity's beneficiaries are families mainly from across N.I. The only private benefit flowing frotn the purpose is the Pastor, who receives expenses to enable him to fulfil his function. The Pastor gives his time to prepare for and conduct meetings. He also needs to travel frequently to attend the meetings. He needs to visit families in their homes and the sick in hospitals and conduct weddings and funerals. Some individuals may receive expenses from time to time to enable them to carry Out certain tasks to promote the purposes of the Church. Incidental payments may be made to visiting speakers, for church hall and training costs. for the purchase of equipment and to help support families in a variety of ways. These are all necessary for the rnnning of the Church. The Trustees have read and takes regard of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on Public BenefAt and on Public Benefit Reporting. ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE The Charity holds Christian meetings in church buildings and holnes. We preach and teach the Bible. We encourage and guide people to become Christians and live by the Bible. We praise and worship God together. We share communion around the Lord's table. We pray for one another and the needs of others. We visit the sick and elderly and pray for God to heal, bless and comfort them. We explain and demonstrate the love that God has for people by creating a family atmosphere in our meetings. We train and promote people with gifts in speaking, singing and music. We provide fellowship by showing hospltality and sharing meals together. We help and support those with various needs. We support the local food bank by giving food on a regular basis. We trdin and equip those who believe they are called to the ministry. We support those who choose to go to Bible College for further training. We plant new churches for people in other geographical areas with people who are sufficiently trained to lead the meetings and continue to support them. We invite speakers from other church groups. We are in association with a larger church in Ireland and draw from their experiences, wisdom and strength. We gather funds from tithing, gifts and by other methods to enable us to do all the things we do. FINANCIAL REVIEW The total income for the year ended 31 December 2022 amounted to £33,008 (2021: £20,601) of which £27,710 (2021- £15,813) related to tithes. offerings and gifts. Gift aid refunds received amounted to £5,297 in the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021: £4,788). The total expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2022 amounted to £33,477 (2021: £21,694). At the end of the year the Charity had a balance in the Bank Account amounting to £706 compared to £2,131 at 3 l December 2021. The Charity also had loans amounting to £7,858 at the year end compared to £8,814 at 31 Decetnber 2021. GOING CONCERN The activities of the Church are dependent upon ongoing contributions from its members. The trustee5 are of the opinion that despite the effects of Covid-19, that the Church continues to have adequate resources and will have sufficient resources at the date of approval of these financial staternents to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of signing of this report and subject to the continuing support from members to fund on an ongoing basis the Church's cuent activities and other financial commitments. The Trustees are also confident that the loans in place at 31 December 2022 will be repaid. Page 2
GREAT OAKS CHURCH N.1. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 DECEMBER 2022 STA TEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland. the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the provision requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources. including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accountÈng policies and then apply them consistently- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP" make judgements and estimates that ale reasonable and prudent. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the provisions of the Constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by order of the Board of Trustees on 27 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Lawrenc¢ Mcswiggan Trnstee Page 3