NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Company limited by guarantee

Company Registration Number:
12881554 (England and Wales)

Unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023

Period of accounts

Start date: 1 January 2023

End date: 31 December 2023

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

Directors report
Balance sheet
Additional notes
Balance sheet notes

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Directors' report period ended 31 December 2023

The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the period ended 31 December 2023

Principal activities of the company

Nelson Street Church Rochdale is an Anglican 'Bishop's Mission Order' Church, led by Revd Janie Cronin who was commissioned by the Bishop of Manchester to plant a resource church in Rochdale. Our objectives are set in our governing documents, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which was agreed by the Board of Trustees in September 2020. Our objectives- The advancement of the Christian religion principally: -through the provision of an Anglican place of worship in Rochdale, and -by contributing towards the establishment, renewal and revitalisation of churches with the Anglican communion. The Board of Trustees is committed to the vision statement of the church to play our part in the re- evangelisation of the nation, the revitalisation of the church and the transformation of society by 'loving God, loving people and making a difference'. In accordance with the vision statement, the church aims to meet its objectives through the provision of church services, courses, and planting churches. Given the diversity of the church’s activities, performance is measured on a case-by-case basis.

Additional information

Governing Documents The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee without share capital, incorporated on 15th September 2020 and registered as a charity on 29th October 2020. Nelson Street Church Rochdale was established under a Memorandum of Association that establishes its objects and powers and is governed under its Articles of Association. Members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charitable company in event of winding up. Structure The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance and management of the church. The responsibility for leadership of the church's activities, development of its spiritual life and its daily management has been delegated to the senior leadership team who are supported in that role by the staff team including clergy. The Board of Trustees retains final decisions over policy, employment of staff and finance, and takes responsibility for all matters of legal and regulatory compliance. Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no financial benefit from the charity. Trustees are appointed by trustee members and can be appointed by ordinary resolution at a general meeting of members. Decision Making All financial and strategic decisions over £10,000 are taken by the entire Board of Trustees. Any financial and strategic decisions over £5,000 are taken by the senior leadership team. The organisational implementation of the strategy is carried out by senior leadership. The Revd Janie Cronin fulfils the key day-to-day senior management role. The salary of the key management role is paid by the diocese in accordance with the agreed salary structure of ordained personnel in the Church of England. Training All staff, volunteers and trustees undergo formal recruitment and selection process, followed by an induction period that includes any training considered necessary to effectively perform their role. Senior Leadership of the church consists of clergy, whose pay is set via stipend, the level of which is set by the Diocese. Volunteers The church benefits from the dedicated work of a great number of volunteers. In accordance to FRS 102 and the Charities SORP (102), the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts. Public Benefit In accordance with our duties as stated in section 17(5) of the Charities Act, we have considered the guidance provided by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit. This public benefit has been demonstrated by the activities undertaken since inception of the charity outlined in this documentAchievements and Performance Since the charity was formed all decisions made and the structure put in place will help us deliver our vision as stated above. Highlights of the period January 2023 to December 2023 include- SUNDAY SERVICES (AND OTHER WORSHIP) Sunday Services - In December 2023 average Sunday morning attendance was 75 adults and 30 children each week, with an estimated 140 different individuals attending each month. In September we celebrated 24-months of meeting in the church building with 112 people staying for lunch. Approximately 55% of the congregation were previously de- churched or unchurched and almost 65% were under the age of 40. About 60% of adults volunteered on various teams (worship, AV, welcome, hospitality, children) over the period of a term. Dedication and Infant Baptism Services - in May 2023, 196 individuals (151 adults and 45 children) attended our Infant Dedication Service. Two new families stayed connected with the church as a result of this service. In September 2023 we held our first infant baptism service. This was attended by 133 individuals and again led to another new family being connected to Nelson Street Church. Children - Throughout 2023 two children's groups ran alongside the Sunday services for those aged 0-3 (NTots) and 4-11 (NKids). These sessions were attended by approximately 20-30 children in sessions each week. Once every 12 weeks we held an all-age service during which the whole family worshipped together Youth - NYouth continued a monthly Youth Group on a Sunday evening, aimed at discipling 11-18 year olds. On average, 16 people attended these sessions and 8 attended the fortnightly Youth Band practice. Once every 12 weeks the youth led the Sunday service, with over 100 individuals attending each one. The service was fully led by the youth – including sung worship and sharing a thought. The NYouth band was made up of young people representing 3 local churches. We were unable to continue the NYouth Social sessions or schools work after our Youth Worker resigned in July 2023. Holy Spirit Conference - In February 2023 we invited 2 guest speakers to host our first Holy Spirit Conference. Although this event was primarily arranged for our congregation, other churches were invited to join us. The conference was sold out and we had over 100 people attend each of the 4 sessions. The content was very well received, and it impacted and inspired our congregation. A special offering was taken which was sent to missional charities in Germany and Uganda. Curate - we welcomed our new Curate, Georgina Stirling, in March 2023. Georgina will be focussing on ministry to a local estate, and groundwork to planting a new church in 2026. Easter - On 6th April we held a Tenebrae Service for Maundy Thursday in partnership with St Chad's church. On Good Friday we held a reflective service, titled 'The Things He Carried' based on a book by the same name written by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell. Both events were well attended. Christmas - In December 2023 we celebrated Christmas by holding a Nativity Service and a Carol Service, both of which were attended by over 100 people and a family meal together with fun and games. On Christmas Eve we hosted 'Bedtime Stories' - an opportunity for families to hear the Christmas story in their pyjamas and with hot chocolates - attended by over 40 people. We also On Christmas Day, over 40 individuals attended church, and a lunch was provided for 10 people from the community who had no other family to spend the day with. We ran the Christmas Market for the second year, with 24 stalls of local small businesses and an estimated 300 attended throughout the day. This year we added a free Santa’s Grotto, which was a huge success. We also hosted Wreath Making and Christmas Crafts Workshops as new initiatives for 2023. RESOURCING All the courses facilitated by Nelson Street Church in 2023 were offered to all other local churches Alpha - In 2023 we ran 2 Alpha courses (February and September) - a 7-week course that gives guests the opportunity to explore faith and the meaning of life whilst sharing a meal and developing community. 26 people completed the course. The Bereavement Journey - The Bereavement Journey course, to support those dealing with grief, was run twice in 2023 (April and October). 14 individuals completed the course, predominantly with no previous connection to Nelson Street Church Rochdale. The Marriage Course - this course was run online for 9 couples in autumn 2023. ParenTalk and Left to Their Own Devices - These two Care for the Family courses were run in a local primary school for parents. Training and Teaching - In June 2023 we ran a Prayer Ministry Training course. This course equips people to lay hands on people and pray for healing. We also ran a Hearing God's Voice course in July. This course equips people to hear from God for themselves. Chaplaincy - In 2023 we continued to release our Worship Pastor half a day a fortnight to fulfil chaplaincy role in a local textile company. 2 people have completed an Alpha course on the back of this. Rochdale Town-Wide Prayer Gathering - Janie and James regularly meet with local church leaders and Nelson Street are committed to being involved in the bi-annual town-wide prayer gatherings. We have hosted one and provided worship and prayer team to the others. SOFT EDGE EVENTS In 2023 we ran several different events with a view to reaching out to those who do not normally attend church. Spirit Cafe – We continued to run Spirit Cafe once a month in 2023. This initiative has proved a highly successful way of engaging with the unchurched. Our weekly average is 12 guests, who are all willing to receive prayer Community and Social Action - A carer and toddler group called NTots ran each week for parents in the local community, together with an after-school initiative called Stay and Play. Throughout the school holidays of 2023 various 'Pop-Up' activities were hosted throughout Rochdale, including film nights, craft days, outdoor games and termly parties. We collaborated with Theatre in Flow twice in 2023 to host a Womens' Clothes Swap. In the autumn and winter months, a fortnightly Friendship Cafe was hosted as a safe, warm space for people to have free coffee, cake and some company. SYKE OUTREACH In August 2023 we began outreach on the Syke estate in Rochdale. The plan is to build a worshipping community from scratch, with no building or congregation to start with. Overthe summer the team offered weekly 'Games on the Common' for local children. Over Halloween the team delivered glowsticks and sweets along with invitations to Christmas events, which included 'Carols on the Common'. And have since been visiting the local residents door-to-door offering to pray for them. We are slowly building trust with the local community and becoming known to them. We now have a fruitful relationship with a local primary school, where we have been invited to run parenting courses and a Wellbeing and Craft initiative alongside the Pastoral team. Our Curate has also been acting as a Chaplain to the Sea Cadets. She engages with approximately 30 young people and 8 volunteers every week. OTHER ACTIVITIES Archbishop's Visit – In June 2023 we were blessed to be visited from the Archbishop of York. People who had found faith through Nelson Street Church were able to meet with him and share their stories. Focus – In July 2023 we took 42 people to Focus, HTB's Christian Festival, for the first time. This was a wonderful way of getting to know each other, spending time in God's presence and connecting with the wider HTB network. Future Plans Future plans of the church in 2024 involve continuing the activities outlined above, as well as offering more 'soft edge' events for those who are not connected. In 2024 we aim to start termly Blokes' Breakfasts and Womens' Curry Nights. We are also looking to host a Karaoke evening. We will continue to train and equip our congregation to impact their local communities through- Teaching how to speak about what God has done in their lives - Teaching how to pray for others - Teaching how to hear God’s voice - Teaching how to read the Bible for all it is worth One of the Deeper Teaching modules planned for 2024 is 'Restoring Eden', a theological look at Christians' responsibility to climate change and other environmental emergencies. We will also look to apply for Eco-Church status. We will continue to work with other churches, joining them for prayer gatherings and local outreach, as well as inviting them to join any training that we provide our church family. We plan to host our first Adult Baptism services in 2024 Nelson Street Church Rochdale uses volunteers to help support all aspects of its ministry. At a normal Sunday morning service by the end of 2023, we had an average of 107 attendees (75 adults, 30 under-16s) with 55 volunteers to support the hospitality, worship, kids, and youth teams. We also have 20 volunteers to help with our various courses. Any midweek events such as The Bereavement Journey, Alpha, Spirit Cafe and the Youth Nights could not be run without substantial volunteer teams. Key risks and uncertainties The principal risks and uncertainties that the trustees see as facing the charity and any subsidiaries include the ongoing responsibility of the financial cost of maintaining the Church premises as well as SDF grant funding for staff roles tapering off. The trustees plans and strategies surrounding these risks include working closely with the Diocese and the SDF Project Board to explore opportunities to apply for relevant grants as well as forecasting and budgeting for the increased financial responsibilities. An agreement has been made with the Diocese for the SDF funding to be extended for one year until June 2026 due to the impact of starting in 2020 in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Trustees continue to be aware of the impact of the rate of inflation and cost of living on charity expenditure (particularly rising energy bills) and income (namely congregational income) and are reviewing this throughout the year. This is expected to continue to have a negative impact on finances in 2024. Youth work at Nelson Street Church Rochdale has been reduced to due to resignation of the Youth Worker in 2023, and not being able to successfully recruit a replacement. A core team of volunteers has enabled some initiatives to continue, but with reduced frequency. We have also had to put all schools-, college- and outreach-work on hold until a replacement can be found. Financial Review In the financial year ending 31st December 2023, the church received voluntary income from the congregation totalling £56k (2022 £115k) and grants totalling £195k (2022 £179k). Total income for the year came to £251k (2022 £296k). Expenditure in 2023 totalled £271k (2022 £217k) giving rise to a deficit on unrestricted funds of £30k (2022 surplus of £47k). Restricted funds ended the year with a balance of £48k (up from £39k in 2022). The church has an outstanding loan from the Diocese of £117k which is due to be repaid over 60 months starting in July 2025. This was given to help fund the refurbishment of the buildingThe Board of Trustees are aware of the need to maintain sufficient reserves. Once fully established, is it expected that three months of relevant costs will be held in reserve. At the end of 2023 there was £95k of free reserves. These are unrestricted reserves (excluding fixed assets) which are available for use in the next 12 months. At 2023 levels of unrestricted expenditure, these reserves are adequate to cover over a year’s annual expenditure. In the longer term, as the loan of £117k becomes due for repayment after July 2025, it is anticipated that the churches income by that point will be sufficient to cover the repayments over 60 months. Safeguarding The Board of Trustees have adopted the Diocese of Manchester's safeguarding policy relating to children, young people and vulnerable adults and appointed Revd Janie Cronin and Mrs Linda Mycock as Safeguarding Officers. The Safeguarding Officers have completed the necessary diocese training courses in safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults. The trustees are committed to the principles of best practice in relation to safeguarding and comply with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 in respect of having due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The guidance can be read in full on the Church of England official website.



Directors

The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from
1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

Jane Cronin
James Cronin
Michael Ainscough
Karen Smeeton


The director shown below has held office during the period of
1 January 2023 to 22 June 2023

Mark Elsdon-Dew


The director shown below has held office during the period of
12 December 2023 to 31 December 2023

Wendy Oldham


The director shown below has held office during the period of
12 March 2023 to 31 December 2023

Helen Morley


Secretary Linda Mycock

The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006

This report was approved by the board of directors on
24 September 2024

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Jane Cronin
Status: Director

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2023

Notes 2023 2022


£

£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets:   0 0
Tangible assets: 3 42,010 28,818
Investments:   0 0
Total fixed assets: 42,010 28,818
Current assets
Stocks:   0 0
Debtors: 4 3,359 8,281
Cash at bank and in hand: 120,737 148,244
Investments:   0 0
Total current assets: 124,096 156,525
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year:   0 0
Net current assets (liabilities): 124,096 156,525
Total assets less current liabilities: 166,106 185,343
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year: 5 ( 117,407 ) ( 117,407 )
Accruals and deferred income: ( 5,208 ) ( 4,540 )
Total net assets (liabilities): 43,491 63,396
Members' funds
Profit and loss account: 43,491 63,396
Total members' funds: 43,491 63,396

The notes form part of these financial statements

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Balance sheet statements

For the year ending 31 December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The directors have chosen not to file a copy of the company's profit and loss account.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 24 September 2024
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Jane Cronin
Status: Director

The notes form part of these financial statements

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

  • 1. Accounting policies

    Basis of measurement and preparation

    These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of Financial Reporting Standard 102

    Tangible fixed assets depreciation policy

    Additions and improvements to the newly acquired church premises are written off as incurred. Only items costing £1000 or above are capitalised. Fixed assets are depreciated on a straight line as follows: Improvements to the Building - 10 years, Fixtures and fittings including electricals - 5 years, Plant and machinery including sound and audio - 5 years, computer equipment - 3 years.

    Other accounting policies

    All financial and strategic decisions over £10,000 are taken by the entire Board of Trustees. Any financial and strategic decisions over £5,000 are taken by the senior leadership team. The organisational implementation of the strategy is carried out by senior leadership. The Revd Janie Cronin fulfils the key day-to-day senior management role.The salary of the key management role is paid by the diocese in accordance with the agreed salary structure of ordained personnel in the Church of England.Reserves Policy The Board of Trustees are aware of the need to maintain sufficient reserves. Once fully established, is it expected that three months of relevant costs will be held in reserve. At the end of 2023 there was £95k of free reserves. These are unrestricted reserves (excluding fixed assets) which are available for use in the next 12 months. At 2023 levels of unrestricted expenditure, these reserves are adequate to cover over a year’s annual expenditure. In the longer term, as the loan of £117k becomes due for repayment after July 2025, it is anticipated that the churches income by that point will be sufficient to cover the repayments over 60 months.

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

  • 2. Employees

    2023 2022
    Average number of employees during the period 4 4

    In the 12 month period ended 31st December 2023 there was an average of 3.9 FTE (2022 4.3 FTE) of staff. Average staff numbers were 4 1/2 for both years The key management role was filled by the Revd Jane Cronin who received her salary from the diocese and received no emoluments or benefits in kind from Nelson Street Church. Expenses incurred on behalf of the church were refunded against receipts. No member of staff received renumeration of above £60,000

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

3. Tangible assets

Land & buildings Plant & machinery Fixtures & fittings Office equipment Motor vehicles Total
Cost £ £ £ £ £ £
At 1 January 2023 30,471 13,087 43,558
Additions 24,576 24,576
Disposals
Revaluations
Transfers
At 31 December 2023 55,047 13,087 68,134
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023 9,192 5,548 14,740
Charge for year 7,021 4,363 11,384
On disposals
Other adjustments
At 31 December 2023 16,213 9,911 26,124
Net book value
At 31 December 2023 38,834 3,176 42,010
At 31 December 2022 21,279 7,539 28,818

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

4. Debtors

2023 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 3,359 8,281
Total 3,359 8,281

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

5. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year note

2023 2022
£ £
Other creditors 117,407 117,407
Total 117,407 117,407

The MDBF agreed a loan of up to £120k to NSCR to help fund the refurbishment of the building. At the 31st of December 2023 spent on behalf of NSCR was £117,406.76. On the 2nd of August 2023 it was agreed that the repayments would be made over 60 months commencing from the 1st of July 2025. If circumstances permit the loan will be repaid at an earlier date.

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

6. Financial Commitments

COMMITMENTS The church has rented the church building from the MDBF for 10 years from the 1st of July 2020 for an annual rental of £1. On the 12th of May 2021 the church entered into a rental agreement for office space at 19a Drake Street. The agreement was for 2 years at an annual rent of £3,950 and has subsequently been renewed for a rolling 12 month notice period. In August 2023 the church entered into a contract for a photocopier at a quarterly rent of £352.80 for 3 years.

NELSON STREET CHURCH ROCHDALE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

7. Off balance sheet arrangements

The Nelson Street Church Rochdale (NSCR) project is being funded by the Church Commissioners (CC). The project will be delivered jointly by NSCR and the MDBF (Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance). The stipendiary costs of a vicar and curate for the first 5 years plus the cost of refurbishing the church will be met directly out of the CC grants by the MDBF and these are not reflected in these accounts. Running costs of up to £208k, set up costs of up to £40k and salary costs of up to £595k will be covered by NSCR who will claim costs incurred back from the MDBF. Running costs, set up costs and salaries costs incurred by the MDBF on behalf of NSCR are also reflected in these accounts as are those costs incurred by NSCR directly and then reclaimed from the CC via the MDBF. Parish Share costs of £126k over the period are also covered by the grant. The total claimed each year by NSCR will be reduced by the amount of congregational income generated which is estimated to be a total of £360k. A total of £39060.65 was reported for congregational income for the period from January 2023 to December 2023. These accounts for 2023 reflect the amounts spent and claimed by NSCR from the MDBF out of the totals granted by the CC up to the end of 2023. A further £65k was secured from the SDF in May 2023 for a children's worker starting after the summer of 2023. In August 2024, a 12-month extension to funding was agreed with MDBF to cover costs up to 30thJune 2026. Church Kitchen – This fund is reserved for the installation, maintenance, and servicing of a commercial-standard kitchen. The original plan for the refurbishment of 6 Nelson Street into a church building included this, but there were not sufficient funds within the SDF refurbishment budget to manage this. Church Plant – As a Resource Church, the plan is for Nelson Street Church Rochdale to plant new churches from our congregation. The first plant is due to be launched by a Curate in 2026. The Trustees of NSCR have agreed to build up a fund (aiming for £6k pa) to donate to this plant. Recording Project – There is a long-term plan for NSCR to release professionally recorded worship music. This fund is for restricted donations to this project.