The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The objects contained in the Memorandum of articles for Alive Church Lincoln are as follows:
The advance of the Christian faith
The relief of persons who are in need, hardship, distress or who are aged or sick.
The advancement of education in accordance with Christian principles
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Social investments
There are no restrictions on the charity's power to invest. However the Trustees do not consider it to be in line with the objectives of the charity to be investing funds at this time.
The charity's objects and principal activities are the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles, the worship of God in the county of Lincolnshire and elsewhere by any means whatsoever including (but not by way of limitation) the preaching and proclamation of the Christian gospel and the teaching of Christian doctrine and principles, the pastoral care of Christian people, the printing and distribution of the Bible and Christian literature and 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 provision of such in any educational establishment and if the Trustees so decide the provision of one or more charitable educational establishments for the general education of children or adults on the basis of such Christian principles.
Grant making
Grants are given to relating groups and individuals who are involved in missions work both in the UK and overseas. The Trustees delegate responsibility for decisions made on grants made to the Lead Team who meet monthly.
One of the Trustees are also members of this Team. A report is made to the Trustees three times per year.
Volunteers
The charity has a large team of volunteers without whose commitment of time the charity could not operate. The value of services donated by volunteers is not included in the statement of financial activities.
Training
Alive Church continues its programme of leadership training through the Leadership Vision Nights and location led leadership training. In September 2024 a new training course called Equip which is for the whole Church to access online. This will provide training for all team leaders and staff.
Weekend Services
Alive Church holds seven services across its six locations. These are for the purpose of Public Worship and the Proclamation of the Christian faith. There are plans that from September 2025 the number of services will expand to 9 across the church.
Multi-Site
Alive Church is one Church in many locations and at this point comprises locations of Alive Church in:
Gainsborough
Grantham
Lincoln Central
Lincoln North
Lincoln South
Scunthorpe
Over 1200 people on average attend these services in all locations on a weekly basis.
Alive Church have begun conversations with Life Church Horncastle in regard to Alive Church having a seventh location of Alive Church in Horncastle. Initial plans lead us to a 2026 launch of this new location.
A Day to be Alive
We held our annual gathering of all locations in July 2024 at the Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground. This event is called "A Day to be Alive" and consists of a Sunday morning service with worship and a word, children's and youth work, a time of fun and fellowship in the afternoon with children's activities and an afternoon all age service.
Christmas and Easter
The Christmas and Easter services had 2500 people attending Christmas events and services in 2024, 1000 people attending Easter services in 2024.
Life Groups
Members and attendees of Alive have a small group system operating mid-week for pastoral care, discipleship, Bible study, prayer, and local mission. Over 600 are registered as participants of Life Groups.
Acts Trust
Alive Church continues to provide major funding to ACTS Trust, an associated charity of Alive who carry out the following activities. Lincoln Foodbank, Lincoln Community Grocery, Lincolnshire Night Light Café, Lincoln Job Club, Lincoln Restore Course.
Acts Trust also partner with Alive Church Lincoln locations to oversee the Church Youth programmes alongside the community youth projects (schools work, after school clubs, holiday schemes and HAF schemes). This includes our Friday night youth groups, our youth conference (Captivate) and our youth weekend away.
Alive Enterprises
The Limited Company that provides services for and on behalf of Alive Church as a social enterprise continued to oversee the running of Alive Church's conferencing including refreshments and catering. This Limited company provides income back to Alive Church to continue the work of the Charity.
Baptism
In the period stated, Alive Church held several Baptismal Services baptising 37 people.
Public Benefit
The trustees consider that the activities undertaken by Alive Church provide a public benefit to those who are members of the fellowship and those in the wider community of Lincolnshire and we have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and complied with section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act when reviewing our aims and objective.
Marriage and Funerals
Alive Church provides pre-marital counselling for couples intending to get married as well as a full marriage ceremony. It carries out funerals in line with the teachings of the Christian faith and at such time provides services such as pastoral care that are of benefit to bereaving family members.
Community Activities
Alive Church runs a variety of community projects across our six locations.
Butterflies and Blossom: providing a safe space for women who are going through tough times, feeling lonely, needing a break from everyday situations. Butterflies is open to all women in each community. Currently over 100 women attend Butterflies each week
The Shed: providing a safe space for men to experience friendship, community and to counteract loneliness. Currently 20 men attend The Shed each week
Toddle-In: providing a space for parents and toddlers to build community and friendship on a weekly basis. Currently over 100 parents engage with Toddle-in each week
In Grantham, Alive Church works alongside other agencies in the provision of support and pastoral care for refugees who are currently living in the town. Over 40 refugees are engaged in activities each week supported by Alive Church.
Pastoral Care
Primarily through its Life Group system (small groups that meet in homes) but also through the availability of staff pastors Alive Church is able to provide pastoral care and support for people within the community.
Youth and Children
Alive Church has a number of young people (over 80) and children (over 163) that are involved in its provision for them. Through the Alive Church programmes, they are taught, gain social skills and develop friendships that have proved, for many people who are now adults at Alive Church, to be lifelong, positive and helpful.
Alive youth meetings continue during the year, along with mid-week Life Groups and specific provision during Sunday Services.
Students and Young Adults
The Student and Young Adult congregation at Alive continues to meet at the Alive Church Lincoln Central location. Their meetings average around 100 in attendance each week.
Legacy
Alive Church has a thriving community of aged people who meet occasionally for a meal, pastoral care and age related services.
The Role of Volunteers
Alive Church provides numerous opportunities for people to volunteer both within the life of the Church and its community activities. In 2024 over 500 different people were involved in volunteering through Alive Church's activities.
This allows the individual to fulfil their personal desire to help other people. Volunteers are involved in all aspects of the church's activities, ranging from:
Welcoming people on arrival
Serving refreshments during Sunday Services
Setting up Sunday meeting and packing down
Conference and events set up and pack down
Leading Life Groups (small group connectivity)
Leading youth, kids and Young Adults ministry
Distributing food and aid in all locations through Foodbank
Assisting the local community through prescription deliveries, shopping, pastoral phone calls, assistance to the elderly, vulnerable and isolated
Facilitating Sunday Services in-person and online
Leading prayer activities
Playing in worship teams and providing technical support for services
Overseeing our Social Media output
Leading locations and the pastoral care that is being carried out locally
Staff, volunteers and beneficiaries and the implications for the charity's operations and activities for the coming year.
From September 2021, Alive Church have specified that all staff work from the office on a Tuesday and a Thursday whilst also continuing to allow home-working
We continue to rent rooms from Ground Level Network in 22 Newland with car parking for certain staff and overflow rooms if required for staff to work from.
Financial position
The accounts show income of £1,566,283 (2023: £1,264,736) and outgoings of £1,532,140 (2023: £1,206,040). The free reserves at 31 December 2024 stood at £252,568 (2023: £397,441). The financial position remains satisfactory and with good financial management and the support of both the staff and volunteers, the financial position remains sound. The financial position of Alive Enterprises Limited is considered to be satisfactory, and with the implementation of planned business improvements the financial position is considered to be sound.
The principal source of income is from freewill offerings which are received on a weekly basis. The Trustees closely monitor income and expenditure and endeavour to ensure the free reserves amount to one month's running costs.
Going concern
The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have assessed that the Charity is a going concern as the charity expects to generate income and have reserves that enables it to operate for at least a period of twelve months.
Management and Trustees monitor free reserves closely on an ongoing basis and are continuously looking at alternative ways to operate and keep costs to a minimum.
Offerings have increased since 2023 and have increased again in 2024. This is mainly due to the numerical growth of our locations.
Reserves policy
The Trustees have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission
The Alive financial risk policy has identified that the amount required for the Alive Church reserves fund should be 3 months operating costs.
This equates to £212,000 (based on £846,000).
Currently Alive Church has 80% of this total (£170,000) in reserves, 2.4 months operating costs.
**Alive Church can utilise the Rise and Build fund in an emergency situation, at the discretion of the Alive Directors.
Targets set over the next three years,
2025 - Reserve £170,000 - 80% of the reserves policy total
2026 - Reserve £195,000 - 92% of the reserves policy total
2027 - Reserve £212,000 - 100% of the reserves policy total
Alive Church currently does not have a need to use its reserves.
Our ability to fundraise
Above the funds raised from our committed donors, Alive Church continues to apply for grants and funds.
Funds
Funds for Make a Difference and Rise and Build are still restricted and kept separate from the current account so as to ensure the projects that have been financially committed to can be funded.
Financial Forecast
Alive Church has continued working on its forecasting for cash flow and location pastors information. Regular updates are given by the Finance director as to income and expenditure variances every quarter. Projections for income are based on a 2% decrease due to the uncertainty around the global economic instability.
The finance team work with funders to identify any additional funding sources that can assist with costs such as building maintenance and repairs, alongside community funding for our ongoing community engagement activities.
Alive Church will expand in 2025/26 with the growth of the new training and equipping leadership program, and plans to launch a location of Alive Church in Horncastle
The Leadership structure will continue to be remodelled as we grow. We have a vision to launch new locations of Alive Church from 2025/26 within a one hour radius of the city of Lincoln.
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, its memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Alive Church seeks the appointment of new Trustees from within the church. It seeks to identify those considered suitable to provide a balance of skills and strengths.
Decision making
The Trustees make decisions in regard to annual budget setting, staffing of senior positions, salary scales, annual pay reviews.
Modupe Olakunle-Olabode oversees salary reviews on an annual basis.
Annual pay reviews are suggested to Trustees by The Lead Team, the decision to implement is taken by the Trustees.
The Lead Team is comprised of;
Stuart Bell
Irene Bell
Howard Williams
Dan Hargreaves
Joy Blundell
Jonas Eyles
Glen Ross
Decisions related to the vision of the church are delegated to the Lead Team by the Trustees. The Lead Team make decisions in regard to new locations, new programs / activities. Decisions regarding new staff members are made at budget setting time. Department leaders make recommendations in-line with their annual budget and the Lead Team make the decision in regard to any new recruitments.
The Trustees delegate decisions in regard to the daily operation of the church to the Lead Team. The Lead Team make decisions in relation to monthly budgets, day to day management of staff (HR), buildings and health and safety.
Induction and training of new trustees
All Trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the charity. On appointment, Trustees are informed of their obligations and the main documents which set out the operational framework of the charity.
Related parties
The charity has a trading subsidiary Alive Enterprises Limited which undertakes trading activities on behalf of Alive Church Lincoln and donates its taxable profits to the charity.
ACTS trust is a registered Charity (No.1119911) and undertakes various community based projects for Alive Church.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Alive Church Lincoln for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law 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 charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.
Azets Audit Services were appointed as auditor to the company and a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Alive Church Lincoln (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees' report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed procedures which included:
Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the entity through enquiry and inspection;
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Azets Audit Services is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Alive Church Lincoln is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Newland, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 1XG, United Kingdom.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The financial statements consolidate the results of the charity and its wholly owned subsidiary on a line by line basis. The statement of financial activity for the charity has not been included separately as the charity has taken advantage of exemptions in section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Grants
Catering
Hire of facilities
Rental income
Wedding income
Charitable expenditure
Establishment costs
Trustees' indemnity insurance
Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £12,600 (2023- £6,500) for audit fees.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any expenses during the year.
The charity's memorandum and articles of association allowing remuneration to be paid to trustees are approved by the Charity Commission. The following remuneration was paid to the following trustees during the year:
All Trustees salaries relate to employment services provided and are not remuneration for services as Trustees.
In addition to the amounts noted above is £23,594 (2023: £22,470) paid to S B Training and Consultancy for S Bell consultancy fees.
Dave Bell, son of Senior Pastors of Alive Church and Trustees Stuart and Irene Bell, was paid total remuneration as an employee of £21,791 (2023: £16,566).
Sarah Bell, daughter-in-law of Senior Pastors of Alive Church and Trustees Stuart and Irene Bell, was paid total remuneration as an employee of £21,260 (2023: £9,335)
Glen Ross, son-in-law of Senior Pastors of Alive Church and Trustees Stuart and Irene Bell, was paid total remuneration as an employee of £39,579 (2023: £38,396).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
The Kingdom bank loan will be repaid over the thirty year term at a variable interest rate of 2.5% above the higher of the Bank of England Base Rate of 3%. The loan has been split based on the prevailing variable rate of interest at 31 December 2024 of 7.75%.
The Virgin Money bounceback loans will be repaid over the six year term and the loans have been split based on the fixed interest rate of 2.5%.
A bank loan is secured by a first legal charge dated 14 September 2012 over St Peters Hall, Grantham and a legal charge dated 30 June 2011 over 11/13 Newland, Lincoln. The amount payable at 31 December 2023 was £174,730 (2023: £179,394).
Deferred income relates to grant monies received for future periods.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £20,444 (2023 - £17,556).
There were pension amounts outstanding at the 31 December 2024 totalling £3,171 (2023: £2,273).
Included in the building fund are offerings and donations specifically to meet costs to maintain and finance the building.
The Missions fund are offerings and donations collected for Missions work in majority through the 'Make a Difference' campaign.
Other restricted funds include offerings and donations specifically to be paid out in grants to specific institutions and individuals.
Transfers between funds
Transfers from the Rise & Build fund to the general fund are in relation to building loan repayments of £18,314 during the period.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
ACTS Trust is a company limited by guarantee associated with the church which undertakes community based charitable projects for the charity. Grants were awarded in the period to ACTS Trust amounting to £58,669 (2023: £55,333). Funding was received during the period for Youth projects of £nil from ACTS Trust. Amounts due from/(to) ACTS Trust at the balance sheet date amounted to £1,148 (2023: £358).
Room hire was provided during the period at an estimated value of £nil (2023: £5,200) to Dave Bell to provide training in line with the Charity's objects. This is on the agreed basis that the Church will benefit from this training to a value of at least the room hire provided.
Total donations from Trustees during the period amounted to £12,142 (2023: £16,761).