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 charitable company's Memorandum and Articles, 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 charitable company's objectives are to advance the faith in Jesus Christ in our community, to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to ensure that our services teach and equip people for life.
Our vision
We as a Church exist and are intentional about creating access to Jesus Christ's life-changing message. We must be prepared to explore, experiment, and expand to make the Church accessible.
We are making a stand, by raising up a community of people who will demonstrate the extraordinary God we serve in everything we do, that will point people towards God.
The aim is to influence this generation with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. We believe we can impact people locally, nationally and globally.
By practical generosity, we aim to demonstrate the importance of our key mandate, to: equip, bless and resource others. Our goal is that our services will resource, teach, and equip people for life.
Our aims
We are seeking:
To become a relevant expression of the Church in our community in the 21st Century.
To bring expansion of the Christian faith in all that we do.
To remain firm in our beliefs but flexible in our structures.
To provide relevant programmes for all age groups.
To develop and raise men and women who will lead in all areas of society
To generously support and partner with organisations who hold similar objective.
To build an influential structure that will be a beacon of hope in this town and country.
We are committed to ensuring that we can generously provide for all those we come into contact with.
We believe this is a fundamental key to the Christian faith.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charitable company should undertake.
Volunteers play a huge part in achieving our objectives. We rely on numerous volunteers to assist us in developing policies, procedures and systems and running the many outreach groups we have. Without the many volunteers who serve the charity we would be unable to conduct the wide variety of community engagement that Lifehouse delivers.
We have not put a monetary value on the many hours our volunteers have provided.
Most help is provided by volunteers of the Church, both practically and financially.
We were thankful for the following:
The expansion of doing multiple services
An increase in growth of subscribers and viewers of our online community
We have seen increase in both congregation size on a Sunday and midweek group activities
We regularly modify the building to enhance people’s church experience.
We hold quarterly baptismal services and regular child dedication services.
There has been a significant increase in all our children and youth activities
To reach the community of Chesterfield by providing:
The continued to development of good pastoral systems to ensure we meet people's needs
Intentional leadership gatherings and other bespoke groups throughout the year to equip and train.
Monthly hosting initiatives that help us to connect with the wider community.
A strategic plan that supports local charities & agencies both monetary and practical.
Lifepoint has continued to provide personal and practical assistance to the vulnerable we engaged with during the year. Whilst working alongside local agencies to reach the wider community’s needs.
Continued partnerships with organisations both in the UK and Worldwide. This includes the ongoing support of Compassion Children’s projects and multiple other mission groups.
A Youth programme that present access and opportunities to many young people.
Keynote evenings throughout the year, which reached a mixed group of people from the church and other church leaders across the UK.
Key events during the Christmas season which many engaged with.
Pastors Paul & Sarah Hollingworth have identify a key group of Ministry Gifted Leaders to assist in the development of the vision.
The Board and Leaders have embraced the newly identified church location, and a careful plan has been put in place that has acquired the relevant planning permissions. The Heads of Term Lease is close to being finalised.
Total income increased from £612,957 in 2023 to £660,792 in 2024. Total expenditure increased from £539,157 to £649,639. This resulted in a surplus for the year of £11,153 (2023: £73,800) prior to any revaluation gains or losses.
The Charity spent £114,407 (2023: £7,758) on legal and professional costs in relation to The Avenue during the year.
At 31 December 2024, total reserves were £1,278,999 (2023: £1,192,846). This was made up of restricted funds of £466,390 (2023: £361,340), designated funds of £161,978 (2023: £161,978) and unrestricted funds of £650,631 (2023: £669,528). The freely available reserves at 31 December 2024 were £116,657 (2023: £234,392).
It is the policy of the charitable company that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charitable company’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Historically it has been the aim to hold in reserves £35,000 for the Church running. The Trustees will be reviewing this policy in the next financial year to conclude if this level is still appropriate or if a different level is required. The Church Board consider it appropriate to hold reserves above the target level as they have plans for future expansion that will utilise these.
We continue to strive to manage our finances to the best of our ability. We ensure that we fulfil our objectives which are to advance the faith in Jesus Christ, to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to make available our services to all. Our overall aim is the teaching and equipping of people for life. The continued culture of Lifehouse is to breed generosity which then flows down into everything we do as a Church. We continue to invest into introducing key individuals who will help to shape and influence the Church as we move forward.
We stand alongside people and encourage them through current life issues, whilst also ensuring that Lifehouse does everything to the best of its ability.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charitable company is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The Church Board have reviewed and considered the major risks affecting Lifehouse Church and have taken steps to mitigate those risks. The Church Board has BrightHR, a specialist company to undertake the Health and Safety and Employment Law concerns of the Church.
The Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy and procedures are maintained/updated annually by the Safeguarding Team and overseen by the Church Board. We take Safeguarding issues very seriously and have put in place a weekly review to ensure any issues are discussed and to provide maximum safety for all. Relevant training for all involved is implemented as necessary in order to stay updated with our Governing Body’s policies and procedures. We have recently launched a Safeguarding system that allows any individual who may feel in danger or has identified concerns in others to be able to scan a QR code and confidentially report this.
Flood - October 2023
On the 20 October 2023 Chesterfield experienced a devastating flash flood that impacted hundreds of homes.
Lifehouse Church was in the heart of the flood area and experienced first hand the destruction of the waters but focussed it's attention on giving help to others.
With the help of other local people and charities we were able to:
Help clear homes and provide cleaning teams of volunteers
Set up a cleaning products appeal which collected thousands of much needed items that were distributed to as many homes as possible.
Provide meals in the early days after the flood to ease the pressure on households.
Created an online giving platform so as to provide as many homes as possible with a 'small one off gift voucher' to assist households with the rebuilding of their home
This has raised just under £110,000 through the giving of a very generous community.
The Chesterfield Flood Victims Appeal 'Gofundme' was set up by Lifehouse Church & Toby Perkins MP plus a few local business owners to raise funds for the flood victims.
All the funds have now been utilised in the form of vouchers for the affected people. No costs were used for administrative purposes.
Any excess monies have been utilised in the form of food vouchers which will be distributed to all the original applicants.
The Church was previously a charitable organisation (number 105636) governed by a model deed. On 27 January 2016 the charity incorporated as a limited company by guarantee (company number 09971964 and charity number 1170211) and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
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:
New Church Board members are appointed by current Church Board members.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
Senior Leaders are responsible for the spiritual vision and direction of the Church.
There are 2 Senior Pastors/Leaders:
Paul Hollingworth - Senior Pastor
Sarah Hollingworth - Senior Pastor
The Church is managed operationally through its Church Board (Trustees) which currently has 5 directors.
To ensure health and accountability we invite an external advisor to attend regularly.
The Trustees meet at least quarterly to decide on current issues and practical matters arising. A finance meeting is held weekly to oversee current financial matters. The Board receives all financial/governance information weekly.
An A.G.M. is held annually with the current Board (Trustees) and invited observers.
The pastoral team has the responsibility for the planning and development of the services and strategies for Lifehouse Church. The Church Board ensure that staff are recruited and supported to provide the skills and expertise needed to run a successful organisation.
The Church Board has the overall responsibility for the church database, constitutional matters and training. The church database is purchased through a recognised company - ChurchSuite. This ensures effective and safe management of data. The office is managed by the Office Manager.
Remuneration was paid to 2 Senior Pastors (Senior Leaders), 1 Finance/Office Manager, 1 Cleaning staff, 1 Operations Team Lead, 1 Part time Pastoral Lead, 1 Part time Youth Pastor.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Lifehouse Church 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 charitable company 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;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company 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 charitable company 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 charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Lifehouse Church (the ‘charitable company’) 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 charitable company 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 charitable company’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, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, 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.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charitable company 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 charitable company’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.
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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Based on our understanding of the charity and the sector in which it operates, we identified the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to the acts by the charity, which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations including fraud, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to inflated revenue and the charity's net income for the year.
Audit procedures performed included: review of the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation, review of correspondence with and reports to the regulators, including correspondence with the Charity Commission, review of correspondence with legal advisors, enquiries of management and in testing of journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the trustees that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
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.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Investments
Raising funds
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Lifehouse Church is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 90 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 2AN.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charitable company'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 charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charitable company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company 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.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. 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 charitable company 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.
Grants are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
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.
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.
Costs of raising funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
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.
No depreciation is provided on the freehold land and buildings. The trustees consider that the freehold property is maintained in such a state of repair that its residual value is at least equal to the net book value. As a result the corresponding depreciation would not be material, therefore, it is not charged in total resources expended.
At each reporting end date, the charitable company 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).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
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 charitable company 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 charitable company's balance sheet when the charitable company 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.
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through income and expenditure, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected.
If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charitable company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
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 charitable company’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 charitable company 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.
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to net income/(expenditure) for the year so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
In the application of the charitable company’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.
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities are as follows.
The trustees have decided to show the freehold land and buildings at market value and have decided not to depreciate the asset. They have decided to base the value of the asset on their own judgement, but use recent relevant information that is available to them on which to base their estimate of the market value and make a judgement each year as to whether any evidence exists that the market value is materially different to the values in the financial statements. They take account of the state of the fabric of the building and the conditions in the market for the type of property owned.
Sale of goods
Trading activity income: Car park
Investments
Other income in 2024 relates to insurance claim proceeds.
Raising funds
Donations - Missionary societies
Bank charges
Printing and stationery
Miscellaneous costs
Church running expenses
Church maintenance
Coffee shop expenditure
Travel expenses
Legal and professional fees
Blessings and speakers
Hardship funds
Pastoral care and hospitality
Training costs
Subscriptions
Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £6,960 (2023- £5,760) for audit fees.
The total amount of donations received from trustees without conditions was £116,077 (2023: £147,286). The total amount of donations received from trustees' family members and related parties without conditions was £23,435 (2023: £12,482).
Gifts given to trustees during the year amounted to £1,712 with a further £1,753 gifted to trustees' family members and related parties.
Expenses reimbursed to trustees in relation to church activities amounted to £80 during the period.
P Hollingworth (Member and Trustee) received remuneration of £48,102 (2023: £46,669), employers' NI contributions of £5,383 (2023: £4,747) and employer's pension contributions of £1,996 (2023: £1,551) in respect of his employment with the church.
J Meakin (Trustee) received remuneration of £24,365 (2023: £23,523), employers' NI contributions of £2,107 (2023: £1,824) and employer's pension contributions of £1,139 (2023: £885) in respect of her employment with the church.
S Hollingworth (Member), who is the wife of P Hollingworth, received remuneration of £34,162 (2023: £33,014), employers' NI contributions of £3,459 (2023: £3,021) and employer's pension contributions of £1,597 (2023: £1,241) in respect of her employment with the church.
D Woolf (Member) received remuneration of £31,262 (2023: £29,751), employers' NI contributions of £3,059 (2023: £2,603) and employer's pension contributions of £1,461 (2023: £1,122) in respect of his employment with the church.
The above individuals are the senior management team of the Church.
B Hollingworth, who is the father of P Hollingworth, received remuneration of £6,632 (2023: £6,563), employers' NI contributions of £nil (2023: £nil) in respect of his employment with the church.
These payments are authorised under the terms of the charity's governing document.
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 Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
The freehold land and buildings comprise the church and premises with adjacent car park. These were subject to a professional valuation on 31 March 2025 on a market value basis of valuation of £475,000 by SMC Brownhill Vickers Chartered Surveyors.
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Lifepoint - To provide assistance to and support of the underprivileged in society and other community involvement that accord with the aims and objectives of the charity.
Chapel - To fulfil the aims and objectives of the charity amongst people over the age of 55.
Youth and young adults - To fulfil the aims and objectives of the charity amongst young people associated with and outside the church.
Kids church - To fulfil the aims and objectives of the charity amongst the children of parents involved in the church and children outside the family of the church.
Shine - Women meeting together and discovering all that God has for them. A group where they can bring their friends with confidence. The goals of Shine are to empower women and help them meet with God and reach their potential. At 31 December 2020, this fund was in deficit, but more income will be collected relating to this fund in the future to resolve this.
Spokes - This charity project was established in the winter of 2009. Spokes is an integral project that aims to identify young people between the ages of 10 and 16 who have made incredible progress, despite challenging circumstances. Just for one day a Champion Culture is created to ensure the young people get the encouragement they deserve. Through the support of local businesses, people and agencies we plan to develop this project so that many generations to come will hear the words, 'well done.'
Building fund - The building fund was set up in Autumn 2014. This is part of the vision to build/develop a spacious place, that will be a great resource and influence to this community. It will create many ways for people to access the Christian Faith.
Missions - The purpose of this fund is to support the specific missions set by the church. Previous missions have included, 'Youth to Poland,' and, 'Team to Ghana.'
Transfers between funds are to agree the balance carried forward to bank and cash balances held by each individual restricted fund. Unrestricted bank account monies are often used to fund small group expenditure and the transfers represent a reimbursement of this.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Building fund - Monies set aside by the trustees towards the building fund as described in restricted funds.
Giving fund - To fulfil the aims and objectives of the charity by supporting organisations and individuals seeking to promote these aims and objectives in the United Kingdom and other countries.