Corporate governance and financial accountability
1. Legal structure
The legal entity under which LifeChurch (formerly SMCF) operates is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England and Wales, no. 5392860, Registered Office: 22b High Street, Witney, OX8 6HB, Registered Charity no. 1111303. The Company Directors (also known as Trustees) are legally responsible for all of SMCF’s activities, and in particular for SMCF's overall corporate governance including approving and monitoring capital expenditure, setting remuneration, establishing and monitoring the achievement of the church’s goals and ensuring the integrity of internal controls and management information systems. However the Board has delegated the day-to-day running of the church to the Eldership Team, Leadership Team and Apostolic Centre Team.
2. Board
The composition of the Board is determined using the following principles:
• a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 directors
• the majority cannot be paid
• they should comprise a cross-section of the church, with both pastoral and business backgrounds so as to offer a wide range of expertise, skills and experience
• they must be men or women whose character, reputation, temperament, family relationships, ability, faith and spiritual maturity are consistent with Biblical principles
The Directors/Trustees are:
Andy Barclay-Watt
Tom Giles
Nick Matthews
Donald Ogilvie
Tim Fenney
Ian Harrison (Chairman)
Tim Munday
Simon Small
plus David Rolles, serving as Company Secretary
All the Directors serve in a voluntary capacity. Remuneration received by the Directors who are also staff members is in respect of their church leadership and pastoral duties. Any potential or actual conflicts of interest are required to be disclosed to the Board.
3. Committees
The Board has established a number of committees:
a) Eldership Team (Chairman: Andy Barclay-Watt)
Remit:
• Overall vision and direction for the church
• Pastoral care
• Prayer
• Definition of church programmes
• Church membership & discipline
• Draw up and recommend the annual church budget, prepared with a spirit of faith and careful planning
The Eldership Team is assisted by the Leadership Team, which is responsible for the activities of the local church in South Manchester, and the Apostolic Centre Team, which is responsible for local outreach, overseas mission and other churches which have asked SMCF for oversight or assistance.
b) Audit
The Board in its entirety fulfils the function otherwise held by an Audit Committee, and their remit includes:
• Review of monthly and annual financial reports
• Reviewing the adequacy of internal controls
c) Remuneration (Chairman: Ian Harrison)
Remit:
• determining the overall remuneration strategy
• determining the terms of employment
• responsibility for the recruitment, retention and termination policies for all staff and the self-employed pastors
• approving all new full-time positions
• monitoring overall staff levels and performance to ensure that the organisation is effectively and efficiently meeting its goals
d) Health & Safety (Chairman: Ian Harrison)
SMCF recognises its moral and legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees, voluntary workers and visitors and therefore endeavours to ensure they do nothing to place themselves or the local community at risk of injury or illness.
This Committee will review reports from the H&S Officer, agree & monitor follow-up, and regularly review the Child Protection Policy and the associated procedures.
4. Financial Controls
The Church's financial records and systems are audited annually by AJ Carter & Co, 22B High Street, Witney, OX8 6HB. A number of internal controls are applied including:
• Two cheque signatories are required for all payments over £500.
• All payment requests must be authorised by the Operations Manager or the Office Manager.
• Each department works to a budget set at the beginning of each year.
• The Directors regularly review the financial performance of each department against the budget.
• Competitive quotes are obtained for all significant purchases.
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