Annual Report
The King’s Church Prestwood. 2024-2025
Annual Report of the Trustees of The King’s Church, Prestwood, for the Period from 1st of April 2024 to 31st of March 2025
Charity Name. The King’s Church, Prestwood
Charity Registered Number; 1069399.
Principal Address: 6 Chequers Lane, Prestwood, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 9DW
Trustees:
Chris Shepherd – (Chair of trustees) appointed from 01.12.18 Joan Veysey - Trustee appointed from 01.12.18 Alison Brackett – Trustee appointed from 27.09.2021 Richard Kendell – Trustee appointed from 27.09.2021
Governing Instrument: Trust Deed dated 5th of April 1998.
Constitution: Unincorporated Charity.
Trustee selection: Appointed by existing trustees.
Induction and training
All trustees are members of the Church and fully aware of its purposes. Trustees have been inducted including access to a range of material and guidance issued by the Charity Commission, including Guidance on Public Benefit. The Trustees have assessed that our Trust Deed gives permission to hold trustees meetings in any way we need to, including remotely and in person. During 2024 – 25 meetings were held both in person and via Zoom.
Additional Issues
The church has a leadership team comprising of trustees, elders and functional leads. The leadership team is responsible for ensuring that the vision and mission statement of the Kings Church Prestwood is agreed, and our aims are translated into agreed programs and activities. The trustees and elders meet together regularly with a focus on strategy, planning and finance. The trustees and elders also attend the Functional Leads Group (FLAG), which supports leadership, implementation and monitoring of these programs and activities. Membership of the functional leads group includes the Safeguarding Lead.
The Church is an Associate Member of the Evangelical Alliance and a member of the Catalyst group in the New Frontiers Family of Churches. The Church relates to other local Christian Churches in Prestwood and Great Missenden.
The Church has insurances with the Baptist Insurance Company and the Trustees and Elders review the financial, equipment and other risks as needed.
The Church does not own or lease any property. The Village Hall in Prestwood is rented along with
other community facilities as required by the Church for Sunday and midweek meetings and other functions and activities.
For the period of this return, there were no unreported serious incidents.
During the period of this return, the charity has conducted risk assessments on all relevant activities. We ensure that we are flexible in the way activities are planned, organized and carried out in order to operate safely, whilst continuing to be responsive to the needs of the community. The charity has completed an external review of its Safeguarding Policy and Procedures to ensure it reflects current best practice.
Charity objectives as set out in its governing document
To advance the Christian faith, by proclaiming and witnessing to the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ.
To advance such other charitable purposes as the Trustees shall from time to time determine.
Main Activities
The activities for the year are planned to bear in mind the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the advancement of religion. The regular Sunday services are open to the public and those participating are encouraged to live out their faith in the community.
The main activities can be stated as –
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Regular public worship services.
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Midweek group meetings for worship, prayer, learning, activities, and fellowship.
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Outreach, care and activities in the local community which are designed or adapted to meet the needs of vulnerable groups.
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The church is engaged with people of all ages in the local community.
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Support for Mission
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Wider associations including joint meetings with other New Frontiers/Catalyst Group and other local churches.
Achievements
Growing as a spiritual community
Our public services on Sunday are a key part of the life of the church, as is our weekday programme of worship, teaching, testimony, fellowship and prayer. We continue to welcome new people who have joined us this year for these activities, as we seek to be a welcoming and outward looking church within our community. We hold services and events specifically designed to be accessible to others who may not otherwise come to a church including regular breakfast and lunch services and shared meals. The content of services is suitable for all age groups, and a
team of helpers is ready and prepared to offer a specific programme of activities to any children attending. We continue to operate a live link to services to ensure we remain accessible for those who are unable to attend in person, or who wish to attend but live or work away from the local area. Information about services is published in the local community newspaper and on our website. Regular services and music are also provided for residents and staff in a local high needs nursing home. Special events and services are publicised including in the local free paper, on social media and the church’s website.
Our midweek activities included an 6 weekly rolling programme which included learning together with an emphasis on growing in spiritual maturity, songs & prayers of faith and being a worshiping community, and opportunity for fellowship over shared meals. We have also completed an 8 week course designed to integrate newer people into the church community and to help them understand the core principles of our Christian faith.
Prayer is a key part of our ministry and mission, and weekly prayer events include prayer walking, praying together in person and on zoom. Prayer is focused on those in need, our community, and national and international issues. We have seen answers to prayer and grown in faith as we have prayed together during this year.
The church has continued its focus on mission and financially supporting others. This year the church has given £1,570 to local projects, including those that support children and young people, women at risk of violence, and people with long term neurological conditions. People in the church also give their time and expertise supporting and volunteering in local and national charities that are consistent with our values and charitable aims.
We have continued to support the Catalyst Group with other New Frontiers Churches, supporting Catalyst leaders events, participation in the local churches “hub”, and supporting international mission priorities.
Building our community
This year we provided live music at local community events. The church ministers in the area have jointly led services with all local churches for occasions including Easter services and a joint Christmas carol service.
We have continued to organize and support the production of The Source, a free local newspaper delivered to over 5,000 homes and businesses in HP16. This is supported by over 100 volunteers, who are involved in producing, editing and delivering the Source. The paper is highly valued in the community as both a source of local information and a positive way of keeping the community connected.
The Church is involved in a children’s charity, Lighthouse Great Missenden, which provides a week long summer programme in the school summer holiday. This provides high quality activities for over 600 children and toddlers. Christians have the opportunity to share their story, as well as supporting families and bringing together every age group in a positive and safe environment. As well as supporting many voluntary roles during lighthouse week, our church has pioneered weekly prayer times for Lighthouse, and provides leadership at trustee and operational level. There is also input to the local schools through school assemblies when requested.
The Church music ministry forms the basis of the Wick Trimmers folk band which continues to run a monthly folk club for the local community as well as providing live music at local community
events. The folk club supports local musicians, providing accessible high quality live music for our community.
We continue to support people who are frail or socially isolated holding our annual summer and Christmas tea parties in partnership with our community transport scheme PACT. This year, our tea parties were attended by over 120 people who either live alone or are at risk of social isolation, and the events were supported by volunteers from the church and local community.
Financial Review
The principal source of income has been the regular giving of members, which provides for the Lead Elder’s salary, and accommodation for meetings and activities. Last year total income for the year was £55,563 with an expenditure of £41,412, therefore a surplus was reported for 2024/25.
Finances were reviewed regularly, with quarterly reports to both the Functional Leads Meetings and Trustees & Elders meetings. Financial risks are reviewed and reported including assessing the potential impact of any fluctuation of income from regular donations.
KCP currently holds reserves for the purpose of covering essential running costs and to mitigate unforeseen fluctuation in income or expenditure. The KCP Reserves Policy was reviewed in 2024 in line with the Charity Governance Code. The KCP Finance Policy was also reviewed and updated to strengthen safeguarding against fraud in line with Charity Commission Guidance November 2024.
During 2024 the trustees continued to ensure we continue to operate to standards of governance in line with the Charity Commission Governance Code for small charities, including promoting a culture where everything we do continues to work towards fulfilling the charity’s vision. This year we have continued our leadership succession plan to ensure there is sufficient leadership capacity for the future, including a specific programme of work focused on young people. We have also reviewed our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, and agreed key areas for action which are outlined in a new Environmental Sustainability Policy.
Our functional leads continued to meet regularly through weekly planning meetings, monthly information and review meetings.
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above report.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees
Signature Full name Chris Shepherd
Position Chair of Trustees
THE KING'S CHURCH (PRESTWOOD)
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE 12 MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2025
| INCOME Tithes and Offerings: Cash Cheque Standing Orders &bank transfer excl HMRC total Reclaimed Tax via Gift Aid Bank Interest Church events (WT) Gift day Other Income Lighthouse OWA - One World Aid ROPE TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE OWA Mission: Hardship ROPE wicktrimmers Lighthouse Staff Costs Hall hire Events (WT) Administration Copyright Licence Equipment New Frontiers - Catalyst Gifts Mission Pastoral Professional Fees and Insurance Refreshments Subscriptions Advertising and web Training TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME FOR THE YEAR TOTAL CASH AT BANK (Community and Saver Accounts) Brought forward from previous year Carried forward to next year |
2024/2025 £ £ £ General Restricted Total 1083 0 1083 0 0 0 39830 0 39830 40913 0 40913 8855 0 8855 831 0 831 4563 0 4563 400 0 400 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 55563 0 55563 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30829 30829 2599 2599 2702 2702 1125 1125 148 148 245 245 660 660 400 400 1570 1570 0 0 339 339 323 323 90 90 382 382 0 0 41412 0 41412 14151 0 14151 0 71195 71195 85346 85346 |
2023/2024 £ £ £ General Restricted Total 892 0 892 50 0 50 30211 0 30211 |
|---|---|---|
| 31153 31153 9465 0 9465 545 0 545 6034 6034 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
||
| 47197 0 47197 |
||
| £ £ £ 0 0 0 0 0 669 0 0 0 |
||
| 0 669 669 29475 29475 2600 2600 4059 4059 1157 1157 142 142 0 0 209 209 2432 2432 1985 1985 0 0 0 0 89 89 382 382 375 375 324 324 |
||
| 43229 669 43898 |
||
| 3968 -669 3299 67216 669 67885 |
||
| 71195 0 71195 |
THE KING'S CHURCH (PRESTWOOD)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025
| 2024/2025 | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | 2023/2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS- Church and office equipment | 2,310 | 2,310 | 2,328 | ||
| DEBTOR | |||||
| Reclaimed tax due from inland revenue 10,715 |
10,715 | 8,855 | |||
| CASH AT BANK | |||||
| Community Account | 11,729 | 25,408 | |||
| Saver Account | 73,618 | 45,787 | |||
| 85,346 | 71,195 | ||||
| LIABILITIES | 0 | 0 | |||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 96 | 96,061 | 80,050 | ||
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 98 | 98,371 | 82,378 | ||
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS- Church general funds | 98,313 | 98,313 | 82,378 | ||
| RESTRICTED FUNDS | 0 | ||||
| 98 | 98,313 | 82,378 |
Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees
…………………………… Chris Shepherd Chair of Trustees
| 2024 -25 | 2023 -24 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RESTRICTED FUNDS | Brought | Carried | Brought | Carried | |||||||||||
| forward | Income | Expenditure | forward | forward | Income | Expenditure | forward | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| Rope | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| OWA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Hardship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Lighthouse | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| wicktrimmers reimbursments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees
Charity Name The Kings Church Prestwood
On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2025 Charity no 1069399 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025 31
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust‟s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a „true and fair‟ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: Name: Miss Deona Fisher Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: 48 Shortborough Avenue Princes Risborough Buckinghamshire HP27 9HT
Oct 2018
IER
1
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
Oct 2018
IER
2