Three Bridges Free Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Three Bridges Road Three Bridges Crawley RH10 1LS GOVERNING DOCUMENT Trust Deed dated 17 November 1998 (amended February 1999) CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1074518 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Graham Bell MANAGING THE CHARITY Kwok Kin Chiu (appointed April 2024) Steven Collingham Robert Cranfield Michael Jardim (appointed April 2025) Nelson Lucero (resigned April 2025) David Parker (appointed January 2024) Mark Pash (resigned June 2025) Peter Taylor Yuri Vidal BANKERS Santander UK plc INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-3 Trustees' Report Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report Page 5 Receipts and Payments Account Page 6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 7-8 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed and is constituted as a Trust. The charity's principal object, as set out in its governing document, is to advance the Christian faith. The Trust seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by acting as a church in the area of Crawley, Sussex.
Review of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
We held regular Sunday worship services during which we preached through the books of Mark, Proverbs and Revelation. We were encouraged to see 2 people baptised during one of our services in March.
We also held a series of special evangelistic events through the year including a ‘Dine Global’ meal in March, as well as an outdoor Easter Trail and Carol Service in Worth Park. Many of the Sunday services were livestreamed over the internet, and we continued to run different groups for children and teenagers during our Sunday gatherings.
Our midweek ministry involved our fortnightly Home Groups in which we did a Bible Overview course and then looked at Jude and Proverbs together. We were encouraged to start a new Home Group in Bewbush in June. Alongside this we ran a Tuesday morning Bible study group which looked at Daniel and Isaiah.
We continued to run our monthly ‘Hope Café’ on Wednesday mornings, and ran a Holiday Bible Club in the February half term which saw about 65 children attend for a full day of activities themed on the story of Jonah. Our weekly Friday morning ‘Toddler Spot’ continued to be popular and attended by many local families with pre-school children and we also ran a Friday evening Youth Group.
We also held regular men’s and women’s ministry throughout the year, and regular Christianity Explored courses for people who wanted to find out more about Christianity.
Ongoing improvements were made to the church building over the course of the year with a particular focus on building a new church office, installing new AV equipment and redesigning our store room.
During the year we reviewed our Safeguarding Policy and held quarterly members' meetings. The membership at the end of 2024 stood at 96.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial review
During the year income increased by £28,000, to £179,600, and expenditure increased by £12,400, to £173,500. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £6,100, to £122,700, of which £111,000 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £42,000 (approximately 3 months of unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £111,000 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy. Excess funds are expected to be used on building work in 2025 and costs associated with the purchase of a second manse.
Page 2
Governance
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for the management of the trust and do so with the assistance of the Elders and Deacons on a day to day basis. New Trustees are appointed by a full meeting of the church members, in consultation with the Trustees.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Graham Bell
____ Graham Bell
Date: 19 September 2025
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Three Bridges Free Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 5 to 8 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jaimée Young
Jaimée Young
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 23 September 2025
Page 4
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted | Funds | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Income receipts | |||||||||
| Donations and grants | 5 | 131,583 | - | 9,899 | 141,482 | 109,901 | |||
| Gift aid receipts | 20,077 | - | 53 | 20,130 | 27,326 | ||||
| Income from charitable activities | 1,608 | - | - | 1,608 | 396 | ||||
| Use of church and car park | 12,750 | - | - | 12,750 | 12,315 | ||||
| Interest | 1,154 | - | - | 1,154 | 1,037 | ||||
| Other | 2,470 | - | - | 2,470 | 580 | ||||
| Total receipts | 169,643 | - | 9,952 | 179,595 | 151,555 | ||||
| Payments | |||||||||
| Payments in relation to activities undertaken directly |
charitable | 2 | 130,840 | - | 26,772 | 157,612 | 144,871 | ||
| Grants paid in relation to activities undertaken by others |
charitable | 3 | 200 | 15,670 | - | 15,870 | 16,210 | ||
| Total payments | 131,040 | 15,670 | 26,772 | 173,482 | 161,081 | ||||
| Net of receipts / (payments) transfers |
before | 38,603 | (15,670) | (16,820) | 6,112 | (9,526) | |||
| Transfers between funds | 5 | 10,745 | (15,945) | 5,200 | - | - | |||
| Net movement in funds | 49,348 | (31,615) | (11,620) | 6,112 | (9,526) | ||||
| Cash funds as at last year end | 46,062 | 47,190 | 23,378 | 116,630 | 126,156 | ||||
| Cash funds at this year end | A | 95,410 | 15,575 | 11,758 | 122,742 | 116,630 |
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Other debtors C Liabilities Falling due within one year: Fee for Independent Examination Accrued expenses D Assets retained for charity's own use Freehold Church building Freehold Manse Contents and equipment |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 78,819 15,575 16,591 - 95,410 15,575 16,755 - 374 - 17,129 - 1,380 - 1,356 - 2,736 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 11,758 - 11,758 115 - 115 - - - |
Total 2024 £ 106,152 16,591 122,742 16,870 374 17,244 1,380 1,356 2,736 |
Total 2023 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100,228 16,401 |
||||
| 116,630 | ||||
| 13,037 213 |
||||
| 13,250 | ||||
| 1,290 - |
||||
| 1,290 | ||||
| Insurance value 2024 £ |
||||
| 200,000 | ||||
| 200,000 |
Current values have not been quoted for properties and disclosure is not mandatory.
The trustees have used insurance values for contents and equipment since they are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by date Graham Bell 19 September 2025 _____Graham Bell _____
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs Note 4 Church, property and related costs Note 2a Manse costs Note 2a Church renovation Office, admin and support Ministry and outreach activities Children, youth and holiday club Hardship fund grants and gifts Other expenses 2a Sinking funds expenditure (incl. property) Accounts, advice and Independent examination FIEC affiliation SGP affiliation Insurance Utilities Maintenance and cleaning - Church Maintenance and cleaning - Manse AV installation Equipment |
Unrestrict | Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - Church £ 1,330 - 150 7,363 5,509 10,056 - 52,004 219 76,632 ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - 22,353 - 121 - 4,298 - 26,772 Manse £ - - - 507 - - 3,545 - - 4,052 |
Total 2024 £ 41,104 76,632 4,052 22,353 1,690 5,352 1,983 4,298 150 157,612 Total 2024 £ 1,330 - 150 7,869 5,509 10,056 3,545 52,004 219 80,683 |
Total 2023 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76,673 20,789 2,470 37,769 2,355 2,892 1,479 253 190 |
||||||
| 144,871 | ||||||
| Total 2023 £ |
||||||
| 1,385 2,250 - 6,417 3,298 7,300 2,005 - 604 |
||||||
| 23,259 |
| 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Organisations: European Christian Mission Crosslinks UFM Worldwide Organisations < £1,000 Individuals |
Unrestrict | Designated funds £ - 1,000 13,920 750 - 15,670 ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - |
Total 2024 £ - 1,000 13,920 750 200 15,870 |
Total 2023 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ - - - - 200 200 |
||||||
| 200 1,200 13,760 1,050 - |
||||||
| 16,210 |
Page 7
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Transactions with related parties
No payments were made to trustees or persons related to them, except for reimbursement of expenses paid out on behalf of the charity.
| 5 Movement of funds General funds Designated funds Missionary Fund Hardship Funds Sinking Fund Restricted funds Church Library Fund Building Fund Hardship Fund Mission Fund Other Funds Total funds |
Opening balance £ 46,062 6,681 - 40,509 93,252 214 18,818 3,884 - 462 23,378 116,630 |
Receipts £ 169,643 - - - 169,643 - 8,000 281 1,422 248 9,952 179,595 |
Payments £ (131,040) (15,670) - - (146,710) (121) (22,353) (3,686) - (612) (26,772) (173,482) |
Transfers £ 10,745 16,013 2,010 (33,968) (5,200) - 5,200 - - - 5,200 - |
Closing balance £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95,410 7,024 2,010 6,540 |
|||||
| 110,984 | |||||
| 92 9,665 480 1,422 98 |
|||||
| 11,758 | |||||
| 122,742 |
The designated Missionary Fund relates to funds set aside from giving to support missionaries in various countries including France, Uganda and the UK through organisations such as UFM, ECM and Sussex Gospel Partnership.
The Sinking Fund is used for capital and one off yearly projects along with supporting the increased expense of a second full time pastor. The restricted Church Library Fund relates to funds donated for the purchase of books for the church library. Due to the size of the original gift it has taken some time to spend this wisely and as new appropriate books become available additional books are purchased using this fund.
The Building fund relates to donations given for the purpose of the building renovation programme which includes replacing the heating system and a kitchen project.
The restricted Hardship Fund is for the purpose of practically supporting others through difficult trials including situations of material need. The Mission Fund is to raise funds for supported missionaries and other charities.
Page 8