NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
WELSH CHURCH ACT TRUST FUND
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1076440
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Neath Port Talbot Welsh Church Act Fund
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31[st] March 2026
The trustees present their annual report and financial statement for the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2026.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1[st] January 2015.
Objectives and activities
The purpose of the Fund is to receive grant applications from charities or voluntary bodies which are based in, active in, or provide significant benefits to some or all of the residents of the Neath Port Talbot County Borough area.
The Fund furthers its charitable purposes for the local public benefit through its grant making policies which cover the following areas:
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Educational
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Libraries, museums, art galleries, etc.
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Relief of poverty
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Advancement of religion
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Other purposes beneficial to the community
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Relief in sickness
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Welfare of elderly persons
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Social and recreational
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Aesthetic, architectural, historical and scientific matters
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Medical and social research, treatment, etc.
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Probation, etc.
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Visually impaired or blind individuals
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Emergencies or disasters
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Other charitable organisations whose purposes are consistent with the provisions included above.
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Grant making policy
Welsh Church Act Fund Guidelines for Grant Applications
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a) Each application will be considered on its merits.
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b) Grants will only be awarded to charities and voluntary bodies which are based in, or active in, or provide significant benefits to some or all of the residents of the Neath Port Talbot County Borough area.
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c) Grants will only be awarded to individuals in exceptional circumstances.
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d) Grants will not normally exceed £1,000 and in exceptional circumstances £4,000 per applicant and successful applicants will not normally be reconsidered for a further grant within 3 years of the date of approval of the last grant.
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e) Grants will have a time limit for the take up of said grant of two years from the date of approval.
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f) Grants will not normally be awarded where the service could be dealt with out of the annual budget of the Council's service Committees activities or by other public bodies.
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g) Grants will not normally be awarded where they would commit the fund to regular annual payments nor will recurring annual expenses be supported.
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h) Grants will only be made from the income of the fund, preserving the Fund's capital assets.
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i) Priority will be given to applications which are of significant benefit to the Neath Port Talbot County Borough area.
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j) Grant aid will not normally cover the full cost of a project/proposal and normally will be approved at 25% of actual costs incurred up to the maximum as outlined in condition (d) above. The grant of £4,000 will only be approved where expenditure exceeds £50,000.
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k) Organisations assessed as being able to meet the cost (e.g. by size or nature) are unlikely to receive any grant aid.
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l) Grants towards work of a structural nature will only be considered where:
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there is evidence that a professional assessment has been made of the works;
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the applicant organisation can demonstrate that there is no other impediment to work proceeding at an early date (e.g. planning permission).
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m) In the case of Churches and Chapels grants will only be approved for the repair of the fabric of buildings which are more than 50 years old and of the highest architectural and historic interest. Church halls, however, where available and used significantly by the public for nonreligious purposes, will not be subject to these criteria.
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n) No retrospective applications are considered.
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o) The Panel will take into account the Church membership and the normal size of the congregation.
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p) In the case of students undertaking further Education courses, contributions towards the costs of individual instruments or pieces of equipment etc., will be made as follows - 50% of all costs over a threshold of £2,000 up to a maximum grant of £1,500.
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Grants awarded
The Fund has not paid out or committed any grants in 2025/26
The Fund trustees have approved the following grants:
| Grant forpublication(approved not committed) | Grant forpublication(approved not committed) | Grant forpublication(approved not committed) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year approved |
Name | Purpose | Maximum value £ |
| 2023/24 | St Anne's Church, Tonna |
Grant assistance towards costs of repair works to the church spire. |
4,000 |
| 2025/26 | Jersey Marine Church |
Grant assistance for repairs on the boundary wall |
1,000 |
| 2025/26 | Church on the Move - Mission Hall, Neath |
Grant assistance to upgrade & modernise the audio system in the main hall |
1,000 |
| 2025/26 | Sandfields Methodist Church |
Grant assistance to repair the flat roof over the schoolroom, kitchen, toilets & foyer area |
1,000 |
| Total grants approved but not committed | 7,000 |
Although the Fund has approved these grants, they were not drawn down or committed as at the 31st March 2026. There is no accrual in the accounts, as the grant recipients had not demonstrated that they fulfilled performance conditions.
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Structure, governance and management
The Fund is a registered charity, number 1076440. The Charity is governed by the Welsh Church Act 1914 and the Welsh Church Act (Designation and Specification) Order 1996.
The Welsh Church Act Fund was established from the proceeds and assets of the disestablishment of the Church in Wales and was originally created in 1914. The assets were distributed evenly amongst the former county councils in Wales, and then divided between the Welsh Unitary Authorities when they were formed in 1996, with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council taking responsibility for the share of the Fund included in this report.
The Trustee to the Fund is Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, which has delegated responsibility to the Single Cabinet Member Decisions – Finance, Performance and Social Justice Committee, who consider applications received for grants from the Fund and makes decisions on whether they should be granted or not. The Fund does not directly employ any staff, with the day-to-day administration and the processing and handling of applications prior to consideration being managed by the Director of Finance. A proportion of his team’s time is charged to the Fund.
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Reference and administrative information
The registered address is:
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Finance and Corporate Services Directorate
Civic Centre Port Talbot SA13 1PJ
The Trustee is:
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, with responsibility delegated to the Single Cabinet Member Decisions – Finance, Performance and Social Justice Committee.
The following advisors have assisted the trustees in the year:
Honorary Treasurer:
Mr Huw Jones Director of Finance Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Civic Centre Port Talbot SA13 1PJ
Independent Examiner:
Mr Matthew Edwards
On behalf of the Auditor General for Wales 1 Chapter Quarter Tyndall St Cardiff CF10 4BZ
Bankers:
Santander Corporate & Commercial Bank Sunderland SR43 4GG
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Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom accounting standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the resources and application of the resources of the charity for the accounting period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
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Observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities Statement of Recommended Practice
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the appropriate Act and the applicable Charities Regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the trustees 17[th] April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Honorary Treasurer
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Report of the independent examiner to the trustees of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Welsh Church Act Trust Fund
I report on the accounts of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Welsh Church Act Trust Fund (the Welsh Church Act Trust Fund) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). You are satisfied that the accounts are not required to be audited by charity law and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.
I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Act; In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the Act.
An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the accounts. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently, I express no opinion as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content 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; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities.
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.
Matthew Edwards On behalf of the Auditor General for Wales 29 July 2026 CF10 4BZ
1 Capital Quarter Tyndall Street Cardiff
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Neath Port Talbot Welsh Church Act Trust Fund
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31[st] March
| Incoming resources Investment income Estate Rental income Total Income Resources expended Governance/admin costs: Management and administration Governance costs Expenditure on charitable activities: Grants Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains/(losses) Gains/(losses) on investment assets Net movements in funds Reconciliation of Funds Total Funds brought Forward Total Funds Carried Forward |
Note | Total Unrestricted Funds 2024/25 £ |
Total Unrestricted Funds 2025/26 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
29,729 338 |
26,019 335 |
|
| 30,067 | 26,354 | ||
| (3,173) (1,026) 2,575 - |
(3,173) (1,057) - |
||
| (6,774) | (4,230) | ||
| 23,293 5,250 |
22,124 4,750 |
||
| 28,543 712,372 |
26,874 740,915 |
||
| 740,915 | 767,789 |
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Neath Port Talbot Welsh Church Act Trust Fund
Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March
| Fixed Assets Tangible Investment Assets Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors Short Term Investments Total Current Assets Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due within 1 year Net Current Assets Total Net Assets The Funds of the Charity Unrestricted Income Funds Fund Balance Income Accumulation Account TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS |
Note | 31-Mar-25 £ |
31-Mar-26 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 9 10 11 12 |
166,958 | 171,708 | |
| 166,958 | 171,708 | ||
| 120 576,946 |
61 597,227 |
||
| 577,066 (3,109) |
597,288 (1,207) |
||
| 573,957 | 596,081 | ||
| 740,915 | 767,789 | ||
| 537,785 203,130 |
537,785 230,004 |
||
| 740,915 | 767,789 |
The following notes form part of these accounts.
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Neath Port Talbot Welsh Church Act Trust Fund
Notes to the accounts
1. Accounting Policies
a) Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern
- The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Church Act and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from January 2015.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a “true and fair” view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a “true and fair view”. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102) issued on the 16th July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1st April 2005, which has since been withdrawn.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note to the accounts.
b)
Fund structure
The Welsh Church Act Fund was established from the proceeds and assets of the disestablishment of the Church in Wales and was originally created in 1914. The assets were distributed evenly amongst the former county councils in Wales, and then divided between the Welsh Unitary Authorities when they were formed in 1996, with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council taking responsibility for the share of the Fund included in this report.
Funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustee in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
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c) Basis of Accounting
The accounts have been prepared using the accruals basis and there has been no change to this accounting basis.
Income is recognised once the trust fund becomes entitled to the income and there is sufficient certainty that the income will be received, and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.
Expenditure or the liability to spend is recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the trust fund to that expenditure. All expenditure on governance and support services is accounted for on an accruals basis.
Grants payable are accrued where there is certainty that the funds will be drawn down. However, where grants awarded are subject to the recipient fulfilling performance conditions, the grant is only accrued at the time that the performance conditions are met.
2. Investment Income
The Welsh Church Act Fund holds short term cash deposits with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. These investments operate on an instant access basis, and interest is based on the Council’s return on its investments. The average interest rate for 2025/26 was 4.12% (2024/25 was 4.94%).
Details of short-term deposits are provided at Note 10.
3. Other income
The Welsh Church Act Fund receives rental income from various properties, land and wayleaves. Further details of the properties are included in note 8 to the Balance Sheet.
4. Management and Administration/Related parties
The Fund has paid Neath Port Talbot Council £2,556 (2024/25 £2,556) for financial support services and £617 (2024/25 £617) for legal advice.
These payments are the only related party transactions within these accounts.
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5. Governance costs
Wales Audit Office plans to charge £1,095 for their independent examination of the Fund.
6. Grants
The Fund has not paid out or committed any grants in 2025/26
The Fund trustees have approved the following grants:
| Grant forpublication(approved not committed) | Grant forpublication(approved not committed) | Grant forpublication(approved not committed) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year approved |
Name | Purpose | Maximum value £ |
| 2023/24 | St Anne's Church, Tonna |
Grant assistance towards costs of repair works to the church spire. |
4,000 |
| 2025/26 | Jersey Marine Church |
Grant assistance for repairs on the boundary wall |
1,000 |
| 2025/26 | Church on the Move - Mission Hall, Neath |
Grant assistance to upgrade & modernise the audio system in the main hall |
1,000 |
| 2025/26 | Sandfields Methodist Church |
Grant assistance to repair the flat roof over the schoolroom, kitchen, toilets & foyer area |
1,000 |
| Total grants approved but not committed | 7,000 |
Although the Fund has approved these grants, they are not accrued in the accounts, as the grant recipients had not demonstrated that they fulfilled performance conditions by 31[st] March.
7. Gains or losses on investment assets
There was no sale of fixed investment assets during 2025/26 or 2024/25 and a net gain of £4,750 in the valuation of the investment assets during 2025/26. A full revaluation exercise was undertaken in 2022/23 which identified a net gain in investment assets of £68,801.
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8. Tangible Investment Assets
The tangible investment assets relate to holdings of agricultural land and buildings and freehold reversions. The valuer has undertaken an annual revaluation review which has resulted in a net gain of £4,750. Details of the holdings are as follows:
----- Start of picture text -----
Details Value Revaluation Value
31-Mar-25 31-Mar-26
£ £ £
----- End of picture text -----
| Details | Value 31-Mar-25 £ |
Revaluation | Value 31-Mar-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Vale of Neath Residential Neath 80 Llantwit Road, Neath Agricultural Land Llantwit Road Neath opp St Illtyds Church Agricultural Land Glebe under canal Land Cadoxton Neath 5.4 Acres at Cwmbach Road Land Cadoxton Neath 3.74 Acres North of Cwmbach Road Land Cadoxton Neath 0.4 Acres South of Cwmbach Road Misc. Interest Cadoxton Neath Garage Site, Cwmbach Road Misc. Interest Cadoxton Neath Garage Site, Glebeland Street Land Cadoxton Neath Land and stream adjoining 25 Church Total |
36,800 6,500 100 14,350 11,200 500 2,500 2,500 1 |
4,200 - - 550 - - - - - |
41,000 6,500 100 14,900 11,200 500 2,500 2,500 1 |
| 74,451 | 4,750 | 79,201 | |
| Vale of Neath - Wayleaves Cadoxton Neath Land North West of Cwmbach Road |
177 | - | 177 |
| 177 | - | 177 | |
| Vale of Glamorgan - Agricultural Peterson-Super-Ely Gwern y Gae Uchaf Farm Peterson-Super-Ely Backway Farm Total |
27,400 64,500 |
- - |
27,400 64,500 |
| 91,900 | 0 | 91,900 | |
| Vale of Glamorgan - Wayleaves Peterson-Super-Ely East of the Fruit Garden |
430 | - | 430 |
| 430 | - | 430 | |
| TOTAL FIXED ASSETS | 166,958 | 4,750 | 171,708 |
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9. Analysis of Debtors
The debtors falling due within one year are as follows:
| 31-Mar-25 | 31-Mar-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Estate rentals | 120 | 61 |
| Total | 120 | 61 |
10. Analysis of Short-term investments
The trust fund’s short-term investments are held as deposits with Neath Port Talbot Council, with interest based on the average investment rate.
| 31-Mar-25 | 31-Mar-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Opening value | 552,682 | 576,946 |
| Additions/Investments | 24,264 | 20,281 |
| Total | 576,946 | 597,227 |
11. Analysis of Creditors
The creditors falling due within one year are as follows:
| 31-Mar-25 | 31-Mar-26 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| Independent examination fees | (2,984) | (1,220) |
| Estate rental credit owed | 0 | (3) |
| Estate rental prepayments | (125) | 16 |
| Total | (3,109) | (1,207) |
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12. Unrestricted Income Funds – analysis of net assets
All of the trust’s funds are unrestricted and made up as follows:
| 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fixed investment assets | 166,958 | 171,708 |
| Current assets | 577,066 | 597,288 |
| Current liabilities | (3,109) | (1,207) |
| Total | 740,915 | 767,789 |
The movement in the income funds is:
| 31-Mar-25 | 2025/26 | 2025/26 | 2025/26 | 31-Mar-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund b/fwd | Income | Expenditure | Revaluation gain/(loss) |
Fund c/fwd |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| 740,915 | 26,354 | (4,230) | 4,750 | 767,789 |
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