UNION ROAD COMMUNITYCHURCH
{OSWALDTWISTLE) REPORTAND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31STMARCH 2025
(Reglstered Charlty Number 1093218)

UNION ROAD COMMUNITYCHURCH (OSWALDTWISTLE)
REPORTAND ACCOUNTS- 2025
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees, report
Report of the Independent examiner
Statement offinanclal actlvlties
Balance sheet
Notesto the accounts
O&Sep

Trustees report
st
Year Ended 31 March 2025
Union Road Community Church
Church Registration Number: 1093218
The Trustees (Leadership team), of Union road Community Church, are pleased to present their
annual report and financial statements for the accounting year, 2024-2025, accordin8 to the format
outllned in the Charlty Commission's guldellnes.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charlty is an independent evangellcal church, within the membershlp of the Assembles of God
(AOG), which Is a network of Pentecostal churches in the UK. The church was formed in 1901, and
has outworked continued Christian minlstry, within its surrounding community. The church building
Is centrally located on the main road of Oswaldtwistle, a town situated in East Lancashlre.
The salaried church minister is Duncan Allton, and he is supported by the voluntary leadership team
and the falthfully committed membership. Following the adoption of the new constitution, (our key
goveming document), by the membership on the 23, June 2002 and the subsequent registration of
the Church with the Charity Commission, all those actlvely exercising leadership are now recognised
as Trustees. An amendment to the constitution Ivas approved by the membership on 9 September,
2018, to set up a new Leadership Team consisting of at least five persons which superseded the
traditional distinttion between the roles of elders and deacons. and this has enabled us to develop a
more flexible and effective structure to lead the Church.
The Leadershlp Team in 2024-2025 conslsts of the followlng indlviduals and roles.
Church Minister-mr Duncan Allton
Trea5urer-Mrs Alison Allton
Mrs Ann Flood
Dr Mark Haydock
Mrs Dawn Preston
Mr Norman Sucherzewski
Mrs Barbara Sucherzewskl
Previous Leaders, Mrs Angela Bridges and Mr Davld Legg, both resigned during the report period.
Appolntment prO￿S$.. New Team Leaders are chosen by consensual agreement of the exlstlng
Leadership Team followlng the consideration of the views of the wider membershlp. All nomlnatlons
of the Leadershlp Team are ratified by members at a full meeting.
Decision-moking Procedures.. The Ilftlng of all Covld-19 restrictions allowed us to resume our normal
pattem of internal decision-makin8 throughout the 2024-2025 report perlod. The team leaders meet

in person at least once a month to provide spiritual oversight and dlrection for the Church and to
admlnisterthe day to day prdctical needs and ourfinancial and property resources. Whenever
possible during the year, the whole leadership tsam sought to discuss specific objectives and
strategies for the fvture, to engage in tralning and skills enhan￿rnent, and to revlew and, where
necessary, update procedures. policles and governance structures. In addition. the Trustees met
when required to make major decisions related to the Churches buildin& other assets, and liabilities.
The Constitution speclfies that fomial members meetings are held at least twice per annum for the
leadership to Inform and consult members about the Churches affairs and forthe opportunity to
vote on particular issues and recommendations.
RtskAssessment.. Because of the inevitable risks associated with the Church's programme of
activitles for children and young people, we require full DBS disdosures for any person involved in
these mlnistrfes, as set out in the Church's Chlld Protection DocurnenL Because the Church's
worship services and other actlvitles are open to the general publiG the Trustee's ensure that any
buildings we own or use are covered by Public Liability insuran￿, and that any employees are
simllarly protected against third party claims.
Charitable Aims and Activities
The general aims of the church are fivefold. as defined in the Constitution:
-The promotlon of God's glory.
-The furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
-The salvation and discipling of eternal souls.
-The support of the needy.
-The service to the local community.
This has been recently been summarised as: 'Union Road Community Church aims to preach. teach
and outwork the Gospel of Jesus, in the power of the Hoty Spirit..
Review of Achievements and Performance In 2024-2025
In the 2023-24 Trustees Repo¢ the Leadership Team defined the following objectNes for the Church
in 2024-25.
-The Church'sfinanciol base.. has continued to Improve, with improved giving from the membership
and also compounded by an increase In membership numbers.This has contributed to a more soltd
foundatlon of finance, which allows better planning and the ongoing future security of ministries
that outreach into the community. The objective for the next annum, is to continue to teach the
advantages of blbllcal gMn& in faith, without the Church feeling any sort of pressure or 8uilL
-Discipleship." (learning and following Jesus) The Leaderships alm is to brin& further Into the centre,
the continual development of the community of the Church. Thi& we hope to achieve, by keeping
the constitutional objects ￿levant in our culture through discipleship centred teachin& partlcularly
In Sunday services and Its message.

The Church aims and promotes the recognitlon that. It has to adapt the unchanging message of the
Gospel, to a population Ilvlng in a fast-changing culture. Therefore, the Church strives to bring Jesu
message of hope, and the 'new life, he has promised. recorded in the Bible. to fvture generations.
-Leadership." The fim) foundation and development of the leadership team and its structures are a
continuous key aim, in order to support the future growth and health of the Church. Objectives such
as long-terni succession and a wider age range, in the team, are seen as achievable ts￿ets. The
Church is satisfied it has hit its target of an equal split of male/female make-up of the team.
-Mlnlstries.' The Church consists of a membership, in which God has gfven ministy gifts for the
building of the Church and the minlstries contsined within it. The ministries suth as the Food
Market, Noah's Ark {pre-school children), services, as well as Church services, are seen as areas
where members can exercise their gifts to achieve the objectives of the Church. The Church alms to
promote and develop each member in their giftln& in a safe and unpressured environment
-Prayer.' The Church has a great tradftion of prayer and this is seen as an essentlal element of its
present and future culture. We contlnue to have the objective of looking for ways to develop the
Church's prayer life. To help build on its foundation of prayer, which is vitsl in all thlnBS of Church
Plans and Objectives for 2025-2026 and Beyond.
-The Church's Financialsltuatlon." As we move forward with a firni vision to fulfil our objectives from
2025 onwards, we will continue to teach and promote biblical principles. This is to be athieved
under the mandate that God wants US to give, not out of compulsion, but cheerfully and in line wlth
what the member wants to give. The Church believes we give in faith, but with responslbllity. for our
commitment to salaries, utilities and outgoings.
-Discipleship.' In a surrounding world Cultu￿ that can have many objectives and aims, that are not
always helpful. the church wants to disciple its members and not yet members who attend
regularly, in the teachings of Jesus, from the Bible. The aim moving forward is to give a broad
teaching of the splrftual disciplines, that are needed to navigate our everyday lives. Jesu5, mandate
was to give us life to the full, so that we are a refiection of Jesus and his teachings to those who we
are In connection with. The Tuesday evening 'big picture, meeting assists us in equipping us for thls,
and we wlll continue to develop as disciples.
Thls we are continuing to discover, leads to a more organic method of evangelism. The Church has
dlscovered within its minlstrie5, that this is more in line with those who are seeking spiritually,
partially In the post covid culture, we have found ourselves within. The Churth leadership is aware
that past performance is not a guarantee of future success, so we will keep alert, changing as
diretted by the Holy SpiriL
-Leadership.' In Ilne with our objective of growth, the Church leadership aims to broaden and
strengthen area's where growth has and Is occurring. We believe that all things are within the
Church for growth and to sustain it. Therefore, we develop from the membershlp those who are
tsking on tssks and dlsplaying leadership qualities in their5erving.
-Ministries.' The Church leadershlp aim is to look for continuous improvement and leading from God.
as we build his Church. Two examples of this are in the food market, which has become mre
sustalnable, (due to govemment funding reductions) whilst still retaining its great values. The other
is Noah's Ark, which has changed emphasis, to local parents, (as opposed to childminders}.

Development of volunteer members and thelr encouragement, to see the opportunities that
ministries provide in reathing our surroundlng communty, still remain a priority for the future.
Financial Review
General Fund.. In 2024-25, the General Funds total income, primarily from members direct
contributions, was about £0￿ and expenditure (including depreciation) amounted to about £01
000, leaving a surplus of £CKHX)O.
Building Fund.. During the financlal year, the building fund's income from designated gifts and deeds
of covenant totalled £0￿. While total expenditure on maintenance and renewals amounted to
£ooa)o.
Resenes Poliry.. Unrestricted liquld funds are needed to sustain and develop the day to day
operations of the Church. The Trustee's policy is that unrestritted reserves Should be managed,
firstly, to avoid the need to realise fixed assets for the Church's current use, and, secondly. to cover
at least 6 months current expenditure, especially the salary of the full-time employee. The level of
reserves Is reviewed regularly by the Trustees.

REPORTOFTHE INDEPENDENTEXAMINER TO
THETRUSTEESOFUNION ROAD COMMUNITYCHURCH (OSWALDIWISTLE)
I report tothe trustees on my examlnatlon of the accountsof the charltyfor the year ended
31st March 2025which are set out on pages7to 11.
Responsibillties and basis of report
Asthe charitystrusteesyou are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts in accordance
wlth the requlrements ofthe CharitiesAct 2011 (￿heAct").
I report In respect of my examinatlon of the trustees accountscarrled out under section 145 of
the Act and in carrylngout myexaminatlon I have followed allthe appllcable Directlons&ven
bythe Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) oftheAct.
My examination was carried out In accordance with the General Directlons glven by the
Charlty Commissioners. An examinatlon Includes a review of the accountlngrecords kept by
the charityand a comparlson of the accounts presented with those records. It also
Includes conslderatlon of any unusual Items or disclosuresin the accounts, andthe seeklngof
expLanatlonsfromyou astrusteesconcernlnganysuch matter&The procedures undertaken do
not provlde allthe evldence thatwould be requlred in an audit, and consequently no opinion is
ven astowhetherthe accounts present a ￿rue and falrvlevf andthe report is limited to
those mattersset out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no mateiial mattershave come to my
attention in connection wlththe examinatlon Ovingrne cause to believethat In anymaterial
respect:
accountlngrecordswere not kept In respect of the charityas required by sectlon 130 of
the Act;
the accountsdo not accordwiththose records: or
3)
the accounts do not complywlththe applicable requirements concernlngtheform and
content of accounts set out In the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other
than any requirement that the accountsBlve a "true and falrvie￿wh4ch is not a matter
considered as part of an independent examinatlon.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connection wlththe
examlnation towhlch attentlon should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accountsto be reached
Sharon Loc
i)
2th December 2025
Accountlng4 Umlted

STATEMENTOF FINANCIAL ACTNMESYEAR ENDED 31STMARCH 2025
2025
2024
Unrestrlcted Restrlcted
funds
funds
Total
Total
Note
Offerlngs. collectlons& legacies
Foodbankdonations and grants
32856
32856 34671
18991
18991
21683
Noah'sArktoddler8roup
979
150
240
57723
Other Income
Investment Income
32856
18991
51847
Charltable actmtles
Salarles and penslon
Mlsslonary, workers support and
other causes
Church events
22411
22411 18,500
187
Depreciation
Office Expenses and Telephone
Repairs and outslde malntenance
Insurance
Llght and heat
Rates
Bankcharges
Entertalnment
Donation
Ucencesand subscrlptlons
Teachlng trainin& etc
Sundry expenses
Foodbankexpenses
Noah'sAJktoddler group
7409
317
2928
1.522
7.885
1032
2431
1032
2431
58
5802
235
55
61
1168
1206
105
5138
150
61
1168
06
105
5138
877
1578
23051
789
53552 65,061
463
41089
463
Governance Costs
Professional fees
Net Incomlnyl (outgolngl resourcesfortheye
Transfers between funds
Total funds brought forward
-1705
108634
422323
530,957 538295
Totalfunds carriedforward
100401
428851
529252 530,957

BALANCESHEET31STMARCH 2025
Note
2025
2024
Tanglble assets
535726
513027
Debtors
Cash at bankand In hand
6273
773
7046
18790
22880
Credltors and accruals
13520
4950
-6474
17930
S￿252
530957
Unrestricted- General Purposes
Restricted
100401
428851
108634
422323
)proved bytheTrusteeson 27thJanuary2025 and ￿gned on their behalf by:
Angela Bridges
MrsA Brldges-Trustee

L Accountlng poucles
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practlce:
"Accountlngand Reportlngbycharltles preparlngtheir accounts In accordance wlth the
Flnanclal Reportlngstandard appllcable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland (FRS 102}" ("the
Sorp°} andthe Flnanclal Reportlngstandard appllcable in the Unlted Klngdom and Republic of
Ireland (FRS 102} and the CharitlesAct 2011.
The partlcular accountlngpollcles are described below.
Accountlng conventlon
The accountsare prepared under the hlstorlcal cost conventlon.
Donatlons
b)
i)
Donatlons and glfts under deeds of covenant, together wlththe assoclated
Income tax recoverable, are recognlsed as Incorne when the donatlon Is
recelved.
Other donatlons and glfts recelved are credlted to the Incorne and expendlture
c) Depreclatlon
Depreclation Is calculated so asto wrlte off the cost of the asset over Its useful economlc Ilfe as
follows:
Land
Bulldlngs
2% per annum
Equlpment
10%-20% per annu
2 Offerlngs. Collectlons & Legacles
2025
2024
Offerlngs, covenants and other
32856
34251
3. Foodbank Donatlons and Grants
4 Expendlture
2025
2024
Included wlthln expendlture for the year are the followlngcosts:
Staff costs
22,411
18500
Reportingaccountants, fees:
Independent Examlnatlon Fee
There was l employee duringthe year {2024- 1).
STrustees' remuneratlon, expenses and other transactlons
One of the Trustees, the senlor team leader, recelved remuneration as
dlsclosed In note 3 above. No remuneratlon or relrnbursement of personal
expenseswas pald durlngthe year to any other trustee orto any person knownto be
connected wlth anytrustee.
In common wlth most charltlestheTrustees make donationstothe charity.

Flxtures and
equlpment Total
8 Tangible flxed assets
Land and buildings
Cost
At 1st April 2024
Addltions Disposals
605,050
56025
661,075
At 31st March 2025
605,050
56,025
661.075
Depreclatlon
At 1st Aprll 2024
Depreclatlon foryear
Charge Dlsposals
95,174
63
52874
148048
378
At 31st March 2025
95.237
52,874
148.426
Net book value
At 31st March 2025
499678
2,836
512,649
At 31st March 2024
509876
3,151
513027
7 Statement of funds
Unrestricted
Restrlcted Total
Tangible assets
Current assets
Uablllty:
amounts
fallingdue
wlthin one
year
535,726
7046
535.726
-13,520
13,520
The restricted funds comprise amounts raised, @ven or transferred frorn unrestricted funds
toward the bulldlng project, Noah'sArktoddler group and the Foodbank