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← Pathways Church

2024-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 1096992

PATHWAYS CHURCH

UNAUDITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

PATHWAYS CHURCH

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 5
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 - 17

PATHWAYS CHURCH

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Trustees

Dan Maudhub, Trustee (appointed 16 April 2013, resigned 31 March 2024) David Needham, Trustee (appointed 30 March 2018) Luke Wilson, Trustee (appointed 5 May 2022)

Charity registered number

1096992

Principal office

28 Harrow Way, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5TU

Accountants

IT & Accounting Solutions Limited, 28 Harrow Way, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5TU

Bankers

HSBC, 1/5 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1QW

Page 1

PATHWAYS CHURCH

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Objectives and activities

l Policies and objectives

The principal objects of the charity is (a) the advancement of the Christian faith, (b) the relief of persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress or who are aged or sick, (c) the advancement of education on the basis of Christian principles; principally in the vicinity of Kent, but extending to national and international where deemed necessary by the trustees.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

l Strategies for achieving objectives

Pathways Church vision statement is to ‘Love God, Love Others, Make Disciples’. The heart of Pathways Church is to develop disciples who impact the lives of those around them with the love of God.

l Volunteers

We rely on many in the congregation to serve and volunteer for the various activities to function, not least those in the core leadership team, and those in the wider leadership team that plan and take a leading role in planning and delivering most of our activities.

The Trustees would like to thank the leaders and volunteers for all their time, effort and financial resources that they have given to make this another successful year.

l Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit

Objective (a) - The advancement of the Christian faith - teaching and encouraging growth in the Christian Faith. As well as regular teaching during Sunday celebrations and small group work at Pathways, we work together with other churches including Pathways Church’s local Anglican church, St Mary’s. We also benefit from punctual teaching activities provided by Church of the Nations, and other churches in our Cluster.

Objective (b) - The prevention or relief of poverty - we have supported local families in our community and some of our congregation with practical help and monetary support when we recognise needs that we can help with. From time to time we also contribute to national and international relief activities.

Strategic report

Achievements and performance

l Review of activities

The heart of our gatherings is to create an environment in which the church can receive and share the love of God. Through our times together we encourage everyone within the church to grow within the Christian faith. Part of expressing this is to look for opportunities to serve those in need in the communities around us. As a church family, we provide a loving and welcoming environment in which those who join our meetings are supported no matter what their background or circumstances.

Page 2

PATHWAYS CHURCH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Strategic report (continued)

Achievements and performance (continued)

We are part of Church of the Nations (COTN) and within this, a part of ‘Acts Life Cluster’ led by Dave and Carol Cape. Our relationship with the COTN cluster churches gives us the opportunity to have a more national and international relevance as we interact with Churches from different regions in the UK and from nations across the globe. We have been meeting twice a month on the first and third Sundays in Lenham Community Centre, for a celebration service. This includes a time of fellowship, worship and teaching. These celebrations are family friendly as we seek to create an environment in which children also feel welcome and can explore the Christian faith for themselves. We hire several rooms in the community centre to help us facilitate work with different age groups of children. We also meet weekly during term time in three smaller groups to encourage those who attend in their faith, to worship together and develop a sense of belonging in a family. This happens in the homes of various people within the congregation. On a termly basis we hold Men’s and Ladies nights and worship nights. These gatherings provide further opportunities to grow in the Christian faith and to develop stronger relationships with one another.

Pathways Church supports Louise Buys financially. She is part of Koinonia Church in Modimolle, South Africa and heads up a Bible teaching school.

As a Church we are delighted when we can help those around us. Some of this is specifically planned, and at other times it is in response to immediate needs. The variety of practical ways that we do this includes providing food hampers, and Christmas hampers for those suffering hardship, giving monetary donations to support those in need and practical support for maintenance needs.

Acts Life Cluster

Although a separate charity, Pathways Church donates a monthly contribution to the Acts Life Cluster to facilitate the continued training and equipping of churches in the UK, as well as churches in Jamaica, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Financial review

l Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

l Reserves policy

The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months of unrestricted charitable expenditure.

Page 3

PATHWAYS CHURCH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

l Principal funding

The majority of our funds come through regular giving and gifts made to the church. We don’t take this giving for granted and wish to thank each member of the congregation for their contribution.

We do take part in the government’s Gift Aid scheme for gifts from tax payers, which is a helpful addition to our funds.

Structure, governance and management

l Constitution

Pathways Church is a registered charity, number 1096992, and is constituted under a Trust deed.

l Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.

l Organisational structure and decision-making policies

Charity Trustees are defined as the people responsible for controlling the management and administration of the Charity. The Trustees are committed to give time to the efficient administration of the charity and the fulfillment of its charitable objectives. They are selected on the basis of their relevant experience and skills and take an active part in the running of the Charity.

The spiritual leadership of the church rests with the Elders as church leadership. The Elders set out the vision and activities to fulfil the vision; whilst the Trustees set out the legal requirements or restrictions that would allow or prevent the activities from taking place.

The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the Charity fulfills its aims and objectives by monitoring budgets and managing risk. It is the Eldership team who oversee the day-to-day expenditure and decision-making of the church.

l Salaried staff

We are indebted to Ben and Kaat Doggett who have pastorally lead the Church since Oct 2021 and are employed by the Church. They bring a wide range of skills and experience, that equips them to serve the Church and impact the wider community. The Trustees are grateful to them for everything they bring.

Page 4

PATHWAYS CHURCH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 14 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

David Needham

Page 5

PATHWAYS CHURCH

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Pathways Church ('the charity')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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 that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do 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.

This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed: Dated: 14 October 2024 Marcel Jung ICPA (Fellow), FFA/FIPA, FAIA

IT & Accounting Solutions Limited Certified Public Accountants

Page 6

PATHWAYS CHURCH

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
34,605
727
770
36,102
31,078
31,078
5,024
47,591
5,024
52,615		 Total
funds
2024
£
34,605
727
770
36,102
31,078
31,078
5,024
47,591
5,024
52,615		 Total
funds
2023
£
36,179
2,245
173
38,597
32,059
32,059
6,538
41,053
6,538
47,591

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 9 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

Page 7

PATHWAYS CHURCH

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
14
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets excluding pension asset
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
16
Unrestricted funds
16
Total funds		 5,397
47,672
53,069
(1,647)		 2024
£
1,194
1,194
51,422
52,616
52,616
52,616
-
52,616
52,616		 6,238
42,045
48,283
(1,367)		 2023
£
675
675
46,916
47,591
47,591
47,591
-
47,591
47,591

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 14 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

David Needham

The notes on pages 9 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

Page 8

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. General information

Pathways Church was setup on 20 December 2002 as an unincorporated charitable trust and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1096992) on 11 April 2003. The registered address is 28 Harrow Way, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5TU.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

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 the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Pathways Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

2.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Page 9

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.3 Expenditure (continued)

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.4 Government grants

Government grants relating to tangible fixed assets are treated as deferred income and released to the Statement of financial activities over the expected useful lives of the assets concerned. Other grants are credited to the Statement of financial activities as the related expenditure is incurred.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £NIL or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

2.7 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

2.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Page 10

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.9 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.10 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.11 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.

2.12 Fund accounting

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 and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 11

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3. Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Tithes and offerings
29,698
Gifts
-
Gift aid income
4,907
34,605		 Total
funds
2024
£
29,698
-
4,907
34,605		 Total
funds
2023
£
29,725
820
5,634
36,179

4. Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Courses
170
Events
557
Total 2024
727
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Investment income - local cash
770		 Total
funds
2024
£
170
557
727
Total
funds
2024
£
770		 Total
funds
2023
£
-
2,245
2,245
Total
funds
2023
£
173

5. Investment income

Page 12

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6. Analysis of grants

Grants, Local charities
Grants, Local charities		 Grants to
Institutions
2024
£
3,461
Grants to
Institutions
2023
£
4,536		 Grants to
Individuals
2024
£
376
Grants to
Individuals
2023
£
4,156		 Total
funds
2024
£
3,837
Total
funds
2023
£
8,692

The charity has made the following material grants to institutions during the year:

Name of institution
Acts Life Cluster (charity no 1098683)
Disasters Emergency Committee		 2024
£
3,461
-
3,461
3,461		 2023
£
3,536
1,000
4,536
4,536

7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Local charities
30,903
Events
175
31,078		 Total
2024
£
30,903
175
31,078		 Total
2023
£
27,449
4,610
32,059

Page 13

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Local charities
Events
Local charities
Events		 Activities
undertaken
directly
2024
£
23,445
176
23,621
Activities
undertaken
directly
2023
£
16,218
4,609
20,827		 Grant
funding of
activities
2024
£
3,836
-
3,836
Grant
funding of
activities
2023
£
8,691
-
8,691		 Support
costs
2024
£
3,621
-
3,621
Support
costs
2023
£
2,540
-
2,540		 Total
funds
2024
£
30,902
176
31,078
Total
funds
2023
£
27,449
4,609
32,059

9. Independent examiner's remuneration

2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable to the charity's independent examiner for the independent
examination of the charity's annual accounts 700 600
Fees payable to the charity's independent examiner in respect of:
All other services not included above 1,896 1,478

Page 14

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

10. Staff costs

2024
£
Wages and salaries
16,700
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
131
16,831
The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
2024
No.
Part time pastoral staff
2		 2023
£
9,750
35
9,785
2023
No.
2

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

The key management personnel is comprised of the lead Elder and his wife. Their total employee benefits were £16,831 (2023: £9,785).

11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 31 March 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023 - £NIL) .

12. Tangible fixed assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2024		 Music
equipment
£
2,124
-
2,124
1,449
322
1,771		 Office
equipment
£
1,207
1,103
2,310
1,207
263
1,470		 Total
£
3,331
1,103
4,434
2,656
585
3,241

Page 15

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

12. Tangible fixed assets (continued)

Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
13.
Debtors
Due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors
14.
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
15.
Financial instruments
Financial assets
Financial assets measured at fair value through income and		 Music
equipment
£
353
675
expenditure		 Office
equipment
£
840
-
2024
£
4,907
490
5,397
2024
£
518
-
1,129
1,647
2024
£
47,672		 Total
£
1,193
675
2023
£
5,634
604
6,238
2023
£
260
82
1,025
1,367
2023
£
42,044

Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure comprise cash balances.

Page 16

PATHWAYS CHURCH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Balance at
Balance at 1 31 March
April 2023 Income Expenditure 2024
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Funds - all funds 47,591 36,103 (31,078) 52,616

17. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current period

Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Tangible fixed assets
1,194
Current assets
53,069
Creditors due within one year
(1,647)
Total
52,616		 Total
funds
2024
£
1,194
53,069
(1,647)
52,616

18. Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £131 (2023: £35). Contributions totalling £ Nil (2023: £81) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.

19. Related party transactions

During the year, a total of £800 (2023: £300) was donated without conditions by Trustees, their spouses, or companies and charities related to the Trustees or key management personnel.

Page 17