ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 SKYLARK CHURCH (A company limited by guarantee) CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1109961 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 05442866
SKYLARK CHURCH CONTENTS Page 2 Refereiice aiid Administrative li]formatioii Page 3 Indepeiident Examiner's Report Pages 4 to 7 Dii'ectoi s Report Page 8 Statement of Finaiicial Activities Page 9 Balance Slieet Pages 10 to 19 Notes to the Financial Statements Page I
SKYLARK CHURCH REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS WORKING NAME Skylai.k Church CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1109961 COMPANY NUMBER 05442866 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1st April 2024 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31st Mai'ch 2025 Jolui Grayslon Petei. Sims Nicola Siins Cliarles Kemp Wendy Ward Wayiie Bishop The existiiig directors appoint any new directors, following tlie provisions laid out in the Ai'ticles of Association LEGAL STATUS Coinpany Liinited by Guai'anlee GOVERNINC INSTRUMENT Registered as a Company 011 4tli May 2005 and as a chai'ity on Iotl) June 2005. OBJECTS The advance of tlie Christian faith in Essex and othei. pai'ts of tlie United Kingdom or Ilie World as Ilie Direetors niay fi'otn tiine to tiine think fit and otliei. sucli pui'poses wliicli are exclusively charitabLe according to tlie law ili England and Wales lind are connected witli tlie charitable worlc of the Charity. REGISTERED AND MAIN ADDRESS Unit 4 Hanbury Way Chelinsford Essex CMI 3AE BANKERS HSBC 99 High Street Clielmsford CMJ IEQ INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Xeiiiadiii Soutli East The Old Gi'ange Loi'dship Road Wi'ittle Clielmsfoi'd Essex, CMI 3WT LENDERS Kii)gdom Bank Ltd Media House Padge Road ljeestoii Nottii)gliam, NG9 2RS Page 2
SI<YLARIC CHURCH INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 I report oli the accouiits of the COLnpany for tlie year ended 31 Marcli 2025, whicli are sel out on pases 8 to 19. Respective responsibilities of trustee5 and exaniiner The trustees Iwlio are also the directors of the coinpany for the puiposes of company law) are responsible for the prepai'ation of the accounts. Tlie trustees consider th1< t ai) audit is not required for this period under section 144121 of tlie Cliarities Act 20JI (the 2011 Act) and tl)at aii independent exan)inatioii is needed. The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l ani qualified to undei'take the exaniination by beit)g a qualified member of the liistitute of Cliartered Accout)tants iii En8lai)d and Wale5 {ICAEW). Haviiig Satisfied myself that tlie cliarity is not subject to audit under coPanY law and is eligible for independent exatnEnation, it is my responsibility to: to follow the procedures laid down in the geneial directions givei) to The by the Charity Commission under seclioii 145151{bl of the 2011 Act,. aiid to state whethei. particular matte13 have come to my attention Ba815 of independent exatniner's report My exan)inotion was carried out iji accordance witli tlie general directions ve17 by tlie Cl)arity Coininission. An exaininatioii includes a review of the accounting Jecords kept by the charity ana a coiiiparisoji of tlie accounts presented Kpith Iliose records. It also includes consideration o( aiiy unusual items or disclosui'es in the accounts. aiid seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning ajiy such matters. The procedui'es undertaken do iiot proiiide all tlie evidejice that would be required in an audit ajid consequently no opiiiioi) is given as to whethei. the accounts preseiit a 'h"ue aiid fail. view, and the report is liniited to tliose Jnatters set out in tlie statement below. Independent exaniiners statement5 In connection with iny examination, no matter has cotne to my attentioii: (11 wliich gives me reasonable cause to believe Iliat in any material respect the requireineiits.- lo keep accounting record5 in accordaiice with section 386 OE the Coinpanies Act 2006,. aiid lo prepare accounts wliicli accord with the accountiiig records, comply witl) the accountiiig requirenients of section 396 of the Conipaiiies Act 2006 and with tlie niethods aiid prii)ciples of tlie Statenient of Recoiiimended Practice-. Accounting and Reporting by Cliarities,. and tliat the accounts liave not been prepai.ed in accordance witli tl)e Chai'ities SORP {FRS 1021 have not beeii met,. or {2) to whicli. in my opinion, atteiition should be drawn iii order to enable a proper uiiderstaiidiiig OF tlie accounts to be reached. Andrea Cliartejed Accountant foi. and on behalf of Xeuiadin Soutl) East Tlie Old Granse Wai'i'eii Estate Writtle Clieliiisford Esqex, CMI 3WT Page 3
SI<YLARK CHURCH DIRECTORS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 The Board of Trustees, wlio are also dii'ectors OE tlie Company Eor tlie purpose of tlie Companies Act 2006, present their antiual report aiid fiiiancial stateinents of the Charity foi. the yeai. elided 31 March 2025. Tlie Einancial slalemenls comply with the Cliaiities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, tlie Metnoraiidum and Articles of Associatioii, and Accouiitiiig aiid Repoi'tiiig by Charities: Statemeiit of Recoinmended Practice applicable lo chai'ities preparing their accounts in accordance with tlTre Financial Reporting Standai'd foi. Sinaller Entities {FRS 102) {efEeelive l January 2015). Structure, Governance and Management Tlie Memoi'anduin aiid Articles of Association adininistered by a Board of Directors goverii the Centre. During tlie year these Directors wei'e.. John Crayston ChaR'les Kenip Peter Siins Nicola Siins Wendy Ward Wayne Bishop Other Officers of tlle Centre are.. Secretary.. Lesley l<emp Adminish'ator.. C Kowalski Treasurei.: Marcus Wai'd Tlie Cliarity is a Public Benefit Entity Or8anisational structure and appoinhnent of trustees Newly appointed directoi's al'e pi'ovided witli an infoi'mal induction lo the cliarity and mentorin8 by eslablislied direcloi's. Tlie coinpaiiy endeavours to maintaiii a balance of skills aiid expertise wlieii seekiiis new or Teplacenient directoi's. New dii-ectors uiidergo ali induction pi'ocess which invoIves ilieetiiig witli dii'ectors and senior trust staff aiid are pi'ovided witli an iiifoi'mation paek detailing Iheii. i'esponsibilitiesi governance, Einaiieial and othei. inforniatioii i'elating lo tlie structure aiid opei'ation of tlie coinpany. All dii'ectors al'e iiivited to attend a Taiige of aiiiing eveiits Telating to botii governaiice issues and specific areas OE the cliai'ity's work. Tlie Board is constituted witli a iiunibei. of directors to bl'ing a blend of different experience and capacities to make sood jiidgeinent and conh'ibutioJ)s. New director5 niay be recruited from leaders witliin the churcli, key pei'soiinel of Skylai'k liiternational, iiieinbei's of others churclies in the locality oi. Chi'istians in the Iocic I busiiiess coinmuiiity. Followins pi'oposal by oiie of tlie existing directoi's, new dii'ectoi's are appoiiited after i'eview by tlie wliole board, aiid are subject lo itiduclion trainiiig aiid coiitinuous iiivolvenient in viewiiig tlie activities OE tlie charity and undei'staiidiiig of its objectives. Tlie dii'ectoi's present tlie attaclied financial statenients for the yeai. ended 31st Mi11'clI 2025. Activities, AchievemeIits aiid Perfoi'iiiance Wlieii i'eviewiiig the aims aiid objectives of the centt'e atid wheti plaiiniiig future activities, we have i'eferi'ed to the guidaiice contained in tlie Cliai'ity Coinniis5ion's genei'al guidance on public beiiefit. Tlie aims of tlie Centt'e al'e to advance tlie Christian Eaitli, to fui'tlier Clii-istian education, to i'elieve persons in iieed c211d to pi'ovide faeilities foi. tlie coiiiinunily. Tlie Cliui'ch coiiliiiue,s its liybi'id SuiidÉiy Gailierings willi betweeii 30 and 80 people watehiiig live oiiliiie dui'iiig ali average Suiiday sei'vice, MTiih the ability to eiisage oiiliiie after the sei'vice lias ended. In-person atteiidaiice on Siinday has also coiiliiiued to 'OW and we fiiid oui'selves iieai'ly at capacity for our larsei. seivices tlii'ougliout Ilie yeai. sucli as ClTrristlnilS aiid E¢lSter. We liave ruli popiilai. coiuiecl luiiclies ikn'ou81i tlie year to eiicoiir¢lge coiuieclion aiid relatioiisliip witliiii tlie Cliurcli COn'egatiOI7. Pa8e 4
SKYLARK CHURCH DIRECTORS REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Activities, Achxevemeiits and Performance (continued) We contiiiue to support tlie ovei'seas mission of Cliei'ish Uganda, Romania, as well as suppoiting UK based organisatioiis, Icintsugi Hope, CFIESS, Care for the Family and Lighthouse Charity. We continue to be a Restoi'ed "Beacon Chui'ch to support those who al'e victiin to domestic violence, as well as running l<intsugi Hope groups to support those with meiital health aiid welliiess challeiiges, as well as seeiiig great iiiroads iIi our piisoii ministry wliere these gL'OUPS have been run, along witli suppoi'ting tlieii. resular Sunday services. Towat'ds furtheriiig ChTiStiaii education, Life Groups reinain the pi'liiciple mid-weel< meetinss for Cliurch and some continue to offei online engagement as well as iii peison to facilitate older people or families with young cliildren. Tliese provide a smaller forum and enable tlie coiigregation to grow togetlier in their education. The sroups al'e flexible in style and content, to cater foi. a wide range of needs and i'ecently we have i'uii trainins to facilitate 4 new groups startllig iii Apr 25. as well as support tlie @xisting groups in tlieir leadership. Within tliis fi'amework, one group, DNA, exists for the beneEit of new members, to sive them an overview of the vai'ious events aiid ininisti'ies happening withiii Ilie cliiii-cli and also to fiLid out our eore visi02i and values. We continue to see new people seek out churcli after engaging online or via social inedia. The Cliurch coiitiliues it's men's aiid WOlTLen's brunclies/bi'eakfasts witli between 40-80 attendees to foster relatioiisliip and discuss and equip people on specific topies relevant to the Christian life, aiid we had around 50 people at our Clu'ishnas day iiieal to engage those iii our comniunity who wei'e loiiely over the Christmas period. The chiireh's pastoral and counselling services have been able to continue and we've been able to run anothei bereavement course, supportinR people through the coinmon staffes of 'leE. The seiiioi- generation continue their twice monthly iii-person meeting, providing a tiine of worship and fellowship with oiie anothei. Eoi. betweeii 10 and 20 niembeis. Our deaf congi-egation continue to meet In- persoii again and have roughly 20 attendees. Moiithly BSL iiiterpreted services are provided, axid our Chi'istinas and Easter services have online BSL inteiyietation. Skylark Kids continues to Eacilitate kids work at Sunday sei'vice5. Little Ones toddler group eontinues, with more than 70 young children aiid pai.ents/carers attending. There remains over 200 children on our register at pi'esent and following oui succes.sful all ages services, we have coiitiiiued to offei. kids woi'ship with Ictioiis iii our Sund1( y Gathei'iiigs which has gTown iii popularity Éliid engagement. Skylrlrk Youth contiiiue to engage church and cominunity young people with Tuesday eveni)Ig sessioiis aiid a Youth Life Gioup meetins on a Thui'sday evening, as well as a populai Taste and See" ice cream event to engage both Church aiid coinmunity youth. For those who are in finaiicial need, the church gives gifts to membei's aiid otliers locally oli an ad-hoc basis iii iesponse to known ciicuinstalices. Meals al'e also delivei'ed to people wlio liave had new babies, moved liouse, ii ie unwell to inental oi. physical sickness or just sti'uggling. Food box provisioii contiiiues to rtse with the refeiial of new families from local schools, whilst we continue to pi'ovide pi-e-paid supei'mai'ket cards on ali ad-hoc basis and to support families in exti'eine iieed over the Christjnas period as well as cl bursary fund to suppoi't specific needs of faiiiilies i'efei-i'ed by schools. Local chui'ches aiid ageiicies are noiv approacliÉiig us foi. suppoi't which facilitcltes oui- goal of working together lo build Kingdoni in Clielmsford. Pilstoral Cclre is going fi'oni stt'ength to strength with a faiitastic teain now iii place to love oui people and a i'obust systeln to ensure no-one is niissed. Our iiitei'geiiei-ational gi'oup "Beloiig" is growing and flourishing, iiow liaviiig i'egulai. kids and cai'ei-s fLom a local school for childi'en with additioiial needs in taIidein with its cui'rent intergeiieralional members. Page 5
SICYLARIC CHURCH DIRECTORS REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Activities, Achievenients aiid Performance (continued} This year we Iiave continued our woi'k with Fairshare Tegularly distribute food to those in iieed, including some i'efugee families, Safer Places Women's Refuge aiid to Chess, a Chelmsford local liomeless cliarity, along with oui. food pareels aiid vouchers. We still inaiiitain oui. suppoi't of Lighthouse Centre, an independent charity i'esponding to need in tlie area of ci-isis pregnancy and loss. The chiireh is in healthy relationship with Skylark International, (formerly CGI). a growing oi-ganisation curreiitly overseeing a number of chui-clies in the UK and overseas as well as other Chi'islian ministi'ies. The chui'cli draws support, encouragement, inspiratioii froin Skylai'k International and is pleased to 87ve a minimiiin OE IO% of its offering to it to help facilitate the woi'k of our wider inovement. The church remains dependent oil voluiiteers foi. a 'eat number of its activities It is impossible to gauge the financial benefits of sucli acts 0£ service, but tlie spii'itual returns al'e exponentially greatei.. Without tlie volunteers the church would not be able to funclioii at it's curi'ent level of output and the directors wish to take this oppoi'tunity to expi'ess their heartfelt tliaDks to ir11 who liave 8iven freely of tlieii. tiine, talents, resources and energy, and foi those wlio have stepped into new challenges and volunteering Toles. Future Plans Siiice taking ownership of the buildiiig lli Hanbury Road we have assessed the suitability of the building foi. our futui-e i'equiiements and a numbei. of improvements to the building. Furthei. impi'ovements May take place depeiiding on fuiidiiig. Our 4 new life '0UPS al-e due to stai't in the eomiiig months, as well as inci'easing engagement into the prison and specifically rU1117g Messy Church to eiigage PTisoiieTS aiid theiT Eamilies. Our Youtli Weekeiid Away is plaimed to allow concentrated youtli work and to build fi'iendships and community. We plan to update i.edo tlie toilets in tlie building to provide a iiicer space for visitors aiid coiigregatioii. This year we will contiiiue oui. sunnner rhythm of all_ages services and picnics in tlie park to build on oui- sense of intergenerational cominunity as a Church. Majoi Risks and Controls The major risk is in respect of the value and volatility of iiicoine, as the charity is dependaiit on voluntai'y giviiig. This is partly niciiiaged tlv'ough cash flow monitoriiig and altei'ing the timing of expenditure to reflect that on the iiicome. Financial Review The Cenh-e's funds are applied to support CliristiaIi Mission through local teaching and worship, Clu'istian missionai'y work in tlie UK and abroad. In the year elided 31st March 2025 majoi. expeiises were applied as follows: In suppoi't of full and palt time staff £297,923 By way of a tithe to Skylai'k liitei-iiatlolllil £40,800 Maiiitenaiice of pieinises for worsliip (ind teacliing locally, includiiig inoi'tgage interest of £33,885 In suppoi't of Cliristian Ministi'y woi'kers iii tlie UIC aiid abi'oad £13,750 Duriiig tlie year thei'e was a deficit of £7009 pi'iniarily due to iiivestment in office aiid kitchen impi'ovements but adequate resei'ves wei-e niaintaiiied. Accouiitiiig pi'acliees roinaiiied uiiclianged for the finaiiciic l yeai.. Tlie reseives policy is slated iii iiote 15 to Ilie fiiiancial stateimeiits. Sundry iesti'icted funds wei'e coiitiiiued duiiiig tlie past financial yeai foi tlie pulposes of i'aisiiig fuiids foi. specified iiidividuals aiid cii'cumstaiices, as detailed iii the iiotes to tlie financial statements. Page 6
SKYLARIC CHURCH DIRECTORS REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Statement of DirectOTS' Responsibilities The trustees (who al'e also directors of Skylarl< Churcli for the purposes of company law) are i'esponsible for tlie ovei'all management of tlie Charity, ensuring compliance willi Ilie Charity's objects aiid relevaiit legislatioii aiid also to defiiie aiid agree the strategic aims aiid objectives of the Chai'ity. The ti'ustees are respoiisible for preparing tlie Arniual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law aiid Uiiited Kiiigdom Geiierally Accepted Accollntiiig Pi'actice. Cornpany law i'equii'es the h'ustees Eo prepare financial stateineiils foi each financial yeal, wliicli give a true aiid fair view of the charitable Compaiiy's financial activities dui'iiig the year aiid its Einaneial position at tlie end of the yeai.. In prepai'ing those financial statements, the ts'ustees 'e iequired to: Select suitable accountiiig policies and apply them consisteiitly,. Observe the methods aiid pi-iiiciples ILI the Charities SORP 2015 Make judgements and accounting estimates tliat are i'easoiiable and prudeiit,. Prei)are the Einancial statements oil the going coiicern basis unless it is iiiappropriate to pi'esume that the chai'itable coinpany will continue to operate The trustees confirm that tliey have coiiiplied willi the above requiremeiils iii preparing the financial statements. The trustees ale responsible for ensuring that pioper accouiiting recoi'ds are kept which disclose witli reasoiiable accui'acy at aiiy time tlie finaiicial positioli of the charitable cOmp]Y aiid eiiable theni to eiisure that the finaiieial statements comply with the Coinpanies Act 2006. They are also responsible foi. safeguarding the assets of tlie Cliai'ity and heiice for takiiig reasoiiable steps foi. the prevention and detection of fi'aud aiid other irregularities. Statenieiit as to Disclosure of Inforinatioii to Inaepenaent ExamAners So fai. as tlie Dii'ectors al'e aware, tliere is iio relevaiit audit iiiforinatioii {as defiiied by sectioii 418 of tlie Companies Act 2006) of wliich the charities iiidependent examinei s are unawaie, aiid each directOT lias takeii all the steps tliey oiiglit to have taken as director iii order to make theinselves aware of aiiy i.elevlt exarnination infoi-iiiation and to establish that tlie charity's iiidepeiideiil exainiiiers are aware of that iirforiiiatioii. Approval of Annual Report Tliis rcporl has beeii prepared ili accoi'danee with the special provisioiis of Pai't 15 of the Coinpclnies Act 2006 ielatllig to small companies. Approved by the Boai-d of Dii'ectoi's on . 0511112025 Peter Si2ns Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors Page 7
SKYLARK CHURCH (Company number 5442866) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Ineorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Total to 31 Total lo 31 Uiirestricted Restricted Marcli Marcli Funds Funds 2025 2024 INCOME Notes Incoming resources from geiierated funds Donations and legacies Otliei. trading activities Investment income 504,816 39,406 2,803 11.306 516,122 39,406 3,349 589,316 30,655 2,607 2b 545 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 547,026 11,851 558,877 622,578 EXPENDITURE Cost of geiieratiii8 funds Charitable activities 512,470 10,535 42,481 400 554,951 10,935 539,763 9,606 Governance costs 3b TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 523,005 42,881 565,886 549,369 NET (OUTGOING) / INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS 24,021 { 31,030) (7,0091 73,210 Transfers between funds (17,994) 17,994 NET (oirrGOING) INCOMING RESOURCFS FOR YEAR 6,027 (13,0361 17,009) 73,210 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total fuiids brouslit forward 451,136 65,814 516,950 443,740 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 457,163 52,778 509,941 516,950 The notes oli pages 11 to 19 form pai't of tliese finaiicial statemeiils Page 8
SICYLARI< CHURCH
(Company niiniber 5442866)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025
Unresli'icled
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total 31
Mai'cl) 2025
Total 31
Marcli 2024
Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Asse15
298,565
454,579
753,144
765,654
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash al bank and in hand
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
16,363
167,937
184,300
16,363
196,224
212,587
11,357
203,887
215,244
10
28,287
28,287
LIABILITIES
Creditoi's.. amounts falliiis due within one year
25,701
1,531
27,233
20,491
NEf CURRENT ASSErs
158,599
26,756
185,355
194,753
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
457,163
481,335
938,498
960,408
Creditoi's: ainounts falliiig due alter one year
Creditors.. ainouiits falliiig due after five years
12
12
67,494
361,063
67,494
361,063
58,587
384,871
NET ASSETS
457,163
52,778
509,941
516,950
THE FUNDS OFTHE CHARITY
U?uestricted income Eunds
Restricted income fuiids
457,163
457,163
52,778
451,136
65,814
52,778
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS
457,163
52,778
509,941
516,950
Tlie cliarit<ible coiiipany is entitled lo exeniption Ei'oni audit under seclioii 477 of the Con7p]IeS Act 2006 for Il)e year
ended 31st Marcli 2025.
The inembei's liave not required Ilie charitable coinpany lo obtain ali audit for its fitiaiicial statemeii15 foi. the financial
ye81. ended 31st Mai'ch 2025 iii accoi'daiice witli seclioii 476 of the Coiiipaiiies Act 2006
Tlie li'uslees acknowledge tlieii. i'espoiisibililies foi.:
(a) ensui'ing that the coinpany keeps accountins recoi'ds which coinply wtth Sections 386 and 387 of the Coinpanies Act
(b) prepw'iiig fuiaiicial slaleinents whicli give a ti'ue ai)d fail. view of Ilie slate of affairs of tlie company as al Ilie end of
each finai)cial yeai. aiid ils sui'plus of Lleficit foi. each fii)ancial yeai. iii accoi'daiice willi tlie requij'enieiils of sections 394
id 395 aiid wluch oilierwise coiiiply with tlie reqLlU'enieiils of Ilie Coiiipanies Act 2006 relatin8 to financial slateinenls ,
so far ¢iS applicable to tlie compaiiy
Tliese fiiiaiicial st<2teineiils liave been prep<ired iii accordaiice willi tlie speci
SKYLARK CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Coiiveiition The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Repoi'tiiig by Charities.. Statement OE Recommended Piactice applicable to chai'ities piepai'ing tlieii accounts in accordance with the provisioiis of Sectioii IA 'Small Entities" of Finaiicial Reportiiig Standard 102, 'Tlie Fiiiaiicial Reporting Standai'd applicable in the UK and Repiiblie OE Ii'eland" and the Companies Act 2006. Assets and liabilities al'e initially i'ecogiiised at liislorical cost OT traiisactioli value unless otherwise stlc tod in the relevant accounting policy note. Fund Accounting Uni'estricted tunds are available tor use at the discretioii ot the trustees in the turtlierance OÈ the geiieral activities of the charity. Restricted funds al'e subject to iestrictions placed on their expenditure imposed by the donor. There are no designated funds that the directoi's liave earmarked Eor specific puiposes. liicomiiig resoui-ces are included in the Statenieiit of Fiiiaiicial Activities (SOFA) wheii the charity becomes entitled to the i-esources, the directoi's ale vii'tually certain they will receive the i'esources and the inonetai'y value can be measured witli sufficient reliribility. Where incolning resouices have related expenditure ( as witli tuiidi-aising oi contract income), tlie incoming resource aiid related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. Grants and doiiations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has uncoiiditioiial eiititlement to the resource. Incoming Lesources fioin tax reclainis are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which tliey relate. Gifts in kiiid are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or amount actually iealised. Gifts in kind foi. sale oi. distribution ale incliided iii tlie accounts as gifts oiily when sold OL disIbiTted by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the cliarity are iiicluded in the SOFA as incoming i-esources when ieceivable. Doiiated services and facilities are iiicluded iii incomllig i'esoui-ces (witli ali equivaleiit amouiit in resoui'ces expended), wlieie tlie benefit to the cliarity is i'easonably quantifiable, Ineasuiable and matei'ial. The value placed on these resoui'ces is the estinialed value to the cliarity of tlie seivice or facility received. '[ lie value ot voluiiteer help received is not included in the biiiancial 5tateLneiThts, but is descl'ibed iii the dii'ectoi s ieport. liivestinent liicoine is included in tlie Financial Statements wheii i'eeeivable. Resources Expended aiid Creditors Liabilities (ire i'ecognised wheii iiicurred oi. a comiiiitmeiit is miide. Goveriiance costs iiiclude costs of the prepai'ation and exaininl¢ tioii of statutory fiiiancial statemeiils, the costs OE dll'ecloi's ineelings aiid legal advice to dii'ectois on govei'nance oi constitiitional tnatleis. Whei'e the chai'ity lias given a sl'ant with coiiditions Eoi its payiiient being a specific level OE sei'vice oi. output lo be pi'ovided, sucli gi'aiils al-e only recogtiised iii Ilie SOFA oiice the i'ecipieiit OE the graiit liils pi-ovided the specified service or oiitput. Page 10
SICYLARK CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Contiiiuedl Resources Expended and Creditors (Cont.} Grants Tnade or received without performance coiiditioiis are oiily reeognised in the SOFA, wheii a commitment has beeii made and thei'e al-e iio conditions to be met i'elating to a 'ant whicli i'emain in Ilie coiitrol of the charity. Support costs including central Eunctions have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis eoiisistent with the use of resources. Value Added Tax The Charity's activities are classified as exeinpt foi. tlie pui'poses of value added tax and tlie Cliarity is unable to reel¢iim the value added tax which it suffers oli its expenses. Expeiiditure in these fiiianeÉal stateinents is thei'efoi'e shown iiiclusive of value added tax. Tangible Fixed Assets Taiigible fixed assets for use by tlie charity are capitalised if they can be used for more thali oiie year and cost at least £500. Tliey al'e valued at cost or if gifted at tlio value to the eliai-ity on receipt. Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of the tangible fixed asset on a straight line basis over their estimated useful life. The rates applied per aiinum are as follows.. Fixed Asset Class Depreciation Rate Fi'eehold Land Freehold Buildings Fixtui'es, Fittings aiid Equipmeiit Leasehold biiilding impi'ovenients Motor Vehicles 2.51. 33/ 33°A 251. Thei'e has been no changes to tlie accouiiting policies ( valuatioii rules and inethods of accountiiig) since last yeai.. Tlie legal, banking, valuation and otlier expeiises related to tlie purcliase are expensed i'atlier than capitalised. Pension Scheine Tlie charity coiitributes to a Sl<ylark Intei'iiatioiial group scheine with Royal Loiidoii at t'ates Set by the scheme actuai-y and advised to tlie boai'd by tlie sclieme adininisti'atoi.. TEie sclieme is ii multi employei. cliarity Sclieme aiid advice to tlie bo¢1rd is by the scheine actuary. In accordance with FRS17 the sclieme is accounted foi. as a defined eontribution scheme. Operating Leases Rentals payable iiiidei. opei-ating lease agieements al'e eh11 i'ged as expenditui-e on a stt'aiglit line basis ovei. Ilie tei-ln of the lease. Debtors Slioi'l tei'in debtors are Ineasured at the transactioii pi'ice, less ajiy impairmeiit. Finanoial Insh-UTiients The compaiiy oiily eiiters iiito basic fiiiaiicial ii)sti'iimeiit h'aiisaetions that resiilt iii the recogLiition of fiiiancial assets clnd liabilities like othei. debtoi's, ci'Èditors, loaiis fi'oin banks. Page 11
SI<YLARIC CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2. INCOME Unrestricted Restricted Total to 31 Funds Funds Mai'cli 2025 Total to 31 March 2024 a) Donations and Legacies Genei'al and Weekly Offerings Donations and CAF Voucheis Tax Recovei'ed Visioii Offeriiigs 397,203 2,339 92,639 12,635 504,816 10,156 1,150 407,359 3,488 92,639 12,635 516,122 419,194 83,289 79,423 7,411 589,316 11,306 b) Othei. Trading Activities Fees Received Sales Rental IncoiiTre 18,117 20,060 1,230 39,406 18,117 20,060 1,230 39,406 19,153 10,337 1,165 30,655 el Investment Income Bank Intei'est 2,803 2,803 545 545 3,349 3,349 2,607 2,607 d) Other Incoiiie None 547,026 11,851 558,877 622,578 Page 12
SI<YLARK CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 3. EXPENDITURE Um'estricted Rests'icted Funds Funds Total to March 2025 Total to March 2024 Note a) Costs of Charitable Activities Salaries National Iiisuraiice aiid Peiisions Ti'aining and Education Missioii aiid Support Graiits.. Building Mortgage interest Building Repaii's and Maiiitenance Cleaning Security and Safety Walei-, Heat and Light Bank Charges Books, CD'S aiid DVDS Computer aiid Internet Depi'eciation 297,923 2,576 54,500 33,885 14,985 5,622 6,105 15,578 572 481 2.377 5,022 297,923 2,576 54,550 33,885 14,985 5,622 6,105 15,578 572 1,186 2,377 22,522 284,197 1,250 81,531 35,230 5,919 4,688 2,892 12,055 496 685 1,166 3c) 50 705 17,500 I i-:11 Entertainment and Catering Equipmeiit aiid Matei'ials Food and Accommodation Hire of Facilities Insurances Outside Support Sei'vices Pastoral Gifts and Expeiises Postage aiid Courier Pi-inting aiid Stationery Oiitside SpeakeTS Telephone and Fax Travel Costs Vehicle Riinning Costs Eveiit & Ti'aiisaction Refunds 22,798 2,988 9,171 24,788 1,445 8,983 16,996 9,056 25 2,921 830 7,527 2,119 1,071 (1,064) 4,087 10,993 25,636 58 7,831 8,166 4,532 160 4,184 850 4,996 2,613 4,087 11,737 31,521 58 7,831 17,483 12,474 160 4,184 I,oio 4,996 2.789 744 5,886 9,318 7,942 160 176 (1,260) (1,260) 512,470 42,481 554,951 539,763 b) Goveriianee Costs Subsci'iptiolls Ic lid Liceiises Indepeiideiit Exainination fees - eurrent year 7,895 2,640 400 8,295 2,640 7,103 2,503 10,535 400 10,935 9,606 523,005 42,881 565,886 549,369 Page 13
SICYLARI< CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 3 c) Mission and Support Grants: Unresh'icted Resti-icted Total to 31 Total to 31 Fuiids Funds Marcli 2025 March 2024 Local and UK Orgaiiisations Skylai'k liiternational Liglithouse Family Trust 40,800 1,200 1,200 1,200 3.000 40,800 1,200 1,200 1,200 3,000 50 54,731 1,200 1,200 1,200 3,000 loo 3,000 2,000 500 Care foi. the Family I<intsugi Hope Restored Made for More Stewardsliip - Martiii YouIig Clivrches Together in Chelinsford 50 500 500 Overseas Mission Ol'ganisations Cheiisli a Child l Got Shoes Bev Mui-i'ill 6,600 6,600 6,600 5,000 3,000 54,500 50 54,550 81,531 Tlie mission and SUPPOLt grants al'e for the following purposes.. -Tlie tithe to Skylark Interiiational is towards supporting the moveinent to which SC belongs. Liglithouse Family Trust is a pregnancy advice service operating in Chelnisford. CHESS is a charity providiiig sheltei. and support for the homeless. Care foi. the Fainily's aim is to pi'omote skn'ong family life and to help those who Eace family difficulties. Kintsugi Hope exists to ci'eate safe aiid suppoi'tive spaces Eoi. those expei'ieiiciiig ineiital and emotional health clTrallenges Chei'ish a Child suppoi-ts AIDS Olphans iii Ugand1É . Chuiches Togeiliei. iii Clielmsfoi'd ariaiiges joint events and pi'ovides a Eoi'uin foi. cliuiclies and Clu'istian orgrinisations to work togetlier in Chelmsford. Made for Mole provide mental Iiealtli, mentoring and Clirislian suppoi't to tlie secondai'y schools in Chelmsford, Essex. l Got Slioes assists and eiiables the education of children iii Ugatida, providiiig grants, supplying shoes, unifornis and school fees. Marlin Youiis lias beeii leading and plaiiting churches foi. 25 years and now works with churches aiid leadei's oli ci'eative ways to pi'eseiit Ilie Cliiistian inessage. Bev Mui'rill co-founded Cliristian Gi'owtli Centre which became Skylal'k Churcli and is active in teacliiiig aiid encoui'aging cliui'ch leadeis iiiternatioiially fi'oin liei. hoine base iii Austl'alia - tliis gift was to assist witli f urtliei. academic study. Restoi'ed is a chai'ity which speaks up about violeiice agaiiist woineii ic lid equips chuiches across tlie UK to iespond to doinestie abuse and pi-ovide support foi. victims of abuse. Page 14
SICYLARI< CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 4. FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Opening Balance at I Incojning April 2024 Resoui'ces Closing Balance at 31 Mai'ch 2025 Resoui'ce5 Expeiided Traiisfers Restricted Funds Commuiiity Fund Pastoj'al Fund Pelcliey Achievement Awards 40,607 22,409 2,338 3,871 7,980 (16,189) (9,192) 494 28,783 21,197 2,338 Otlier 459 65,814 {17,500) 42,881) (523,005) (565,886) 17,500 17,994 459 52,778 11,851 Ulirestsicted Fund 451,136 547,026 {17,994) 457,163 516,950 558,877 509,941 The Coinmuiiity fund covers work that Skylai'k Chui'ch perfoi'ms iii and Eoi. the Comniunity and includes assets transferred fTom ROC Chelinsford. The Pastoral Eund holds donations for pastoral care of individuals within the Churcli and to suppoi't iiidividuals iii Ilie commuiiity aiid liomes i'un by local cliai'ilios. Tlie Petchey achievemelit awards scheme is to support moiithly awai'ds to youth groups. Tlie Other categoi'y contaiiis i'estricted fuiids for items related to buildiiigs. 5. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS 31-Mar-25 31-Mai'_24 Gl'oss Wages and Salai'ies Einployei s National Insiiiaiice Einployer's Peiision Conh'ibution 257,097 16,176 24,650 297,923 The average iiumber of employees wlio wei'e engaged iii tlie year is as Eollows: 31-Mar-25 246,031 13,613 24,554 284,197 31-Mar-24 Activities in Eurtheraiice of oi'gan2sation's objeets Full tinie equivalent Tlie Charity opei'ates a PA YE sclieine to pay all eTnployed meinbei's of staff. No iiidividual employee i'eceiveLI enioluinents ovei. £60,000. The charity eoiitribiites to a Pensioii Fuiid witli Royal Loiidoii (previousl)I braiided as Scottish Life)- Coiiti'ibutioiis are made by tlie eniployees at 4°A aiid the eiiiployei. at 10 / foi. those employees wlio are Inembei's of tlie sclieine, 12 13 Page 15
SI<YLARK CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Freehold Laiid and Buildin8S Fixtures Building Fittings aiid Reiiovations Equipmeiit Total Cost At 31st Mai'ch 2024 Additions Disposals 965,074 28,093 119,101 10,012 1,112,268 10,012 As at 31st March 2025 965,074 28,093 129,113 1,122,280 Depreeiatioii As at 1st Apiil 2024 Charge for the year Elimiiiation on disposals 206,142 17,500 26,077 1.136 114,395 3,886 346,614 22,522 As at 31st Marcli 2025 223,642 27,213 118,281 369,136 Net Bool< Value At 1st April 2024 At 31st March 2025 758,932 741,432 2,017 4,706 10,832 765,654 753,144 880 Tlie freehold land aiid buildings coinpi'ise of tlie cliapel oli Cliignal Road, Chelmsford aiid Unit 4 on Hanbury Road, Chelinsford. The unit at I-lanbury Road was purchased for £845,000 in Julie 2012. Tlie directoi's Iiave allocated £145,000 lo land and £700,000 to tlie biiilding, witli tlie building being depreciated. Both preiiiises are used for the charity's activities and thei'eEore are iiicluded at cost. As thei-e are few siinilar pi'opei'ties in the area the mai-kel value is difficult to calculate. As part of the purcliase of FIanbury Road the chapel was valued by the bank securiiig tlie loan against it and tlie directoi's belseve tliat tlie valuation is similai. to the £120,000 wliieh is included in tlie above. The additioiis this yeai. relate to the iiistallatioii of new oveiis iii the kitcheii and iiew furiiiture ciiid equipment Eor the chui-ch office. 7. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES Tlie Cliai'ity lias a rental and copy cliarges a&'eemeiit on a photocopier wliiclTh will now finish on 31st Dec 25. The outstaliding obligations as at 31st Mrl r 25 including regular lease paymeiits, the cost for teL'minating tlie coiitract on this date and reiiioval of the machine is as shown below. 31-Mar-25 31-Mai'_24 Oblig¢ltioii pei. arnium: Witliin Oiie Yeai. BetWTeen one £iiid five years 1,894 873 1,454 1,894 2,327 Page 16
SI<YLARI< CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 8. TAXATION As a cliarity, Skylai-k Chui-ch is exeinpt froiM tax on iiicome and gaiiis falling within section 478 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 {CTA 2010) to the exteiit that these are applied to its cliaritable objects. No tax chai'ges liave ai'iseii in tlie Cliai'ity. 9. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS 31-Mar-25 31~MaT-24 Tax Recoverable Suiidry Debtors aiid Pi'epaymeiits 11,028 5,335 16,363 8,985 2,372 11,357 10. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND 31-Mar-25 31-Mai"_24 Cui'rent Account Deposit Account Community Accouiit Cash 15,797 158,552 21,846 29 196,224 13,943 153,437 36,478 29 203,887 11. CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31-MclT-25 31-Mar-24 Accruals Audit and Accouiitancy Credit Cards Mortgage payable witliin one year 7,069 2,520 3,283 14,360 27,233 2,451 2,400 3,425 12,215 20,491 12. CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER ONE YEAR 31-Mar-25 31-Mai'_24 Moi'tgase t'ep)ayable over 30 yeai's to Julie 2042 due as follows.. Betweeii one and five years lii inore than five years 67,494 361,063 428,557 58,587 384,871 443,458 The inoi'tgage is a R'ep<iyrnent loaii and bear5 a iiitei'esl of 6.75 % at 31st Mai'cli 25 Page 17
SICYLARIC CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 13. RISK ASSESSMENT The directoi's actively review the major risks which the charity faces oli a regular basis and believe that maiiitainiiig the Free resei'ves stated, coinbined with the annual Teview of the conh-ols over key financial systeins cai'i'ied out, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The directors liave also examined oihei. operational and business risks wliich they face and coiifirm tliat they Iiave eslabli.£lied systems to miligale the significant risks. 14. RELATED PARTIES The following amouiits were paid to oi. oli behalf of related parties.. Total lo 31 Mai'ch Pension contribulLOIIS Total to 31 Mai'ch 2024 Related Party Salary Grant Oihei. 2025 Peter & Nicola SiiM5 Lesley Kemp Skylai'k Interiiatioiial 79,576 6,462 7,958 646 647 88,181 7,108 40,800 82,684 6,674 54,731 40,800 86,038 8,604 40,800 647 136,089 144,089 Subject lo cei'laiii conditions, tlie Menioraiidum of association permits directors who offer tlieir service5 to the Charity as a religious pastoi., to be reinuiiei'ated out of iiicoine or pi'operly of the charity. In the Related Party list above, Peter & Nicola Sims are Pastors & Tyuslees, Lesley Kernp is the wife of Charles Kemp who is a trustee. Skyl¢irk liitematioiial is a charity wliicli Supports a nelwoi'k of cliui'ches aiid ininish'ies, organistns joint events, leadership coirfeieiices and training. Its primary funding comes from contriblllions inade by the chvrclies widTrlll the Skylai'k Intei'iiatioiial iietwoi'k. Skylark Church is oiie of tliese chui'ches. Peter & Nicola Sims al'e also Leadei's & Trustees OE Skylark International Two of tlie dii'ectoi's have received payinent for ti'avel, subsistence and study expenses totalling £647 {pi'ior yeai. £4931 in relation lo services pi'ovided to tlie Coinpany. Dui'ing tlie year the followiiig ai]iounts were received froin L'clated pai'ties.. Total to Mai'ch 2025 Total to Mai'cli 2024 Related Pai'ty Skylark Intei'iiatioiial - Paymeiit for Admiii Support 18,056 15,675 18,056 15,675 Page 18
SICYLARK CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 15. RESERVES POLICY The directors have considered the level of resei'ves they wisli to retain, appi'opriate to the charity's needs. Tlie dii'ectoi-s considei it appropi'iate to relaiii a level of i'eserve5 held in liquid assets equal to one week of i'uiuiiiig costs. This is based on Ilie cliarity's size aiid tlie level of commitments held. The directors aini to ensure the charity will be able to coiitinue lo fulfil their cliaritable objectives even if thei'e is a temporary shoriEall in incoine. The directoi's will eiideavour to not 'sit' on funds unnecessarily. Page 19