Southgate Church Bury St Edmund5 Suffolk (a company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 March 2025 Charity Number., 1115737 Company registration number: 05815695
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Annual report and financR21 statements for the period ended 31 March 2025 Contents Page: Reference and adtllinistrative details Report of the trustees Independent Examiner's rcport 10 Statement of fmancial activities 11 Balance sheet 12 Notes to the financial statements
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Reference 2nd adminlstrative details Trustees: Robert Jolles - Chair Teny Ball Peter Maddock H¢lcn Moore Susan Strachan David Gray PhilAP Lloyd-Jones (St Mary's with St Peters) Secretary to the Trustees: Teny Ball Registered office: Southgate Community Centre, Caie WalK Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2PJ Tel: (Ol284) 703705 RegAstered Charity number: 1115737 Registered Company number: 05815695 Reporting Accountant The Laurel Partnership 16, Broad Street, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7AF Bankers HSBC, 333 Vauxhall Bridge Road. Victoria. London, SWIV IEJ
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Report of the trustees for the perlod ended 31 March 2025 The tntee6 present their report and accounts for the period ended 31 March 2025. Review ofApri12024 to M47rch 2025 Soutbgate ChuTch shares accon]modation in the building it occupies with its OWDeT. Southgate Community Partnership. All our services take place in the Main Hall of the Con]munity Centre. The Church has a dedicated large room of its own known as Church CeThtre plus kitchen and office accommodation. Attendances at the main Sunday seryi¢es r¢mains steady at around 80 people, with up to l O participating in the lillk via Zoom. We bave around 10 young families but not many 20 year olds. Over the past two years, there has been an increasing etllnic diversity in the congregation with many new attendees having links with West Suffolk Hospitsl. There is a wide participation in all of the activities on offer. TheT¢ has been an increasing emplwis on the ministry to children and youllg people with special tin]es for theD] in all services. There are two Sunday Clubs one eacb for younger and older children, having leader teams of eight each, and attendance o£bctween six to ten children. For those people wanting to make a greater commitment they can become Members of the Church of whicb there are now 75. There are thr¢¢ meetings a year with good attendance, There is a Church leadership team comprising the Minister, Rev Mike Simrn. Family and Community Worker, Mrs Alison Lovejoy. and three elected members who scrve for a tbree year tenn. They are supported by a part-time admirjistrator, Mrs Jackie Tooley. The three officers are paid members of staff. The team mccts wcekly for prayer and has a business meeting monthly. Thcrc will bc the challcngc of replacing 213 of the team membeTship in the year ahead. There is also a need to increase the number of members. The Sunday morning services have been characterised by a number of sennon series which were generally well received. The Easter service was transfonned into an upbeat guest service which worked well, with the autumn series addressing twelve different dimensions of dAsciplcship. Cluistmas outrcach included involvement in the Skine Your Light national initiative. And caiol singing in the local pub! We had a one session read thougll of Luke's Gospel early in the New Year, followed by a series of sem]ons inspircd by th this. A very lively family baptism took place in June. The Church celebrated its 50 Anniversary WAth a speciaE servA¢e at which many fomier members made long joun)eys to participate. Rev Jonathan Edwards was the guest speaker, a past minister and retlTed Head of the Baptist Church in Great Britain. A bring and share lunch took place aftenvards - these are a regular feature of church life. In September, a 79 year old n and an 80 year old woman had a Combined wcdding ceremony and rcceptioll in church. Our ministy to young people and families is central to our role as a church and charity. Here is a summary of our main activities over the past year: Our work in the local primary school includes Open the Book when bible stories are acted oiit at a whole school asscmbly. Wednesday Gang for 5-8s' Rock Solid and activities and. discussion session for oldcr children. Visit to Pre-school alternate weeks for songs and a story for very young children. SPOTS ¢ach week in niorning for parentslcarers and pre-school cbildren. Monday evening Liquid - a disciplesbip group for teenagers. Youth Club on Thursday evenings for years 5,6,7 - games, tuck shop, and short Cbristian teaching. Annual Holiday Club in August for children to I l involving around 30 helpers, half of whom are te¢nagers"
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Report of the trllstees for the period ellded 31 Marcb 2025 Messy Church three times a year for families on Sunday afternoons, including crafts, t¢a¢hing, puppet shows and a hot meal to which around 60 people attend. Participation in the local Community Fun Day on May Day holiday. ShTove Tuesday pancake event. Halloween Light Station outside Church involving 150 goody bags and 250 hot dogs being distributed. Two special afternoon events for the whole community on a sattday afternoon Southgate's Got Cl]ristmas and Southgate's Got Easter, (but the latter not in 24125 because of the calendar!) - these are hugely popular with people of all ages attending. There is a special ministy of puppets organised and directed by a young man who is a regular church attendee. There are seven House Groups, typically meeting fortnightEy involving around 65 people in bible study, prayer. and social and pastOTal support. Our pastoral care is coordinated by a group of 7 people meetiDg montbly on Zoom. Prayer House takes place twice monthly in the Church Centre which has not been attended that well, a revamp is planned. Other regular activities include.. Coffee Stop - a pop-up cafe on Monday morllings which has a good attendance from the community and users of the CcThtre' Fricndship Club for oldcr people twice-monthly on Thursday aftcrnoon5 Wlth a speaker and tea and chat with around 30 attending; and Thursday Club for wornen meeting monthly ITh the evcning, with speakers. activities and an cpilogue, In respect of 8afe8uarding, thc Churcb follows the guidelines of the Anglican Dioccse. Thcre is an appointed safegllaTding officer who meets with the Minister monthly to revicw all appropriate procedw"cs, includAng traÈning and DBS screening. The Church has estsblished a community fund to make grants to people - both inside and without thc Church - who are struggling and needing short tenn financial help. Also there is a lld for Ukrainian refugees. A support group has met in the Church Centre from time to timc. As arA outreach, the Minster has visited other churches during times of Interr¢lum. We have actively participated in the work of Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds and District with a member of OUT Icadership team taking on the Tole of Chair for two years. and we have been actively participating in the possible mission partnerships of local URC churches in Suffolk Finally, the Church has established a Prayer Ministy Team using the teaching material from Holy Trinity BromptOLL This llceds fi]rther work and development. We are grate1 to the many people within the fellowship who give of their time voluntarily to the work of the Church. We believe that Southgate Church is an active Christian presence in its local Gommunity and fulfds its responsibilities as a registered charity.
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds SuffoRk Report of the trustees for the perlod ended 31 March 2025 Objects and Artivltles The Church is a registered charity and its objective is to advance the principles, teaching and practices of the c11Stian faith for the benefit of the public in particular, but not exclusively, in the Southgate area of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Southgate Church affllins its rnission.. "to Glorify God in Church, Community and World, through worship, prayer, disciplesbip, fellowship, service and mission" The Church as a ¢harity provided public benefit activities in the following ways., Regular and accessible opportunities for Christian worship for all: A wide range of social aud ¢ducational activities for people of all ages. PastOTal and social support to individuals and families. Activities in local schools and contributions to thc curriculum; Encouraging young people to help in activities and develop new skills such as using the sound system. The giving of titbes and other fancial grants to charitics and commuDity groups at homc aDd abroad; Promotion of leisure and cducational opportunities for the whole community through events which are open to the community as well as the Church's involvement in and hclp at cvcnts with thc Southgate Community Partnership. Activities for young people, elderly and othcr age iallgcs and intciest groups. Usc of the Church premises for actAVlties including a regular weekly coffee morning. Supporting local charities and needs in the local area and Bury St. Edmunds. Recognised as a 'Homc for Good, Church via the local partner charity, Transforniing Futures - Suffolk. The Church's premises arc part of the Southgate Community Centre which is owned and run by the Southgate Community Parthership (SCP), a charity, of which the Church is a part Wlth the ability to notninate four trnstees. The Church shares an office and a number of back-office services with the SCP. Southgatc Church serves the area included in the Soutbgate ward of West Suffolk District Council. Inforniation on activities is published in a monthly publication 'Bury St Edrnunds Dircctory, which is delivered to every address in the catchmellt area. Ffinancial RetW There was a deficit of £8,684 for the period as opposed to a deficit of £15,811 in the previous year. There wa5 a colltinued drive to increasc income during 2024125 and this was successful as income rose from £120,000 in the prior year to £141,000 in 2024125, tbougb £8,500 relatcd to donations for the Sizewell weekend. R¢stricted income and exp¢nditUTe were broadly equal during the year. Restricted funds include a Community Fund set up to enable th¢ chuTch to respond to specific financial needs as and when they arise. Expenditure was bigher by £13,500, due to the expenditure reEated to the Sizewell weekend, there were other increases due to inflation particularly on staffing costs. The regular and faithful ongoing financial support of th¢ GonegatIOn has continued and this was at an increased level compared to last year, the majority of this through tax ¢ffi¢ieJJt rncans. Expenditure was well controlled durinry tbe year though net expenditure after removing the effect of the Sizewell weekend was higher than the prioi year due in thc main to ijjflationary pressures. The charity's policy of keeping tILree month's ning costs in reserves has b¢¢n more than maintained with net CUTTent &ss¢ts at the end of the ppJÈod being £82,979.
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk. Report of the trustees for the perlod ended 31 March 2025 Stru¢ture, Governance and Management Southgate Church is foremost a fellowship of individuals who believe that God is living and his son, the Lord Jesus Christ exemplified God's life for us by dying in our place so that we may bc restored to a real, living relationsbip with our God. In legal tcrn]s, the Church is a company limited by guarantee incorporated OD 12th May 2006 and was registered as a chaTity on 9th August 2006. The governance principles of the Church are set out in the Articles which are registered with both Companies House and the Charity Con)mission. The Articles were amended on 17tb October 2018 and on I Itb September 2019. The latter amendment provides for the Minister of the Church to be eligible to become a trL]Stce if he opts to do so. Those amendments also included additional safeguards for the governance of the Church. Jn the event of the company being wound up Church Members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 O. That applies also to individuals who wcrc past Members in the last 12 months prior to dissolution. Southgate Church is a Local Ecumenical PartDership founded by Churches Together in Bury St. Edmunds and District over 50 years ago. The founding denonunations which Signed the Sharing Agrccment are the Church of England (Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich). the Baptist Church (Eastern Baptist Association)" and the United Refornied Cburch (Eastern Region Synod). The Cbur¢h has a Board of TsteeS, the composition of which was amcnded by special resolution in octob 2018 and allows the Church to draw upon the experience and guidance of other denominations. The Trustees met regularly during the year. The Board may comprise up to 12 ttustees. Southgate Church up to 8 members inclusivc of the Ministcr and the Leadership Team, the Honorary TTeasurer and the Secretary; St Mary's with St Petcr's, the Parish Church - I nominated from the Parochial Church Council. The Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich - I nomination; The Eastern Baptist Association - I nomination; Th¢ Eastem Synod of the United Refornied Chw¢h - I nomination There LSD need to recruit rther trustees from the categories listed above. To retain its Christian ecwnenical character, the Articles allow certain vacancies to be filled by drawing upon nominations from Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds & District and in other ways. Thc ecumenical nature of the Church is overseen by a Local Advisory Group (LAG) comprised of a representativc from each of the three last listed denominations above. The LAG may provAde advicc to the Minister and the Trust¢¢slChurch. The LAG has agreed that should the denominations above not be able to find a nominex to be a Trustee then the Trustees of Southgate Church could fill such a vacancy by electing a Trustec from the members of Southgatc Church an(Vor from Cburches Together in Bury St Edmunds. This is reflected in the amended governance documcnts. The Church Leadership Team consists of the Minister, Family and Cornmunity Worker and up to three members elected to the Team. The Annual General Meeting is usually held in September.
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Report of th¢ trustees for the period ended 31 March 2025 The Trustees regularly review the potential major risks to which the charity may be exposed and, if appropriate, cstablishpolicies, systems or procedwes to manage those risks. For example, the Safeguarding Policy and Procedure is reviewed annually and training is kept under review. One Trustee is deSiated to keep a watching bricf OVCT safeguarding practices, checks and training. Sigllcd by: Date.. IL Ofi+)6L-rL 2025 Robert Jones-chair of Trustees of Southgate Church, Bury SL Edmunds, Suffolk
Southgate Churcb Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Trustees, Responsfibllities in Relation to the Financial Statements Company law requtres the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of th¢ state of affairs of the company and of the Profit or loss of th¢ company for that perio(L In prepillg those financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply thcm consistently; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state llether applicable accoullting standards have beell followed, subject to aThy material departures disclosed and explained in the f]nancial statements. and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume tbat the compally will Continue in business, The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting record5 which thsclose with Tc&8onable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to cnable them to ensure that the fancial statements comply with thc Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Trustees on '£.2 N I ',>¢.f¢ / 2025 and signed on their behalf by Robert Joncs Chair of the Trustees of Southgate ChuTcb, Bury SL Edmunds, Suffolk
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Sollthgate Church I report on the accounts of the Southgate Church for the year ended 31 Match 2025, which are set out on pages 9tol7. Respective responslbilities of trustees and examiner As the charity's tteeS of the Company (who are also the directors of the company for the PUTposes of company law), you are responsible foT the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ("the 2006 Act"). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Compony arc not rcquired to be auditcd foT this year undci Part 16 of the 2006 Act and &r# eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as caTried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('%be 2011 Act"). In caTrying out my examillatiory I have followed the Directions given by th¢ Charity Commission (undcr sectioD 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Basis of independent examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Conllnission. An examination includes a revicw of th¢ accounting records kcpt by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with tbosc records. It also includ¢s consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and sceking explanations from tbe trustees concenjing any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evid¢nGc that would be rcquired in an audAt, and consequently no opinion is given as to wbethcr the awounts present a 'ttue and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. IJJdependent examiner's statement Ln conncction with my examinatio no matcrial matters bave Come to my attention wbich gives me cause to believe that any material respcct.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records, or the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requlrements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts givc a 'tNe and fair, view whicb is not a rnatter considered as part of an independent examination. or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the CILarities SORP (FRS102). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conncction with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a Proper iinderstauding of the accounts to bc reached. Matthew Aldous Thc Laur¢1 Partnership
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Statement of Fillancfial Activities for the period ended 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 Note Income from. Donations 116,941 5,500 122,441 111,186 Cbaritable activities 14,528 14,528 6,126 Investment income 3,818 3,818 2.920 Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable 2ctivities Cbaritable activities 135,287 5,500 140,787 120,232 143,134 5,493 148,627 135,148 Governance costs 844 844 895 Total resources expended 143,978 5,493 149,471 136,043 Net Incomlng/(outgoing) resources before transfers (8,691) (8,684) (15,811) Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between ndS - out 500 (500) Net incomingl(outgoing) resources for tbe year (8,691) (8,684) (15,811) Fund bAlances at IAprll 2024 313,247 1,409 314,656 330,467 Fund balances at 31 Marcb 2025 304,556 1,416 305,972 314,656 The statement of financial activities includes all gains 2nd losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditUTe derivcs from continuing activities. Att analysis by fund of the comparativ¢ figures for 2024 is shown in note 2. 10
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Balance Sheet at 31 Marcb 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 222,993 225,381 Current assets Debtors and prepayments Cash At bAnk 2nd in hand 2,437 92,445 4,382 95,632 94,882 100,014 Credltors amounts falling due within one year 10 {11,903) (10,739) Net current assets 82,979 89,275 Net assets 305,972 314,656 Funds Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 304,556 1,416 313,247 1 ,409 li Total Reserves 305,972 314,656 In approving these fll]ancial statements as trustees of the charitable company we hereby confLm]'. (a) the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small cotnpanies. (b) the members have not rcquired the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Compaoies Act 2006. (c) the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with the respect to accounting records and preparation of accounts. (d) these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provision5 apph'cable to srnall companies subject to the small companies rcgime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP. The financi21 stAtements were approved by the Board o•klL OLio&£k2025 and slgned on its behalf by Robert Jones TThte¢ Th¢ notes on pagcs 12 to 17 fonn part of these financial statemcnts.
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Notes forming part of the financial statejnents for the period ended 31 March 2025 l Accounting policies These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounttng and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on l 6 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) and tbe Charities Act 2011. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unl&8S Othcnvise stated in thc relevant accounting policy note. Jncome Income is recognised in tbe period in which the charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with rcasonable certainty. Income is only deferred when the chlty has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the incomc is to be expended in a futte period. Expenditure All expenditure is accounted for on an accnials basis and is recognised when tberc is a legal or constrnctive obligation to pay. Expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that catcgory, Costs of activities in furtherance of the charity's objcctives includc staff costs. Support costs arc those costs incurred indircctly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include the costs of running the office and administration. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. ranblered assets The cost of tangible fLxed assets is written off over their expected useful economic lives, on a straight- line basis, as follows: Freehold buildings Church Centre ramp Kitchen Office and computer equipment - over 50 yea[8 over 20 years over l O years - over 5 years Taxation The charity is not liabl&to tax on itsylctivities for the period. Fund accounting Funds held by the charity are.. (a) Unrcstricted gener fid8 - tbese are funds whicb w be used in accordance with tbe charitable objects at the discretion of th¢ trustees. (b) D¢signated funds - comprise unrestrictcd ndS that have bcen set asidc by the trustees for particular purposes. 12
SouthgAte Church Bury St Edmund5 Suffolk Notes forming part of the financ121 statements for the period ended 31 March 2025 (Continued) (c) Restricted funds - these are fimds that can only be used for particular Testri¢ted Pu08C8 within thc objects of the charity. Restrictions apply when specified by the donor or wheTh fimds are raised for particular restsictcd poSes. 2 Income Resources Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Funds Funds Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 Gift Aid- General Legacy Gift Aid- Envelopes Gift Aid - Youth Othcr Collections Income Tax Recovered Donations Restricted Gifts 81,019 81,019 73,718 8,640 8,640 8,470 5,072 22,190 20 5,072 22,190 20 5,500 3,951 20,362 170 4,515 5,500 116,941 5,500 122,441 111,186 3 Income Resources Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 Fellowship Activities Evcnts Church Groups Miscellaneous scp 10,375 10,375 1,747 3,449 464 240 3,449 464 240 4,079 60 240 14,528 14,528 6,126 13
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Notes forming part of the financial statements for tbe period ended 31 March 2025(Continued) 4 Charitable Activities 2025 2024 Activities relating directly to the work of the church Milltsty Youth worker Sunday School & Youth work Flowers, Libraries & Gifts Church & Community CerAtrc Occupancy costs Church Centre Maintenanc¢ Church House costs Church House Maintenance Fellowship activities Depreciation of Fixed Assets Mission & Training Tithes Conununications Specific Gifts 43,748 30,836 4,221 1,202 8,026 1,182 3,967 3,773 11,613 6,233 10 10,900 1,712 5,493 42,596 29,969 4,793 1,026 8,346 1,357 3,579 1,646 3,319 6,598 10,400 1,563 5,594 132,916 120,786 Support costs allocated to activities Staff costs Insurance Postage & Stationery Photocopier Subscriptions Payroll Administration Bank charges 12,282 582 495 975 983 230 164 11,697 528 210 848 695 220 164 15,711 14,362 Total cost of Charltable Actfivities 148,627 135,148 14
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Notes forniing part of the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025(Conlinued) 5 Staff costs 2025 2024 Wages and salaries Pension costs 40,499 2,025 38,571 1,929 42,524 40,500 The charity employed 2 staff during the period. No employee received emoluments of over £60,000. 6 Governance costs 2025 2024 Reporting accountant's & indcpendcnt cxaminer fccs Legal and professional fees 810 34 882 13 844 895 7 Trustees remuneration and related party transactions The trustees did not receive any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses from the charity during the period. 15
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Notes forming part of the finaDc121 statements for the perlod ended 31 March 2025 (Continued) 8 Tangible fixed assets Freehold Property Equipment and Fixtures Total Cost At l April 2024 Additions Disposals 288,649 35,461 3,845 324,110 3,845 At 31 March 2025 288,649 39,306 327,955 Depi'eciation At l April 2024 Charge for the period Disposals 72,415 3,869 26,314 2,364 98,729 6,233 At 31 Marcb 2025 76,284 28,678 104,962 Net book value Al 31 Mr4rch 2025 212,365 10,628 222,993 At 31 March 2024 216,234 9,147 225,381 9 Debtors 2025 2024 Gift Aid debtor Other debtor 1,867 570 3,793 589 2,437 4,382 16
Southgate Church Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Notes formfing part of the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025 (Continued) 10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2025 2024 Tax, National Jnsurancc aud Pension Expense creditors and accruals 1,459 10,444 1,416 9,323 11,903 10,739 11 Statement of Funds Fund balances at 31 March 2024 Fund balances at 31 March 2025 Incoming Resources resources expended Transfers Restricled Funds Gifts 1,409 5,500 5,493 1,416 1,409 5,500 5,493 1,416 Purposes ofRestricted Funds.. Gift Fund represents donations Teceived to be passed on to other organisations or for particular church projects. 12 Llmlted liability The chatitable company has no share capital but is limited by guarantee. The members und¢r the memorandum and articles of association each undertake to contribute to the assets of the charitable company, in the event of it being wound up, with each members liability limited to £10, 17