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← Gateway Church Swindon

2024-03-31-accounts

CHURCH SWINDON Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

Contents

Company Information 1
Trustees’ Report 2-13
Independent Examiner’s Report 14
Statement of Financial Activities 15
Balance Sheet 16
Statement of Cash Flows 17
Notes to the Accounts 18-28

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

Company Information

Charity Name Gateway Church Swindon Company Registration Number 06541956 Charity Registration Number 1123831 Governing Document Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 21/03/2008 Trustees Mark Owen (Chair) Nigel Howarth Colin Thornton Andrew Neale Mallika Ebenezar Thomas Halliwell (appointed 23 January 2024) Hyeladzira Thahal (appointed 12 February 2024) Company Secretary Nigel Howarth Registered Address The Trinity Centre Stonehill Green Westlea Swindon Wiltshire SN5 7AR Senior Management Team Colin Thornton (Chief Executive and Senior Elder) Al Cotton (Elder) Nigel Howarth (Elder) Callum Lympany (Elder) Robert Sinclair (Elder) Bankers Barclays Bank PLC Barclays Business Centre 10-14 High Street Swindon Wiltshire SN1 3ED Independent Examiner Lourens du Plessis ACA CA(SA) Stewardship 1 Lamb’s Passage London EC1Y 8AB

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Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Trustees’ Report

1. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

1.1. Structure

Gateway Church Swindon (‘GCS’) was incorporated in March 2008 as a company limited by guarantee and is the successor charity to Swindon Family Church.

GCS is a diverse Christian church based in Swindon, Wiltshire. It is part of Regions Beyond, an international network of churches overseen by Steve Oliver, and is part of the Newfrontiers family of churches. It is also a member of the Evangelical Alliance. No external party, including the Evangelical Alliance, Newfrontiers and Regions Beyond, took decisions or had voting rights in the governance of GCS.

1.2. Governance

The charity is governed by the trustees, who are appointed for the skills and experience that they may offer in contributing to the governance of the charity. Trustees must subscribe and adhere to, in belief and lifestyle, the statement of beliefs set out in the memorandum and articles of association and are typically invited from existing church members.

The trustees have adopted a policy for the induction and training of new trustees, including providing each trustee with the following:

New trustees are made aware of the charity’s professional advisors, accountants and any current issues. They are also made aware of the organisational management structure, employees and their responsibilities. They are given the opportunity to meet staff members to be appraised of matters of current activities.

The trustees meet at least four times a year, where aims, strategies and policies for achieving the charity’s responsibilities and objectives are agreed and reviewed regularly. The trustees have overall legal and financial responsibility for the charity.

The trustees have appointed a senior management team, who have been given delegated responsibility for the spiritual and strategic direction of the church. The senior managers, together with other staff, also meet regularly and deal with the day-to-day management and running of the activities. Senior managers report to the trustees on the progress of activities, performance results and plans.

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GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

Trustees’ Report

The trustees agree on the salary structure for all staff employed by the charity, which includes the senior management team. All staff have contracts and job descriptions and are paid commensurate with the level of responsibility that they hold. The salary structure is reviewed annually.

As at 31 March 2024, the charity has seven trustees and five elders, who form the senior management team.

1.3. Risk Management

The trustees have recognised the importance of assessing and managing the risk associated with the charity’s objectives and have overall responsibility for determining risk management policy, defining what is required and methods of how risks are identified, assessed, handled, reviewed and reported. The senior management team have responsibility for implementing and maintaining systems consistent with this policy. The charity has a set of comprehensive policy and procedure documents in place to ensure on-going identification and management of risks. A system has been implemented whereby potential risks are considered, categorised (financial, external, operational, governance, and legal, regulatory and compliance risks), graded by the likelihood of occurrence and impact and the results recorded in the risk register. The system continues with procedures to mitigate those risks, by minimising the likelihood and any potential impact should those risks materialise, and report and review outstanding medium or high rated risks.

The trustees and the senior management team regularly review progress against budgeted financial plans and non-financial criteria. Accounts are prepared every month so that financial risks can be identified early and appropriate action taken. While it is recognised that the procedures do not provide absolute assurance against loss or material misstatements, the trustees are of the opinion that proper systems of risk management and control are in place within the charity.

1.4. Other Policies and Procedures

The trustees have established, and regularly review, policies on the following:

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Trustees’ Report

2. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

2.1. Objectives

The objects of GCS, as stated in the memorandum and articles of association, are as follows:

2.2. Vision & Mission

The trustees note that the Church is not a building, but a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The New Testament reveals the Church as a community of people, properly taught and cared for, who by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to be a blessing to the area in which they lived. GCS, its trustees, elders, and members, are committed to the continuation of those New Testament principles. GCS is not alone in this; it is one of many churches in the area, country, and all over the world who are inviting people to re-discover the excitement of knowing Jesus Christ.

The vision of GCS is to see Swindon come to life in God. We will do this by giving ourselves away through equipping, sending, partnering, & resourcing.

2.3. Values

The Trustees and elders have sought to work out how best to express the vision in the context of week-toweek church activities, values and life. The following ten value statements aim to summarise what GCS prioritises and strives for, as it works out its vision of seeing Swindon come to life in God:

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Trustees’ Report

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Trustees’ Report

2.4. Significant Activities

The significant activities, programmes and projects used by GCS are:

Sunday Gatherings

The focus of Sunday gatherings is to gather together before God in worship, to open the Bible together, to teach, share communion, baptise new believers, and encourage and pray for one another. All are welcome to join a Sunday gathering, whether church members, their families, or visitors.

Groups

Groups are a support network enabling (primarily) those connected to GCS to find community, support, care, and help.

Children and Youth Work

GCS provides different age group meetings on a Sunday and at other points throughout the week for children and young adults. We subsidise the cost of the Newday summer camp for those young adults who attend.

Safeguarding Training

We continue to provide ongoing training in safeguarding for those in GCS working with children and young people, as well as those working with adults with care and support needs.

WAY

WAY is GCS’s new young-person-led initiative, developing projects to bring lasting change in the lives of young people and their communities. A separate charity has been established for this activity, and staff and projects will be transferred from GCS over the next two years.

Good News for Swindon

We continue to be actively involved with Good News for Swindon, a network of churches in the town, seeking to work together for the good of Swindon. Colin Thornton leads the Good News for Swindon network.

Outreach Activities

Two employees of GCS give a significant proportion of their employed time to leading and supporting various projects, unity initiatives, and churches around the town. We continue to employ two individuals part-time to work as pastor and outreach worker for another local church in the town, Penhill Community Church. Additionally, GCS set a budget of ‘giving away’ an equivalent of 10% of its unrestricted income for the purposes of local and international mission – whether through grant-funding, employment, etc. At the year-end, the final figure was slightly under at 9.4% of total unrestricted funds.

2.5. Public Benefit

In planning the activities of the charity, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

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Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Trustees’ Report

2.6. Volunteers

Much of the work of GCS continues to be dependent on the unpaid services of church members. The trustees recognise the essential resource provided by the many people within GCS who freely give of their time and would like to continue to acknowledge and thank them. We cannot attempt to place a value on the immensely significant contribution that our volunteers make, and we are grateful to them for their time and commitment.

2.7. Grant-Making Policy

Grants are made by the charity to both external organisations and individuals, as part of achieving its activities and objectives. Grants and gifts are considered on the basis of need and fulfilment of the charitable objectives. There are no upper or lower limits of support.

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Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Trustees’ Report

3. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

3.1. Building a Family of Believers

The church continues to hold public gatherings, where through singing, communion, prayer and teaching the Bible, we encourage people to live as disciples of Jesus. These gatherings also provide an opportunity for individuals to share personal testimony, respond to the claims of the Christian faith, and for new believers’ baptisms.

The Sunday gatherings have activities of worship for all ages, not just adults. There is children’s work for ages 2-4, 5-8, and 9-11, as well as youth work for those aged 11-18, and a space for parents of 0-2s to bring their children and connect with others. The children’s team enjoy serving the children through games, worship, bible teaching, and exploring creativity in arts and craft. Good numbers of children are attending each week and the children’s team leaders continue to work hard at building and developing the teams. In each of the groups, we have bright and varied curriculums which are age appropriate. Our children’s work is structured to encourage the best from the children and help parents feel comfortable leaving their children in our care. Part of this is a continued commitment to safeguarding children and training our volunteers in safeguarding best practice.

As well as the age-related groups meeting on Sunday mornings, young adults (11-18) continued to meet during the week on a regular basis. We also took 46 young adults to the Newday festival in the summer of 2024.

There are many opportunities which allow most in the congregation to have some involvement in expressing their Christian faith practically as they work together and serve others. This could be through being part of the Welcome Team serving on a Sunday, working as part of the Worship Team, working with Authentic (our youth ministry) on a weekday night, or through volunteering with others we work with in the town.

Through the groups meeting at various points throughout the week, relationships continue to grow and gifts are developed as members care for and encourage one another. Groups provide an opportunity for individuals form the diverse backgrounds at GCS to meet together, often in homes, but also at the building we use. Some groups have a more specific focus when meeting together, such as a morning group for mothers and toddlers or a book club, while others provide an opportunity to form relationships, care for one another practically, and encourage each other in faith. We have also established a thriving new group for students and those in their twenties.

A number from different churches across the town continue to meet on Zoom to pray early every week day. We gather to pray every Sunday before the public meeting, and monthly on a Sunday evening. We also joined in with Thy Kingdom Come, a global ecumenical period of prayer started by the Church of England.

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Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Trustees’ Report

3.2. Serving and Influencing Swindon

GCS continues to employ an individual to work as a pastor for Penhill Community Church, with a number of different churches in the town contributing towards his salary. Additionally, we employ another individual to work as an Outreach Worker in the Penhill area, funded by Penhill Community Church.

We believe that Penhill Community Church is a model for planting churches into the town and surrounding areas, with churches from different denominations and traditions in Swindon sending people to help plant it, as well as providing finance in different forms, whether for building renovations or the employment of staff. We believe that this clearly expresses the unity that Jesus desires for his church. Conversations about how we can facilitate similar church plants in the future are ongoing.

This year, we employed an individual as a project manager for a new young-person-led initiative, named WAY, aiming to support young people across the town, particularly with five areas of impact: increased engagement in education, reduced hospital admissions, reduced incidents of violence and crime, sustained employment, and improved mental health and wellbeing. Grant-funding has been received from a number of organisations to facilitate this, and the project manager is currently facilitating three areas of ongoing provision: meeting young people in crisis moments at the Accident and Emergency service at Great Western Hospital; providing ongoing, long-term mentoring in young people’s lives; and equipping young people to lead on shaping change in their own communities.

We were also able to give a one-off grant to Penhill Community Church to support their work in one of the poorest areas in Swindon, and to financially support Safe Families, a charity supporting children, young people, and families in Swindon and across the UK.

3.3. Taking the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth

We continue to actively develop links within Regions Beyond, the international network of churches overseen by Steve Oliver and part of the Newfrontiers family. This included making a number of grants to Regions Beyond to facilitate their work in church-planting and serving those in need across the world. Nigel Howarth serves as a trustee of Regions Beyond UK. We were also able to financially support a new Regions Beyond church plant in Birmingham.

Links with Burundi and City Gate Church in Bujumbura remain strong. We were able to grant-fund part of a new ongoing project led by Hope for Tomorrow Global, a UK charity that facilitates much of the work in Burundi that we have an ongoing partnership with. These funds were received through a special offering taken up by members of GCS.

Additionally, we were able to financially support Gather Movement (Transforming Places CIO), a movement of over 8000 churches and charities in over 150 towns and cities that are working together to foster transformation in the places they are based, and Newday Generation, the charity that runs the annual youth event we take many of our young people to each year.

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Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Trustees’ Report

4. FINANCIAL REVIEW

4.1. Overview

The year ended 31 March 2024 had a sizeable surplus in unrestricted funds. This was considerably higher than the budgeted surplus for the year and moved the charity substantially closer to its reserves policy.

The purpose of each fund and the classification of balances between ‘unrestricted/designated’ and ‘restricted’ are described in Note 1 to the Accounts, with further analysis in the subsequent Notes.

Incoming resources to the General Fund during the year ending 31 March 2024 amounted to £385,744, which represents an increase on the previous year of 6.5%. Income from donations was £302,877. Total expenditure on general activities amounted to £328,761, a 5.1% increase in expenditure from last year.

Transfers from the General Fund to restricted funds amount to £37,478 resulting in a General Fund balance at the year-end of £104,708. £9,556 of the balance consisted of fixed assets.

4.2. Restricted Funds

There are six restricted funds: Burundi Fund, International Mission Fund, Local Mission Fund, the Welfare Fund, the Building Fund, and two new funds for this financial year – the Interns Fund and the WAY Fund.

In the Burundi Fund, the specified income of £15,202 was taken through special offerings and includes Gift Aid recoverable. The Burundi Fund received no transfer of funds from the General Fund. Expenditure was £15,000 for the year, and the fund balance at the year-end was £738.

The International Mission Fund received £7,549 of specified income for the year, taken through a special offering. It received a transfer of £19,223 from the General Fund, equivalent to 5% of General Fund income. Total resources of £26,772 were disbursed during the year, and the fund balance at the year-end was £2.

The Local Mission Fund received total income of £17,323, which includes Gift Aid recoverable and grant income. It received a transfer of £13,815 from the General Fund, equivalent to 3.6% of General Fund income. Total resources of £30,532 were disbursed during the year, and the fund balance at the year-end was £15,586.

The Building Fund received specified income of £1,873 during the year, which includes Gift Aid recoverable. It received no transfer of funds from the General Fund. Expenditure amounted to £8,583 during the year, and the fund balance at the year-end was £2,855.

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GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Trustees’ Report

The Welfare Fund received income of £1,980 during the year. It received a transfer of £1,440, equivalent to 0.4% of General Fund income. Resources expended amounted to £3,833, resulting in a year-end fund balance of £16,717.

The Interns Fund received specified income of £19,741 during the year, including gift aid recoverable, which was taken through special offerings. It received no transfer of funds from the General Fund. Resources expended amounted to £8,669, resulting in a year-end fund balance of £11,071.

The WAY Fund received income of £83,333, all through grants. It received a transfer of £3,000 from the General Fund, equivalent to 0.8% of General Fund income. Total resources expended amounted to £61,624, resulting in a year-end fund balance of £24,709.

4.3. Principal Funding Sources

GCS relies heavily on the generosity of the church members to fund its activities. The total of all donations (including in restricted funds) was £344,142.

Grant income of £100,429 was another large source of funding.

4.4. Reserves Policy

The Trustees have set a policy of retaining reserves sufficient for the foreseeable needs of the charity. At the year-end, the contractual obligations to future expenditure were the Trinity Centre lease (a new 3-year-term from October 2023, with break clauses after 1 and 2 years; £34,000 per annum plus associated costs) and regular commitments under contracts of employment. The majority of the charity’s commitments will continue to be met out of current income.

The Trustees believe that an amount equivalent to a minimum of three to four months gross expenditure in general reserves is needed. This will provide for regular fluctuation in income and expenditure throughout the year.

The total value of all general reserves at 31 March 2024 was £104,708, of which £9,556 consisted of fixed assets. The general fund expenditure budget for the 2024-25 year is approximately £417,595. Based on the above, ongoing reserves of between £104,399 and £139,198 are appropriate.

While the charity did come back within policy at the end of the year, and in spite of a budgeted surplus of £5,000, the charity now expects a sizeable deficit at the end of 2024-25. Action is being taken to encourage greater gift aid giving and reduce expenditure where possible.

4.5. Pensions

The charity offers membership of a stakeholder pension scheme to all qualifying employees and pays an amount of 8% of the employee’s salary into the scheme on a monthly basis.

GCS does not operate a defined benefit or final salary scheme.

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GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

Trustees’ Report

5. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

This year ended with a sizeable surplus of £19,505.

The budget to March 2025 indicated a small surplus of £5,000. However, the charity now expects a sizeable deficit at the end of 2024-25. Action is being taken to encourage greater gift aid giving and reduce expenditure where possible.

Because we have a healthy remaining balance in the Welfare Fund, we are prepared to continue supporting those who are in financial need, both within the church and wider in Swindon, over this coming year with the continued cost-of-living crisis and increases to household bills.

In light of the reserves position and expected deficit, our revised intention to ‘give away’ only a budgeted 10% of general income, plus any restricted income raised from special offerings, will remain for 2024-25. This will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis until reserves are in a stronger and more stable position and we are able to increase again how much we can ‘give away’ in grant funding to other organisations to a similar position as in previous years.

6. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

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

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

They are also reponsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Trustees’ Report

7. APPROVAL

This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

N J Howarth

N J Howarth (Dec 18, 2024 09:01 GMT)

……………………………………………………..

Nigel Howarth – Trustees

Dec 18, 2024

……………………………………………………..

Date

13

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Gateway Church Swindon (‘the Company’)

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024 on pages 15 to 28 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 18 to 20.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for 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 Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached

Lourens du Plessis

Lourens du Plessis (Dec 18, 2024 09:32 GMT)

Lourens du Plessis ACA CA(SA) Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Stewardship 1 Lamb’s Passage London EC1Y 8AB

Date: Dec 18, 2024

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GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Statement of Financial Activities

Summary Income and Expenditure Account

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and Legacies
4
Charitable Activities
5
Other Trading Activities
6
Investment Income
7
Other Income
8
TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable Activities
9
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOMING (OUTGOING) RESOURCES
BEFORE TRANSFERS
Transfers Between Funds
3
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
FUND BALANCES:
At 31 March 2023
Net movement in funds
At 31 March 2024		 Notes Unrestricted
Funds
2024
£
361,170
23,311
0
1,086
4,198
389,764		 Restricted
Funds		 Total
Funds		 Unrestricted
Funds		 Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£
147,000
0
0
0
0
147,000		 2024
£
508,170
23,311
0
1,086
4,198
536,764		 2023
£
353,531
8,642
0
147
0
362,321		 2023
2023
£
£
68,892
422,424
0
8,642
50,085
50,085
0
147
661
661
119,639
481,960
(332,781)
(332,781)		 (155,014)
(155,014)		 (487,795)
(487,795)		 (312,854)
(312,854)		 (264,486)
(577,340)
(264,486)
(577,340)
56,983
(37,478)		 (8,014)
37,478		 48,970
0		 49,467
(94,765)		 (144,847)
(95,380)
94,765
0
19,505 29,465 48,970 (45,298) (50,082)
(95,380)
85,202
19,505		 42,212
29,465		 127,414
48,970		 130,500
(45,298)		 92,294
222,794
(50,082)
(95,380)
104,708 71,677 176,385 85,202 42,212
127,414

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

All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account required by the Companies Act 2006.

The notes on pages 18 to 28 form part of these accounts.

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GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Balance Sheet

At 31 March 2024

FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash at Bank and in Hand
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
General Fund
Specific Funds
Burundi Fund
International Mission Fund
Local Mission Fund
Gateway Furniture Fund
Building Fund
Interns Fund
WAY Fund
Welfare Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Notes Unrestricted Restricted
2024
2023
£
£
£
2,728
12,284
11,970
Total
11
12
13
14
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3		 £
9,556
9,556
70,213
39,982		 2,728
12,284
11,970
22,754
92,966
53,094
83,534
123,515
90,794
110,194
(15,042)		 106,287
216,481
143,888
(37,338)
(52,381)
(28,444)
95,152 68,950
164,101
115,444
104,708 71,677
176,385
127,414
104,708
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
104,708		 0
104,708
85,202
738
738
535
2
2
2
15,586
15,586
14,980
0
0
0
2,855
2,855
9,565
11,071
11,071
0
24,709
24,709
0
16,717
16,717
17,130
71,677
176,385
127,414

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 however, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner and their report has been included in these financial statements.

The directors (who are the charitable company's trustees for the purposes of charity law) acknowledge their responsibilities for:

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on

Dec 18, 2024

by:

N J Howarth

N J Howarth (Dec 18, 2024 09:01 GMT)

Nigel Howarth

Company number: 06541956 Charity number: 1123831

The notes on pages 18 to 28 form part of these accounts.

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GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows
2024 2023 Note
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 33,945 (40,495) a
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 1,086 147
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment 4,020 6,305
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (6,330) (9,635)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (1,224) (3,185)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 0 0
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period 32,721 (43,679)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting
period		 90,794 134,473 b
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 123,515 90,794 b
Analysis of changes in net debt:
Note a: Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities
2024 2023
£ £
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
statement of financial activities)		 48,970 (95,380)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 6,017 4,846
Dividends, interest and rents from investments (1,086) (147)
Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets (4,020) 1,400
(Increase)/decrease in stocks 0 10,950
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (39,872) 20,961
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 23,937 16,876
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 33,945 (40,495)
Note b: Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2024 2023
£ £
Cash in hand 123,515 90,794
Total cash and cash equivalents 123,515 90,794

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Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Notes to the Accounts

1. STATUTORY INFORMATION

The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company’s registered number and registered office can be found on the Company Information page.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the ‘Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)’ (‘the Charities SORP’), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (‘FRS 102’), with the Companies Act 2006, and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.

The following accounting policies have been adopted in the preparation of the financial statements:

2.1. Going Concern

The trustees (who are the charitable company’s directors for the purposes of company law) have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular, the trustees have considered the charity’s forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and/or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

2.2. Income and Expenditure Recognition

Notes to the Accounts

SORP requires charities with income over £500,000 to allocate costs to the various activities undertaken by the charity. The nature of the work of the church is considered to be so integrated that the core charitable activity costs are considered to be for the one activity. The support costs attributable to fundraising activity are considered minimal.

18

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

2.3. Fund Accounting

All general, unspecified income and general routine costs are managed through the General Fund. In addition, a number of specific funds have been established in line with the activities of the charity, as noted below. These specific funds comprise a ‘designated’ element (the net funding via transfers from the General Fund) and a ‘restricted’ element (the net funding of direct income, less direct costs, plus transfers via the ‘designated’ element).

The specific funds are:

2.4. Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Notes to the Accounts

2.5. Future Commitments

2.6. Pension Costs

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for its employees. Pension premiums are charged as they are paid.

19

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

2.7. Taxation

Gateway Church Swindon is a registered charity and is exempt from taxation under the Income and Corporation Taxes Acts.

2.8. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.

20

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

Notes to the Accounts
3.
RESTRICTED FUNDS
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and Legacies
4
Charitable Activities
5
Other Trading Activities
6
Other Income
8
TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable Activities
9
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOMING (OUTGOING) RESOURCES
BEFORE TRANSFERS
Transfers
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
FUND BALANCES:
At 31 March 2023
Net movement in funds
At 31 March 2024		 Burundi
Fund
£
15,202
0
0
0
15,202		 International
Mission
Fund		 Local
Mission
Fund		 Building
Fund		 Interns
Fund		 WAY
Fund		 Welfare
Fund
2024
2023
£
£
£
1,980
147,000
68,892
0
0
0
0
0
50,085
0
0
661
1,980
147,000
119,639
£
7,549
0
0
0
7,549		 £
17,323
0
0
0
17,323		 £
1,873
0
0
0
1,873		 19,741
0
0
0
19,741		 83,333
0
0
0
83,333
(15,000)
(15,000)		 (26,772)
(26,772)		 (30,532)
(30,532)		 (8,583)
(8,583)		 (8,669)
(8,669)		 (61,624)
(61,624)		 (3,833)
(155,014)
(264,486)
(3,833)
(155,014)
(264,486)
202
0		 (19,223)
19,223		 (13,209)
13,815		 (6,710)
0		 11,071
0		 21,709
3,000		 (1,853)
(8,014)
(144,847)
1,440
37,478
94,765
202 0 606 (6,710) 11,071 24,709 (413)
29,465
(50,082)
535
202		 2
0		 14,980
606		 9,565
(6,710)		 0
11,071		 0
24,709		 17,130
42,212
92,294
(413)
29,465
(50,082)
738 2 15,586 2,855 11,071 24,709 16,717
71,677
42,212

21

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

4.
INCOME FROM DONATIONS
General donations of cash and similar
Gift Aid donations of cash and similar
Gift Aid recoverable
Other grants receivable
Donations in kind (note 4a)
Government grants (note 4b)
a.
Donations in kind comprise:
Goods donated for use by the charity
b.
Government grants comprise:
Swindon Borough Council Grants
5.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Youth ministry events
Church retreats and events
Room hire
6.
INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Sale of donated goods
7.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Bank interest		 2024
2023
£
£
87,347
63,343
256,795
246,913
63,599
62,547
67,096
13,421
0
36,100
33,333
100
508,170
422,424
0
36,100
0
36,100
33,333
100
33,333
100
2024
2023
£
£
8,567
6,737
14,744
805
0
1,100
23,311
8,642
2024
2023
£
£
0
50,085
0
50,085
2024
2023
£
£
1,086
147
1,086
147

22

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

8.
OTHER INCOME
Gain on disposal of fixed assets
Building occupancy
Other income
9.
CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
9.1
MINISTRY COSTS
Salaries and pension contributions
Employer's national insurance
Visiting ministry costs
UK travel & entertainment (meals, etc.)
Team building
Staff & volunteer training
Insurance
Bank charges
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
9.2 OFFICE AND ACCOMMODATION COSTS
Rates, rent, and associated fees
Utilities
Repairs, maintenance & building improvements
Cleaning
Operations & compliance costs
Office equipment & software
Telephone, mobiles & internet
Printing, photocopying & stationery
Communications & publicity
Postage
Subscriptions & memberships
Payroll fees
Hospitality & kitchen supplies		 2024
2023
£
£
4,020
0
0
171
178
490
4,198
661
2024
2023
£
£
249,840
301,912
17,106
20,280
0
1,127
4,913
3,897
404
513
8,085
1,122
1,933
3,207
240
171
0
1,400
6,017
4,846
288,538
338,475
2024
2023
£
£
26,063
27,689
4,260
4,760
11,140
4,407
4,549
4,016
1,473
2,012
2,611
3,154
4,827
6,934
434
631
3,580
6,176
98
118
1,452
1,573
356
416
4,352
4,576
65,194
66,462

23

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

9.3 ACTIVITY COSTS
Room hire
Gateway Kids (Children's ministry)
Events
Authentic (Youth ministry)
Worship team
A/V team (incl. equipment)
Gateway groups
WAY expenses
International travel - non-mission
International travel - mission
Transport - minibus & taxi
Other pastoral
Vehicle costs
Beds
Furniture Re-Use Network
Gifts of furniture
Other Gateway Furniture costs
Alpha course
Other local outreach
9.4 GRANTS
Grants to institutions
Safe Families
Hope for Tomorrow Global
Regions Beyond
Gather Movement
Newday Generation
Penhill Community Church
Moseley Church Plant
Swindon Youth for Christ
Total
Grants to individuals
Total grants
9.6 GOVERNANCE COSTS
Independent examiner's fees		 2024
Number
£
13
3,000
1
15,000
24
25,721
1
1,200
1
1,000
1
1,500
1
3,093
0
0		 2024
2023
£
£
3,280
5,140
1,714
2,241
17,971
7,849
16,163
11,505
1,613
1,503
3,362
602
1,209
1,604
20,787
0
4,498
0
1,051
0
0
908
99
1,065
0
12,381
0
8,928
0
2,321
0
47,050
0
6,639
352
1,010
4,675
3,257		 2024
2023
£
£
3,280
5,140
1,714
2,241
17,971
7,849
16,163
11,505
1,613
1,503
3,362
602
1,209
1,604
20,787
0
4,498
0
1,051
0
0
908
99
1,065
0
12,381
0
8,928
0
2,321
0
47,050
0
6,639
352
1,010
4,675
3,257
76,776
114,004
2023

Number
£

12
2,400

1
33,102

16
17,421

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

1
156
42
50,514		 30
53,079
55
3,833		 22
2,980
97
54,347		 52
56,059
2024
2023
£
£
2,940
2,340
2,940
2,340

Fees payable to Stewardship, other than for the cost of the independent examination totalled £402.50 (2023: £320

24

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

Notes to the Accounts
10.
STAFF, TRUSTEES, & KEY MANAGEMENT
Gross wages and salaries
Employer's national insurance costs
Pension costs
Other employment benefits
Total staff costs
Number of staff at year end:
Full-time
Part-time		 2024
2023
£
£
231,432
280,611
17,106
20,280
18,408
21,300
0
0
266,946
322,192
2024
2023
6
5
5
2

The average number of staff during the reporting period was 8.5 (2023: 11.33). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.

No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.

The charity's key management comprise the trustees and the key staff named on the Company Information page. Total employment benefits payable to key management for the year were as follows:

Other Employer
Wages & employment pension 2024
salaries benefits contributions £
Trustees:
Nigel Howarth 40,000 0 3,200 43,200
Colin Thornton 42,000 0 3,360 45,360
Other members of key management: 76,500 0 6,120 82,620
171,180

The following amounts were payable in the previous year:

Other Employer
Wages & employment pension 2023
salaries benefits contributions £
Trustees:
Nigel Howarth 38,000 0 3,040 41,040
Colin Thornton 40,000 0 3,200 43,200
Other members of key management: 38,000 0 3,040 41,040
125,280

Nigel Howarth and Colin Thornton served as elders of the church and received the above payments for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

25

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

Notes to the Accounts
11.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Cost
At 01 April 2023
Additions
Gains / (losses) on revaluation
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Accumulated depreciation
At 01 April 2023
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Leasehold
Vehicles
Equipment improvements
Total
£
£
£
£
0
116,847
109,880
226,727
0
6,330
0
6,330
0
0
0
0
0
(14,587)
0
(14,587)
0
108,590
109,880
218,469
0
(106,660)
(108,096)
(214,755)
0
(5,188)
(828)
(6,017)
0
14,587
0
14,587
0
(97,261)
(108,925)
(206,185)
0
11,329
955
12,284
0
10,187
1,783
11,970

Equipment comprises musical, public address, translation, sound, kitchen and office equipment and fixtures and fittings.

12. DEBTORS

Debtors
Gift Aid recoverable
Accrued income
Amounts receivable
Prepayments
CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Bank accounts
Cash in hand
CREDITORS
Accounts payable
Deferred income
Payroll creditors
Accruals		 Unrestricted
£
0
55,305
25
0
14,883		 Restricted
2024
2023
£
£
£
210
210
2,508
6,031
61,336
23,057
1,513
1,538
936
15,000
15,000
17,725
0
14,883
8,869
70,213 22,754
92,966
53,094
Unrestricted
£
38,403
1,579		 Restricted
2024
2023
£
£
£
83,534
121,936
90,789
0
1,579
5
39,982 83,534
123,515
90,794
Unrestricted
£
157
1,157
6,105
7,622		 Restricted
2024
2023
£
£
£
285
443
3,105
32,901
34,058
16,314
2,055
8,161
1,242
2,096
9,718
7,783
15,042 37,338
52,381
28,444

13. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

14. CREDITORS

26

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

15. DEFERRED INCOME

Deferred income comprises the following: Grants Training
& Repayments & conferences 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Balance at the beginning of the reporting period 14,083 2,231 16,314 1,657
Amount released to income (14,083) (2,231) (16,314) (1,657)
Amount deferred in year 32,901 1,157 34,058 16,314
Balance at the end of the reporting period 32,901 1,157 34,058 16,314
The income deferred at the period end will be released to income over the following periods:
Within one year 32,901 1,157 34,058 16,314
After one year 0 0 0 0
32,901 1,157 34,058 16,314

16. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

The charity has an operating lease for its church building. The minimum amount payable (until the next break clause and ignoring the potential effect of future rent reviews) in respect of this lease is as follows:

Payments falling due:
Within one year
Between one and five years
After five years		 2024
2023
£
£
34,000
12,000
48,167
0
0
0
82,167
12,000

During the year the charity was charged £26,909 (2023: £24,045) for its operating lease.

17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

The assets and liabilities of the various
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds		 funds were as follows:
Fixed
Bank
assets
balances
£
£
2,728
83,534
9,556
39,982		 funds were as follows:
Fixed
Bank
assets
balances
£
£
2,728
83,534
9,556
39,982		 Other net
assets
2024
2023
£
£
£
(14,584)
71,677
42,213
55,171
104,708
85,202
12,284 123,515 40,587
176,385
127,414

27

GATEWAY CHURCH SWINDON

Report and Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Accounts

18. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

During the year, the charity:

During the year, the charity also made the following payments to, or for, related parties:

Except as disclosed in note 10, 'Staff, Trustees & Key Management', there have been no other transactions with re parties during the year.

19. MEMBERS

Each member of the company commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £1.

28