Charity number: 112454
Forest New Life Church
Trustees' report and financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Forest New Life Church
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees report | 2 - 4 |
| Independent examiners' report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Income and expenditure account | 7 |
| Intentionally Blank | 8 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
| Cash flow statement | 10 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 11 - 14 |
Forest New Life Church
Legal and administrative information
| Charity number | 112454 | |
|---|---|---|
| Business address | Parkend Baptist Church | |
| Folly Road | ||
| Parkend | ||
| Gloucestershire | ||
| GL15 4JF | ||
| Trustees | K Bushell (Chair) | |
| H Cartlidge | ||
| A Freeman | ||
| S Barnard | ||
| David Hawthorne | October 2024 | |
| Accountants | Oversby & Company | |
| Unit 1C Mushet Business Centre | ||
| Crucible Close | ||
| Coleford | ||
| Gloucestershire | ||
| GL16 8RE | ||
| Bankers | Barclays Bank | |
| 17-18 Agincourt Square | ||
| Monmouth | ||
| NP25 3DY |
Forest New Life Church
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.
Structure, governance and management
For this period from April 2024 to march 2025 there has been stability in the trusteeship with Keith as Chair and finance, Haley Admin and Sam and Aaron together with an increase in the number of Trustees to 5 with the addition of Dave Hawthorne.
Jonathan and Pete and Jean continue in their excellent leadership of the church with input from the trustees and the vision team.
Financially we continue to be stable with an increase in the income mainly due to the recovery of some back dated gift aid however this has been offset with increased outgoings .
There has been a marked increase in the cost of electricity so we would ask all to continually look to reduce this usage where possible.
We have increased the usage of the church building. We have a very full program now with:-
Mondays:- Baby massage, bible study and evening prayer meeting (march to October in church) Tuesdays :- Cake and coffee (plus various house groups that don't meet in the church) Wednesday:- Baby and Toddler group
Thursday:- Pub Chat, Women's bible study Friday :- Primary aged after school club / Youth Club Saturday:- Monthly toddler church Sunday :- Weekly morning service and monthly evening Service
As we move forward, we as trustees will continue to oversee the non-spiritual parts with input from the spiritual leaders and hopefully the spiritual leaders will heed our practical and legal advice. Safeguarding compliance and activity have significantly increased but still needs further completion.
We continue in our relationship with the Baptist church, however changes are moving forward with the missional steering group and movement towards changes in trustees from the Baptist union to Web net (West of England Baptist network). The number of concerning areas continues to grow but with these changes we will be able to accelerate improvements.
The website has been revamped and relaunched with support from Phil
We continue to praise God for his provision and thank him that we have all remained safe during this time.
We trust God to continue to move us forward in the following months and years.
God bless Keith Bushell Chair of trustees FNLC
Forest New Life Church
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025
God bless Keith Bushell Chair of trustees FNLC October 4[th] October 2025
Forest New Life Church
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025
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).
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other
On behalf of the board
Secretary
Forest New Life Church
Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of Forest New Life Church.
I report on the accounts of Forest New Life Church for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages 2 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act), as amended by section 28 of the Charities Act 2006 does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 43(3)(a) of the Act, as amended; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, as amended; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(i) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act
have not been met; or
- (ii) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
...........................................................
Amy Snook FMAAT
Association of Accounting Technicians
Independent examiner Unit 1C Mushet Business Centre Crucible Close
Coleford
Gloucestershire GL16 8RE
Forest New Life Church
Statement of financial activities
For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Unrestricted funds £ Incoming resources Incoming resources from generating funds: Voluntary income 2 43,458 Investment income 3 - Incoming resources from charitable activities 4 1,238 Total incoming resources 44,696 Resources expended Establishment costs 9,484 Motor and travelling expenses - Legal and professional fees 24,519 Other office expenses 2,784 Depreciation and impairment 129 Other governance costs 640 Total resources expended 37,556 Total funds brought forward 33,442 Total funds carried forward 40,582 |
2025 Total £ 2024 Total £ 43,458 38,644 - 278 1,238 1,102 44,696 40,024 9,484 11,095 - 396 24,519 24,147 2,784 2,358 129 157 640 350 37,556 38,503 33,442 31,921 40,582 33,442 |
|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.
All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities.
The notes on pages 11 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Forest New Life Church
Income and expenditure account
For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Income Operating expenditure Operating surplus Other income Interest receivable and similar income Retained surplus for the financial year All activities derive from continuing operations. |
2025 £ 44,696 (37,556) 7,140 - - 7,140 |
2024 £ 39,746 (38,503) 1,243 278 278 1,521 |
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 11 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Forest New Life Church
The notes on pages 11 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Forest New Life Church
Balance sheet
as at 31 March 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 Net current assets Net assets Funds Unrestricted income funds 8 Total funds |
2025 £ £ 585 40,347 40,347 (350) 39,997 40,582 40,582 40,582 |
2024 £ £ 714 33,078 33,078 (367) 32,711 33,425 33,441 33,441 |
2024 £ £ 714 33,078 33,078 (367) 32,711 33,425 33,441 33,441 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33,425 | |||
| 33,441 | |||
| 33,441 |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on and signed on its behalf by
K Bushell (Chair) Trustee
The notes on pages 11 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Forest New Life Church
Cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Net incoming resources for the year Interest receivable Depreciation and impairment (Decrease)/Increase in creditors Net cash inflow from operating activities Returns on investments and servicing of finance 10 Increase in cash in the year Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds 11 Increase in cash in the year Net funds at 1 April 2024 Net funds at 31 March 2025 |
2025 £ 7,141 - 129 - 7,270 - 7,270 7,270 33,078 40,348 |
2024 £ 1,521 (278) 157 30 1,430 278 1,708 1,708 31,370 33,078 |
|---|---|---|
Forest New Life Church
Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year.
1.1. Basis of accounting
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005 (SORP 2005) and the Charities Act 1993.
1.2. Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Gifts donated for resale are included as incoming resources within activities for generating funds when they are sold.
Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are receivable.
Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable.
1.3. Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes including the charity's shop.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
1.4. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 18% Reducing Balance
Forest New Life Church
Notes to financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 2. Voluntary income Unrestricted funds £ Donations 36,163 Gifts 7,295 43,458 3. Investment income Bank interest receivable 4. Incoming resources from charitable activities |
2. Voluntary income Unrestricted funds £ Donations 36,163 Gifts 7,295 43,458 3. Investment income Bank interest receivable 4. Incoming resources from charitable activities |
2025 Total £ 36,163 7,295 43,458 2025 Total £ - - |
2024 Total £ 32,781 5,863 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38,644 | |||
| 2024 Total £ 278 |
|||
| 278 | |||
| Unrestricted funds £ Grants 1,238 1,238 |
2025 Total £ 1,238 1,238 |
2024 Total £ 1,102 |
|
| 1,102 |
| Unrestricted | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | Total | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Grants | 1,238 | 1,238 | 1,102 |
| 1,238 | 1,238 | 1,102 |
5. Employees
Employment costs
No salaries or wages have been paid to employees, including the trustees, during the year.
Number of employees
The average monthly numbers of employees (including the trustees) during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Number | Number |
Forest New Life Church
Notes to financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Fixtures, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | Tangible fixed assets | fittings and | |||
| equipment | Total | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Cost | |||||
| At 1 April 2024 and | |||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 2,422 | 2,422 | |||
| Depreciation | |||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 1,707 | 1,707 | |||
| Charge for the year | 129 | 129 | |||
| At 31 March 2025 | 1,836 | 1,836 | |||
| Net book values | |||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 586 | 586 | |||
| At 31 March 2024 | 715 | 716 | |||
| 7. | Creditors: amounts falling due | ||||
| within one year | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Accruals and deferred income | 350 | 350 | |||
| 8. | Analysis of net assets between funds | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total | ||||
| funds | funds | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fund balances at 31 March 2025 as represented by: | |||||
| Current assets | 40,582 | 40,582 | |||
| 40,582 | 40,582 | ||||
| 9. | Unrestricted funds | At | At | ||
| 1st April | Incoming | Outgoing | 31st March | ||
| 2024 | resources | resources | 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Main Income | 33,442 | 44,696 | (37,556) | 40,582 |
Forest New Life Church
Notes to financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 10. Gross cash flows Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 11. Analysis of changes in net funds Cash at bank and in hand Net funds |
Opening balance £ 33,078 33,078 |
2025 £ - Cash flows £ 7,269 7,269 |
2024 £ 278 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closing balance £ 40,347 40,347 |
Forest New Life Church
The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts.
Forest New Life Church
Detailed statement of financial activities
For the year ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 £ Charitable activities Governance costs Activities undertaken directly Office expenses - Other (1) Other governance costs 640 639 Total governance costs 639 Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year 7,141 |
2024 £ - 350 350 350 1,521 |
2024 £ - 350 350 350 1,521 |
|---|---|---|
| 350 | ||
| 1,521 |
Forest New Life Church
Detailed statement of financial activities
For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Incoming resources Incoming resources from generating funds: Voluntary income Donations Gifts Investment income Bank interest receivable Total incoming resources from generating funds Incoming resources from charitable activities Grants Total incoming resources Resources expended Costs of generating funds: Cost of generating voluntary income Donations Donations - Establishment - Rent Donations - Establishment - Light & heat Donations - Establishment - Repairs & maintenance Publicity/Outreach Catering Functions Donations - Other motor & travel costs Training & Teaching Visiting Speaker Subs/Licences Computer Costs Trustees Insurances Stationery Costs Donations - Depreciation & impairment Total cost of generating voluntary income Fundraising trading: cost of goods sold and other costs Total costs of generating funds |
£ 2025 £ 36,163 7,295 43,458 - - 43,458 1,238 1,238 44,696 1,500 2,419 2,079 3,439 47 - 23,919 600 856 1,273 655 - 129 36,916 36,916 36,916 |
£ 2024 £ 32,781 5,863 38,644 278 278 38,922 1,102 1,102 40,024 1,500 1,386 2,085 5,596 528 396 23,872 275 715 939 652 52 157 38,153 38,153 38,153 |
|---|---|---|
Forest New Life Church
Detailed statement of financial activities
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Signed By
keith bushell
Date Signed 2025-11-17 17:14:21 Email finance.fnlc@gmail.com Printed Name keith bushell IP Address 2a00:23c6:3141:2801:84fb:da16:cc4a:de90 Browser User Agent Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/142.0.0.0 Safari/537.36 Edg/142.0.0.0 Name of signatory Keith Bushell