Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2021
Registered Charity No. 1129912
Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2021
1. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
The trustees, who are the church officers named in 1.3 including the Pastor, have pleasure in presenting this report of the church for the year ended 31[st] December 2021. The information set out above regarding the trust forms part of our report and the attached accounts are the accounts of the church which we have prepared and were adopted by church members at the AGM on 22[nd] March 2022.
1.1 Name & Address:
Swindon Evangelical Church 17-19 Devizes Road, Swindon. SN1 4BH
1.2 Registration with the Charity Commission:
The church is registered directly with the Charity Commission, no. 1129912.
1.3 Trustees during the period:
Holding Trustee: The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches Ltd 39 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7QU.
Managing Trustees: Paul Williams, Pastor Brian Whittaker, Associate Pastor Mark Trafford, Elder Richard Foster, Elder and Chair of Trustees John Baker, Deacon Jonathan Redhead, Deacon (appointed Elder – June 2022) Duncan Thew, Deacon Luke Moody, Deacon Sacha Childs-Clarke, Deacon (resigned – February 2022) Michel Crabol, Deacon Barney Main, Deacon Timothy Mann, Deacon Alex Tibitwenda, Deacon (resigned – April 2022) Paula James, Deacon (appointed – January 2022)
1.4 Bankers:
CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, WEST MALLING ME19 4JQ and
Lloyds Bank plc, 5 High Street, SWINDON SN1 3EN
1.5 Independent Examiner:
Luke Woodhams, FCCA TN6 Ltd, Enterprise Centre, Pine Grove, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1DH
Registered Charity No. 1129912
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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2021
2. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
2.1 Governing Documentation:
Swindon Evangelical Church Constitution, November 2008.
A - Chapel, 17 & 18 Devizes Rd - Conveyance (and Declaration of Trust), 17[th] March 1927.
B - Meeting Rooms, 19 Devizes Rd - Conveyance (and Declaration of Trust), 30[th] April 1955. A & B – Charity Commission Scheme (appointing FIEC Ltd as Trustee), 11[th] May 1993. Church Rules, June 2009.
2.2 Members and Employees
The church is an independent body made up of members who, on public profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and acknowledgment of His authority over their lives, voluntarily agree to adhere to the church Basis of Faith and Constitution.
The membership on 31[st] December 2021 stood at 135 members, six of whom joined the church during 2021. During the year one member resigned and two died.
The Annual General Meeting was held on 23[rd] March, with three other Members’ Meetings held on the 22[nd] June, 28[th] September and 30[th] November.
The church employed a full-time Pastor, the Pastor’s wife on a part-time basis, an Associate Pastor from 22[nd] February 2021, a part-time Ladies’ Worker, a part-time Administrator, and a part-time Children’s and Youth Worker.
2.3 Volunteers
The church continues to benefit from committed people who are willing to give their time to help in the work of the church across the range of activities.
3. OBEJECTIVES AND ACTIVTIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT
3.1 Aims and Objectives
The church exists for the:
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worship of God through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, praise and prayer;
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encouragement of spiritual growth in the lives of its members;
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promotion of fellowship between the members;
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organisation of evangelistic efforts to tell other people the good news of the Gospel;
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support of missionary activities both at home and abroad;
in accordance with the governing documentation.
3.2 Public Benefit
The trustees consider that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Registered Charity No. 1129912
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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2021
4. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
4.1 Church Activities
The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was faithfully preached throughout the year by our Pastor, Associate Pastor and members of the church, as well as a number of visiting preachers and speakers.
Many of the church meetings and activities, including Sunday services of public worship, were continued despite restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic through the first half of the year, using online meetings. Later in the year the church held Sunday services and other meetings within the church building, as Government restrictions were lifted. However, Sunday services were also broadcast online because during the pandemic a number of worshippers who would normally be unable to attend meetings due to age or infirmity benefitted from the initiative.
Meetings held by the church during the year were:
Weekly & Fortnightly
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Sunday services of public worship, both morning and evening.
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Adventurers and Explorers (Sunday School) and Ignite (for teenagers) each Sunday.
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Care Groups (house groups) for Bible Study, prayer & fellowship on alternate Tuesdays.
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Church Prayer Meeting on alternate Tuesdays.
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Stepping Stones parent-toddler group on Wednesday mornings during school terms.
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Women’s Fellowship meeting on Wednesday afternoons.
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Ladies’ Bible Study on Thursday mornings.
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Men’s Bible Study on Thursday mornings.
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Mums Connect met weekly during term time for mums of young children for fellowship, Bible Study and prayer.
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One-Way Club and Pathfinders outreach clubs for children on Thursdays during school term.
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Friday Fellowship outreach & lunch on alternate Fridays.
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Rooted, the group for teenagers (age 14+) on Wednesdays.
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20+ group for Bible Study, prayer & fellowship on Friday evenings.
Other regular meetings
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Triple-C card making club held once per month.
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Women’s Breakfast meeting roughly every 4 months on Saturdays.
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Men’s Breakfast meeting roughly every 4 months on Saturdays.
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Ladies Together fellowship for all women roughly every 6 months.
Other special meetings or events:
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There were five baptisms, two weddings and four funerals
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98[th] Church Anniversary on 10[th] January, with speaker David Earnshaw
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Speaker on mission from UFM 14[th] February
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Brian Whittaker appointed as Associate Pastor on 22[nd] February, with speaker Jonny Raine
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Good Friday service, 2[nd] April
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Easter Day Service, 4[th] April
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Holiday Bible Club (online) 6[th] to 9[th] April
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Quiz Nights outreach on 23[rd] April and 3[rd] December
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Discipleship Explored course (online), 26[th] April to 28[th] June
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Curry Night (online), 10[th] July
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Holiday at Home outreach to older people, 26[th] to 30[th] July
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Church Weekend Away, 17[th] to 19[th] September
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Harvest Thanksgiving service, 26[th] September
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Light Party for children, 30[th] October
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“Christmas Unwrapped” outreach to primary schools in November and December
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Christmas Lunch for older people, 10[th] December
Registered Charity No. 1129912
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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2021
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Carol Singing outside local shop, 18[th] December
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Carol Service on 19[th] December
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Christmas Day Service on 25[th] December
Other ministries include outreach using posted literature; visitation of the sick and elderly; and practical care including collections for Swindon Food Bank.
4.2 Missionary Support
The church supports missionary organisations both practically and financially. Organisations regularly supported are the Barnabas Fund which supports persecuted Christians worldwide; 20Schemes in the UK; Cranford Baptist Church, in the UK; UFM in Asia; Baptist Church in Myanmar and Christian Witness to Israel.
5. FINANCIAL REVIEW
5.1 Financial Review and Policies
God always provides for our needs when we seek to trust Him and follow in obedience to the way He leads. We have seen that many times in the past and have seen how God has provided for us in the year. Donation income remained at the same level as last year and expenditure increased as expected as our new Associate Pastor started.
However, the funds for the year were transformed when we received a legacy of £256K in November which means that total funds increased by £272K during the year and takes our total funds to just over £1.9 million. If you take these out the end of year position would be a small deficit of £1,000 which is better than what we had in the budget with the known increased expenditure as we employed an Associate Pastor.
The other major transaction during the year was the loans given to our Associate Pastor to enable him to move to Swindon. This happened before the legacy came in so trustees recalled the Designated Building Funds of £225K to cover this in the short term. The loan is split into two parts - one of which is repayable in 2022 and has now been repaid while the other one has much longer terms.
The biggest impact on the figures is the legacy and the return of the designated building funds which gives us the massive surplus in the year of £454K in our general unrestricted funds and the trustees are considering how best to use these funds in line with our charitable objectives.
5.2 Principal Funding Sources
The principal source of funding is from our members who generously give to support the work of the church in seeking to meet its charitable objectives.
5.3 Reserves policy
Our current reserves policy is to hold unrestricted reserves that are at least equal to three months operational expenditure. We thank God that our current level of reserves are higher than this.
5.4 Investment Policy
Income is generally received to support the work of the church so any surplus income is held in relatively accessible current or short-term deposits accounts.
5.5 Going Concern
The trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the charity and believe that sufficient resources are available to fund the activities for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the trustees are of the view that the charity is a going concern.
Registered Charity No. 1129912
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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2021
5.6 Building Together Project
The trustees considered the future of the building project and decided to look into development of the existing site, as all other potential sites or buildings for sale in the locality were unaffordable or not suitable.
5.7 Risk Management
The church has a risk management strategy involving an annual review and update by the trustees of identified operational, personnel, financial and reputational risks. The trustees are satisfied that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to monitor, manage and, where appropriate, mitigate these risks. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the risks of beginning to come out of lockdown have continued to be reviewed regularly to ensure that everyone connected with the church remains safe while seeking to get back to more inperson gatherings.
Richard Foster Chair, on behalf of the Managing Trustees 4[th] September 2022
Registered Charity No. 1129912
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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2021
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Swindon Evangelical Church
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of The Charities Act 2011 (the Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 135 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
L W Woodhams FCCA TN6 Ltd Pine Grove Enterprise Centre Pine Grove Crowborough East Sussex TN6 1DH
Date: 18 October 2022
Registered Charity No. 1129912
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Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2021
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2021
| Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Interest Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Total Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 10 Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward 10 Total funds carried forward 10 |
Unrestricted funds £ 429,533 142 429,675 170,540 170,540 259,135 (3,384) 255,751 416,222 671,973 |
Restricted funds £ 28,033 3,913 31,946 18,642 18,642 13,304 3,384 16,688 685,563 702,251 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - 537,500 537,500 |
Total funds 2021 £ 457,566 4,055 461,621 189,182 189,182 272,439 - 272,439 1,639,285 1,911,724 |
2020 £ 362,567 4,135 366,702 148,252 148,252 218,450 - 218,450 1,420,835 1,639,285 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2021
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2021
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets 6 Investments 7 Current assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due 9 within one year Net current assets Total net assets Funds of the charity Endowment funds 10 Restricted income funds 10 Unrestricted funds 10 Total funds |
Unrestricted funds £ 10,939 - 10,939 239,378 426,906 666,284 (5,250) 661,034 671,973 - - 671,973 671,973 |
Restricted funds £ - - - 13,344 688,907 702,251 - 702,251 702,251 - 702,251 - 702,251 |
Endowment funds £ 437,500 100,000 537,500 - - - 537,500 537,500 - - 537,500 |
Total funds 2021 £ 448,439 100,000 548,439 252,722 1,115,813 1,368,535 (5,250) 1,363,285 1,911,724 537,500 702,251 671,973 1,911,724 |
Total funds 2020 £ 451,174 100,000 551,174 85,999 1,003,662 1,089,661 (1,550) 1,088,111 1,639,285 537,500 685,563 416,222 1,639,285 |
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4th September 2022 Approved by the Trustees on ________ and signed on their behalf by:
Richard Foster Chairman
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Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2021
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021
1. Basis of preparation
a) Basis of preparation
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Swindon Evangelical Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
The church has free reserves in excess of two years' annual expenditure. The trustees are happy the church prepares accounts on a going concern basis.
2. Accounting policies
a) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are donations receivable without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund. Details of the nature and purpose of each fund is set out in note 12.
b) Income
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Gift Aid is recognised on the date of the donation and recovered on an annual basis. The Trust also makes use of the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
c) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Support and governance costs are recognised in the costs of the charitable activities of the church.
d) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
All assets costing (excluding land and buildings) more than £1,000 are capitalised and valued at historical cost. Depreciation is charged on the assets at the following rates:
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
20% per annum on a straight line basis
Land and buildings are not depreciated as the trustees believe the property's market value is in excess of the carrying value.
e) Investments
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date. The same treatment is applied to unlisted investments unless fair value cannot be measured reliably, in which case it is measured at cost less impairment.
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Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2021
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 (cont'd)
| 3. Charitable expenditure (including support and governance costs) Unrestricted funds £ Ministry 113,917 Outreach and mission 17,226 Premises 14,074 Admin 19,390 Other costs 663 Governance costs 5,270 170,540 4. Governance costs Governance costs include: Independent examiner's fees 5. Staff costs and numbers Staff costs were as follows: Salaries and wages Employer's National Insurance contributions Pension costs The average number of employees during the year: Charitable activities |
Restricted funds £ 16,551 2,091 18,642 |
Total funds 2021 £ 113,917 33,777 16,165 19,390 663 5,270 189,182 2021 £ 474 2021 £ 107,877 4,392 8,627 120,896 2021 6 6 |
Total funds 2020 £ 84,916 27,183 12,248 22,587 529 789 148,252 2020 £ 474 2020 £ 82,106 1,421 6,568 90,095 2020 5 5 |
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No employee received total emoluments (excluding employer pension costs) above £60,000.
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Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2021
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 (cont'd)
6. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Used by the Charity Cost As at 1 January 2021 Additions Disposals As at 31 December 2021 Depreciation As at 1 January 2021 Charge for year Eliminated on disposal As at 31 December 2021 Net book value As at 31 December 2021 As at 31 December 2020 Fixed Asset Investments Carrying value at 1 January 2021 Revaluations Less: impairments Carrying value at 31 December 2021 Debtors Loan to trustee Income Tax recoverable for Gift Aid donations Prepayments Accrued income |
Freehold land & buildings £ 437,500 - - 437,500 - - - - 437,500 437,500 |
Fixtures, Total fittings & equipment £ £ 49,287 486,787 - - - - 49,287 486,787 35,613 35,613 2,735 2,735 - - 38,348 38,348 10,939 448,439 13,674 451,174 Other investments £ 100,000 - - 100,000 2021 2020 £ £ 214,500 29,580 80,737 1,970 2,087 6,672 3,175 252,722 85,999 |
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7. Fixed Asset Investments
8. Debtors
2 loans were made to Brian Whittaker, Associate Pastor, during the year to enable his relocation to Swindon. One for £105,000 at 0% interest with an equal interest in any property revaluation. The other for £109,500 was a bridging loan with 1.5% interest rate. The second was repaid in March 2022.
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Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2021
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 (cont'd)
9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2021 £ Accruals 5,250 5,250 10. Movements in funds At 1 IncomeExpenditure Transfers Gains/ January (losses) 2021 £ £ £ £ £ Endowment funds: Church Premises 437,500 - - - - Manse Trust Fund 100,000 - - - - Total endowment funds 537,500 - - - - Restricted funds: Building fund 647,939 10,719 (2,091) - - Other restricted funds 37,624 21,227 (16,551) 3,384 - Total restricted funds 685,563 31,946 (18,642) 3,384 - Unrestricted funds: General funds 166,667 425,275 (150,575) 179,605 - Building fund provision 225,000 - - (225,000) - Other unrestricted funds 24,555 4,400 (19,965) 42,011 - Total unrestricted funds 416,222 429,675 (170,540) (3,384) - Total funds 1,639,285 461,621 (189,182) - - 11. Related party transactions The following trustees received remuneration: Name Salary Pension Total £ £ £ Paul Williams 41,381 3,310 44,691 Ruth Williams 5,130 410 5,540 Brian Whittaker 29,896 2,392 32,288 Deborah Baker 10,712 857 11,569 Trustees were reimbursed for the following expenses in the year: Travel expenses 705 Accommodation expenses - 705 Legal Authority Church constitution Church constitution Church constitution Church constitution |
2020 £ 1,550 1,550 At 31 December 2021 £ 437,500 100,000 537,500 656,567 45,684 702,251 620,972 - 51,001 671,973 1,911,724 2020 £ 43,496 5,392 11,259 311 - 311 |
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There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period.
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