2022-12-31-accounts - Swindon Evangelical Church

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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2022

Registered Charity No. 1129912

Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2022

1. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The trustees, who are the church officers named in 1.3 including the Pastors, have pleasure in presenting this report of the church for the year ended 31[st] December 2022. 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 28[th] March 2023.

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 Property Trust Ltd 41 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7QU. Managing Trustees: Brian Whittaker, Pastor Paul Williams, Associate Pastor Mark Trafford, Elder Richard Foster, Elder and Chair of Trustees Jonathan Redhead, Elder (appointed July 2022) John Baker, Deacon Duncan Thew, Deacon Luke Moody, Deacon Michel Crabol, Deacon Barney Main, Deacon Timothy Mann, Deacon Paula James, Deacon (appointed January 2022) Alex Tibitwenda, Deacon (resigned April 2022) Sacha Childs-Clarke, Deacon (resigned February 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:

Paxton Software Ltd 61a High Street South Rushden Northants NN10 0RA

Registered Charity No. 1129912

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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2022

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 2022 stood at 139 members, eight of whom joined the church during 2022. During the year two members resigned and two died.

The Annual General Meeting was held on 22[nd] March, with four other Members’ Meetings held on the 28[th] June, 27[th] September, 22[nd] November, and 6[th] December 2022.

On 4[th] September Brian Whittaker was recognised as the Lead Pastor, and Paul Williams as Associate Pastor (a reversal of roles in preparation for the retirement of Paul Williams in 2023).

The church employed a full-time Pastor, a full-time Associate Pastor, the Associate Pastor’s wife on a parttime basis, a part-time Ladies’ Worker, a part-time Women’s Ministry and Development Worker (from 1[st] November), 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:

worship of God through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, praise and prayer;
encouragement of spiritual growth in the lives of its members;
promotion of fellowship between the members;
organisation of evangelistic efforts to tell other people the good news of the Gospel;
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 2022

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.

Sunday services were held in the church building but also broadcast online for the benefit of a number of worshippers who would normally be unable to attend meetings due to age or infirmity.

Meetings held by the church during the year were:

Weekly & Fortnightly

Sunday services of public worship, both morning and evening.
Adventurers and Explorers (Sunday School) and Ignite (for teenagers) each Sunday.
Care Groups (house groups) for Bible Study, prayer & fellowship on alternate Tuesdays.
Church Prayer Meeting on alternate Tuesdays.
Stepping Stones parent-toddler group on Wednesday mornings during school terms.
Women’s Fellowship meeting on Wednesday afternoons.
Ladies’ Bible Study on Thursday mornings.
Men’s Bible Study on Thursday mornings.
Mums Connect met weekly during term time for mums of young children for fellowship, Bible Study and prayer.
One-Way Club and Pathfinders outreach clubs for children on Thursdays during school term.
Oasis (formerly known as Friday Fellowship) outreach & lunch on alternate Fridays.
Rooted, the group for teenagers (age 14+) on Wednesdays.
20+ group for Bible Study, prayer & fellowship on Friday evenings.

Other regular meetings

Triple-C card making club held once per month.
Women’s Breakfast meeting roughly every 4 months on Saturdays.
Men’s Breakfast meeting roughly every 4 months on Saturdays.
Ladies Together fellowship for all women every 6 months.

Other special meetings or events:

There were nine baptisms, two funerals, but no weddings
99[th] Church Anniversary service on 9[th] January, with speaker Ben Midgley
Easter Cracked outreach to primary schools, five days in March and April
Good Friday service, 15[th] April
Easter Day Service, 17[th] April
Holiday Bible Club 19[th] to 23[rd] April
Quiz Nights outreach on 1[st] April and 2[rd] December
Hope Explored course, in January and May
Great Brick Challenge outreach, 7[th] May
Football Tournament outreach, 11[th] June
Holiday at Home outreach to older people, 25[th] to 29[th] July
Harvest Thanksgiving service, 25[th] September
Light Party for children, 31[st] October
Christmas Unwrapped outreach to primary schools, 5 days in November and December
Christmas Lunch for older people, 16[th] December
Carol Singing outside local shop, 10[th] December
Carol Service on 11[th] December
Children’s Christmas Service on 18[th] December
Christmas Day Service on 25[th] December

Registered Charity No. 1129912

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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2022

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. We support Sarah Deacon, a youth worker in Slovenia and member of the church, via ECM. Organisations regularly supported are Barnabas Aid which supports persecuted Christians worldwide; 20Schemes in the UK; Cranford Baptist Church, in the UK; UFM in Asia; Baptist Church in Myanmar and International Mission to Jewish People.

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.

Total funds increased by £52K during the year and this was as a result of receiving the balance of the legacy and takes our total funds to just under £2 million.

Donation income in the General Fund increased by just under 8% and expenditure increased by 9% (as expected) which gave a small deficit if take the legacy out. Trustees have designated the excess funds in the General Fund to provide funds for training and AV equipment with the balance designated to the Building Funds. This, along with increased giving in that fund has enable the church to bid on some property that has become available next to the church (see below) as the fund stand at £1.1m. General Funds now stand at £161K which is more in line with our reserves policy given that £100K is held as a long-term debtor.

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.

5.6 Building Together Project

A major milestone in the Building Together Project was realised in 2022 when a site adjacent to the existing church property became available for development on the open market. On 6[th] December the church membership voted for the church to enter negotiations to purchase 38-42 Newport Street, Swindon (office buildings) for a price no greater than £1.5million. The bid for the site was submitted in January 2023 for less than that and has been accepted and we are currently working through the contractual process. Since then another piece of garden land adjacent to the church has become available and the church’s bid has been accepted.

Registered Charity No. 1129912

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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2022

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.

Richard Foster Chair, on behalf of the Managing Trustees 19[th] April 2023

Registered Charity No. 1129912

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Swindon Evangelical Church Trustees’ Annual Report 2022

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Indep	endentExaminer’sReport	endentExaminer’sReport	endentExaminer’sReport
Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner	Swindon Evangelical Church
	31 December 2022	Charity no (if any)	1129912
	Trustees’ report 1 to 7 and accounts pages 1 to 11

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the examiner’s statement 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 the 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 In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Darren Warren Date: 10 May 2023 Darren Warren
Name: Address: 61a High Street South, Rushden, Northants, NN10 0RA

Registered Charity No. 1129912

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Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2022

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2022

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 £ 241,066 688 241,754 192,968 192,968 48,786 (4,621) 44,165 671,973 716,138	Restricted funds £ 51,294 12,515 63,809 56,247 56,247 7,562 4,621 12,183 702,251 714,434	Endowment funds £ 175 - 175 - - 175 - 175 537,500 537,675	Total funds 2022 £ 292,535 13,203 305,738 249,215 249,215 56,523 - 56,523 1,911,724 1,968,247	2021 £ 457,566 4,055
					461,621
					189,182
					189,182

					272,439 -
					272,439 1,639,285
					1,911,724

Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2022

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2022

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 £ 8,204 - 8,204 131,642 582,500 714,142 (6,208) 707,934 716,138 - - 716,138 716,138	Restricted funds £ - - - 19,539 695,034 714,573 (139) 714,434 714,434 - 714,434 - 714,434	Endowment funds £ 437,500 100,000 537,500 25 150 175 - 175 537,675 537,675 - - 537,675	Total funds 2022 £ 445,704 100,000 545,704 151,206 1,277,684 1,428,890 (6,347) 1,422,543 1,968,247 537,675 714,434 716,138 1,968,247	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

Approved by the Trustees on ________ and signed on their behalf by:

Richard Foster Chairman

Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2022

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022

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.

Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2022

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (cont'd)

3. Charitable expenditure (including support and governance costs) Unrestricted funds £ Ministry 124,702 Outreach and mission 25,350 Premises 15,290 Admin 25,332 Other costs 1,415 Governance costs 879 192,968 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 £ 53,167 3,080 56,247	Total funds 2022 £ 124,702 78,517 18,370 25,332 1,415 879 249,215 2022 £ 510 2022 £ 118,042 5,188 9,070 132,300 2022 6 6	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

No employee received total emoluments (excluding employer pension costs) above £60,000.

Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2022

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (cont'd)

6. Tangible Fixed Assets

Used by the Charity Cost As at 1 January 2022 Additions Disposals As at 31 December 2022 Depreciation As at 1 January 2022 Charge for year Eliminated on disposal As at 31 December 2022 Net book value As at 31 December 2022 As at 31 December 2021	Freehold Fixtures, land & fittings & buildings equipment £ £ 437,500 49,287 - - - - 437,500 49,287 - 38,348 - 2,735 - - - 41,083 437,500 8,204 437,500 10,939	Total £ 486,787 - -
		486,787
		38,348 2,735 -
		41,083
		445,704
		448,439

7. Fixed Asset Investments

Fixed Asset Investments
Carrying value at 1 January 2022 Revaluations Less: impairments Carrying value at 31 December 2022 ebtors Loan to trustee Income Tax recoverable for Gift Aid donations Prepayments Accrued income	Other investments £ 100,000 - - 100,000 2022 2021 £ £ 105,000 214,500 31,303 29,580 3,100 1,970 11,803 6,672 151,206 252,722
		100,000
		2021 £ 214,500 29,580 1,970 6,672
		252,722

8. Debtors

Loan was made to Brian Whittaker, Associate Pastor in 2021 to enable his relocation to Swindon. This loan was for £105,000 at 0% interest with an equal interest in any property revaluation.

Swindon Evangelical Church Report and Financial Statements - 31 December 2022

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (cont'd)

9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2022 £ Accruals 6,347 6,347 10. Movements in funds At 1 Income Expenditure Transfers Gains/ January (losses) 2022 £ £ £ £ £ Endowment funds: Church Premises 437,500 - - - - Manse Trust Fund 100,000 175 - - - Total endowment funds 537,500 175 - - - Restricted funds: Building fund 656,566 27,370 (3,080) - - Other restricted funds 45,685 36,439 (53,167) 4,621 - Total restricted funds 702,251 63,809 (56,247) 4,621 - Unrestricted funds: General funds 620,972 241,754 (164,883) (536,255) - Building fund provision - - - 436,959 - Other unrestricted funds 51,001 - (28,085) 94,675 - Total unrestricted funds 671,973 241,754 (192,968) (4,621) - Total funds 1,911,724 305,738 (249,215) - - 11. Related party transactions The following trustees received remuneration: Name Salary Pension Total £ £ £ Paul Williams 42,937 3,377 46,314 Ruth Williams 5,859 419 6,278 Brian Whittaker 37,143 2,904 40,047 Rebecca Whittaker 2,522 157 2,679 Deborah Baker 11,636 874 12,510 Trustees were reimbursed for the following expenses in the year: Travel expenses 1,248 Accommodation expenses - 1,248 Legal Authority Church constitution Church constitution Church constitution Church constitution Church constitution	2021 £ 5,250
	5,250
	At 31 December 2022 £ 437,500 100,175
	537,675
	680,856 33,578
	714,434
	161,588 436,959 117,591
	716,138

	1,968,247
	2021 £ 44,691 5,540 32,288 - 11,569 705 -
	705

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period.