REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07454520 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1140752
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
for Swindon Community Church
Monahans Chartered Accountants Hermes House Fire Fly Avenue Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2GA
Swindon Community Church
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 5 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 10 |
Swindon Community Church (Registered number: 07454520)
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects of the charity are:
To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs appearing in the schedule hereto in Swindon and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees may from time to time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the charity.
Public benefit
The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The trustees consider that they have acted in the public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Overview
The year has been a period of stability as we have continued to meet in a physical church building, a space which we have filled on various special occasions. Numbers of members have been constant and giving has been maintained. This has meant our church charitable work can continue in a similar fashion.
Services and Meetings
The church has held weekly Sunday afternoon services for worship and teaching at The Well in Abbey Meads, Swindon together with ad hoc in-person mid-week evening meetings in our homes across Swindon for prayer and teaching.
Activities
Our members are active in supporting the poor and vulnerable in Swindon, which is promoted by the Christian teachings within our church meetings.
Our pastor has provided a weekly free bike repair service within Tadpole Garden Village.
Our members volunteer with Safe Families providing support to families in Swindon.
Our members have opened their homes to refugees from the conflict in Ukraine.
We are associated in Good News 4 Swindon (churches coming together to worship and pray for the town).
We held an International Christmas Celebration at The Well on 8th December 2024, inviting members of both Swindon churches and further afield, along with the local community, in order that we may celebrate together. There were Christmas presentations from several different Nations, and activities for children.
Social occasions in the form of bike rides in different parts of Swindon.
Social occasions in the form of a summer picnic on The Green in Tadpole Garden Village, inviting members of the local community to join us in summer BBQ food, games, cycle ride and family fun.
Giving
We provide regular financial support giving locally to Swindon Youth for Christ, Shine Pinehurst, Swindon Food Collective, and Pregnancy Choices.
We support Open Doors with Brother Andrew, a ministry to the persecuted church around the world.
We support Dr Jan White financially in her clinical work and the provision of a hospice in rural Uganda.
We give regular financial support to Hope for Justice, which combats human trafficking and modern slavery.
We retain Pastoral services.
We are affiliated to Salt and Light Ministries and support their work financially.
We anticipate that our giving will continue to expand in 2025/2026.
Page 1
Swindon Community Church (Registered number: 07454520)
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position
At 31 March 2025 the charity held total funds of £26,964.
Reserves policy
The Trustees have set a target for financial reserves i.e.: Cash at the bank is to remain above the total outgoings for three months - currently about £9,000. Free reserves held are in excess of the required level. We plan to continue to expand our giving in 2025/2026.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Trustees are recruited from the congregation
An All Church Annual General Meeting was held on 22 January 2025
Also we held 1 Trustee Meeting during 2024/2025
A further All Church Annual General Meeting will be held in late 2025/early 2026.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number
07454520 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number
1140752
Registered office
14 Dunvant Road Swindon Wiltshire SN25 2AX
Trustees
B Lafford T Lafford R Cole
Company Secretary
B Lafford
Independent Examiner
James Gare FCA DChA Monahans Chartered Accountants Hermes House Fire Fly Avenue Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2GA
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 1 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
T Lafford - Trustee
Page 2
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Swindon Community Church
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Swindon Community Church ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
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 in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
James Gare FCA DChA
Monahans Chartered Accountants Hermes House Fire Fly Avenue Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2GA
4 December 2025
Page 3
Swindon Community Church
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 3 39,274 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 4 Church Activities 42,258 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (2,984) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 29,678 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 26,694 |
2024 Total funds £ 32,907 42,408 (9,501) 39,179 29,678 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 4
Swindon Community Church (Registered number: 07454520)
Balance Sheet
31 March 2025
| 2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 11 4,962 Cash at bank and in hand 23,019 27,981 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 12 (1,287) NET CURRENT ASSETS 26,694 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 26,694 NET ASSETS 26,694 FUNDS 13 Unrestricted funds 26,694 TOTAL FUNDS 26,694 |
2024 Total funds £ 5,902 25,688 31,590 (1,912) 29,678 29,678 29,678 29,678 29,678 |
|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 1 December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
T Lafford - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
Swindon Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Swindon Community Church is a charitable company limited by guarantee, without share capital, incorporated in England and Wales. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address can be found in the Trustees' Report.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound.
There are no significant areas of judgements or key sources of estimation uncertainty.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Governance costs
Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts, the cost of trustee meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life - 3 years on a straight line basis. Fixed assets costing more than £250 are capitalised and are initially recorded in the balance sheet at cost.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Creditors
Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
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Swindon Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Fund accounting
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Tithes & Offerings|34,890|27,556|
|Gift aid|4,384|5,351|
|39,274|32,907|
|4.|CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS|
|Direct|Support|
|Costs (see|costs (see|
|note 5)|note 6)|Totals|
|£|£|£|
|Church Activities|41,175|1,083|42,258|
|5.|DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Rent|1,554|323|
|Licenses & insurance|989|906|
|Pastors fees|23,229|21,721|
|Sundries|17|84|
|Training|101|198|
|Travel Costs|1,310|1,509|
|Donations|6,675|7,057|
|Bank Charges|95|72|
|Stationery (Craft), Printing, Computer, and Website|1,419|913|
|Outreach & Trips Guest Hospitality|1,266|655|
|Visiting Speakers|3,350|2,200|
|Safeguarding|150|145|
|Catering Refreshments|660|4,598|
|Music & Equipment|360|911|
|41,175|41,292|
----- End of picture text -----
6. SUPPORT COSTS
----- Start of picture text -----
|||
|---|---|
|Governance|
|costs|
|£|
|Church Activities|1,083|
----- End of picture text -----
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continued...
Swindon Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
6. SUPPORT COSTS - continued
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
7.
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Church | Total | |
| Activities | activities | |
| £ | £ | |
| Accountancy and independent examination | 1,083 | 1,116 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): | ||
| Accountancy and independent examination | 2025 £ 1,083 |
2024 £ 1,116 |
8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
The trustee, R Cole and his spouse, received total remuneration of £23,229 (2024: £21,721) for pastoral services provided during the year.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
9. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | Unrestricted fund £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies | 32,907 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Church Activities | 42,408 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (9,501) | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||
| Total funds brought forward | 39,179 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 29,678 | |
| 10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |
| COST | Computer equipment £ |
|
| At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 | 350 | |
| DEPRECIATION | ||
| At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 | 350 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||
| At 31 March 2025 | - | |
| At 31 March 2024 | - |
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Swindon Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 11. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 4,962 | 5,902 | ||
| 12. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
| Accrued expenses | 2025 £ 1,287 |
2024 £ 1,912 |
||
| 13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||
| Unrestricted funds | At 1.4.24 £ |
Net movement in funds £ |
At 31.3.25 £ |
|
| General fund | 29,678 | (2,984) | 26,694 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 29,678 | (2,984) | 26,694 | |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | Incoming resources £ |
Resources expended £ |
Movement in funds £ |
|
| General fund | 39,274 | (42,258) | (2,984) | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 39,274 | (42,258) | (2,984) | |
| Comparatives for movement in funds | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | At 1.4.23 £ |
Net movement in funds £ |
At 31.3.24 £ |
|
| General fund | 39,179 | (9,501) | 29,678 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 39,179 | (9,501) | 29,678 | |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | Incoming resources £ |
Resources expended £ |
Movement in funds £ |
|
| General fund | 32,907 | (42,408) | (9,501) | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 32,907 | (42,408) | (9,501) | |
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continued...
Swindon Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Donations from trustees and related parties in the year totalled £11,489 (2024: £13,888).
There were no other related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Page 10