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2020-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1145817

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

Central Church Swindon

MHA Monahans Chartered Accountants 38-42 Newport Street Swindon Wiltshir e SN13D R

Central Church

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

Pag
e
Report of the Trustees 1 to 7
Independent Examiner's Report 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 to 19

Central Church

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020. 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

The purpose of the Charity is to advance the Christian faith in the Area of Benefit in accordance with the principles and practices of the Participating Churches.

In achieving its purpose, the Charity will engage in a range of activities, either on its own or with others, including (but not restricted to):

a) the celebration of public worship;

b) the teaching of the Christian faith;

c) mission and evangelism; pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the bereaved; the provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including (but not restricted to) the elderly, the young and other groups with special needs; and

d) the support of other charities in the UK and overseas.

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.

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Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

The Church

Normally, we have a weekly Sunday worship service at 10.30 am. Holy Communion is included during the service on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. A ministry of Healing and Wholeness - with prayers and laying-on of hands is offered during the service on the third Sunday of the month.

A Junior Family Church (JFC) for children and young people is held during service times with the exception of the first Sunday. We also hold extra, special services during the major Christian festivals, for example, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas. The Minister and members of the Pastoral Committee take Holy Communion to the housebound twice a year and/or when requested. The minister also attends the Tuesday Fellowship Group and the Wednesday Circle Group to keep in contact with those people who do not normally attend Sunday acts of worship.

Due to Coronavirus lockdown, we closed the church in March as instructed by the Government and LEP participating denominations. The Minister produced a weekly written service which was emailed, posted and delivered to members of the congregation. The monthly newsletter was distributed in the same way.

When restrictions were eased, we held a one-off Service of Thanksgiving in August, and then fully reopened on Sunday 6th September, complying with Covid rules.

We had to close again from Sunday 8th November in compliance with the second lockdown, and reopened when we were allowed to on the 6th December. We then stayed open until the New Year.

Our Minister, Revd Moyra Davies, was due to retire in July but agreed to stay on until Easter 2021 to see us through the pandemic. We are extremely grateful to her for this.

Normally, our regular organist, Dr Themis Toumpoulidis, plays for us three Sundays per month, Cyril York plays on the second Sunday every month, and Carolyn Wallbank plays whenever there is a fifth Sunday. We are also grateful to the following organists: Jenny Powley and Janet Furze, who support us on occasional Sundays throughout the year.

Our Membership at 31st December 2020 stood at 71. We also have a number of adherents who are faithful attendees who are not full Members. Our average weekly attendance is 37 adults. Unfortunately, whilst we are in touch with a number of families, the children and teenagers have largely ceased to attend. There are a number of reasons for this but we are aware that many other activities take place on Sunday mornings. Sadly, there have been three funerals during 2020.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to hold several of our special services in 2020 such as Church Anniversaries, and marking Christian festivals such as Holy Week and Easter. However, we did manage to celebrate Haivest in September with a lovely service, when the church was beautifully decorated by two of our members for the occasion.

The church was open again for much of the Advent Season, when we were able to decorate the church with traditional trimmings such as the Advent Wreath and Christmas Tree. We were also able to use our lovely, full-sized Nativity scene - which was originally made several years ago by members of the congregation, and is always much appreciated by everyone.

The Service of Lessons and Carols is another much loved service, and we were so pleased that we were able to hold this service - which once again everyone enjoyed - even though due to Covid rules, we had to listen to carols rather than sing them ourselves.

We held our usual Christmas Day service and, again, appreciated the decorations and presence of the Nativity scene.

Unfortunately, once again due the Covid restrictions, we weren't able to hold some of our usual fundraising events throughout the year - such as Christian Aid Big Breakfast in May and MacMillan Cancer Coffee Morning in September. However, we did manage a collection for Water Aid at our Harvest Festival - when we also had a collection of dried goods which were donated to the Swindon Food Collective.

We continued collect and deliver food and other items for the Food Collective throughout the year - whenever the church was open - and we also made a monetary donation to them of £250.

Our Christmas Appeal this year was for Swindon Women's Refuge - which was so well supported that we managed to give them a wonderful array of lovely things for the women - and a whole heap of great toys and gifts for the children and young people of the Refuge. Our Christmas Day collection was given to the charity, Action for Children.

We were unable to hold a full AGM but we ensured that elections were held and the Annual Report and accounts approved.

Christine Durant and Judith Furse met with our prospective new Minister, Revd Jonathan Edwards over Zoom in April, and during the easing of restrictions he met in person with Christine and Revd Moyra Davies. They were joined by Judith Furse on the phone. Following this, a Church Meeting was arranged so that Jonathan could meet our congregation.

Central Church

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

Following the meeting, everyone was in favour of us 'calling' him to become the next Minister of Central Church - and he will start his ministry with us on Easter Sunday 2021. Jonathan will not be full-lime - but will be a part-time "transitional minister", who will help us discern our vision for the future.

Church Decoration: The first Sunday in Advent (Advent Sunday) always sees our church decorated for the coming festive season. The Advent Wreath is on display at the front of the church in readiness for the four Advent Candles to be lit, week by week, in sequence. At the beginning of the Christmas morning service, of course, the central while candle, the Christ Candle is lit.

Carol Service: As has been mentioned elsewhere, sadly, due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to hold our usual 'Carols by Candlelight with Christingles Service'. This was a great shame as it's a service much looked forward to during the Christmas Season. However, we were able to hold a 'Lessons and Carol' service - even though we could only listen to the carols. Nevertheless, ii proved to be a beautiful service which was much enjoyed by the whole congregation..

Christmas Presents for the Housebound and those Members who have been bereaved

during the past year: Central Church always buys a present for those Members of our congregation who are housebound and are no longer able to get to church as they once did. We also purchase a gift for anyone who has been bereaved during the current year.

Christmas Morning Service: This is always a lovely family service when children and adults alike welcome the Christ Child in the manger into our world. In previous years, the children have been invited to bring along one or two of Santa's presents.

Church Facilities: The Church facilities are also used by two other worshipping communities. These are New Life Christian Ministry, led by Pastor Alphonso Davis; and Glory of God, led by Pastor Sidney Martins. Both make good use of the premises including the Baptistery - for baptism by full immersion.

Junior Family Church (JFC)

JFC has failed to function this year with no children attending even before the pandemic closed worship. Sadly there are too many other external activities happening on a Sunday and we need to consider how we can re-engage with our young families, perhaps by meeting during a weekday evening instead. However, this will need a lot of planning and we would require more leaders to assist with this.

Safeguarding is taken very seriously. All relevant people involved with our children or vulnerable adults hold a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Tuesday Fellowship

We met twice a month from January through to March, with a few devotional meetings, a talk on hospital chaplaincy and a games afternoon. Then sadly Coronavirus and lockdown meant that we ceased to meet. During those first few months our numbers, already small, dropped considerably and as Covid was still rife in September when we would normally have started meeting again after the summer break, ii was felt unwise to recommence our meetings. When it is safe to do so, we will hold an AGM, but sadly ii is unlikely that the group meetings will continue due to numbers.

Wednesday Circle

As above, we met through the first three months of 2020 starting off the year with a winter supper where we all brought and shared a meal and had a wonderful evening of fellowship together. We have not met for the remainder of the year but there is a goodly number of people in this group and it is hopeful that we can start meeting again when the pandemic is a thing of the past and it is considered safe to do so.

Bible Study Group:

This Group has been unable to meet due to Covid.

Prayer Fellowship:

This group was unable to meet due to Covid. However members kept each other informed of prayer requests and so individual prayer at home continued.

World Church Group:

The World Church Group exists to try and keep up-to-date with matters of concern around the world as well as with local issues requiring a Christian voice. The group met in January but was unable to do so again. However newsletters and information was still shared as much as possible. The link with Baptist missionaries Daniel, Regiane and Anna Sophia Clark remains and it was good to receive their letters and hear how they are coping with Covid in Peru. Stories for Change, the newsletter for Commitment for Life was circulated where possible and the church gave them a gift of £200 to help with their vital work with the poor of Central America.

Page 4

Central Church

Central Church also supports the work of Amnesty International. The congregation participated in the Write for Rights campaign.

Page 5

Central Church

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

Sadly ii was not possible to fundraise for Christian Aid, although we did mark Christian Aid Week with a written service featuring their work.

We were however able to make a donation of £100 to the charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), which was the World Church Group's chosen charity for the quarter, January-April 2020.

As mentioned elsewhere in this Report, our Christmas charities this year were Action for Children and the Women's Refuge.

We are committed to continuing to look outward to support the vulnerable and disadvantaged both at home and abroad.

Newsletter

We have a monthly newsletter which carries news of the church family, Bible readings, notification of events, and items of general interest. This is available to everyone, and copies are taken to the housebound.

Church in the Community - Lent Lunches

Central Church hosted the first Lent lunch of the season, at St. Aldhelm's church. This is a simple meal attended by churches in Swindon town centre to raise money for Christian Aid and CAFOD. Due to Corona virus restrictions no other lunches took place.

Friends of sec

Swindon Commercial Chaplaincy (SCC) is a registered charity providing chaplaincy to the workplace in the local area. Central Church and the Pilgrim Centre have kindly allowed SCC to use an office in the Pilgrim Centre and for its registered address. Central Church and a number of individuals have become a 'Friend of SCC' by supporting the charity financially and with prayer.

In March 2020 when the Covid 19 pandemic hit, we asked our chaplains to gather telephone numbers and email addresses from those whom they visit. We asked them all to stop visiting and we closed the office. Sheila and Marion have been working from home, popping into the office from time to time where necessary. The chaplains have been keeping in touch with their people as much as possible by phone and email, and by sending the occasional card. Sheila has been telephoning the shop managers to reassure them that we are all still here for them. She has also been keeping in regular contact with the chaplains.

When the first lockdown was over, some of the chaplains did manage to get back into their shops. They were really welcomed back by their people as it has been such a difficult time for the workers. Others were not able to get back in. This was either because their shops were too small and they could not maintain social distancing, or they were vulnerable themselves and had to stay away.

We set up regular 'Chaplains Chat' sessions by Zoom so that we could all see and talk to each other. We also had the occasional managers' meeting by Zoom. Sheila and Marion have also been attending Zoom meetings with Workplace Chaplaincy Mission UK (WCMUK). This charity keeps a weather eye on chaplaincies across the country. They also supply our chaplains' insurance. Their meetings have been exploring various topics including the theology of chaplaincy and how to execute chaplaincy in a post covid world. The meetings have been very helpful.

Sheila has featured on regular slots on Wiltshire Radio's Sunday morning programme. This helps to raise our profile within the town. She also regularly gives out the chaplaincy telephone number for anyone to contact if they need anyone to speak to in these difficult times. This message is also on our social media pages and website.

2020 has been extremely challenging and now in 2021 we are once again in lockdown. During the last year the retail sector has suffered greatly, and many of the shops were already facing difficulties. Despite everything we remain optimistic. We believe there has never been a greater need for the chaplaincy service. Many members of staff in local shops are overwhelmed and in need of our support. We look forward to the day when we can get back to them. Also, to exploring new ways of doing chaplaincy. We extend our grateful thanks to all of our supporters, through prayer and financial giving. Also to Team SCC for all that they do.

The Pilgrim Centre

Bookings for room hire started to drop off very quickly when the Covid rules came in. We cancelled some ourselves in order to keep everyone safe. Revd Moyra Davies, David Davies and Christine Durant maintained a presence in the building throughout the year and ensured vital maintenance work was done.

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Central Church

They oversaw much-needed decorating and laying of new carpet was completed. The National Blood Transfusion Service continue to use our building but there is no way of knowing how many customers we have lost for good.

Cleaners: As the cafe isn't open at present, its cleaner, Mrs. Suzie Osbaldstone, has decided to retire. Mrs. Jane Corcoran continues to clean the rest of the building.

Page

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

Cafe @ Central:

Cafe @ Central opened in October 2016 as a church and community facility, and has been much appreciated by

everyone.

In 2020, the cafe reopened on Thursday 6th February following the Christmas break, but unfortunately just five weeks later, on 12th March, it had to close down again due to Coronavirus Lockdown - and did not reopen for the remainder of the year.

Issues and Trends

The 'Volunteer Welcome Handbook' continues to be updated as and when legislation changes. Volunteers continue to be made aware of COSHH (The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

At 31 December 2020, total funds were £1,341,920. Restricted funds were £866,908 and endowment funds were

£255,358. Unrestricted reserves were £219,654. Free reserves, after making allowance for tangible fixed assets, were

£217,325.

The trustees' reserve policy is to maintain free reserves at a level which equates to approximately six months costs in order to cover unplanned situations that may occur from time to time. This is in line with good practice and follows the recommendations of the charity commission. Based on the present level of costs the required free reserves are £50,000. Reserves held are above the required level.

The Covid-19 restrictions meant that we could not worship in our building until September. Our minister, Revd Moyra Davies, sent out a written service every week. Our income was affected although many members have continued to make their financial offering throughout lockdown. All room hire bookings have been cancelled apart from the NHS Blood and Transplant Service whose sessions we have continued to host. This means our income will be reduced. We do have enough reserves to cover our expenses for the foreseeable future.

FUTURE PLANS

Goals for 2021

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, World Day of Prayer, Christian Aid Week, Macmillan Cancer Support: World's Biggest Coffee Morning, One World Week, and the charity, Action for Children.

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

We are a single congregation church comprised of three denominations. We are recognised by the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB), and locally by the West of England Baptist Association, (WEBA), Methodist Connexion and locally by the North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit, and the United Reformed Church General Assembly and locally by the South Western Synod. We serve the Swindon town centre area. Our membership is also drawn from other areas of the town.

We are members of Churches Together in Swindon Centre (CTiSC). We are also members of Swindon Churches Together (SGT) who act as our sponsoring body for guidance and oversight.

Our church minister is normally taken in rotation from the three denominations. We currently have a minister from the Baptist tradition, Revd Moyra Davies.

Central Church operates from the purpose-built Pilgrim Centre. The building comprises a ground floor cafe called Cafe @ Central, the first floor Worship Area and second and third floor offices and meeting rooms, which are available for hire by the community.

Trustees:

Judith Furse {Chair), David McNab, June Osborne, Sue Mason, Joanna Struthers-Frost, Rita Cammegh and Christine Durant.

Executive:

Our Trustees are all members of our elected Executive who oversee the running of the church and premises. The Executive meets six times a year. Elections are held during our Annual Church Meeting, with all elected positions held for three years maximum before re-standing for election. We also have one ex-officio member of the Executive, Revd Moyra Davies (Minister).

Other officers serving Central Church and the Pilgrim Centre:

Secretariat: Christine Durant, and Marion Manning, membership secretary. Finance Officer: Sue Mason assisted by David Davies

Finance data Input and report writing: MHA Monahans Cash counting: Brian Miller and Frank Gleed.

Chair of Church Meeting: Christine Durant Staffing Officer: Judith Furse

Leader of Junior Family Church (JFC): Christine Durant assisted by Hannah Evans. Leader of the Youth Group: Vacancy

Information Officer: Vacancy Manse Fabric Officer: David McNab Marriage Registration: Marion Manning

Pastoral Committee: Elected Members: Janet Ferris, Jane Walsh and Glenys Thomas. Revd Moyra Davies Chairs this committee as an ex-officio member. There is a group of non-elected Pastoral Carers who also sit on the Pastoral Committee which meets quarterly. The Pastoral Carers visit our sick and elderly. Safeguarding Officers: Revd Moyra Davies, Mavis Poolman

Induction and training of Trustees: Resources are available for training any new Trustees in their duties, e.g. our constitution model document, standing orders, web site, Charity Commission website, local knowledge as many of our Executive have been serving for many years. All legal requirements regarding ongoing information is continually updated and displayed in both the Centre and Cafe.

External Representation

Locally, we have representatives on Swindon Churches Together (SCT) - Revd Moyra Davies and Judith Furse; and Churches Together in Swindon Centre (CTiSC) - Revd. Moyra Davies, who is also Chair of this group, and Sylvia Barnes. Revd Moyra Davies also acts as our representative to WEBA, and two church members, Christine Durant and Judith Furse are our representatives on the North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit. Judith Furse is also our representative to the URC SW Synod. We are also involved in the local Interfaith Group.

Properties: the legal title of properties managed by the Church trustees belong to the following as custodian trustees: West of England Baptist Trust Company, United Reform Church, and the Methodist Church.

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1145817

Principal address The

Pilgrim Centre Regent Circus Swindon Wiltshire SN11PX

Trustees

J Furse S Pope (resigned 10.9.20) D McNab C Durant S Mason RCammeg h J Osborne J Struthers-Frost

Independent Examiner

Steve Fraser FCA MHA Monahans Chartered Accountants 38-42 Newport Street Swindon Wiltshir e SN13D R

Bank account

Royal Bank of Scotland, 127 Commercial Road, Swindon. SN1 5PZ

Financial/Investment

West of England Baptist Association (WEBA), United Reformed Church (URC), and Methodist Finance Board.

Contact details

Web Site Central Church: www.centralchurch.com Web Site Pilgrim Centre: www.pilgrimcentre.co.uk Email: pilcen@aol.com Tel: ~~01793 537642~~ r7,

Approved by order of the board of trustees ...........c::t. .C:.!.. and signed on its behalf by:

on ..C'. ...................................................................... ?.

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J Furse - Trustee

lndtPIOdent Examiner' ■ R•oort to the Trustees of C.ntral Church Swindon

Independent examiner's report to the trusteee of Central Church Swindon

I report to the charily trustees on my examination of the accounts of Central Church Swindon (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Rapon1lbllltle1and basis of report

As the chartty trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts earned out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination t have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charily Commiuion under section 145(5Xb) of Iha Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have comp! my examination. I confirm that no material matters have ooma to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cwse to beiave that In any material respect:

  1. accounting records ware not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. Iha accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fonn 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 other matters In connection with the examination ID which attention should be drawn In this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Steve r ser FCA • MHA Monahans Chartered Accountants 38-:42 Newport Street Swindon Wlitahlre SN13DR Dale: J./:ttiA..1w.,¥.;:..!.J?.f.::J

•

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Central Church

Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

Notes
Unrestrict
ed
funds
£
INCOME AND
ENDOWMENTS
FROM
Donations and legacies
2
19,571
Other trading activities
3
11,521
Investment income
4
24,418
Total
55,510
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
5
1,933
Charitable activities
Church activities
6
93,794
Total
95,727
Net gains on investments
6,126
NET INCOME/
(EXPENDITURE)
(34,091)
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought
forward
253,745
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD
219,654		 Notes
Unrestrict
ed
funds
£
INCOME AND
ENDOWMENTS
FROM
Donations and legacies
2
19,571
Other trading activities
3
11,521
Investment income
4
24,418
Total
55,510
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
5
1,933
Charitable activities
Church activities
6
93,794
Total
95,727
Net gains on investments
6,126
NET INCOME/
(EXPENDITURE)
(34,091)
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought
forward
253,745
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD
219,654		 Restricte
d
funds
£
31
9,846		 Endowme
ntfund
£		 2020
2019
Total
fund
s
£
Total
fund
s
£
19,602
25,630
11,521
40,506
34,264
43,569
55,510
1,933
93,794		 9,877
480
175		 14,642 65,387
109,705
17,055
7,827
93,969
87,716
95,727
6,126		 655
9,906		 14,642 111,024
95,543
16,032
116,849
(34,091)
253,745		 19,128
847,780		 (14,642)
270,000		 (29,605)
131,011
1,371,525
1,240,514
219,654 866,908 255,358 1,341,920
1,371,525

The notes form part of these financial

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Central Church

Balance Balance Balance
Sheet
 31
December 2020 2019
2020 £ £
Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 12 2,329 3,442
Investments
Investments 13 891,557 875,524
Investment property 14 246,514
1,140,400 878,966
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 15 7,608 14,529
Investments held for sale
Cash at bank and in hand		 16
17		 198,308 270,00
0
216,47
9
205,916 501,008
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 18 (4,396) (8,449)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 201,520 492,559
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT 1,341,920 1,371,52
LIABILITIES 5
NET ASSETS 1,341,920 1,371,
525
FUNDS 20
Unrestricted funds 219,654 253,745
Restricted funds 866,908 847,780
Endowment funds 255,358 270,000
TOTAL FUNDS 1,341,920 1,371,52
5
The fn Istatements
were
by
the Board		 approved. of Trustees and authorised for issue
........J,u;l.....Zo',l.,ndwere signed on ,ts behalf on
by:

C Durant - Trustee

............. ........... S Maso ...-::

The notes form part of these financial

Page 10

Central Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, 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 Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a lrue and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following the 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) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

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.

Legal status of the charity

The charity is an unincorporated charity, constituted by a trust deed. The registered office address and the nature of the charity's operations and principal activities of the charity are given in the trustees report.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is

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 in these accounts.

Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield of the investment portfolio.

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

continued.

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Central Church

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.

continued.

Page 12

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES -

continued 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 at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Equipment 20% on straight line basis Fixtures and - 20% on straight line basis fittings

Freehold property

The Pilgrim Centre is owned by the Baptist Church (two thirds), Methodist (one sixth) and United Reform Church (URC) (one sixth). The Manse is owned by the URC. Expenditure incurred on the church and manse is written off in the year it is incurred.

The above properties are not recognised as assets of the charity.

Investments

Investments are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Any gain or loss on revaluation is included in the Statement of Financial Activities as unrealised.

Investment property

The church receives an annual rent from a property that is held upon trust by the West of England Baptist Association (WEBA) Trustees. Investment properties are included in the accounts at open market value. All movements arising from revaluation are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities. Realised gains and losses on investment properties are calculated as the difference between the disposal proceeds and the market value at the beginning of the year or cost of purchases during the year. Unrealised gains and losses are derived form the movement in the market values during the year.

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 church is an excepted charity within the meaning of the Taxes Acts. Accordingly it is potentially exempt from taxation in respect income and capital gains received to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. No provision for taxation has been made in these financial statements.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the church in the furtherance of its charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor, or contained in the terms of the grant.

Endowment funds are funds which are held subject to donor-imposed stipulations that they be maintained as capital. The income earned from these funds is used for general purposes where

allowed or for the specific purposes intended. The aim and use of each endowment fund is set out in the notes to the accounts.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The church operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the church's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Central Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The church also pays pension contributions for its Minister to the Baptist Ministers Pension Trust Limited, which is a final salary defined benefit scheme. The scheme is a multi-employer scheme and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities of the scheme which are attributable to the church. Therefore, as there is insufficient information, the scheme is accounted for as a defined contribution scheme.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations and collections
Gift aid
Legacie
s
3.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Cafe@Central takings
Hire of Pilgrim Centre
Other income
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Rents received
Income from fxed asset investments
Deposit account interest
5.
RAISING FUNDS
Investment management costs
Portfolio management
Rental property - repairs and professional fees
Other trading activities
Purchases
Repairs and renewals
Aggregate amounts		 2020
£
16,349
3,253
19,602
2020
£
555
10,766
11,521
2020
£
8,471
25,454
34,264
2020
£
580
15,953
16,533

2020
£
378
144
522
17,055
 2019
£
20,684
4,962
J!§)
25,630
2019
£
5,372
35,134
40,506
2019
£
15,544
27,561
464
43,569
2019
£
50
3,576
=
3,626
2019
£
3,984
217
4,201
=
7,827

continued.

Page 15

Central Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

6.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
7.
8.
Church activities
49,350
2,353
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
Management
2020
Church
Rates and water
activities
£
1,903
Insurance
4,405
Light and heat
11,317
Telephone and internet
2,393
Printing, postage and stationery
2,792
Cleaning and household
4,694
Repairs and renewals
17,585
Professional fees
98
Bad debts
125
Bookkeeping, management accounts and
payroll
2,925
Depreciation of tangible and heritage assets
49,350
Governance costs
Independent examination and
accountancy
2020
Church
activities
£
=
2,353
Direct
Costs
(seenote
7)
£
Support
costs
(see
note 8)
£
Church activities
42,266
51,703
DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
2020
£
Staf costs
27,889
Manse property expenses
2,455
Sundries
650
Denominations and assessments
8,871
Worship
1,814
Donations
587
42,266
SUPPORT COSTS
Governance
Management
costs
£
£		 51,703
2019
Total
activitie
s
£
638
4,487
12,488
2,366
3,071
7,551
6,516
571
2,978
1,241
41,907
2019
Total
activities
£
2,280
Totals
£
93,969
2019
£
27,567
2,145
625
10,327
2,729
---136
43,529
Totals
£		 51,703
2019
Total
activitie
s
£
638
4,487
12,488
2,366
3,071
7,551
6,516
571
2,978
1,241
41,907
2019
Total
activities
£
2,280
Totals
£
93,969
2019
£
27,567
2,145
625
10,327
2,729
---136
43,529
Totals
£

continued.

Page 16

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2020 nor for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2020 nor for the year ended 31 December 2019.

10.
STAFF COSTS
Wages and
salaries Other
pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was
as follows:		 2020
2019
£
£
27,727
26,993
162
574
27,889
27,567
2020
1
2019
1

Minister

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

Key management personnel for the charity comprises the Minister. The total employee benefits for key management personnel of the charity were £27,889 (2019 - £27,567).

COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 11.

Unrestrict
ed
funds
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
25,605
Other trading activities
40,506
Investment income
31,313
Total
97,424
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
7,827
Charitable activities
Church activities
87,289
Total
95,116
Net gains on investments
14,475
NET INCOME
16,783
Transfers between funds
(163)
Net movement In funds
16,620
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
As previously reported
237,125
Prior year adjustment		 Restricte
d
funds
£
Endowme
nt fund
£
Total
fund
s
£
25
25,630
40,506
12,256
43,569
12,281
109,705
7,827
427
87,716
427
95,543
102,374
116,849
114,228
131,011
163
114,391
131,011
733,389
970,514
270,000
270,000

Notes to the Financial Statements • continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES· continued
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total
funds funds fund
funds
£ £ £ £
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 253,745 847,780 270,000 1,371,525
12. TANGIBLE FIXED Fixture
ASSETS s and
Equipment fttings Totals
£ £ £
COST
At 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 25,963 23,966 49,929
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2020 23,513 22,974 46,487
Charge for year 816 297
Al 31 December 2020 24,329 23,271 47,600
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2020 1,634 695 2,329
At 31 December 2019 2,450 992
3,442
=
13. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
West of
England United
Baptist Refonn
Trust Co. Church Totals
£ £ £
MARKET VALUE
At 1 January 2020 367,080 508,444 875,524
Unrealised gains (16,631) 32,664 16,033
At 31 December 2020 350,449 541,108 891,557
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2020 350,449 541,108 891,557
At 31 December 2019 367,080 508,444 875,524

Investments held by the West of England Baptist Trust Company are used to fund significant repairs to the Pilgrim Centre. Investments held by the United Refonn Church are for significant repairs to the manse. There were no investment assets outside the UK. During the year ended 31 December 2018, £80,000 of unrestricted funds were invested in the United Refonn Church fund.

14. INVESTMENT PROPERTY

FAIR VALUE
Additions
At 31 December 2020
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2020
At 31 December2019		 £
246,514
246,514
246,514

The investment property was purchased in January 2020 and is held at cost The trustees are not aware of any material change in the value of the property.

Central Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

15. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
16.
CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS
Investment property held for sale		 2020
£
1.123
1,058
5,427
7,608
2020
£		 2019
£
5,18
0
1,05
8
8,29
1
14,52
9
2019
£
270,00		 2019
£
5,18
0
1,05
8
8,29
1
14,52
0

17. CASHATBANKANDINHAND

Included in cash is £85,016 (2019: £75,723) which is held on deposit by the West of England Baptist Trust Company.

18. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE

YEAR 2020 2019
£ £
Other creditors 975 130
Deferred income 5,044
Accrued expenses 3,421 3,275
4,396 8,449
Deferred income relates to rental income received in
advance.
19. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
2020 2019
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
funds funds fund funds funds
£ £ £ £ £
Fixed assets 2,32 2,329 3,442
9
Investments 101,480 790,077 246,514 1,138,071 875,524
Current assets 120,241 76,831 8,844 205,916 501,008
Current liabilities (4,396) (4,396) (8,449)
219,654 866,908 255,358 1,341,920 1,371,52
5

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movemen At
t
At1.1.2 in 31.12.2
0 funds 0
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 253,745 (34,091) 219,654
Restricted funds
Swindon Church Fund 432,398 (7,265) 425,133
URC Fund 413,087 26,538 439,625
Manse Repair Fund 2,295 (145) 2,150

continued.

Page 20

Endowment funds
Property - Baptist
TOTAL FUNDS		 Central
Church
847,780
19,128
866,908
270,000
(14,642)
255,358
1,371,525
(29,605)
1,341,920

continued.

Page 21

Central Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Swindon Church Fund
URC Fund
Flower Fund
Manse Repair Fund
Endowment funds
Property - Baptist
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparatives for
movement in
funds
At1.1.19
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
237,125
Restricted funds
Swindon Church Fund
380,478
URC Fund
350,377
Flower Fund
239
Manse Repair Fund
2,295
733,389
Endowment funds
Property - Baptist
TOTAL FUNDS
970,514		 Incoming
resources
£
55,510
9,847
30
9,877
65,387
Prio
r
yea
r
adjustment
£		 Resources
expended
£
(95,727)
(480)
(30)
(145)
(655)
(14,642)
(111,024)		 Resources
expended
£
(95,727)
(480)
(30)
(145)
(655)
(14,642)
(111,024)		 Gains and
losses
£
6,126
(16,632)
26,538		 Movemen
t
in funds
£
(34,091)
(7,265)
26,538
(145)
19,128
(14,642)
9,906
(111,024) 16,032
(29,605)
Transfer
s
betwee
n
funds
£
(163)
163		 At
31.12.1
9
£
253,74
5
432,39
8
413,08
7
2,295
847,78
0
270,00
0
1,371,52
5
Net
moveme
nt
in funds
£
16,783
51,920
62,710
(402)
270,000 114,228 163
270,000 131,011

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resource Gains Moveme
resources s and nt in
£ expende losses funds
d £ £
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund 97,424 (95,116) 14,475 16,783

continued.

Page 22

Central Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

Restricted funds
Swindon Church Fund
URC Fund
Flower Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 12,25
6
25
(427)
12,281
(427)
109,705
(95,543)		 39,664
51,920
62,710
62,710
(402)
102,374
114,228
116,849
131,011

continued.

Page 23

Central Church

Notes to the Financial Statements • continued for the Year Ended 31

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS. continued

Endowment funds

Property - Baptist

This fund represents the value of the Southampton property managed by the church as managing trustees, the deeds of which are held by the West of England Baptist Trust company as custodian trustee. The fund is held for the general purpose of the charity.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor, or contained in the terms of the grant. The purpose of the above restricted funds are as follows;

Swindon Church Fund

URC Fund

Flower Fund Manse Repair Fund

This represents funds held by the West of England Baptist Trust Company on behalf of the church and is to cover significant repairs to the Pilgrim Centre building.

The URC Fund is restricted to use on the United Reform Church manse and

other related activities. It is represented by investments held on trust for the Church by the United Reform Church.

The Flower Fund provides flowers for the church and for members who are ill.

The Manse Repair Fund represents monies received to fund repairs to the Manse

Page

21. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Total donations of £1,590 were received from trustees. These donations were all given without conditions. Trustees also donate via church plate collections. These amounts are not recorded separately

There were no other related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2020.