Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025
Charity name: Townhill Baptist Church (Swansea)
Charity registration number: 1148030
Objectives and Activities
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SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of Para 1.17 The objects of the Church for the public
the charity as set out in its benefit are to advance the Christian faith in
governing document accordance with the Statement of Beliefs
appearing in the Schedule hereto in Swansea
and in such other parts of the United Kingdom
or the world as the Church 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
Church.
Summary of the main Para 1.17 and The church is committed to sharing the
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| Objectives and Activities | Objectives and Activities | Objectives and Activities |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 The objects of the Church for the public benefit are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs appearing in the Schedule hereto in Swansea and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church 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 Church. |
||
| Summary of the main | Para 1.17 and |
The church is committed to sharing the |
| activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
1.19 | message of Jesus Christ with the community. We use our building to provide a wide range of activities to benefit the community. To facilitate our community work, we take care of and maintain our council-owned building. Our activities as a charity take account of the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We seek to know God more in our lives through prayer, praise, reading and applying God’s Word (the Bible) and to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ and to know Him more in their lives. The church buildings provide many activities of benefit to the public. In addition to our regular Sunday services and weekly prayer meeting and Bible study, we also have a weekly club for children from Reception to Year 6 and a bi-weekly youth club open to children from Year 6 to Year 13. A toddler group runs once a week and is open to all children and their carers from the community. Looking back over the year (April 2024- March 2025) |
Our Friday Fun Club has had another successful year, with attendance remaining steady at around 25 children per week. The Christian gospel message is shared each week by various leaders, and it is usually well received by the children. Craft and activity time aim to be fun, varied and ageappropriate. Craft time is also an opportunity to have a drink and snack, and answer the children’s questions about faith or praise the children’s creativity. We have welcomed a few new children, and we hope that the older ones will move up into the Friday Youth Group . We continually thank God for his safekeeping and know that the church is praying for us as a group. Teenagers have enjoyed volunteering alongside their parents, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh or Welsh BAC awards.
During this year we have continued to have over 40 different children at Townhill Toddlers , with the spring term often hosting 20 or more toddlers per week along with their parents, grandparents and carers, although a number of children have now left to start school or Flying Start. During the sessions we have play, singing, snack and craft. We do not charge for our toddler group, but there is a collection box which is divided between replacing low cost items (such as batteries and felt pens) and buying chicks and bees for a developing country through Samaritan’s Purse, as chosen by the children. We have had some attendance in church from those who attend Toddlers, and some older siblings attending the Friday Fun Club . We have also been able to support a very vulnerable family, and been part of the care plan for their support. Toddlers continue to be a lovely group where carers socialise along with the children.
The number of young people of comprehensive school age attending Friday Youth Group has been consistent. The numbers have varied from 4 to 18, but there are usually about 10-12 young people attending. All of the young people who now attend are from the community and one of these attends church on a Sunday morning regularly. The behaviour has been good and a growing relationship between the young people and leaders has led to minimal behavioural issues and an increasing number of personal questions in response to the
gospel message. These questions can be very personal and are dealt with sensitively. The club has changed in nature with fewer organised games such as volleyball and more individual games such as table tennis, pool and table top games. The change in games works best for the current group of young people, some of whom do not want to participate in a team game. Some young people will just enjoy having hot chocolate and a chat with leaders. Craft is undertaken by the majority of young people. There is a consistent group of adults who run the club and work very well together. We are grateful to God that the young people now listen attentively to the gospel talk, ask meaningful questions and offer good answers to questions. The talk is usually given by two of the leaders. Our prayer is that each of these young people will become Christians, that the safety of all will be maintained, and that there will be enough helpers to keep this gospel work going.
As a church, we seek to be positive about disability inclusion. We are linked to the Roofbreaker project run by the Christian disability charity ‘Through the Roof’ whose main aim is 'transforming lives through Jesus with disabled people'. Kerry and Phil Tamlyn are the church Roofbreaker contacts, seeking to be available to discuss any disability issues and find solutions.
The Good News group is a monthly inclusive service for adults with additional needs. This year, we have been exploring the gospel of Mark using simple communication approaches, including reading short passages in easy to read versions of the bible. We seek to create a safe environment for members to honestly express their thoughts and questions. Some of our members would describe themselves as believers, others would not, but it is a safe space to think about important things. We have seven regular members (up from six last year) who have consistently attended since we started in 2020 and have formed strong friendships with each other. This year, we have also welcomed a new member who lives in the local area. We encourage social interaction through games, refreshments and informal chats. We celebrate birthdays and hold some parties throughout the year at Christmas, Easter and summer. All our
members also regularly attend Sunday services at the church, knowing their needs will be understood and that they are welcome. After the service, our members really enjoy the refreshments and opportunity to chat with people.
Christmas, Easter and Summer parties were held for the children and parents of Toddlers, Kids Club and Youth Club, plus families with whom there has been past contact. Held during the Kids Club slot on Friday, the parties include crafts, games, competitions (with prizes), refreshments and a short talk. Attendance has been around 5060 children, and feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive. The children are given a themed goody bag as they leave.
The church has remained active in seeking to reach people in the local community through informal networks, including those which had previously been established through the former church worker, and to offer practical and spiritual help where we can. We aim to maintain an informal presence in local community activities including Phoenix Fun Days and the Bonfire Night fireworks display where many people gather near to the church building, offering small gifts and literature for local children.
Our Christmas and Easter services are publicised locally by word of mouth, through the church’s regular activities, by leaflets delivered to local homes, and at Christmas by carol singing on Graiglwyd Square. As a result they have been attended by local people not normally connected to the church.
The church building
The church continues to carry out maintenance and improvement work as part of our stewardship of the church building, including necessary improvements to reflect updated fire safety advice and to bring the building up to the high standards expected for buildings used by the public. In the coming years we will seek, finance permitting, to carry out further work recommended in a building survey we commissioned. We remain open to discussion with organisations which share our aims and which would like to hire our building, extending its usefulness to the
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community.
Missionaries supported
We continue to support a number of
missionaries and the organisations with
which they work, in prayer, and by sharing
information with members some of whom are
led to support their work financially. We are
grateful to God that we can share in the work
of these missionaries, bringing the good news
of Jesus to people here in the UK and around
the world.
We receive regular updates including prayer
requests. We have continued to have brief
updates from one of our missionary
organisations at our mid-week meeting,
ensuring we pray for them all on a regular
basis.
Due to a fall church income, we have had to
make the difficult decision to review the
financial support for the missionaries. We
have communicated with all the missionaries
and/or the organisation to find out how much
of an impact any change in our giving might
have. We have been able to establish that the
impact on most will be minimal and the
respective missionaries/organisations have
been informed of the change in our financial
support. We will continue to support them in
prayer and will review the position regarding
existing and new avenues to support, if and
when our financial position changes.
The Asiku family spent a Sunday morning at
the church during their home leave in
January, and a church lunch provided
opportunity for church members to ask more
detailed questions and to get to know them
better.
Statement confirming Para 1.18 The trustees have had regard to the guidance
whether the trustees have issued by the Charity Commission on public
had regard to the guidance benefit:
issued by the Charity ● they are aware of the guidance
Commission on public ● they have taken it into account when
benefit making a decision to which the
guidance is relevant
● if they have decided to depart from
the guidance, they have
demonstrated that they have good
reasons for doing so
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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | No statement provided. |
|---|---|---|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | No statement provided. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Much of the work in our church is carried out on a voluntary basis. We give thanks to God that he has provided many gifted people to work in the church and we continue in prayer for more workers. |
| Other | ●The church currently has 14 members ●Between 10 and 40 people regularly come to our Sunday Services including children from the community and people from countries who are part of the global majority. ●A core group of 25 children come to our children’s club each week ●12-15 teenagers enjoy the youth club ●An average of 20 children come to Townhill Toddlers. |
Achievements and Performance
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SORP reference
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| Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Summary Despite financial challenges, Townhill Baptist Church remains committed to its charitable objectives and continues to play an active role in the local community, providing spiritual guidance and practical support to its members and the wider public. The Lord has enabled us to maintain a presence in the community during a difficult time, we have been able to respond to the needs of families and individuals, and more importantly been able to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Community Engagement and Outreach ●Maintained regular Sunday services with 10-40 attendees, including community members and international participants ●Operated weekly children's and youth clubs,servingapproximately25 children |
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weekly (over 97 different children throughout the year) and 12-15 teenagers respectively
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● Hosted a well-attended toddler group, supporting over 40 different children throughout the year
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● Continued the Good News group, an inclusive monthly service for adults with additional needs We had 7 regular members plus 1 new member this year
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Special Events and Activities ● Community "parties" at the end of each term, with attendance of 50+ children from Toddlers, Kids Club and Youth Club, alongside some parents.
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● Participated in Phoenix Fun Day, distributing gospels and goodie bags, and inviting families to church activities.
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● Distributed over 200 goodie bags during Fireworks Night, promoting church events.
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● Hosted inclusive Christmas carol and Easter services, attracting both regular attendees and newcomers.
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● Used informal table setups at services to encourage conversations and community building.
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● Ran a Christianity Explored course with people from the church.
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Missionary Support
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Continued support for various missionaries through prayer and financial contributions
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● Regular missionary updates during midweek meetings
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | No statement provided. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | No statement provided. |
| No statement provided. |
Para 1.41 Investment performance against objectives No statement provided. Other
Financial Review
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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21
● The church experienced a small surplus
financial position at the end
this year, with expenditures exceeding
of the period
income by £3,178.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 ● Our Special Reserve is for real
policy for holding reserves emergencies e.g., significant building
stating why they are held repairs, loss of ongoing donations if a
number of members were to leave at the
same time, or if there was a significant
change in the financial circumstances of
several members. By maintaining this
reserve, the church can continue its work
for some time whilst dealing with serious
financial pressures such as these. When
we spend part of the special reserve, we
need to set the budget in the following
years to restore it.
● Our General Reserve funds such things
as maintaining the manse, the church
building, the minibus, the church laptop,
the dishwasher, church chairs and the
church projector.
● The reserves of the church mean that the
church does not face a crisis if there’s a
major expense such as replacing the
heating system or the church roof and
provides funds to take advantage of short-
term opportunities. A survey of the church
building has identified work that needs to
be carried out, and some of the reserve is
being used for this purpose as well as
continuing with the required maintenance
on the manse.
● As in previous years, we will also maintain
at least £2000 in our current account to
ensure we are always in credit.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 ● Our Special Reserve is maintained at half
our annual spending. For the new
2025/2026 financial year it will be set at
£24,000.
● Our General Reserve for the coming year
will begin at around £29,350. Our General
Reserve is currently decreasing, and we
will need to restore a balance between
income and expenditure.
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 Not applicable.
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 Not applicable.
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 Not applicable.
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | No statement provided. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | No statement provided. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | No statement provided. |
| Other | The church has continued to implement its Safeguarding Policy and all those working with children and vulnerable adults have up to date DBS checks and will receive training from the ThirtyOneEight (previously Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service) in Child Protection and safeguarding. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | While existing trustees are responsible for recruiting new trustees, they actively seek input and recommendations from both elders and deacons in this process. In selecting new trustees, we seek to identify members of the church who are willing to volunteer their time and effort. Potential trustees can be invited to attend trustees’ meetings as observers and are given more details of the charity’s aims and activities. If all agree, they are then proposed as new trustees at the subsequent trustees’ meeting. The process allows due consideration of the person’s eligibility, personal competence and specialist knowledge/skills. |
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Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Following appointment, new trustees are
introduced to their new role and given copies
Policies and procedures of the trust deed and a guide to the policies
adopted for the induction and Para 1.51
and procedures adopted by our charity.
training of trustees Several publications from the Charity
Commission are also provided including the
guidance on charities and public benefit and
on the advancement of religion for the public
benefit. This ensures that new trustees are
aware of their Trustees’ responsibilities under
the Charities Act.
No statement provided.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider Para 1.51
network with which the
charity works
No statement provided.
Relationship with any related Para 1.51
parties
Other No statement provided.
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Reference and Administrative details
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Charity name Townhill Baptist Church (Swansea)
Other name the charity uses None
Registered charity number 1148030
Charity’s principal address Powys Avenue
Townhill
Swansea
SA1 6PH
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Name of person
Dates acted if not for whole (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee
(if any)
John Idris Baker Elder Church
1 Members’
Meeting
Andrew Trevor Deacon and Church
2 Brown Treasurer Members’
Meeting
Allan David Rees Elder 1st April 2023 - 30th Church
3 November 2023 Members’
Meeting
Robert Geoffrey Elder Church
4 Wellington Members’
Meeting
Philip Tamlyn Deacon Church
5 Members’
Meeting
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| None | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
Not applicable. |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
Not applicable. |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
Not applicable. |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
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Type of Name Address
adviser
None.
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Not applicable
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Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable.
Other optional information
No statement provided.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
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Townhill Baptist Church (Swansea) 1148030
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period 1st April 2024 31st March 2025
To
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Donations and legacies - - - - -
Donations and grants 48,913 575 - 49,488 49,129
- - - - -
Other trading activites - - - - -
Buildings Hire - - - - -
Buildings Rent Received - - - - -
Other income
Other income 14 - - 14 -
Sales - - - - 71
Vehicles - Sales 850 - - 850 -
Investments
Interest Received 500 - - 500 353
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
50,276.71 575 - 50,851.71 49,553
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 50,277 575 - 50,852 49,553
A3 Payments
Expenditure on charitable activities
Activities (Sundays & Midweek) 322 - - 322 3,155
Activities (Good News Group) 102 - - 102 118
Activities (Kids Club) 74 - - 74 317
Activities (Townhill Toddlers) 4 - - 4 106
Activities (Youth) 7 - - 7 39
Activities (Special events) 411 - - 411 779
Activities (Mission) - 575 - 575 5,500
Activities (Food Bank) - - - - 1,786
Activities (Food) 13 - - 13 165
Activities (Licencing) 237 - - 237 227
Activities (Misc) - - - - -
Activities (Accommodation) - - - - -
Financial Hardship Assistance - - - - -
Salaries (Community Worker) - - - - 11,175
Salaries (Pastor) 27,823 - - 27,823 11,639
Training 60 - - 60 131
- - - - -
Other Payments
Administration Fees 689 - - 689 2,587
Advertising and publicity 486 - - 486 336
Buildings Fixtures and Fittings - - - - -
Church Insurance 1,197 - - 1,197 1,034
Manse Insurance 364 - - 364 1,070
Church Maintenance 7,924 - - 7,924 4,561
Manse Maintenance 929 - - 929 8,624
Bank charges - - - - -
Church cleaning 1,040 - - 1,040 1,040
Cleaning supplies 146 - - 146 132
Electricity (Church) 535 - - 535 537
Electricity (Manse) - - - - 121
Equipment Maintenance (General) 24 - - 24 -
EquiCCXX R1 accounts pment (General) (SS) 230 - 1 - 230 1,134 15/11/2025
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Gas (Church) 1,519 - - 1,519 1,930
Gas (Manse) - - - - 163
ICT Hardware 271 - - 271 -
ICT Software 433 - - 433 144
Internet - Connection 654 - - 654 619
Internet - Hosting 103 - - 103 115
Legal costs 332 - - 332 618
Publications - - - - 35
Stationery and Supplies 146 - - 146 151
Minibus Fuel 50 - - 50 286
Minibus Insurance - - - - 1,051
Minibus Maintenance 750 - - 750 3,630
Minibus Tax - - - - 165
Council Tax (Manse) - - - - 2,348
Water (Church) 219 - - 219 252
Water (Manse) - - - - 122
Sub total [ 47,098 ] 575 - 47,673 67,943
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 47,098 575 - 47,673 67,943
Net of receipts/(payments) 3,178 - - 3,178 - 18,390
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 50,219 - - 50,219 68,609
Cash funds this year end 53,397 - - 53,397 50,219
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CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
15/11/2025
2
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Gift Aid Cash Current Deposit Details Details Freehold property (Church Manse) Toys Laptop Football equipment Church library Audio/Visual equipment Details Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 100 - 22,157 - 31,140 - 53,397 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - 1,500 800 500 3,000 5,750 - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - 150 160 50 50 1,150 - - - When due (optional) Date of approval |
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
15/11/2025
3
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Sectlon A Independ8nt Examlner's Rèport Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for the year ended SL CkTh aD2S Charity no (If any) Set out on pages I report to the truslees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended Responslbilities and As the charrty trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below") in Connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with SelOn 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conneciio with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enab proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date.. Name: sA£Arf Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any).. Address: I DYNJEvoe 3AiO 6£G Octob