GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025 Charity number: 1156871
GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
Contents
| 1–5 | Trustees’ Annual Report |
|---|---|
| 6 | Independent Examiner’s Report |
| 7 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| 8 | Balance Sheet |
| 9–13 | Notes to the Financial Statements |
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
The Trustees present their annual report and the financial statements of the church for the period ended 31[st] March 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Registered charity name: Grace Church Milton Keynes Charity registration number: 1156871 Principal office: The Gateway 85-101 Sankey Street Cheshire Warrington WA1 1SR Governing Documents CIO Foundation Registered 01 May 2014 Trustees: Sneha Alex James Alastair Davies (Chair) Timothy John Gannon Leisl Hunter Jonathan Mark Kempster David Leslie Wyatt Independent Examiner: Mervyn Thomas 128 Putnoe Lane Bedford, MK41 8LS Principal Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd. Solicitors: Roger Snowden
CHARITY STATUS
The Church is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered in 2014 becoming operational in 2015 with funds transferred from the previously registered trust.
AIMS AND PURPOSE
The CIO is established to:
-
Advance the Christian Faith, the preaching and proclamation of the Christian gospel and the teaching of Christian doctrine and principles and the pastoral care of Christian people.
-
Relieve people who are in conditions of need, financial hardship or who are aged or sick.
-
Advance education, both general and vocational, but always on the basis of Christian principles. The Church's policy remains that of pursuing those objectives in an unrestricted manner.
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
As a church we are seeking to live our lives the way God intended. Simply put, our vision is to:
Love God, Love People and Love Life.
Grace Church operates primarily but not exclusively in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and employs two full-time pastors and one part-time Administrator. The staff are supported by the Trustees (in their capacity as church leaders) and many volunteers who carry out pastoral work, communication of the gospel, work with children and young people, the elderly, those in need, finance, administration and other related activities. The Trustees meet on a quarterly basis.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The number of people attending Sunday services has grown steadily throughout this year and we have been able to maintain a balanced offering of services and support to our members and to the wider community in Milton Keynes. We have continued to provide an online video stream of services to serve those who are unable to attend in person.
The Trustees and the Eldership team are committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at Grace Church and to benefit from all its ministries and activities provided by the church. When planning our activities for the year, the Trustees and Eldership team have taken on board the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the guidance given on charities for the advancement of religion.
The church continues to be part of a family of churches, New Frontiers, and a specific ‘sphere’ known as ‘Catalyst’ to ensure best practice is followed in all areas of church life. We have maintained our links with ‘Woodside Church’ in Bedford for friendship, input and accountability.
There were no serious incidents to report in this reporting period. A few events to note from the year are given below.
March 2024
A recruitment process to hire an assistant pastor began.
April 2024
One of our trustees, Donna Kapaya, resigned after a term of 5 years. The trustees noted their gratitude for her excellent and diligent service.
May 2024
We offered an online version of the free Alpha Course
August 2024
The church’s youth attended the annual New Day event for teenagers
September 2024
We appointed an assistant pastor, Josh Luke, who was an external appointment.
October 2024
The church held a baptism service, celebrating declarations of faith in Jesus.
November 2024
A new trustee, Sneha Alex, joined the trustee team.
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
We launched a new 8 week ‘Grace Course’ – a new discipleship course to help people experience freedom and fruitfulness in Christ.
December 2024
From December 2024 to March 2025, we continued our Warm Place provision from the previous year, hiring a local community hall in the Fishermead Estate in Milton Keynes to provide a weekly ‘Warm Place’. This service was open to anyone in the community who would benefit from a simple warm meal in a heated venue and the chance to meet and get to know others. Numbers of people attending varied each week from approximately 15 to 25 people.
January 2025
We ran an in-person Alpha Course for anyone interested in exploring the meaning of life from a Christian perspective.
We continued to give financial support to local charities such as MK Money Lifeline and Winter Night Shelter.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income generation
The church’s total income for the year was £195,766 (2024: £172,757) which was generated through the voluntary giving of church members.
Expenditures
Total expenditures were £160,072 (2024: £124,965).
Funds
Overall funds are £257,934 (2024: £222,240).
Reserves policy
The church holds unrestricted and restricted funds. Transfers are made from unrestricted to restricted funds in order to prevent restricted funds from going into deficit. Our overall policy for unrestricted funds is only to increase reserves above a minimum threshold necessary to operate the organisation (not more than 3 months expenditure) or where specific projects are being planned for subsequent years.
TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements conform to the charities SORP. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES
James Davies as Chair on behalf of the Trustees
12/1/26
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GRACE CHURCH
on the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2025 as set out on pages 7–13 in this document
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Independent examiner's statement
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
-
1) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
-
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Mervyn Thomas 128 Putnoe Lane Bedford MK41 8LS
Dated: 12/1/26
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For the accounting period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025
| Incoming Resources | Notes Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Funds Total Funds Funds Fund Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 180,782 6,970 - 187,752 168,492 5,000 - - 5,000 3,930 3,014 - - 3,014 335 |
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Funds Total Funds Funds Fund Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 180,782 6,970 - 187,752 168,492 5,000 - - 5,000 3,930 3,014 - - 3,014 335 |
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Funds Total Funds Funds Fund Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 180,782 6,970 - 187,752 168,492 5,000 - - 5,000 3,930 3,014 - - 3,014 335 |
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Funds Total Funds Funds Fund Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 180,782 6,970 - 187,752 168,492 5,000 - - 5,000 3,930 3,014 - - 3,014 335 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voluntaryincome | 180,782 6,970 - |
187,752 168,492 |
||
| Government Grants | 5,000 - - |
5,000 3,930 |
||
| Charitable activities | 3,014 - - |
3,014 335 |
||
| Total Incoming Resources | 3 | 188,796 | 6,970 - |
195,766 172,757 |
| Resources Expended Raising funds Charitable activities Total Charitable Resources Expended Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds |
||||
| 4 | ||||
| 930 - - 153,277 5,865 - |
930 896 |
|||
| 159,142 124,069 |
||||
| 154,207 | 5,865 - |
160,072 124,965 |
||
| 34,589 1,105 - |
35,694 47,792 |
|||
| - | - - |
|||
| Net movement in funds | 34,589 | 1,105 - |
35,694 47,792 |
|
| Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward |
||||
| 68,785 7,455 145,000 222,240 174,448 |
||||
| Total funds carried forward | 103,374 | 8,560 145,000 |
257,934 222,240 |
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
BALANCE SHEET
At 31st March 2025
| At 31st March 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets Prepayments and Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Short Term Liabilities |
Notes 5 |
Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Fund £ |
Designated Funds £ |
Total Funds Total Funds 2025 2024 £ £ |
| 35,526 | - | - | 35,526 51,499 |
||
| 72,222 | 8,560 | 145,000 | 225,782 174,758 |
||
| 107,748 | 8,560 | 145,000 | 261,308 226,257 |
||
| (3,374) | - | - | (3,374) (4,017) |
||
| Total assets less liabilities |
104,374 | 8,560 | 145,000 | 257,934 222,240 |
|
| Charity Funds Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds Designated Fund |
6 | ||||
| 104,374 | 104,374 69,785 |
||||
| 8,560 | 8,560 7,455 |
||||
| 145,000 | 145,000 145,000 |
||||
| Total funds | 104,374 | 8,560 | 145,000 | 257,934 222,240 |
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
James Davies as Chair on behalf of the trustees
Dated: 12 January 2026
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 BASIS OF PREPARATION
1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:
the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
1.2 Going concern
The Charity is a going concern. Income generation through members’ donations is maintaining adequate reserves and restrictive funds are adequate.
1.3 Change of accounting policy
The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in note 2.
1.4 Changes to accounting estimates
No changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period (3.46 FRS 102 SORP).
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the period.
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognized at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011.
2.2 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the church. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. Transfers are made from unrestricted to restricted funds as necessary to prevent restricted funds from going into deficit. Transfers are made from unrestricted to designated funds in accordance with the Churches strategy and reserves policy.
2.3 Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the church becomes entitled to the income and it is more likely than not that it will receive the resources and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the SoFA when receivable. Grants are included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria above are met and in the case of performance-related grants income is recognized to the extent that the specified goods or services have been provided. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the church where this can be measured reliably. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts. Investment income is included when received.
2.4 Resources expended
Expenditure is recognized on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT that cannot be recovered, which is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the church (as a charitable company) and include the audit fees and costs linked to the church’s legal constitution.
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
2.5 Pension costs
Employees of the church are entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme. The church contribution is limited to the contributions disclosed in note 3.
2.6 Debtors
Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
2.7 Fixed assets
Expenditures for equipment whose cost is greater than £5,000 are capitalised and depreciated over the life of the asset. This is 25% for electronic equipment.
2.8 Creditors
Creditors (including accruals) are recognized when due at the balance sheet date.
3. ANALYSIS OF INCOME - for the current reporting period.
| Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ |
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ |
Total Funds 2025 £ |
Total Funds 2024 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voluntary Income | ||||
| Donations | 151,222 6,243 |
157,465 |
136,633 |
|
| Gift Aid | 29,560 727 |
30,287 |
31,859 |
|
| Total Voluntary Income | 180,782 | 6,970 | 187,752 | 168,492 |
| Activities forgenerating funds | ||||
| HMRC Employment Allowance | 5,000 - |
5,000 |
3,930 |
|
| Total Activities for generating Funds |
5,000 - |
5,000 | 3,930 | |
| Charitable Activities | ||||
| Interest | 3,014 - |
3,014 |
335 |
|
| Grand Total Incoming Resources | 188,796 6,970 |
195,766 | 172,757 |
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
4 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
| Expenditure on raising funds | Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ |
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ |
Total Funds 2025 £ |
Total Funds 2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website and Publicity | 930 | - |
930 |
896 |
| Total expenditure on raising funds | 930 | - | 930 | 896 |
| Expenditure on Charitable Activities | ||||
| Employee Salaries | 66,916 | - |
66,916 |
42,180 |
| Employer's National Insurance | 6,725 | - |
6,725 |
3,929 |
| Sabbatical Expenses | 3,876 | - |
3,876 |
|
| Pension Contributions | 9,746 | - |
9,746 |
6,805 |
| Recruitment Cost | 3,136 | - |
3,136 |
|
| VisitingSpeakers | 450 | - |
450 |
574 |
| Trainingand Discipleship | 4,967 | - |
4,967 |
5,236 |
| Total Staff Costs | 95,816 | - | 95,816 | 58,724 |
| Venue Hire | 14,880 | - |
14,880 |
15,650 |
| Cost of runningmeetings | 5,311 | - |
5,311 |
3,629 |
| Administration and Office | 8,175 | - |
8,175 |
12,853 |
| Total Establishment Costs | 28,366 | - | 28,366 | 32,132 |
| Children | 339 | - |
339 |
525 |
| Youth | 2,333 | - |
2,333 |
6,781 |
| Evangelism | 1,668 | - |
1,668 |
1,453 |
| Pastoral | 108 | - |
108 |
107 |
| Expenses and Support | 537 | - |
537 |
2,277 |
| HardshipSupport | (6) | 1,685 - 1,685 |
1,679 - 6,664 |
2,667 438 14,248 |
| Remember the Poor | - | |||
| Total Ministry Costs | 4,979 | |||
| Debt Advice | 9,999 | 9,999 | 9,999 |
|
| To other charities | 14,117 | 4,180 |
18,297 |
8,966 |
| Total Donations Out | 24,116 | 4,180 | 28,296 | 18,965 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 154,207 | 5,865 | 160,072 | 124,965 |
4.1 Staff
The number of paid employees is 3 (previous year 2)
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
4.2 Trustees Disclosures
Trustees are appointed as set out in the governing document and are not remunerated. One trustee, Mr T Gannon, receives remuneration as Pastor of the Church including pension. His salary is set by a remuneration committee composed of unremunerated trustees.
No other trustee or persons related to trustees are employed. No trustee has received expenses in connection with trustee-related matters.
5 DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Prepayments | 4,362 | 5,649 | |
| HMRC Debtors | 31,163 | 45,850 | |
| Totals | 35,525 | 51,499 | |
| 2025 £ |
|||
| 6 CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS | |||
| Accrual For Independent Examination | 2024 | ||
| £ | |||
| 250 | 250 | ||
| Short term creditors and accruals | 3,124 | 3,767 | |
| Totals | 3,374 | 51,499 |
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GRACE CHURCH MILTON KEYNES TRUSTEES REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
7. CHARITY FUNDS
Details of All Funds with movements during the reporting period 2024-2025
| Brought Forward |
Income | Expenditure | Transfers | Carried Forward |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted General Fund | 69,795 | 188,796 | (154,207) | - | 104,384 |
| Restricted Funds Hardship Fund Homeless Remember the poor Warm Room Other Charities Christmas Offering Overseas |
3,706 800 828 1,979 132 - - |
1,351 1,166 223 4,180 50 |
(250) (1,435) (4,180) |
- - - - - - |
4,807 800 828 1,710 355 - 50 |
| Total Restricted Funds | 7,445 | 6,970 | (5,865) | - | 8,550 |
| Designated Building Fund | 145,000 | - | - | - | 145,000 |
| Total Funds | 222,240 | 195,766 | (160,072) | - | 257,934 |
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