Registered Charity Number: 1158997
Sharing Life. Living Faith.
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements For the year ended 31[st] December 2025
SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 3 to 8 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 9 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 10 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 11 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 12 to 15 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 16 |
SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
Report of the Trustees for the year ending December 2025
1. The objectives and activities of South Street Evangelical Church CIO during the year January – December 2025
The Constitution of our charity sets out our objectives:
‘The objects of the CIO are teaching, preaching and propagating the Christian faith in accordance with the CIO’s statement of beliefs, principally in Devon but also by supporting and encouraging Christian faith throughout the world, and to relieve the distress of those who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick principally in Devon but in such other locations both in the United Kingdom and the world as may be thought fit.’
The trustees have carefully considered the guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The following are examples of our activities that the trustees and church leaders have organised or supervised in pursuit of our objectives. These activities are open to adults, young people and children of all faiths and none. They are explicitly Christian in foundation, although we welcome any person to join us. The summary is not exhaustive; many members of the charity visit the elderly, volunteer in community activities and work alongside other not-for-profit organisations in the local area.
1.1. The work of the church leaders (elders and deacons)
Our church elders are currently Sebastian Latimer Timothy Spelman Catherine Odgen Jennifer Rodliff
Sebastian Latimer is employed as pastor / fulltime elder. The elders have responsibility for the spiritual life and health of the church membership. They plan and deliver meetings and events that provide an opportunity for members of our community to explore the Christian faith. The elders organise Bible teaching ministry in Sunday services and home groups to encourage the spiritual growth and maturity of Christian believers and to explain the Christian message to those seeking to know more about Christian faith. Preparation for adult baptism and marriage preparation are part of the ministry of the church pastor, who also officiates at weddings and funerals for both member and non-member families from our local community.
Pastoral care of individuals needing support is part of the work of the elders. This may include the support of those with mental health problems, counselling of those with marital or relationship difficulties and the care of the sick. Pastoral support is also provided through the home groups (see below).
In addition to the team of church elders, there is also a team of church deacons. This group is responsible for the practical running of the work of the church, office management, day-to-day financial control, the organisation of rotas, visiting the housebound, building maintenance, the organisation of church awaydays and weekends away and all the other things that are necessary for the smooth functioning of the church. Both elders and deacons operate under Section 18 of our Constitution, whereby the trustees delegate responsibilities, whilst remaining fully informed of the activities of both teams.
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
1.2. Home Groups
Members of the church are encouraged to become involved with one of our home groups. These are small fellowship groups that meet regularly during the week at various times: some in the evenings and some during the day. These groups provide friendship, personal support, prayer and Bible study. The homegroups are an essential part of the church pastoral network. They are led by experienced Christians who act as links between church leadership and the membership. Study material is coordinated with the messages in Sunday services and home groups take responsibility for hosting and leading the services. This includes the hospitality provision of tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits, planning and leading the service, corporate prayers, Bible reading and liaising with the musicians who lead musical worship. Home groups are therefore a core element our ‘every member ministry and mission’.
1.3. Youth work
The charity employs a Youth Worker, Chloe Livingstone, who undertakes targeted youth work in our community and church. Her work includes regular responsibilities in our local secondary school, where she provides pastoral support and quiet spaces for students during lunch hour. Chloe also heads the church Youth Work Team, which works with young people from church and non-church families and liaises with community youth clubs. Groups of young people are regularly taken on outdoor activities on Exmoor, to Christian festivals and to activities on our local surfing beaches. Chloe is also part of the Sunday service ministry team and adult teaching team.
1.4. Families and Children’s work
The charity employs a part-time Families and Children’s worker, Catherine Ogden, who takes responsibility for children’s work in both the church and community. Cathy runs a community Toddler Group, which links with and supports 10-16 families with little children. There is also a pre-school group for children of nursery age to reception age which also fosters valuable relationships with families in our community. The team, that Cathy leads, organises regular community events such as Easter and Christmas Extravaganzas and an event to champion the Light rather than the darkness at Halloween. The church hosts a periodic ‘Dad’s and Tots’ group to engage with fathers of small children in the community.
We have close links with St George’s House, which is a Christian Outdoor Centre in a local village. The centre provides outdoor activities and study retreats for school parties, youth clubs and church groups from across the country. Although staffed by Christians, the centre is open to all. A Sunday evening club, The Point, is run by church members at St George’s House as a regular activity for children in school years 6-9 and regularly hosts between 20 and 30 young people.
Our church has an ‘Open the Book’ team, which takes simple drama performances of Bible stories into a local Primary School on a regular basis.
1.5. Food Bank and Community Café
Our charity runs a Food Bank once a week on our church premises for members of our local community who struggle to afford food and basic household items. The Food Bank was originally an enterprise solely operated by the church, with a volunteer team headed by one of our trustees, Caroline Tucker. The Food Bank is now linked to the Trussell Trust but continues to run on our premises in conjunction with a weekly Community Café. This café serves a free hot lunch to clients from the community and provides an important contact point with people who may be struggling with addiction or poverty or loneliness. The volunteer team that cooks, serves, clears up and talks to guests is drawn from both the church and nonchurch community.
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
1.6. Charitable giving
The charity supports other charitable work, locally, nationally and internationally by regular giving from our income.
2. The Trustees
During 2025 two trustees resigned: these were Andrew Conibear and Rosemary Sherwin. The charity is very grateful to these long-standing church members who have contributed a great deal over many years. Two new trustees were appointed in 2025. These are Anne Francis and Peter Green.
In early 2026, further changes to the Board of Trustees were made. Timothy Spelman was replaced as nominated elder/trustee by Jennifer Rodliff and two new trustees were appointed. There are Caroline Tucker and Benjamin Kennedy. The current (May 2026) Board of Trustees therefore consists of:
Anne Francis Caroline Tucker Beverly Vale Jennifer Rodliff Simon Ogden Benjamin Kennedy Peter Green
3. The financial position of the CIO
The work of the charity depends almost entirely on donations and legacies from members and nonmembers. A small proportion of the income is generated from the rent of the church hall. The trustees are extremely grateful for the generous financial support of those who make regular donations to the charity and for occasional gifts and legacies. We fully appreciate that many families in our community are struggling financially and that charitable giving is frequently sacrificial. The demographic of rural North Devon does not include large numbers of wealthy households. Quite the contrary; the impoverishment and social deprivation of many rural and seaside towns is widely recognised. Our local economy is based predominantly on agriculture and tourism, neither of which is currently thriving. Yet because of the tourist attraction of the area, a considerable proportion of the housing stock consists of second homes or holiday lets, which make housing and mortgages expensive for local families. For all these reasons, the trustees realise that the income of over £126,000 in 2025 represents considerable generosity on the part of our donors.
The Trustees Annual Report of 2024 set out clearly that the charity had been posting an operating loss for several years, drawing down from reserves to cover the excess of outgoings over income. Despite two generous gifts, the charity operated at a loss of over £5,000 in 2024. The financial reserves of the charity have been sufficient to cover such losses without compromising the stated reserves policy, but the trustees made it clear that such losses could not be sustained indefinitely. During 2025, monthly operating losses were again becoming apparent, and the membership of the charity was informed that an annual financial shortfall was once more anticipated. A special Gift Day was proposed and organised in September, which resulted in additional donations above regular monthly income of more than £10,000. The accounts for 2025 therefore show a modest operating surplus of some £1,300.
The trustees are grateful for the generosity of the donors, both regular and occasional and are pleased that our accounts for the year are balanced. None the less, we recognise that prudence and probity in our financial affairs dictate that we should not be operating at a loss on a monthly basis, that we do not have limitless reserves and that we cannot depend upon special Gift Days to balance our books. We are therefore undertaking a thorough review of our financial commitments and outgoings in order to be able to budget responsibly for the future.
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
4. Reserves Policy
The charity is required by the Charity Commission to have a Reserves Policy, or to set out why it does not have one. The majority of the costs of operating our charity is in payroll expenses. The trustees therefore realise that our obligations to our staff are both legally and morally significant. We have therefore decided that we should maintain in a restricted fund within our reserves an amount equivalent to five months’ operating costs plus sufficient to pay full statutory redundancy payments.
5. Operating policies
The charity maintains and regularly reviews the following policies: Child Protection Health and safety (buildings, activities and events) Staff complaints procedure Staff disciplinary procedure Data protection Licensing for use of music in worship
6. Conclusion
The trustees are pleased to report that the charity continues to meet its long-term objectives and has made progress in fulfilling its ministry objectives in 2025. The trustees are looking forward to 2026 as we continue to serve our community and proclaim the good news of the Christian Gospel.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Date: May 12[th] 2026
Peter Green on behalf of the trustees
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
Reference and Administration Details
Registered name
South Street Evangelical Church
Registered Charity number 1158997
Principal address South Street Braunton EX33 2AS
Senior Staff
Seb Latimer (Pastor) Sue Nightingale (Administrator)
Trustees Name Position Appointments/Resignations Andrew Conibear Chair Resigned in 2025 Rosemary Sherwin Resigned in 2025 Tim Spelman Elder Trustee Jennifer Rodliff replaced Tim in 2026 Simon Ogden Beverley Vale Vice chair Anne Francis Appointed in 2025 Peter Green Appointed in 2025
Independent Examiner Michael King Snape Granary High Bickington EX37 9BQ Approved by the board of trustees on ....................................................... and signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Peter Green
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of South Street Evangelical Church
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of South Street Evangelical Church (The Trust) for the year ended 31st December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity 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 carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form 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 confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Michael King MAAT Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians Snape Granary High Bickington Devon EX37 9BQ
Date: 14[th] May 2026
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year ended 31[st] December 2025
| Notes Income and Endowments Donations and legacies 2 Rental income Grant income Investment income 3 Total Incoming Resources Charitable activities Advancement of the Christian Faith 4 Total Resources Expended Net Incoming / (Outgoing) resources Transfer between funds Reconciliation of Funds Total Funds brought forward Total Funds carried forward |
2025 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Total £ £ £ £ 119,942 4,537 124,479 107,230 1,710 1,710 1,048 0 0 1,701 1,701 2,999 |
|---|---|
| 123,354 4,537 127,890 111,277 |
|
| 121,080 5,476 126,555 116,636 |
|
| 121,080 5,476 126,555 116,636 |
|
| 2,274 -939 1,335 -5,359 -75,000 75,000 0 0 |
|
| -72,726 74,061 1,335 -5,359 103,552 4,846 108,398 113,757 |
|
| 30,826 78,907 109,733 108,398 |
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
At 31[st] December 2025
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets 7 Current Assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank Current Liabilities Amounts falling due within one year 9 Current Assets less Current Liabilities Total Assets less Current Liabilities Funds Restricted funds 10 Unrestricted funds 10 Total funds |
2025 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Total £ £ £ £ 0 0 0 0 1,458 0 1,458 0 105,323 3,907 109,230 108,698 |
|---|---|
| 106,781 3,907 110,688 108,698 -955 0 -955 -300 |
|
| 105,826 3,907 109,733 108,398 |
|
| 105,826 3,907 109,733 108,398 |
|
| 3,907 3,907 4,846 30,826 105,826 103,552 |
|
| 30,826 3,907 109,733 108,398 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on …………………….and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Peter Green
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of preparing the financial statements and assessment of going concern
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 2015)', 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.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds; it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular heading, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Equipment and fixtures and fittings - 4 years straight line
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash, current bank accounts and deposit bank accounts with no withdrawal limitations.
Creditors
Creditors are recognised where then charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will 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 recognised at their settlement amount.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statement
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
2. Donations and Legacies
| Donations Gift Aid received Grant received |
2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 103,272 4,537 107,809 16,670 16,670 0 0 0 119,942 4,537 124,479 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 83,326 10,369 93,695 13,535 0 13,535 0 0 0 96,861 10,369 107,230 |
3. Investment income
| Investment income | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Interest income (unrestricted) | 1,701 | 2.999 |
4. Expenditure on charitable activities
| Church charitable activities Support costs |
2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 119,570 5,476 125,046 1,509 1,509 121,080 5,476 126,555 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 108,828 6,848 115,676 959 0 959 |
||
| 109,788 6,848 116,636 |
5. Analysis of support costs
| Payroll(not shown in support cost in previous yr) Independent examiner Accountancy Insurance |
2025 2024 £ £ 534 150 150 200 200 625 609 |
|---|---|
| 1,509 959 |
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
6. Staff costs
| . Staff costs | |
|---|---|
| Salaries Pension costs |
2025 2024 £ £ 83,656 73,549 8,593 6,860 |
| 92,249 80,409 |
| Trustees’ Remuneration & expenses | |
|---|---|
| During the year, the following expenses were | reimbursed to the trustees: (2024: 0 trustees). |
| Tim Spelman £15.59 |
Subscriptions |
| Simon Ogden £129.95 |
Food bank |
No other trustees were paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from employment with the charity.
The average number of employees during the period was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| No. | No. |
| 6 | 5 |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
7. Tangible fixed Assets
| Tangible fixed Assets | |
|---|---|
| Cost Cost brought forward Additions Total cost carried forward Depreciation Depreciation brought forward Charge for year Total depreciation carried forward Net Book Value At 31 December 2025 At 31 December 2024 |
Fixtures Equipment Total £ 1,966 1,866 3,832 0 0 0 |
| 1,966 1,866 3,832 |
|
| 1,966 1,866 3,832 0 0 0 |
|
| 1,966 1,866 3,832 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
8. Debtors: amounts due within one year
| Wages Control PAYE & NI payment on account |
2025 2024 £ £ 300 0 1,158 0 |
|---|---|
| 1,458 0 |
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| editors: amounts falling due within one year | |
|---|---|
| Accruals and deferred income Pension creditor |
2025 2024 £ £ 350 300 605 0 |
| 955 300 |
10. Movement in Funds
Unrestricted Funds 2025
| General Fund Operational Reserve Fund Youth and Children |
Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance 1st Jan 2025 31st Dec 2025 82,552 121,753 -120,202 -54,000 30,103 21,000 -21,000 0 0 1,601 -877 724 |
|---|---|
| 103,552 123,354 -121,080 -75,000 30,826 |
It was decided by the trustees that the Operational reserve fund needed to be increased to £75,000 and be shown as a restricted fund.
Unrestricted Funds 2024
| General Fund Building Fund Operational Reserve Fund Total Funds |
Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance 1st Jan 2024 31st Dec 2024 77,975 99,162 -107,277 12,692 82,552 13,457 -13,457 0 21,000 21,000 0 1,746 -2,511 765 0 |
|---|---|
| 112,432 100,908 -109,788 0 103,552 |
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Movement in Funds (continued…)
Restricted Funds 2025
| Restricted Funds 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Refugee Fund Church Weekends Food Bank Operational Reserve Fund |
Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance 1st Jan 2025 31st Dec 2025 0 0 793 4,233 -4,014 1,012 4,053 304 -1,462 2,895 0 0 0 75,000 75,000 |
| 4,846 4,537 -5,476 75,000 78,907 |
It was decided by the trustees that the Operational reserve fund needed to be increased to £75,000 and be shown as a restricted fund.
Restricted Funds 2024
| Restricted Funds 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Refugee Fund Church Weekends Food Bank Total Funds |
Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance 1st Jan 2024 31st Dec 2024 0 0.00 0 0 0 5,974 -5,180 793 1,325 4,395 -1,667 4,053 |
| 1,325 10,369 -6,848 0 4,846 |
11. Trustee remuneration and benefits
None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity.
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SOUTH STREET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
The following pages do not form part of the Financial Statements
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Donations and legacies Donations Gift Aid received Grants received Other income Total income from donations and legacies Investment income Interest received Total income from investment income Total incoming resources Charitable activities Payroll expenses Pension costs Ministry expenses Gifts Food Bank Sunday service Youth and children Family day and weekend away Rent Light and heat Maintenance Office expenses Telephone Fees and subscriptions Safeguarding Total expenditure on charitable activities Support costs Payroll(shown in Fees & Subs last year) Independent examiner (shown in accounts last year) Accountancy Insurance Total support costs Total resources expended Net (outgoing) / incoming resources |
2025 2024 £ £ 107,314 92,908 16,670 13,535 2,205 1,835 |
|---|---|
| 126,189 108,278 1,701 2,999 |
|
| 1,701 2,999 |
|
| 127,890 111,277 |
|
| 83,656 73,549 8,593 6,860 2,278 3,158 9,090 9,396 1,462 1,667 296 171 1,727 2,511 4,014 5,180 4,200 4,277 4,555 3,340 2,347 1,885 37 607 547 698 1,740 2,049 504 328 |
|
| 125,046 115,676 534 150 200 350 625 609 |
|
| 1,509 959 126,555 116,636 |
|
| 1,335 -5,359 |
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