BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH Aecounts- 31" March 2025
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
Charity number: 1166594
Accounts – 31[st] March 2025
INDEX
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1-5 Report of the Trustees and General Information 6. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
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Statement of Financial Activities
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Balance Sheet
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8-13. Notes to the Accounts
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and complies with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (second edition) and Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102.
Reference and Administration Details
The charity’s name is Banbury Community Church.
Charity Registration Number: 1166594 Principal Office: The Cottage The Mill Arts Centre Spiceball Park Road Banbury OX16 5QE
Trustees
The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Mr John Bazeley (resigned 6th November 2024) Mrs Jill Brown Mr Philip Ferdani (appointed 29[th] January 2025) Mr Leo Kaluza (appointed 29[th] May 2024) Mr David Phillips Mr Steve Travis (resigned 29[th] May 2024)
Objects and Activities
The objects of the charity are:
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The advancement of the Christian faith in the UK and overseas.
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The advancement of religious and other education.
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The relief of those in need by reason of age, poor, sick and disabled.
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Such other charitable purposes as the charity Trustees see fit.
When assessing our activities and achievements, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and in particular, the guidance for charities on the advancement of religion.
The Trustees are satisfied that our activities are in furtherance of the objects of the charity and are for the public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
Throughout the financial year the church continued to focus in particular on corporate and personal discipleship and during the year utilised a number of relevant study programmes. These presented the chance for all-church teaching on Sunday to be followed by opportunities for more in-depth study, discussion and personal reflection within small groups during the following week.
During the previous year the church had adopted a new mission statement to serve as a core strategy to inform its ongoing work: ‘Love God, Reach People, Make Disciples’. Much of the teaching and activity during this year was designed to further embed this.
Having joined the Elim Network of Churches on 13[th] September 2023, the church was able to engage within that wider network in ways that further enabled its mission. A number of BCC members attended the Elim Leaders’ Summit in May 2024, plus members of the worship band attended its School of Worship programme throughout the year. A number of leaders within the church also participated in safeguarding training organised through the Elim Network during the year.
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 ( Continued)
Achievements and Performance (continued)
Unfortunately, the church’s long-term Sunday venue, The Mill Arts Centre, had been badly affected by several instances of flooding in January/February 2024. We were pleased, therefore, to be able to utilise the assembly hall and several classrooms at North Oxfordshire Academy for a number of months; returning to Sunday services in The Mill in October 2024.
For over 15 years the church has operated The Hill Sport and Community Centre on behalf of Cherwell District Council. A significant proportion of the operating costs have been covered by a 5-year grant of over £300,000 so knowing that the term of this grant would end in June 2025 the church’s ongoing involvement in this was reviewed in late-2024. This eventually resulted in the decision to end the church’s role and after discussions with Cherwell District Council it was agreed that the church would exit the lease on 31[st] July 2025. Keen to do everything possible to enable the ongoing work of The Hill beyond BCC’s involvement, the trustees appointed an external project manager to work closely with CDC and The Hill staff, plus ensure that their full trustee responsibilities were fulfilled and risks to the church minimised. As a result, the restricted fund for The Hill began to wind down during the year, and when the church exited the lease after the financial year end, a proportion of the associated costs were borne by the Designated Shutdown Fund which had been held by the trustees for a number of years specifically for such an eventuality.
The church ended its financial year on the brink of a change in leadership as its full-time Pastor, Simon Lawton, had notified the elders and trustees that he had felt God calling him to move and take up ministry at Ipswich Elim Church. Simon’s last Sunday as pastor was 20[th] April 2025 with the church holding a shared lunch to thank him and wish he and his wife, Julia, God’s blessing as they moved to Ipswich.
The church’s programme through the year included:
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Continued ministry and development of Kids’ Church every Sunday morning for children and young people up to school year 6.
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Launch of BCC Kids Worship Band.
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Regular church family ‘Connect Lunches’ after Sunday services every 1-2 months.
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Regular Sunday activities for teenagers under the ’29eleven’ banner.
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A number of events enabling men to gather, enjoy food and fellowship together, including 15 men attending the ‘Release’ men’s conference at Hope Church, Wigston.
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A number of events enabling women to gather, enjoy food and fellowship together.
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A series featuring teaching on Sundays and follow up discussion in small groups based on the ‘SHAPE’ course, designed to help discover our God-given purpose.
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A series entitled ‘We Are the Church’ looking at our corporate identity and calling.
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Donating to and supporting an appeal by Lakeside Church that distributed 6,400 backpacks to local primary school children after the knife attack in Southport.
The church continued to undertake a number of activities serving the local community, gradually returning to full levels of operation as the prevailing Government guidelines allowed:
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The Faithworks Furniture Project (Faithworks) – this serves Banbury and the surrounding villages through the restoration, repair and provision of donated furniture, soft furnishings and home appliances. Beneficiaries are primarily referred by a range of statutory and charity agencies, particularly those working to support people that were previously homeless. It has been overseen by an employed part-time Project Team Leader, plus a team of dedicated volunteers. In late-August 2024 a number of compliance issues were identified in the property that houses the project, which ultimately led to its work being suspended and the Team Leader leaving their employment. The trustees are currently seeking potential other avenues for the work to re-commence outside of the jurisdiction of the church and operations remain suspended.
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 ( Continued)
Achievements and Performance (continued)
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Support for a project providing meals, toiletries and small personal items for local homeless people.
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Involvement in the operation of Banbury Food Bank in partnership with other churches in the town.
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The Hill Sports and Community Facility (The Hill). As stated above, the church informed Cherwell District Council of its intention to exit the lease on 31[st] July 2025. The Hill had been leased and operated by BCC working with a range of partners to serve all sections of the community within and around the deprived Bretch Hill area of Banbury.
Plans for the Future
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To continue to build on progress to grow the church’s reach in mission and quality in teaching and discipleship.
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Identify and equip new leaders so that more members of the church can participate in and contribute to its mission and ministry.
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Enable more opportunities for external skills development and training – particularly for those involved in music and leading worship.
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To ensure that the church is properly resourced and equipped in terms of knowledge and leadership support explore the potential for joining some wider network of churches.
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To successfully exit from the work at Faithworks and The Hill in ways that minimise the risk to the charity, whilst enabling both projects to continue under new governance.
Financial Review
The total income for the year was £244,695 (2024: £245,389) and total expenditure was £293,902 (2024: £271,329) leaving a deficit of £49,207 for the year.
The closing funds for the church were unrestricted and designated £97,216 with restricted funds of £50,933.
Risk Assessment
The Charity Trustees regularly consider and formulate strategies to mitigate the financial operational risk against the church.
Reserves Policy
The reserves policy is to hold a minimum of three months average unrestricted expenditure in readily available cash and bank accounts, this would be in the region of £35,000. Total funds currently held are just under £140,000.
Investment Policy
The investment policy of the charity is to hold any funds that are not required in the short term for day-to-day working capital in an interest-bearing account - the options are currently under review.
Grant Making Policy
Throughout the existence of the church, it has sought to support causes and projects both locally and internationally. This is in response to both national and international appeals, knowledge of needy situations and relationships with other charities and individuals. Grant making is fulfilled through a combination of direct grants to other organisations and individuals and through the work of the church staff team and members of congregation.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity is led by the Leadership and the Trustees.
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 ( Continued)
Leaders
The role of the Leaders is summarized as follows:
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Spiritual care and oversight of the church
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Vision and direction (with bias towards spiritual direction)
Responsibilities of the Leaders are:
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Oversight of pastoral care, especially prayer for the sick
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Be visible in the life of the church, setting agenda and direction
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Establishing/guarding core values and purpose of the church
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Shared responsibility for teaching
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Alongside the Trustees, identify and confirm the appointment of the new people added to the Trustee’s team
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Provide supervision of staff and volunteers
Trustees
Role summarised as follows:
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Legal responsibilities
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Accountable for compliance of the law
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Finance and Assets – Godly stewardship of resources and setting of budgets
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Human resource appointment and legal responsibilities relating to staff
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With the leaders identify, formally appoint and nurture new people to be added to the Trustee team
Approved by the trustees on 20th January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
J Brown
…………………………………. Trustee
Banbury
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Banbury Community Church for the year ended 31st March 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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 have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A P Williams FCCA CTA A J Carter & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants
22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB
22nd January 2026
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(including an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Investments 4 Other income 5 Grants Total incoming resources Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2025 £ £ £ 125,458 605 126,063 3 - 3 1,409 13,922 15,331 - 103,298 103,298 126,870 117,825 244,695 - 855 855 138,703 154,344 293,047 138,703 155,199 293,902 (11,833) (37,374) (49,207) - - - (11,833) (37,374) (49,207) 109,049 88,307 197,356 £97,216 £50,933 £148,149 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 117,439 3 8,766 119,181 |
|---|---|---|
| 245,389 | ||
| 1,950 269,379 |
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| 271,329 | ||
| (25,940) - |
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| (25,940) 223,296 |
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| £197,356 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET as at 31[st] March 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 11 Total fixed assets Current assets Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 13 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets 14 The funds of the Charity Restricted income funds 15 Unrestricted income funds 15 Revaluation reserve Total unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
2025 £ 2,349 2,349 8,871 139,850 148,721 2,921 145,800 148,149 £148,149 50,933 97,216 - 97,216 £148,149 |
2024 £ 1,514 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,514 | ||
| 8,607 199,112 |
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| 207,719 11,877 |
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| 195,842 | ||
| 197,356 £197,356 |
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| 88,307 | ||
| 109,049 - |
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| 109,049 | ||
| £197,356 |
These accounts were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on: 20th January 2026 and are signed on their behalf by:
J Brown ………………………………….. Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
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a) Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
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b) Public Benefit Entity
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Banbury Community Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.
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c) Going Concern
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The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
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d) Income Recognition Policies
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
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The charity has entitlement to the funds;
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any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
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there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
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the amount can be measured reliably.
Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
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e) Interest Receivable 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.
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f) Fund Accounting
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Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the Charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for the particular areas of the Charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity.
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g) Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT
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Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
h) Tangible Fixed Assets
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on the straight line basis as follows:
Asset Annual Category Rate Church equipment Over 3 years
i) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
j) 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.
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k) Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charities pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
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l) Creditors and Provisions Creditors and provisions 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 and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
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Legal Status of the Charity
The Banbury Community Church is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charity registration number is 1166594.
3. Income from donations
| Donations Gift Aid |
2025 £ 110,165 15,898 £126,063 |
2024 £ 102,108 15,331 |
|---|---|---|
| £117,439 |
Of the £126,063 received in 2025 (2024: £117,439) £605 was restricted funds (2024: £1,705) and £125,458 (2024: £115,374) unrestricted funds.
4. Investment income
| Interest Received | 2025 £ 3 £3 |
2024 £ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| £3 |
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
5. Other income
| Rental income Fundraising |
2025 £ 13,821 1,510 £15,331 |
2024 £ 8,388 378 |
|---|---|---|
| £8,766 |
Of the £15,331 received in 2025 (2024: £8,766) £13,922 was restricted funds (2024: £8,388) and £1,409 (2024: £378) unrestricted funds.
6. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
| Charitable Projects Tithe Grants Administration and Support Costs Staff Salaries Employers NIC Employers Pension Contributions Staff Training Staff Events Gifts Guest Speaker Hospitality and Refreshments Events Leadership Costs Resources Travel and Subsistence Rent and Occupancy Costs Insurance Telephone and Office Expenses Outsourced Support Professional fees Subscriptions Bank Charges Sundry Expenses Sale of assets Depreciation Governance Costs Total |
2025 Total £ 41,214 16,029 122,364 3,760 8,103 466 - 323 964 706 4,368 - 1,518 4,458 38,280 2,535 4,898 24,348 10,533 4,785 676 62 - 1,589 1,068 £293,047 |
2024 Total £ 38,818 7,340 112,079 - 7,551 937 - 706 950 2,541 4,994 - 1,120 11,375 33,660 2,448 5,274 17,707 12,020 3,207 506 - - 5,126 1,020 |
|---|---|---|
| £269,379 |
Of the £293,047 expenditure in 2025 (2024: £269,379), £138,703 was charged to unrestricted funds (2024: £115,342) and £154,344 to restricted funds (2024: £154,037).
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
7. Net income/(expenditure) for the year
| Net income/(expenditure) for the year | ||
|---|---|---|
| This is stated after charging: Depreciation Independent examiner's fee Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs |
2025 £ 1,589 1,068 2025 £ 122,364 3,760 8,103 £134,227 |
2024 £ 5,216 1,020 |
| 2024 £ 112,079 - 7,551 £119,630 |
- Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses
No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2024: Nil).
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £Nil) neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: £Nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £Nil).
9. Staff numbers
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Number | Number |
| 7 | 8 |
10. Corporation tax
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost: As at 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals As at 31 March 2025 Depreciation: As at 1 April 2024 Charge for year On disposals As at 31 March 2025 Net book value: As at 31 March 2025 As at 31 March 2024 |
Church Equipment £ 80,817 2,424 - 83,241 79,303 1,589 - 80,892 £2,349 £1,514 |
Total £ 80,817 2,424 - |
|---|---|---|
| 83,241 | ||
| 79,303 1,589 - |
||
| 80,892 | ||
| £2,349 | ||
| £1,514 |
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
12. Debtors
`
| Gift Aid Other debtors |
2025 £ 3,406 5,465 £8,871 |
2024 £ 7,497 1,110 |
|---|---|---|
| £8,607 |
13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Trade Creditors Accruals Other |
2025 £ 1,375 1,068 478 £2,921 |
2024 £ 6,726 3,589 1,562 |
|---|---|---|
| £11,877 |
14. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Total |
General Designated Restricted Fund Funds Funds Total £ £ £ £ 2,349 - - 2,349 28,740 60,177 50,933 139,850 5,950 - - 5,950 |
|---|---|
| £37,039 £60,177 £50,933 £148,149 |
15. Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
| The Hill Faithworks No Place Like Home The Hill New Building Total |
Balance Incoming Resources Funds 01.04.2024 resources expended Transfers 31.03.2025 £ £ £ £ £ 80,765 96,884 (136,490) - 41,159 7,542 20,941 (18,709) - 9,774 - - - - - - - - - - |
|---|---|
| £88,307 £117,825 £(155,199) £- £50,933 |
BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
15. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)
Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds
| General fund Designated Funds Building Fund Close Down Fund Tithe/Missions Fund Vision Fund Total |
Balance Incoming Resources Funds 01.04.2024 resources expended Transfers 31.03.2025 £ £ £ £ £ 48,872 126,870 (138,703) - 37,039 5,000 - - - 5,000 35,000 - - - 35,000 2,048 - - - 2,048 18,129 - - - 18,129 |
|---|---|
| £109,049 £126,870 £(138,703) £- £97,216 |
Name of unrestricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund
General fund The 'free reserves' after allowing for all designated funds.
Building Fund Ring-fenced for if the charity ever acquires its own building
Close Down Fund To provide for closing-down costs such as redundancy payments should the church ever cease to operate. Set at three months expenditure currently comprising £35,000.
Tithe/Missions Fund The Tithe Fund is our giving/donations from the church (to local work or work abroad).
Vision Fund Is available to support the development of the church. It can only be used to cover operating costs when deemed essential.
16. Lease agreements
A twenty-one year lease was undertaken for The Hill Sport and Community Centre, Dover Avenue, Banbury, on 15th January 2020. This is leased to Banbury Community Church at a peppercorn rent with a repair and maintenance agreement in place with the landlord, Cherwell District Council.