2024-03-31-accounts - Freshbrook Church

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Freshbrook Church 1167735 Recei ts and ments accounts CC16a For the perlod from To 01- r-23 31-Mar-24 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to tho n•ar•st Restricted fundg to th• n•ar•st £ Endowment funds Total funds Last year to th• near•8t £ to thg n•ar•gt £ thg noarest £ A1 Recel ts Freewill Offering and one off gifts Tax recovery Bank interest Hire (>f h811 and other income Grou s, and event income 100,411 29,632 1.891 13,710 7,940 94,412 194,823 29,632 1.891 13.710 157.747 24,305 $42 11,602 16.670 Sub total (Gross income for AR) IS3.$84 94,412 247,996 210.866 Sset an see table . Bank loan receipts Investment sa 276.000 276,000 276.000 276.000 429.584 523,996 A3Pa ments Salaries Icharitable acts'vits'esl Workei Expenses Direct charitable activities Salaries (Support $t$) Office and adrninistrab.on Othtrr govemance costs Building Maintenance Ulililies and It Manse purchase expenses, renovation and runnin costs 58.377 598 42.172 23,060 6.006 4.849 11.220 18.020 58,377 40.075 739 65,322 22,712 5.344 9,170 51,342 23,080 6,006 4.849 11,220 18,020 26,324 28.467 192769 28,467 201939 Sub total A4 Asset and Investment Property purchas& Bank loan repayments- capital element Bank loan repayments- interest element 350.000 1.952 4,298 356.250 350.000 1,952 4.298 356,250 Sub total 549.019 9.170 558,189 190.358 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last vear end Cash funds this year end 119.435 82,105 155 505 118,175 8S.242 82.105 602 3.739 34.193 20.508 156107 121.914 135 599 156.107 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 1211112024

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to noar•st £ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to neargst £ Categories Details B1 Cash funds CAF gold 19,881 CAF Cash 57,894 3,739 lfjngdorn bank 40,400 Total cash funds 118,175 3.739 (agree balant8$ %vlth re5Pt8 and payments Unrestrlcted funds to n¢•rest £ Restrl¢ted funds to nèarost £ Endowment funds to nr•st £ Details B2 Other monetary assets Fund to whlch ass8t bolon Curr•nt valu• lonal Detail$ Cost loptlonall Fund to which s•t belon Current valuo ional Details Church building Cost loptional} 84 Assets retalned for the charity's own use Manse 350.000 Fund to whi¢h rèlat• Amount du• tlonal 1.729 Wh•n du• tonal Details Money raised on behalf of other charities 85 LSabllltle8 Secured Loan 228,047 Equity Loan 46,000 Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees ignature Print Name Dato of val FJFJI CCXX R2 a¢coun15 (SSI 1211112024

FRESHBROOK CHURCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 01 APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024 FOR FRESHBROOK CHURCH Charity Infomiation Registered - 20 June 2016 Charity Number 1167735 Trustees: P Bailey (Joined 01 September 2023) G Bennett R Cheung Ncox Scox J Cullis (July 2023) C Davison D Davison M Gresham M Wood L Wood Chairman of the Trustees.. D Davison Registered Address: Worsley Road Freshbrook Swindon Wiltshire SN5 8NU Bankers: CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Independent Examiner: Monahans Chartered Accountants The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for this period.

FRESHBROOK CHURCH Structure, Governance and Management The church is established under a constitution adopted by Members on 17 April 2016, and became a Registered Charity on 20 June 2016 (and became active on 01 October 2016). The Constitution defines the Charity Trustees as the Elders and Deacons. The Elders and Deacons are drawn from the membership and are confirmed by election at a Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Rules. The only exception to this would be if the Church Meeting were to appoint a new PastorlAssociate Pastor from outside the church membership who would upon appointment, immediately become an Elder and therefore a Trustee. Church meetings are held on a quarterly basis. New Trustees are provided with an information pack which includes copies of the Trust Deed, recent Trustees reports and information on Trustee responsibilities. They are also briefed by the Chairman of the Trustees. Trustees are able to attend training seminars for Church Trustees as required. Risk management The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. It is still the case that the major risk to the charity is that church offerings do not keep pace with the expenditure of the church. There continues to be adequate reserves to cope with this and the our financial budget was set accordingly. The Trustees continue to monitor the situation on a regular basis. Objectives The charity (Church) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration with the Charity Commission under the Charities Act 2011 was completed on 01 October 2016. The purposes of the Church as stated in the CIO document are.. 1) The advancement of the Christian Faith in accordance with its Basis of Faith, primarily, but not exclusively, within the town of Swindon and the surrounding neighbourhood. 2) Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the membership of the Church in a general meeting, put into practice the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the Basis of Faith. The effective management of the Church is left with the Trustees. The Trustees are in turn accountable to the members of the Church in accordance with the Church constitution document. The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The trustees consider that they have acted in the public benefit.

FRESHBROOK CHURCH Activities The Trustees consider that the performance of the charity (Church) this year has been satisfactory. Although most meeting take place within the church building, we continue to broadcast our weekly Sunday morning service via YouTube. We also operate some group meetings on Zoom. These types of media are particularly beneficial to those who are less able to get out or who are unwell. The gospel has been preached faithfully throughout the year. In addition to the main Sunday Services, we have also continued with our popular family friendly Breakfast @ 9 programme. Small Groups have also been run during the week enabling people to learn more about the Christian faith in an open and informal manner. The Church continues to support mission work across the World. This includes long-term mission partners in Senegal and Columbia as well as short term partners in other parts of the world. The Church provides activities for different age groups within the wider community, meeting specific needs, establishing contacts and building relationships. For example, there are weekly groups for children and young people,. parents and toddlers., day-time groups for older people a weekly lunchtime 'Snack & Chat, meeting aimed at lonely or isolated local residents. There is also a monthly seniors, lunch club. A new weekly after school club has been started for primary aged children and is open to all, this has been well received by the parents and children alike. Activities in local schools operate both independently and collaboratively with other agencies. The church - in line with its objectives to undertake acts of kindness in the community, the church.. continues to be a nominated food distribution centre for Swindon Food Collective (a local version of Foodbank) continues to operate an affordable food club for residents on low income continues to operate a welcomelwell-being space for the community to use The Church premises host numerous outside organisations, both secular and religious, throughout the year. For example, the blood donation service runs monthly sessions and both Brownies and Rainbows have groups which meet here every week. The Annual Christmas Market and Summer Bar-B-Q have proved very popular over the years and provide a successful link with the local community and help raise funds for other local Charities. The volunteering of Church members in local initiatives such as Swindon Night Shelter and Swindon Street Pastors has also continued. We continue to operate our wider Pastoral Care Team who are very much involved with helping those in need within our local community.

FRESHBROOK CHURCH Achievements In September 2023 we appointed a new Associate Pastor (Phil Bailey). The number of members of the CIO increased slightly over the period. During the year, as part of our 5-year programme of works, we continued to work on various aspects of the church fabric. Future Plans The Trustees have continued to develop the ministry of the Church in line with the long-term plan for the Church. The church is able to run a CAP Money Management Course when needed or in response to perceived needs in the community for awareness of financial planning matters. Other initiatives will be developed in response to perceived needs within the church or community as they arise. Financial Report The Trustees review the finances regularly as part of the effective stewardship of the Church. However, both Income and Expenditure for the General Fund of the Church remained at similar levels to the last financial year. This was helped by one off donationslbequests. Total receipts for the year were £247,996 and total payments were £201,939. At 31 March 2024 the charity held cash funds of £118,175 in unrestricted funds and £3,739 in restricted funds. Church Manse During the year, the church purchased a property for the newly appointed Associate Pastor and his family to live in. The arrangements for this were discussed with and agreed by the Charities Commission in advance of the purchase. The church took out a loan secured on the property, and an equity mortgage with trustee P Bailey and state that at 31 March 2024, total loans outstanding are £274,047. Reserves The Trustees consider it to be expedient, in the light of their Risk Assessment, to hold reserves equivalent to three months normal running costs for the Church. This equates to £30,465 this financial period. This provides sufficient funds to cover the administration, management and support costs in the event of a significant and sustained drop in income. Investment policy and objectives The Constitution authorises the Trustees to make investments using the general funds of the CIO. At present there are no investments. Part of the Church cash assets are held in a savings account which generates a nominal return. Church gifts and Missionary support The Trustees consider and approve all Church gifts and Missionary support. Where a donor has specifically requested that part or all of their donation should go to a particular individual or organisation then this wish is respected provided that it accords with the aims and objectives of the Church. If it does not the donation will not be accepted by the Church.

FRESHBROOK CHURCH Employees The charity had seven paid employees during the year: Senior Pastor (full-time) Associate Pastor (full-time) - appointed 01 September 2023 Office Manager {part-time) Schools Worker (part-time) Community Worker (part-time) Connect 3:16 Co-ordinator (part-time) Cleanerlcaretaker {1 x part-time) Transactions with Trustees and other Connected Persons No Trustee receives any remuneration from the CIO for their role as a Trustee. Trustees who are also employees receive remuneration solely in relation to their employment. Approval of Report This report was approved by order of the board of Trustees on 02 Dember 2024 and signed on its behalf by.. S Cox - Trustee and Church Administrator Chair of Trustees & Lead Pastor

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name Freshbrook Church members of On accounts for the year 31 March 2024 Charity no 1167735 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1&2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2024.

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 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.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date: 09 December 2024 ~~[Sd~~ Name: James Gare ~~OOS~~ Relevant professional FCA qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address: Monahans Hermes House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, SN2 2GA

Section B Disclosure ~~a~~ Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .