FRESHBROOK CHURCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 01 APRIL 2024 TO 31 MARCH 2025 FOR FRESHBROOK CHURCH Charity Information Registered - 20 June 2016 Charity Number 1167735 Trustees: P Bailey G Bennett R Cheung Ncox Scox J Cullis C Davison D Davison M Gresham (Resigned September 2024) K Stead (Joined February 2025) 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: Jonathan Skinner (ICAEW) 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, rent Trustees reports and information on Trustee responsibilities. They are also briefed by the Chairman of the Trustees. Trustees can 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. 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 meetings 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 Small Groups and 'Alpha' courses 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-temi mission partners in Senegal, France, South Africa 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 and a weekly lunchtime 'Snack & Chat, meeting aimed at lonely or isolated local residents. There is also a monthly seniors. lunch club. A weekly after school club for primary aged children which is enjoyed 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.. 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 seNice runs monthly sessions and both Brownies and Rainbows have groups which meet here every week as do Swindon Choral Society. 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 The number of members of the CIO have on the whole stay stable, with people leaving and new people arriving. During the year, as part of our 5-year programme of works, we continued to work on various aspects of the church fabric. In addition to this general maintenance programme, we installed a new AV and PA system during this year. Future Plans The Trustees have continued to develop the ministry of the Church in line with the long-term plan for the Church. Other initiatives will be developed in response to per1Ved 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 £246,547 and total payments were £278,524 At 31 March 2025 the charity held cash funds of £74,533 in unrestricted funds and £15,404 in restricted funds. Church Manse The church still owns a manse, purchased in 2024, for the Associate Pastor and his family to live in. The church has a loan secured on the property, and an equity mortgage with trustee P Bailey and state that as at 31 March 2025, total loans outstanding are £268,211 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 £35,398 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 their donation should go to a particular individual or organisation then this wish is respected if 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) 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 reiVeS 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 6th October 2025 and signed on its behalf by.. S Cox - Trustee and Church Administratorrrreasurer D Davison - Chair of Trustees & Lead Pastor
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Freshbrook Church 116773S Recei tsand ments accounts CC16a For the period from 01- r-24 31-Mar-25 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to thè n•Jr•st £ Endowment funds to thè naar•st £ Total funds Last yaar to the nearest to thg naarost £ to the nearest £ A1 Rècei Fleewll Offering and one off gifts Tax recovery Bsnk intere51 Hire of hall and other income Grosj s, and event income Manse 117,160 28.633 2,332 11,150 37.044 21.830 7,123 138,990 35,756 2.332 11.150 37,044 21,275 194,823 29.632 1.891 13,710 7,940 21.275 Sub total (Gross income for AR) 196.319 50.228 246,547 247,996 se see table . Bank Loan receipts nvestmen sa es, 276.000 276.000 196.319 50.228 246,S47 A3Pa ments Salaries Icharitable activities) Worker &penses Direct charitable ath"vities Salaries (Support costs) Office and administration Other govemance costs Building Maintenance Ulililies and It Manse purchase expenses, renovation and runnin $ts Sub total 76.979 288 30.444 26.243 7,371 6,727 23.333 24.517 76,979 288 79,535 26,243 7.371 6.727 23,333 24,517 58.377 598 51,342 23.060 6,006 4,849 11,220 18.020 49,091 18,532 67,623 18.532 263,524 28,467 201,939 195,901 A4 Asset and investment urchase Bank loan repayrnents-Capit31 eloment Bank loan repayments- Interest element 350.000 1.952 4.29B 356.250 4.837 10.163 15.000 4,837 10,163 1S,000 Sub total rotal payments 195.901 82.623 278,524 558.189 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 418 32,395 31,977 34,193 84.860 85.278 37.054 4,659 156,107 121.914 89,937 CCXX R1 accounts {SSI 0311012025
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to nèarest£ Restricted funds to nèarest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ Categories Details B1 Cash funds CAF gold 22,937 4,659 CAF Cash 20.625 Kingdom bank 41.716 Total cash funds 85,278 4,659 (agree balances wHh roceipts 8nd payment5 accountl511 OK Unrestrlcted funds to nearest £ OK Restrlcted funds lo nearest£ OK Endowment funds to nearnst £ Detail$ B2 Other monetary assots Fund to which assgt belon Curr•nt valu• tional Details Cost loptlonall Fund to whleh ass•t lDn Cost loptlonall Curr9nt valu• ional Details Church building B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use 3.785,818 Manse 350,000 Fund to whlch relatss Amount due on41 208.750 When duo tional Details Secured Loan B5 Llabllltle8 Equity Loan 46.000 Signed by one or tsvo trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Dale of roval Ih) CULLI S CCKX R2 accounts ISSI 0311012025
Commercial in Confidence CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Freshbrook Church On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1167735 Set out on pages 1&2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust.) for the year ended 31103 12025 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 Trust'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 The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the exarnination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW4 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did 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. Dats: 1110912025 Signed: Name: Jonathan Skinner IER Oct 2018
Commercial in Confidence Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW) Address: Lane House, Gills Hill Lane Radlett WD7 8DD Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material 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. IER Oct 2018