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← Exmouth Chapel

2025-08-31-accounts

Registered Charity No. 1169494

Trustees Report and Financial Statement

for the year ended

3 1[st ] August 2025

Exmouth Chapel 1 7-19 Exeter Road

Exmouth Devon EX8 1 PN 0 1395 274500

info@exmouthchapel.co.uk www.exmouthchapel.co.uk

Contents

Reference and Administra-on details............................................................................................ 2 Structure, governance and management ...................................................................................... 3 Objec-ves and ac-vi-es................................................................................................................ 3 Public Benefit ............................................................................................................................ 4 Achievements and performance................................................................................................... 5 Overview..................................................................................................................................... 5 Congrega-on & Par-cipa-on..................................................................................................... 5 Special Events.............................................................................................................................5 Missional Engagement ............................................................................................................... 6 Staff Team .................................................................................................................................. 6 Compliance and Training............................................................................................................ 6 Building Development Project ................................................................................................... 6 Project Delivery ...................................................................................................................... 7 Financial Aspects .................................................................................................................... 8 Financial review..............................................................................................................................8 Summary .................................................................................................................................... 8 Reserves Policy........................................................................................................................... 9 Declara-ons of Interest.............................................................................................................. 9 Declara-on ..................................................................................................................................... 9

Reference and Administra�on details

Charity Name: Exmouth Chapel Registered Charity Number: 1169494

Principal Address:

1 7-19 Exeter Road Exmouth Devon EX8 1 PN 0 1395 274500 info@exmouthchapel.co.uk www.exmouthchapel.co.uk

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Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

Trustees who manage the charity (as at 31/8/25).

Mr MaEhew PiEs Chairman Mr Alfred Tarring Mrs Rebecca Wright Mrs Emily Nicholls Mr Jean Noel Mulindabigwi

Structure, governance and management

The Chapel is a Charitable Incorporated Organisa-on which was entered on the Register of Chari-es on 5[th ] October 2016.

The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity and meet every six months or more o>en if required, although this had to be curtailed by the sickness of some of the trustees. The trustees give their -me freely and receive no remunera-on or other financial benefits. The day-to-day running of the charity is undertaken by the deacons of Exmouth Chapel, and we are very grateful for the support given by an enthusias-c band of Chapel members. The Elders are responsible for the spiritual direc-on of the Chapel and meet once a month.

The trustees have assessed the risks the charity faces and are sa-sfied that systems are in place or arrangements are in hand to manage the iden-fied risks. Insurance cover is in place. Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks, supported by regularly reviewed policies, are made for those who work with children or other vulnerable groups within the Chapel.

As trustees, we are confident that we provide a safe and trusted environment for our staff, volunteers and members of the public. As an organisa-on, we ensure that staff and volunteers, including Trustees, are aware that Safeguarding is a priority. Our policies and procedures are robust and are reviewed annually. Should an incident be reported, the staff are fully aware of the steps and repor-ng procedures to follow.

Objec�ves and ac�vi�es

The objec�ves of the charity, as set out in the CIO, are summarised as follows:

1 ) To worship and serve God

2 ) To advance for the public benefit the Chris-an faith in accordance with the statement of belief appearing in the schedule in Exmouth and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the charity trustees may from -me to -me think fit.

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Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

The Trustees have considered the requirements to be of benefit to the public as required by the Charity Commission and are sa-sfied that the ac-vi-es listed below, which are aEended by members of the public as well as Chapel members, meet those requirements.

We also:

Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

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Achievements and performance

Overview

The 2024-25 period was one of both prac-cal challenges and spiritual blessings. In August 2024, we had to relocate our services due to safety concerns with the ceiling in the main hall, which was iden-fied during an upgrade to our audio-visual system. While the building is held under a separate trusteeship, one of our deacons, John Wright, oversaw the redevelopment project on our behalf, and further details are outlined below.

However, in the mean-me, we u-lised the Glenorchy URC building, located across the road from our building, for our main worship, communion, and Bible teaching in the a>ernoons. Encouragingly, these changes enabled morning and evening congregants to gather as one body, fostering greater unity. Upon returning to our own building for services in July 2025, it became clear that more had in fact been added to our number, for which we are thankful to the Lord.

We remain encouraged this year by the ongoing life and witness of Exmouth Chapel. It has been a joy to welcome several new aEendees, including families, and to see con-nued engagement in our events and missional ac-vi-es. We have been par-cularly blessed to hear of some who have come to or returned to the faith this year, as well as many others who have grown spiritually.

The congrega-on con-nues to be a rela-vely diverse group; some have grown up in Exmouth, others have joined us from overseas, having moved to the UK for work or have gained refugee status. We have sought to ensure all are warmly included. The number of visitors aEending the chapel has been another great encouragement to us.

We con-nue to experience consistent engagement in our weekday gatherings and ministries. Our informal midweek mee-ng, Thursdays@TheChapel, remains a strong draw—o>en welcoming - individuals who may not aEend other services. The Ladies' Get Together meets reliably each week, and we are deeply apprecia-ve of the dedicated volunteers who uphold our youth ministry, including the Sunday Club, Explore, Regenerate, and our toddler group, PlayPals. Our house groups also remain a vital part of church life, offering meaningful opportuni-es for fellowship and Bible study.

Special Events

Seasonal events such as Christmas and Easter have again offered valuable opportuni-es to share the hope of Jesus Christ with our wider community. These included well-aEended carol

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Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

services, family na-vi-es, and a joint Christmas Day event with our brothers and sisters at Glenorchy URC.

Our annual Church Weekend remains a highlight and was once again led by Graham Poland. This year’s focus was the book of 2[nd ] Peter and proved both -mely and beneficial, reinforcing our focus on being a witnessing church. The younger men enjoyed a weekend away at Bernard’s Acre, and the young people had a great -me at SPREE, a youth camping event run by Southwest Youth Ministries (SWYM), generously supported by dona-ons from church members. Our youth clubs also had a weekend away, enjoying ac-vi-es and -me together.

Missional Engagement

Our commitment to Christ’s global mission remains strong. Members of the Chapel ac-vely support Chris-an work in Zambia, Rwanda, and conflict-affected parts of Europe. We also con-nue to prayerfully and financially support many other Chris-an organisa-ons and missionaries working around the world.

We remain deeply thankful for the ministry of Simon Sweeney, our full-time paid elder, whose experience and leadership have been a great blessing. Mrs Chrissie Mulindabigwi con-nues as our Family & Youth Worker and has provided energe-c and effec-ve leadership, especially among young people and in offering guidance to parents.

Compliance and Training

As part of our commitment to safe and effec-ve ministry, safeguarding training is carried out annually, led by our Safeguarding Lead and Chair of Trustees, MaEhew PiEs. We have, in recent years, recognised the need to further focus our training on vulnerable adults. Food hygiene training is delivered on a two-year cycle to ensure best prac-ce across our hospitality and youth ministries.

With confidence in God's con-nued guidance, we look ahead with expecta-on and faith, trus-ng that our worship, work, and witness will remain fruiQul in the months to come.

Building Development Project

As noted earlier in this report, a significant project for us this year was the redevelopment of the building's main hall. The catalyst for this was the needed repair of the suspended ceiling, however the elders, deacons, trustees and congrega-on of the chapel felt that this could be an opportunity to improve the building, making it more welcoming and accessible, whilst also giving greater capacity and flexibility of use. Between September 2024 and June 2025, several teams led by John

Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

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Wright collaborated on this project. We are very thankful to them for their excellent work and dedica-on on this.

The redevelopment of the main hall has now been successfully completed. The project encompassed the following elements:

walls of the main hall.

,

which had been closed for 38 years due to structural concerns, providing valuable addi-onal sea-ng capacity.

With the work complete, the renewed space now delivers the outcomes originally envisioned:

Project Delivery

The en-re project was completed in a single phase, as the structural interconnec-ons among the ceiling, balcony, and entrance area made this the most prac-cal and least disrup-ve approach.

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Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

During construc-on, the congrega-on met in a nearby URC building on Sunday a>ernoons, while many other ministries con-nued in other rooms

within the Chapel building. This allowed church life to con-nue—though with slightly reduced capacity— un-l the hall was ready for use again.

In September 2025, we had the privilege of gathering to thank the Lord for his help and provision, hos-ng an opening weekend, with many from the community aEending and an exhibi-on of the history of the fellowship. This was very well aEended.

Financial Aspects

The total income on the project amounted to £143,749, comprising £96,000 in grants from trusts and £47,749 in dona-ons from the congrega-on and friends. Expenditure to date stands at £ 132,914. As some work remains outstanding, a surplus remains.

It must be noted that we were deeply encouraged, seeing the Lord’s provision during this -me through various partners in the gospel. These varied from those in the congrega-on to other Chris-ans in the area, as well as Western Coun-es and other UK trusts commiEed to suppor-ng the work of gospel-focused local churches.

Financial review

Summary

The accounts for the year ending 31st August 2025 were subject to an independent examina-on by Tim Davies and have been approved by the trustees. They are openly available to the Chapel leaders and congrega-on.

The Chapel's finances for the year have necessarily been dominated by building expenses, and these figures have been detailed above. However, we have con-nued to see God’s generous provision in the remainder of our finances. Our day-to-day expenses and salary costs are not covered by our offerings, but the shorQall has been covered for several years by legacies received. This paEern has con-nued this year, and a legacy of £21,706 was received. Accordingly, there was an increase of £7,000 in our General Funds.

Understandably, our giving to outreach and mission has reduced this year (19%), but we have been encouraged that we have s-ll been able to donate over £13,000 to outreach and missions. Our staff costs con-nue to be a high propor-on of our expenditure, but the increase has been in line with the normal cost-of-living indices.

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Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

We have con-nued to employ 2 paid staff members, and it is planned to maintain this staffing level for at least the next 12 months.

We are grateful to God for His faithfulness to us, and we are dependent on the generosity of those commiEed to the work of the Chapel, to whom we are also grateful.

The church building is owned by Western Coun-es and South Wales Evangelisa-on Trust and is made available to Exmouth Chapel free of charge. Exmouth Chapel is responsible for the upkeep of the property.

Reserves Policy

The trustees seek to maintain a reserve of funds equivalent to three months typical expenditure. In view of the age of our building, we also seek to maintain a minimum of £5,000 to cover any unexpected property-related expenditure. Our reserves are currently greater than our current policy in view of the higher-than-normal salary costs.

The trustees declare the following poten-al conflicts of interest:

John Wright is married to Rebecca Wright (trustee) and project-managed the building. He did not charge for any of his -me and did not claim expenses. He was reimbursed for the cost of materials, and full records exist.

All members who supported the project by making purchases for through their own accounts were reimbursed for material costs, however no further expenses were claimed.

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Alfred Tarring MaE PiEs (Treasurer & Trustee) (Chair of Trustees)

20[th] March 2026

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Exmouth Chapel Trustees Annual Report - August 2025

CHARITY (OMMISSION i FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of EXMOUTH CHAPEL On accounts for the year ended 31$1 AUGUST 2025 Charity no (if any) 1169494 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3110812025 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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's ststement come to my attention in connection with the examination (gther 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. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name.. Tim Davies Relevant professional qualificationls) or body (if any): AT Membership ID.. 20319318 Address: 55 Fraser Road Exmouth EX8 4DH IER Oct 2018

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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Categories Details UnrMtrlcted to n••M•t £ Re•trlcted lo É 12,987 Endowm•nt (o n••rn•t£ B1 Ca•h lund• 38,826 106 Ca8h Total cash funds Unre8trlct•d to nmrmt £ Rmtrlcted Detalls to n••f••t £ B2 Oth•r monotsry assets Fund to Twhl¢h ••••t b•lon Co•t lopUon•l) Curnrt v•lu• Detalls B3 Inve8tm•nt a•sets Fund to whlch lon Detalls Cost lopkn•l) B4 Assets rotslned for the charlty's own u Fufid to whlch Il•blllty r•l•t•• Amount du• {optlon•l) Detalls (Opdon￿) B5 Llabllltle• Slgned by onè or trusteoJ on nature Prlnt Name Matthew J.G. Prt18 2010312026 Alfred W. Tarrln 20103r2028 CCXX R2 acLx)urts (SS)