## Tunbridge Wells Presbyterian Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 30 June 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH**
## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 7 Roundhill Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 5HH GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO Constitution Registered 5th July 2018 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1179073 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Rev. Dr. Peter T. Sanlon (Chairman) MANAGING THE CHARITY Mr. David G. Gazzard (Resigned 10th July 2024) Mr. Robert Mole Mr. Andrew John Tyler (Resigned 31st January 2025) Mr Ivan Carson(Appointed 10th July 2024)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Lisa Darby FCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-3 Trustees' Report Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report Page 5 Receipts and Payments Account Page 6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 7-8 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
## **TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th June 2025.
## **Objects of the charity**
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are:
a) to advance the Christian faith, primarily but not exclusively, within the Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding neighbourhood
b) Other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the trustees, put into practice the Christian faith including, but not limited to, the relief of need, hardship, sickness and the provision of Education and social welfare.
The trustees note that the Church is not a building, but a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The New Testament reveals the Church as a community of people, properly taught and cared for, who by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the area in which they lived. It is not alone in this, it is one of many Churches in the area, country and all over the world that is re-discovering the excitement of knowing Jesus Christ. The vision is to see the people come into this experience of knowing Jesus as their Lord, Saviour and friend.
## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements**
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
Throughout the year the church has met in the buildings of the Number One Community Trust (Number One) on the Showfields Estate in Tunbridge Wells, under a Hiring Agreement between Number One and EAC dated 8th March 2018 and amended on 1st May 2022. This agreement also covered the Café/Lounge area and the Main Hall if needed. Children enjoy age appropriate Sunday school classes during the year, most Sundays of the year. Our congregation comprises people of all ages, from infants to senior citizens.
Mid week home groups for further teaching and support have been running, led by volunteers. The fortnightly youth group has been appreciated by the teenagers and has included meals, outings and Bible studies.
Since December 2023, at the request of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Kent County Council, TWPC has been looking after Number One Community Centre.
The Church has overseen significant building works and repairs to the Centre and has provided both financial support and practical refurbishment work through the use of volunteers.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
The Trustees are deeply conscious that the establishment of TWPC has been a Spiritual journey and we continue in our prayers in faith that the Lord will continue to bless us in the future.
The trustees had been exploring membership of EPCEW to understand the benefits to our ministry of joining that Presbyterian organisation. Following a proposed merger of EPCEW with IPC, trustees decided not to progress EPCEW membership until the implications of the proposed merger can be understood.
Page 2
## **Financial review**
The income for the year was £91,034 with Gift Aid provisions. This was a decrease of £15,216 compared to the previous year (£106,250). The main reason for such a large decrease in income was due to the timings of gift aid claims from previous years. In 2024 we made gift aid claims for 2022 and 2023
The expenditure for the year, at £97,603 was an increase of £24,572 on the previous year (£73,031). the main reason for the increase in expenditure was due to building improvement works on the Number One Community Trust Building to enable us to better serve our community. These building costs totalled £24,314. This included a grant of £13,000 towards VAT costs incurred by the Number One Community Trust. This has resulted in a deficit of £6,569 for the year and decreased funds held to £109,129 as at 30th June 2025 of which £106,668 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
## **Reserves policy**
The Trustees are conscious of the need to maintain budgetary control and regular reports are considered. Finances are considered to be satisfactory for the church’s needs and many thanks are due to all in the congregation who have committed to regular giving. In addition, various items of equipment and furnishings have been given to the church which has relieved the costs.
## **Governance**
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. New, suitably qualified, trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees by a majority vote. The day to day management of the church is the responsibility of the trustees who support the minister, and are in regard to their pastoral spiritual roles known as the elders.
## **Risk Statement**
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity’s activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
## P. Sanlon
P. Sanlon (Dec 8, 2025 22:48:17 GMT)
………………………………………………………..
Rev. Dr. Peter Sanlon
Date: Dec 8, 2025
Page 3
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Tunbridge Wells Presbyterian Church ('the charity') for the year ended 30th June 2025 on pages 5 to 8 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 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:
1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. 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.
Lisa Darby Lisa Darby (Dec 9, 2025 13:58:26 GMT)
## **Lisa Darby FCA**
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Dec 9, 2025
Page 4
## **TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations, legacies
Grants
Gift aid receipts
Bank Interest
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before
Grants paid in relation to charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly|Unrestricted
Funds
£
71,280
-
12,822
84,102
73,289
73,289
10,813
(7,453)
3,360
103,308
106,668|Designated
Funds
£
-
-
387
387
5,040
13,000
18,040
(17,653)
7,453
(10,200)
10,200
-|Restricted
Funds
£
-
6,545
-
-
6,545
6,274
-
6,274
271
-
271
2,190
2,461|2025
£
71,280
6,545
12,822
387
91,034
84,603
13,000
97,603
(6,569)
-
(6,569)
115,698
109,129|2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||74,433
-
31,587
230|
||||||106,250|
||||||73,031
-|
||||||73,031|
||||||33,219
-|
||||||33,219
82,479|
||||||115,698|
The notes on pages 7 -8 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
## **TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
|**A**
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Notice deposits
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
**C**
**Liabilities**
Fee for Independent Examination
Accruals
Payroll liabilities|Unrestricted
funds
£
93,095
13,573
**106,668**
2,394
**2,394**
1,320
-
1,950
**3,269**|Restricted
funds
£
2,461
-
**2,461**
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
**-**|2025
£
95,556
13,573
**109,129**
2,394
**2,394**
1,320
-
-
**1,320**|2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||102,508
13,190|
|||||**115,698**|
|||||3,778|
|||||**3,778**|
|||||1,110
349
-|
|||||**1,458.48**|
## **D Assets retained for charity's own use**
|Fund to
which asset
belongs
Church Equipment
General Fund|Valuation
£|
|---|---|
||6,808|
Church Equipment has been included at its current value as estimated by the trustees.
## **E Guarantees and secured debts**
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
P. Sanlon by P. Sanlon (Dec 8, 2025 22:48:17 GMT) date -------------------------------------------------------Rev. Dr. Peter Sanlon
## Dec 8, 2025
The notes on pages 7 -8 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
## **TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
|Unrestricted
funds
£
**2**
**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Employment costs
57,358
Property costs
4,680
Equipment
1,499
Ministry Expenses
3,074
Insurance
482
Legal & Professional Fees
1,332
Weekend Away
110
Building Costs
5,040
Pastoral support
-
Administration
1,627
Travel
3,128
78,329|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,274
-
-
-
6,274|2025
£
57,358
4,680
1,499
3,074
482
1,332
110
11,314
-
1,627
3,128
84,603|Total
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|
||||57,218
4,610
-
2,326
405
2,046
-
3,045
250
1,722
1,410|
||||73,031|
## **3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others**
|Number One Community Trust
UK|13,000
13,000|-
-|13,000
13,000|-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||-|
## **4 Transactions with related parties**
Rev. Dr. Peter Sanlon served as the church leader and was paid £36,488 inclusive of pension (2024: £36,813) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
In addition the charity incurred expenditure totalling £17,400 (2024: £17,400) for rent and £3,469 (2024: £3,005) for water & council tax in respect of the provision of accommodation (which is customary for ministers) to Rev Dr. Peter Sanlon who is the church leader so that he could better perform his duties. This rent payment was made under a leaseback arrangement with Rev. Dr. Peter Sanlon as is permitted in the governing document under section 6.5.
Since December 2023 the church has been responsible for the running of the Number One Community Trust (a separate charity). The church rents a space in the Number One Community Trust building. The rent paid during this period was £4,680 (2024 £4,610). The church spent £24,313.93 over the year on improvements to the building these comprised of £5,040 for Architect drawings, a grant of £13,000 (2024 £0) towards VAT costs of the Number One Community Trust and £6,273.93 on the refurbishment of the youth room. The refurbishment of the buidling served the objects of both charities and the trustees felt they could contribute to the costs to better serve their community. The refurbishment of the youth room was funded through two grants which the church received for this purpose, see youth room restricted fund. Rev Dr. Peter Sanlon, Ivan Carson and Robert Mole are also trustees of the Number One Community Trust, although they are run as separate entities.
There were no other transactions with trustees or related parties during the year.
Page 7
## **TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **5 Movement of funds**
|**General funds**
**Designated funds**
Building Fund
**Restricted funds**
Pastoral Support Fund
Minister Training Fund
Youth Room Fund
Total funds|Balance at
1 July 2024
103,308
10,200
113,508
675
1,515
-
2,190
115,698|Receipts
£
84,102
387
84,489
-
-
6,545
6,545
91,034|Payments
£
(73,289)
(18,040)
(91,329)
-
-
(6,274)
(6,274)
(97,603)|Transfers
£
(7,453)
7,453
-
-
-
-
-
-|Balance at
30 Jun 2025
£
106,668
0|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||106,668|
||||||675
1,515
271|
||||||2,461|
|||||||
||||||109,129|
## **Restricted Funds**
Pastoral Support Fund is to be used for pastoral support work. Minister Training Fund is to be used for the training expenses of Ministers Youth Room Fund is to be used for renovating the Youth Room
Page 8