# **ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1180460**
Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices
53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **CONTENTS**
|Page 3|Legal and Administrative Information|
|---|---|
|Pages 4 to 7|Trustees' Report|
|Page 8|Statement of Financial Activities|
|Page 9|Balance Sheet|
|Pages 10 to 18|Notes to the Financial Statements|
|Page 19|Independent Examiner's Report|
2
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
**CHARITY NUMBER** 1180460 **DATE OF REGISTRATION** 29th October 2018 **START OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 1st January 2025 **END OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 31st December 2025 **TRUSTEES AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025** Rev David Lawther Rev Matthew Bownds Steffan Elis Thomas Hocking Dr Thomas Roberts (Appointed 23rd September 2025) Dr Thomas Kelly (Appointed 23rd September 2025) Mark Hall (Appointed 23rd September 2025) Jonathan Owens (Appointed 23rd September 2025) John Macdonald (Appointed 23rd September 2025) **LEGAL STATUS** Charitable Incorporated Organisation
## **GOVERNING INSTRUMENT**
CIO - Association Registered 29th October 2018
## **OBJECTS**
1. The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Cardiff and the surrounding neighbourhood; and 2. Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity Trustees, put into practice the Christian Faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
**CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS** 7 Dan-Yr-Heol Cardiff CF23 6JU **PRIMARY BANKERS** Lloyds Bank Plc 25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS** Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices 53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ
3
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Charitable Purposes**
The charity's purposes and principal activities continue to be the advancement of the Christian faith and the putting into practice of the Christian faith. These purposes are met through the operation of a church and its associated activities such as Sunday Services, monthly clubs and activities for children of all ages as well as events that engage with the local community and wider world.
## **Public Benefit**
The organisation's trustees can confirm that they have given due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. Significant activities that we undertook during the year that demonstrate public benefit are set out on the following pages.
## **Activities**
In 2025 we continued to use the premises of Pontprennau Primary, the school which is at the heart of the community we are actively serving. On Sunday mornings and evenings we gather together to worship and consider how the Good News of Jesus impacts the way we live our lives and be a positive influence in this area. The activities listed below find their source and inspiration in our times together on Sundays. The charity's different activities are still run almost entirely by volunteers serving alongside the two full time pastoral staff.
We have continued an excellent working relationship with Pontprennau Primary School, where we assist the teachers in delivering their religion, values and ethics curriculum content. A team of volunteers at Christmas, Harvest and Easter and have run workshops lasting between 30 and 60 minutes with a range of interactive activities and teaching to engage both the students and the staff. The 500 children who hear the teaching about what Christians believe have an opportunity to consider more of what they’ve heard by taking home materials that they can read with their parents. Also for the first time this year we had the thrilling opportunity to run Christmas assemblies for five additional local primary schools. Assemblies were delivered for Rhydypenau Primary School, Bryn Celyn Primary School, Glyncoed Primary School, St David's CIW Primary School and St Mellons CIW Primary school, which totals over 2000 school children who received an assembly talking about what Christians believe about Christmas.
Engagement with the school by church members also continues through ongoing support of the ‘FOPPS’ PTA team, building relationships with parents, pupils, staff and the wider school community and through partnerships at their events and activities such as the summer and winter fayres and Christmas events.
We continue to support and link with organisations that focus on compassion and advocacy, such as Cardiff Foodbank and the Oasis refugee centre. Two of our members, Tom and Nerys King last year returned from their missionary work at the Tamar centre, Thailand. We have continued to support them as they have begun a new coaching and counselling ministry to Christian workers.
Our support of the organisation Christians Against Poverty (CAP) continued and increased, as we committed to a greater level of financial support, as well as having more church members volunteering in helping those struggling with poverty. The church has additionally provided 17 food parcels or grocery drops and given further individual support by signposting other people in the community to other charitable bodies for support.
We have also continued our relationships with Christian organisations across the UK such as Wales Leadership Forum and have agreed in principle to support yet another church member to go through the Growing Churches Programme, so that she can aid the church in its charitable purpose of advancing the Christian faith in the communities of Pontprennau and Pentwyn. Additionally we continued supporting the youth organisation “Growing Young Disciples” who seek to help the Church care for children and young people as they grow up in a complex world.
4
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
We have also continued to develop our partnership with Llanishen Evangelical Church through advice and support when they again ran their local holiday club, and the joint purchase of a baptismal pool for the use of both churches.
Our youth work has continued to grow (an average youth meeting being 25 young people, and our joint youth events with other churches up to 40 youth). As a youth team we have continued to provide Sunday evening Bible studies (average 15 youth year 9 and above), termly seminars on specific difficult issues teenagers face (average 25 young people) and social events to get to know one another better. The team of volunteers involved with our young people continued to do an outstanding job. We had the joy of having 5 of our teenagers baptised following 3 weeks of baptism classes.
The Youth Weekend away was a real encouragement in 2025, with 30 youth attending, supported by 10 leaders, for three days exploring the Christian faith and building relationships.
## **Wider Community Engagement**
In terms of engagement with and serving the local community, connections have included supporting existing community activities with members’ attendance at the Pontprennau and Pentwyn ‘Police And Communities Together’ (PACT) meetings, litter picking in the community across Pentywn and Pontprennau, and support of community summer and Christmas fayres - providing partnership, resources and volunteers to build relationships with the community.
At Easter, we again ran our annual Easter Egg Hunt outreach. 413 people from surrounding communities attended the event, with 43 church members on the volunteer team serving, and over 1000 Easter treats given out, as well as Easter books to children. We again received many messages of thanks and appreciation for supporting community cohesion.
We continued seeking to benefit our community by running events which would benefit families. We again ran Bridge Tots parent and toddler sessions. In the April session there were 31 attendees and the July (drop in) sessions across 3 days saw 11 different families stay and play. In July we ran our ‘Starship Discovery’ summer holiday club for children aged 5 - 11 years old. The event was again a great success, with 40 volunteers serving the 120 children attending over the 3 days, as well as 45 families each day attending the end-of-day ‘family time’. Approximately 90% of the attendees were families from the community.
The Community Connect venture, started last year, has grown. It began as a way to meet people in our community who may find the winter period particularly challenging. We hire the local Pentwyn Leisure Centre and spend two hours providing warm refreshments and a warm welcome. A team of 12 volunteers, over a total of 39 sessions over 2025, have met a growing number of attendees (15-20 each week). During this time we have continued to develop connections with local councillors, MPs and Cardiff Council.
At Christmas, we hosted our traditional Carols by Candlelight service for the community, attended by over 300 people, and sang carols in the streets of the community (which was linked with 200 Christmas ‘letterbox gifts’ being distributed, and 14 community members coming to sing with us) receiving encouraging community engagement in person and online in response.
We again ran our popular wreath-making evening, which was again two sessions after last year’s successful pilot, in order to cater for demand. The events were again fully booked, with a record 126 people attending - one third of whom were returning visitors from the community, and several of whom attended follow-up events during the Christmas season with their families.
The curry and quiz event was also again a great opportunity to invite friends, family and contacts to get to know others in the church and hear the Christian message, with 50 men in attendance. These activities maintained awareness of the church in the local community, and led to new contacts, and we are so encouraged that the overall picture with all these annual events is increasing engagement from our local community and appreciation of our provision.
We continue to work hard at engaging the local community through our social media accounts as a core strategy for our external communication, with 637 followers on Facebook and 433 on Instagram. Facebook for example allows us to reach our specific communities of Pontprennau and Pentwyn and surrounding areas, through active engagement and relationship building within ‘Groups’.
5
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
Our Facebook page had 134,000 visits with 2,100 interactions. Our best performing Facebook posts are seasonal around Christmas (Carol Singing event - 5,000 views), Easter (Easter Egg Hunt 8,500 views), and summer Holiday Club (11,000 views).
In 2025 the church began the process of acquiring a building when initially one, then two, potential properties came onto the market. As of December 2025 trustees, in consultation with church members, were deliberating which building to proceed with, factoring in the advantages of each and how they would enable us to reach and serve the communities of Pontprennau and Pentwyn and fulfil our charitable objectives. (A decision has since been made, in January 2026, to proceed with the purchase of the larger of the two properties after a detailed process of affordability analysis, surveys and advice from Kingdom Bank. The Church continued to employ two members of staff this year, and continues to explore the possibility of adding to the staff team in the future, now in light of the purchase of a new building. It is still the case that almost all the activities run at the Bridge Church would not be possible without the input of volunteers on a weekly basis. It continues to be largely volunteers who manage finance, maintain our website, and run our internal and external communications and social media platforms, all of which generate an increasing number of interactions with the local community and across Cardiff.
## **Achievements & Performance**
During 2025 we have again been delighted that the core numbers in attendance at our weekly meetings have not only stayed stable but have again grown, with over 200 people now attending on a busy Sunday. We were pleased to continue to welcome in more new members during 2025 which, even with some members moving away, gives a total membership of 102 people.
Part of our church vision and strategy continues to be the eventual acquisition of our own premises in the community, which would greatly expand our ability to build relationships with local people and provide greater opportunities for both community engagement and public benefit. We continue to be on the lookout for premises that will help us reach out into our community and thereby meet our charitable objectives.
In September 2025, five new elder-trustees were elected and appointed, which is a great help and encouragement to our growing church family.
Our number of small groups has remained the same but will need to be reviewed in 2026 as more people join, and now that we have more elders. We continue to be very grateful again to the finance management team, who volunteer many hours to maintain high standards of finance at the church.
In summary, we are again grateful to God once again for new people joining us, new elders, new initiatives, new contacts, a potential new building and progress in the advancement and practical outworking of our most precious Christian faith.
6
THE BRIDGE CHURCH. CARDIFF
TRUSTEES. REPORT {Conlhw801
FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
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## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|**Notes**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Incoming Resources from Generated Funds**
Donations, Grants & Legacies
**3a**
Charitable Activities
**3b**
Investment Income
**3c**
Other Incoming Resources
**3d**
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Costs of Generating Funds**
Cost of Charitable Activities
**4a**
Governance Costs
**4b**
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**NET INCOMING (OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
Funds Brought Forward
Transfer Between Funds
**6**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2025**
**2024**
£
£
£
£
£
182,303
-
172,786
355,089
161,626
6,172
2,767
-
8,938
7,059
9,755
-
-
9,755
7,473
5
-
-
5
403
**198,234**
**2,767**
**172,786**
**373,787**
**176,562**
132,194
45,461
969
178,624
158,756
14,740
-
-
14,740
1,440
**146,934**
**45,461**
**969**
**193,364**
**160,196**
**51,300**
**(42,695)**
**171,817**
**180,423**
**16,365**
200,310
93,232
199,063
492,605
476,240
(58,227)
57,577
650
-
-
**193,383**
**108,114**
**371,530**
**673,028**
**492,605**|
|---|---|
Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing.
The notes on pages 10 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
8
THE BRIDGE CHURCH. CARDIFF
BAIAMCE SHEET
AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025
TOTAL
TOTAL
31.D•c.25 31.0*24
Fwxts
FSxodAs••ts
1.618
Tot*1 Flx•d A¥••¢s
1.618
42r2
)1404 371A>)
4272
3
673,9>3 Wa229
Cath at B¥l6arKI in
>A676 371.530
&076
4.615
) 371
6n1)
4187
301A9• 371Jall
605
NET ASSETS
301.498
371330
874028 491605
Fundsoftr•
I383
1C&114
193.383
108.114
371M¢
2LTh).310
91rJ2
199,Q63
371>)
371.530
671ln8
492.605
£qlè31L
THE BRIDGECHURCH. CARDIFF
IChafbtd)le Incorwaled Orw'sallrml
BALAPXE sET
AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025
UrK6slndgd Rrttrkted
Fwwjs
TOTAL
TOTAL
31.Dx.25 31.24
TangiiAè As*ts
1.818
Total Flx•d As••i*
4272
?lA04
4272
673JS3
3.373
492229
Ca*h at Barth H•nd
371,
Total ¢uff•rtAMats
306,V6
371.530
078.206
495.002
Cr•dftarn: ArFwnts tslllrg wilhincw ye
6.076
4,815
3T1.530
671130
4.987
TOTALA8SEfs ¢urnnt li*9$
371J20
028 4X
10
yè4r
NET ASSETS
YJ1,498
371.530
073.028
492.605
PdI ofth• awrity
Gewa FuThas
D¢sW•J FLW
RtWi¢ted
191383
1(R114
i385
106.114
371,SJ)
200.310
9*232
199.C63
371,SX)
Fund¥
301.408
371.530
673.021
492,605
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## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of Preparation & Assessment of Going Concern**
## **Basis of Preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015) (Second Edition, effective 1st January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Assessment of Going Concern**
Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Incoming Resources**
## _**Recognition of Incoming Resources**_
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:
▪ the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
▪ the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
▪ the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability
## _**Incoming Resources with Related Expenditure**_
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resource and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.
## _**Grants and Donations**_
Grants and Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
## _**Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts**_
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
## _**Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants**_
This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.
## _**Gifts in Kind**_
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable.
## _**Donated Services and Facilities**_
These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.
## _**Volunteer Help**_
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts.
## _**Investment Income**_
This is included in the accounts when receivable.
## _**Investment Gains and Losses**_
This included any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.
10
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)**
## **Expenditure and Liabilities**
## _**Liability Recognition**_
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
## _**Governance Costs**_
Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
## _**Grants with Performance Conditions**_
Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.
## _**Grants Payable without Performance Conditions**_
These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity.
## _**Unrestricted Funds**_
These funds can be used for the general objectives of the charity as set out in the trustees report. The movements of the unrestricted funds are given in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## _**Restricted Funds**_
These funds are where the donor has specified a purpose for the donation made. These restrictions often arise as a result of appeals for special offerings for specific purposes.
## _**Designated Funds**_
These funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for particular purposes or projects.
## _**Fixed Assets**_
Fixed Assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,500. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.
## _**Depreciation Expense**_
Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. The rates applied are as follows:
Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment
20% - Straight Line Basis
## **2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|Cost
01-Jan-25
Additions
Net Book Value at
31-Dec-25
Depreciation
01-Jan-25
Charge
Depreciation at
31-Dec-25
Net Book Value
31-Dec-25
Net Book Value
31-Dec-24|Equipment
**TOTAL**
Cost
**2025**
£
£
3,601
3,601
-
-
3,601
3,601
1,983
1,983
720
720
2,703
2,703
**898**
**898**
**1,618**
**1,618**|
|---|---|
The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st December 2025 : None
31st December 2024 : None
11
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **3. INCOMING RESOURCES**
|**Note**
**a) Donations, Grants & Legacies**
Gift Aid Tax
**5**
Gifts & Donations
**5**
**b) Charitable Activities**
Activities & Events
Fundraising Income
Growing Churches Program
**6**
**c) Investment Income**
Interest
**d) Other Incoming Resources**
Sundry Income|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2025**
**2024**
£
£
£
£
£
35,173
-
32,665
67,838
28,282
147,130
-
140,121
287,251
133,345
**182,303**
**-**
**172,786**
**355,089**
**161,626**
5,789
-
-
5,789
5,365
383
-
-
383
361
-
2,767
-
2,767
1,333
**6,172**
**2,767**
**-**
**8,938**
**7,059**
9,755
-
-
9,755
7,473
**9,755**
**-**
**-**
**9,755**
**7,473**
5
-
-
5
403
**5**
**-**
**-**
**5**
**403**|
|---|---|
12
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **4. RESOURCES EXPENDED**
|**Note**
**a) Cost of Charitable Activities**
Activities & Events
Administrative Expenses
Advertising & Publicity
Bank Charges
Catering Costs
Depreciation Expense
Equipment Costs
Evangelism
**5**
Fundraising Costs
Insurance Costs
Licenses & Subscriptions
Mission Support
**6**
Pastoral & Pulpit Expenses
Pastoral Gifts
**6**
Rent & Rates
Repairs & Maintenance
Special Appeals
**6**
Staff Costs
**12**
Training Costs
Travel & Subsistence
Trustees' Expenses
Website Costs
Youth & Children's Work
**b) Governance Costs**
Independent Examiners Fees
**9**
Legal & Professional Fees|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2025**
**2024**
£
£
£
£
£
337
-
-
337
1,521
1,089
-
-
1,089
1,165
222
-
-
222
619
315
-
-
315
-
503
-
-
503
921
720
-
-
720
720
3,417
-
-
3,417
1,441
15,983
-
969
16,952
12,712
971
-
-
971
-
620
-
-
620
-
1,161
-
-
1,161
1,180
-
11,911
-
11,911
7,800
742
-
-
742
451
-
750
-
750
3,775
15,400
-
-
15,400
14,794
-
-
-
-
-
-
32,800
-
32,800
19,197
80,314
-
-
80,314
80,398
1,661
-
-
1,661
2,149
901
-
-
901
-
-
-
-
-
3,541
1,071
-
-
1,071
-
6,766
-
-
6,766
6,373
**132,194**
**45,461**
**969**
**178,624**
**158,756**
1,560
-
-
1,560
1,440
13,180
-
-
13,180
-
**14,740**
**-**
**-**
**14,740**
**1,440**|
|---|---|
13
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **5. RESTRICTED FUNDS**
## **CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
|Building Fund
Community Connect Fund
**PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
Building Fund|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-25**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Jan-25**
£
£
£
£
£
199,063
169,786
-
650
369,499
-
3,000
969
-
2,031
**199,063**
**172,786**
**969**
**650**
**371,530**
**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-24**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Jan-24**
£
£
£
£
£
199,063
-
-
-
199,063
**199,063**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**199,063**|
|---|---|
**Building Fund** - Funds received towards the future purchase or rental of a Church building in Pontprennau.
The Restricted Funds are wholly represented by the charity's cash reserves and are to be expended as specified above.
14
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **6. DESIGNATED FUNDS**
## **CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
|Mercy & Compassion Fund
Mission Fund
Partnership Fund
Pastoral Needs Fund
Special Project Fund|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-25**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Jan-25**
£
£
£
£
£
5,277
-
-
-
5,277
21,255
-
11,911
16,644
25,988
-
2,767
32,800
30,033
-
9,200
-
750
5,400
13,850
57,500
-
-
5,500
63,000
-
-
-
**93,232**
**2,767**
**45,461**
**57,577**
**108,115**|
|---|---|
## **PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
|Mercy & Compassion Fund
Mission Fund
Partnership Fund
Pastoral Needs Fund
Special Project Fund|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-24**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Jan-24**
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
1,367
6,644
5,277
10,275
-
7,800
18,780
21,255
-
1,333
17,830
16,497
-
6,525
-
3,775
6,450
9,200
51,500
-
-
6,000
57,500
**68,300**
**1,333**
**30,772**
**54,371**
**93,232**|
|---|---|
**Mercy & Compassion Fund** - Set up by the Trustees to proactively support the needs of the Church or community should they arise. In particular, the cost of living crisis in the current climate.
**Mission Fund** - Intended to provide mission support to Church missionaries in Thailand and other mission projects in the UK and around the World.
**Partnership Fund** - Set up by the Trustees to cover gifts/support to organisations that they 'partner' with - such as Christians in sport or UCCF.
**Pastoral Fund** - Set up by the Trustees as additional funds set aside for Pastoral Needs.
**Special Projects Fund** - Set up by the Trustees to support special projects in the area of Pontprennau.
All transfers were made to set aside funds for increased support to the designated areas of work or to ensure the fund balances were in line with that approved by the Trustees.
The Designated Funds are wholly represented by the charity's cash reserves and are to be expended on particular purposes as directed by the Trustees.
15
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **7. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND**
|Cash at Bank & in Hand|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
**£**
**£**
302,404
371,530
673,933
492,229
**302,404**
**371,530**
**673,933**
**492,229**|
|---|---|
## **8. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS**
|Gift Aid Tax Recoverable
Sundry Debtors|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
**£**
**£**
3,269
-
3,269
2,417
1,004
-
1,004
955
**4,272**
**-**
**4,272**
**3,373**|
|---|---|
## **9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Independent Examiners Fees
PAYE & N.I
Sundry Creditors|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
**£**
**£**
1,560
-
1,560
1,440
1,660
-
1,660
2,073
2,855
-
2,855
1,102
**6,076**
**-**
**6,076**
**4,615**|
|---|---|
## **10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR**
The CIO held no long term liabilities during this or the previous financial year.
## **11. NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS**
|Fixed Asset Investments
Net Current Assets
Long Term Liabilities|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
£
£
898
-
898
1,618
300,600
371,530
672,130
490,987
-
-
-
-
**301,498**
**371,530**
**673,028**
**492,605**|
|---|---|
16
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **12. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS**
|Gross Wages, Salaries & Fees
Employer's National Insurance Costs
Pension Contributions
Employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
Charitable Activities|**TOTAL**
**2025**
£
69,775
4,555
5,984
**80,314**
**TOTAL**
**2025**
2|**TOTAL**
**2024**
£
67,819
6,860
5,718
**80,397**
**TOTAL**
**2024**
2|
|---|---|---|
The Charity operates a PAYE scheme to all employed members of staff and no employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2024:None).
## **13. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES**
During the financial year Trustee Rev Matthew Bownds received £42,869 (2024:£39,270) in staff costs and £3,430 (2024:£3,307) in Pension Contributions in his capacity as Reverend of The Bridge Church, Cardiff in furtherance of the Charity's objects. All conflicts of interest have been identified, documented and managed in accordance with the Charity's Governing Document.
During the financial year Trustee Rev David Lawther received £.33,587 (2024:£28,634) in staff costs and £2,687 (2024:£2,411) in Pension Contributions in his capacity as Reverend of The Bridge Church, Cardiff in furtherance of the Charity's objects. All conflicts of interest have been identified, documented and managed in accordance with the Charity's Governing Document.
Payment to Trustees are permitted by virtue of paragraph 5.2 of the constitution adopted 29th October 2018.
During the financial year expenses of £2,562 (2024:£3,541) were paid to Trustee Rev Matthew Bownds and Trustee Rev David Lawther in respect of book allowances, training and travel expenses.
No other payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial year. No other material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them (2024:None).
## **14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. The pension cost charge represents contributions paid by the charity to the fund and amounted to £5,984 (2024:£5,718). There were outstanding contributions at the year end of £510 (2024:£477).
17
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **15. RISK ASSESSMENT**
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
## **16. RESERVES POLICY**
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the CIO's needs. This is based on the CIO's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the CIO will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The Trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
## **17. PUBLIC BENEFIT**
The CIO acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the CIO has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the CIO should undertake.
18
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH, CARDIFF**
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS**
Report to the trustees/ members of The Bridge Church, Cardiff on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025 set out on pages 8 to 18.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
K. Collaku MAAT
Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices 53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ
Date: 1st April 2026
19