2025-03-31-accounts

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Southampton Lighthouse International Church

Annual Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Trustees’ Annual Report 3 Independent Examiner’s Report 5 Statement of Financial Activities 6 Balance Sheet 7 Notes to the Financial Statements 9

Trustees’ Annual Report

The trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements of Southampton Lighthouse International Church (SLIC) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Legal and Administrative Information

Charity Number:	1184599
Date of Registration:	25 July 2019
Trustees as at 31 March 2025:	Melroy D’Souza (Chair)
	Gwyneth Symons
	Barbera Ladher (Resigned 10thOctober 2025)
	Michael Kearns (Resigned 8thJune 2025)
	Rhys Bartlett

Legal Status:	Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Correspondence Address:	Southampton Lighthouse International Church
	St Mary’s Road
	Southampton
	SO14 0BB

No trustees were appointed, or resigned, during the year. Trustees are selected via election at the AGM meeting as described in the constitution and are voted in by Church members.

Charitable Objectives

The objectives of the church, as detailed in the Church’s constitution, are:

1) Advance the Christian faith for the public benefit, particularly amongst the international community in Southampton
2) To maintain a Church for the advancement of the Christian religion in Southampton

Review of Activities

The activities undertaken during the year included: Sunday service, Prayer evenings, Bible studies, Team meetings, English classes, Community café, Homework zone, Youth club, Key cultural events, and Winter shelter project.

Our Church is open and welcome to the public and supporting the local area in our constitution and we continue to uphold this in our practices.

Our Church has continued to grow since COVID19. We seek to benefit our members through regular ministry and faith-based support. Above what is listed in our main activities above, we have held 0

weddings (2024: 4), 2 child dedications (2024: 5), 12 baptisms (2024: 6) and 1 funeral (2024: 1) during this financial year. We continue to employee 3 Church Pastors to carry out our main duties.

We continue to achieve against our two objectives as we invest focus and resources into advancing the Christian faith in Southampton, and particularly our local area. We maintain our church buildings to a high standard to ensure we can safely accommodate our Sunday services and events, such as Christmas Carols and Easter services.

Throughout the year, we have continued to support a number of projects, in the UK and overseas, through the generous donations of the Church members. These projects have included the support of Ganeshpur Church, Good Shepherd School, Hope of Glory Foundation, Naujavan, Young Life, and a number of others through our monthly appeals. We have also continued to operate the Help Fund to give back to the members of the Church in need.

Financial Review

We have had good management of funds this year to ensure we have over 5 months’ expenditure in cash reserves. The trustees consider this an appropriate level of reserves to maintain to enable us to be able to pay all salaries, utilities, and maintenance costs, and pool the rest for furthering our objectives.

During this financial year, the principal sources of funding consisted of voluntary contributions made by Church members. We do not believe there to be any risks facing the charity as we have experienced steady volume of donations for several years and do not solely rely on any particular individual’s donations.

For this financial year, the total unrestricted and restricted income for the year came to £217,535 (2024: £161,104) with total unrestricted and restricted expenditure amounting to £138,545 (2024: £164,236). This has meant a surplus for the year of £78,990 (2024: deficit £3,132). No fund, at any point in the year, had a negative balance. Total fund balances at the year end, both in unrestricted and restricted, remain financially healthy with total unrestricted reserve funds of £60,669 (2024: £50,285) and total restricted reserve funds of £928,905 (2024: £860,299).

Cash reserves similarly remain healthy with an unrestricted cash balance of £44,588 (2024: £44,537) and total restricted cash balances of £129,739 (2024: £66,655).

This report was approved by the Trustees of the Church on 25/01/2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Signed: Name: Melroy D’Souza (Chair of Trustees)

Independent Examiner’s Report

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Southampton Lighthouse International Church I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Southampton Lighthouse International Church (SLIC) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of SLIC 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 SLIC’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 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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of SLIC as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do 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.

Signed:

Name: Emma Brough

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Address: 100 Midanbury Lane, Southampton, SO18 4HD

Date: 25/01/2026

Statement of Financial Activities

Loan £ 25,941 211 -	Restricted Developments £ 58,035 277 -	Total 2024 £ 154,633 1,733 4,738

26,152	58,312	161,104
24,110	2,445	164,236
24,110	2,445	164,236

2,042	55,867	(3,132)
-	-	-
2,042	55,867	(3,132)
783,174	30,150	913,716
785,216	86,017	910,584

Balance Sheet

Loan £ 846,196	Restricted Developments £ 19,396	Total 2024 £ 889,766

846,196	19,396	889,766
846 2,755	4,631 61,990	7,911 111,192
3,601	66,621	119,103

14,700	-	27,760

(11,099)	66,621	91,343

49,881	-	70,525

785,216	86,017	910,584
785,216 -	86,017 -	860,299 50,285
785,216	86,017	910,584

Approved by the trustees on: 25/01/2025

Signed on behalf of the trustees by:

Printed Name:

Melroy D’Souza (Chair of Trustees)

Notes to the Financial Statements

1 Accounting Policies

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 notes. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP - 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.

INCOME

Recognition of Income and Donations

Income and donations are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the funds have been met, it is probable that the funds will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income with related expenditure

Where income has related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income), the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA).

Tax reclaims on donations and gifts

Income from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

Investment income

This is included in the accounts when receivable.

Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts.

EXPENDITURE

Recognition of expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries, it includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them

Irrecoverable VAT

SLIC is not able to recover any VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £500. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The rates applied per annum are as follows:

Buildings: 2% (Restricted: ‘Loan’) Fixtures & Fittings: 10% (Restricted: ‘Developments’) Equipment: 20% (Unrestricted)

FUNDS

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. As at March 2024, the restricted funds fall into one of the following categories:

General: Loan, Development

Projects: Ganeshpur Church, Good Shepherd School, Hope of Glory Foundation, Naujavan, Young Life, Help Fund, Monthly Appeals

Unrecognised funds

Should donations be received for any reason other than those listed in the ‘Restricted funds’ or ‘Unrestricted funds’ above, a member of the SLIC trustee team will attempt to contact the donor to inform them that we are not able to accept this donation for their given reason. The donor will then be given the option of either having the money returned to them, or have the money be allocated to one of the accepted areas listed above.

If we are not able to contact the donor, or the donor does not respond to our communication within a reasonable time, the money will be allocated to the SLIC general account for the general work and upkeep of the church.

2 Employee Numbers

The average number of employees during the year were as follows:

Pastors		2025 3	2024 3
		3	3

3 Investment Income

Investment income is wholly made up of bank interest received. Interest is split across the unrestricted and restricted funds based on the cash balance held at the date of the interest being received.

4 Other Income

Other Income (Income from Charitable Activities) is made up of income received based on events hosted by SLIC. As discussed further in note 1, the income is recognised gross of any expenses. All Income from Charitable Activities (as well as expenditure) is allocated to the unrestricted general fund. The breakdown of the Income from Charitable Activities is as follows:

English Classes Christmas Events Silver Lining Events Easter Events Church BBQ Other Events		2025 £ 661 - - - 712 725	2024 £ 638 - - - - 4,100
		2,098	4,738

5 Charitable Activities Expenditure

Unrestricted 57,030 12,004 13,474 535 60 4,777 481 1,373 562 3,655 1,680 280	2025 2024 £ £ Restricted Total Total 4,200 61,230 60,981 - 12,004 17,045 - 13,474 11,085 - 535 120 5,366 5,426 6,667 - 4,777 9,033 - 481 874 - 1,373 2,903 - 562 727 - 3,655 3,175 21,249 22,929 21,745 11,819 12,099 29,881

6 Tangible Fixed Assets

Building F&F £ £ 902,608 24,448 - 10,735 - -	Equipment £ 4,206 1,596 -	Total £ 931,262 12,331 -	2024 £ 914,137 17,125 -
902,608 35,183 37,608 2,607 18,804 3,071 - -	5,802 1,281 1,055 -	943,593 41,496 22,930 -	931,262 19,751 21,745 -
56,412 5,678 865,000 21,841	2,336 2,925	64,426 889,766	41,496 894,386
846,196 29,505	3,466	879,167	889,766

7 Debtors

Unrestricted 650 3,661	2025 £ Restricted Total - 650 6,155 9,816	2024 £ Total 650 7,261

8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash in bank Cash on hand	Unrestricted 43,890 698	2025 2024 £ £ Restricted Total Total 129,739 173,629 110,654 - 698 538
	44,588	129,739 174,327 111,192

9 Current Liabilities

PAYE Stewardship loan payments due Other loan payments due Other creditors	Unrestricted 1,805 - - -	2025 2024 £ £ Restricted Total Total - 1,805 1,992 13,200 13,200 14,130 1,500 1,500 1,500 8,000 8,000 10,138
	1,805	22,700 24,505 27,760

Other creditors consist of the amounts payable to another Christian ministry.

10 Non-Current Liabilities

Stewardship loan payments due Other loan payments due	Unrestricted - -	2025 2024 £ £ Restricted Total Total 44,256 44,256 63,400 5,625 5,625 7,125
	-	49,881 49,881 70,525

11 Restricted Funds

A breakdown of the ‘Projects & Appeals’ restricted fund is as follows:

Ganeshpur Church £ 9,595 665 269	Good Shepherd School £ 1 - 144	Hope of Glory Foundation £ 190 48 11	Help Fund £ 1,256 204 83	Naujavan £ 5,074 860 726	Appeals £ 5,041 941 -	Hazel Project £ 435 - -	Other £ 1,230 3 -	Total £ 22,822 2,721 1,233


10,529	145	249	1,543	6,660	5,982	435	1,233	26,776
1,800 6	- 6	100 6	400 6	6,168 36	5,933 -	435 -	1,183 -	16,019 60
1,806	6	106	406	6,204	5,933	435	1,183	16,079

8,723	139	143	1,137	456	49	-	50	10,697

6,776	6,328	80	2,980	30,784	27	-	-	46,975

15,499	6,467	223	4,117	31,240	76	-	50	57,672

12 Related Party Transactions

During the financial year, the only related party transactions during the year were donations made by trustees to the Church.