## Southampton Lighthouse International Church
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
## **Contents**
**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
3
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)
4
## **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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of SLIC as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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
5
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
|
_Note_
**Income**
Donations
Investment Income
3
Other Income
4
**Total Income**
**Expenditure**
Charitable Activities
5
**Total Expenditure**
**Net Income/(Expenditure)**
Transfer Between Funds
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Reconciliation of Funds**
Total funds B/Fwd
Total funds C/Fwd|_Unrestricted_
General
£
103,406
791
2,098
106,295
95,911
95,911
10,384
-
10,384
50,285
60,669|Loan
£
25,941
211
-||_Restricted_
Developments
£
58,035
277
-|Projects &
Appeals
£
25,543
1,233
-
26,776
16,079
16,079
10,697
-
10,697
46,975
57,672||Total 2025
£
212,925
2,512
2,098
217,535
138,545
138,545
78,990
-
78,990
910,584
989,574||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|
6
## **Balance Sheet**
|
_Note_
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible Fixed Assets
6
**Current Assets**
Debtors
7
Cash at bank and in
hand
8
**Current Liabilities**
9
**Net Current Assets**
**Non-Current Liabilities**
10
**Net Assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
Restricted
11
Unrestricted
**Total Funds**|_Unrestricted_
General
£
13,575
13,575
4,311
44,588
48,899
1,805
47,094
-
60,669
-
60,669
60,669|Loan
£
846,196||_Restricted_
Developments
£
19,396|Projects &
Appeals
£
-
-
678
64,994
65,672
8,000
57,672
-
57,672
57,672
-
57,672||Total 2025
£
879,167
879,167
10,466
174,327
184,793
24,505
160,288
49,881
989,574
928,905
60,669
989,574||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|
7
**Approved by the trustees on: 25/01/2025**
**Signed on behalf of the trustees by:**
**Printed Name:**
**Melroy D’Souza (Chair of Trustees)**
8
## **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.
9
## **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
10
## **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|
11
## **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**
|**Cost**
Brought Forward
Additions
Disposals
Carried Forward
**Depreciation**
Brought Forward
Charge for the year
Depreciation on Disposals
Carried Forward
**NBV**
Brought Forward
Carried Forward|
|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|
12
## **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|
13
## **11 Restricted Funds**
## A breakdown of the ‘Projects & Appeals’ restricted fund is as follows:
|**Income**
Donations
Gift Aid
Bank Interest
**Total Income**
**Expenditure**
General
Bank Charges
**Total Expenditure**
**Net**
**Income/(Expenditure)**
**Fund Balance B/Fwd**
**Fund Balance C/Fwd**||Ganeshpur
Church
£
9,595
665
269|Ganeshpur
Church
£
9,595
665
269||Good
Shepherd
School
£
1
-
144|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.
14