Charity registration number: 1199612
Middlewich Community Church
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
KM Chartered Accountants 1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG
Middlewich Community Church
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 6 |
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 7 |
| Independent Auditors' Report | 8 to 10 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 13 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 14 to 23 |
Middlewich Community Church
Reference and Administrative Details Trustees Reverend Antony Bhunu, Senior Pastor Faith Davies Lee Berridge Christine Shepherd Hamilton Walcott Charity Registration Number 1199612 Principal Office 34-36 Brooks Lane Middlewich Cheshire CW10 0JG Auditor KM Chartered Accountants 1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG Solicitors Geldards 1 Pride Place Pride Park Derby DE24 8QR Bankers NatWest Bank Plc The Bull Ring Northwich Cheshire CW9 5BN Kingdom Bank Nottingham Ruddington Fields Business Park Mere Way, Ruddington Nottingham NG11 6JS
Page 1
Middlewich Community Church
Trustees' Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
During the previous financial year Middlewich Pentecostal Church (Charity number 1051786) transferred its assets to Middlewich Community Church (Charity number 1199812), continuing the activities of the former charity. The financial statements have been prepared as though Middlewich Community Church had undertaken these activities in both accounting periods.
Trustees
Reverend Antony Bhunu, Senior Pastor
Faith Davies
Lee Berridge
Christine Shepherd (appointed 1st September 2024)
Hamilton Walcott (appointed 20th May 2025)
Christopher Sellers (resigned 12th September 2024)
Objectives and activities
Objects
The objects of the Church as set out in its constitution are for the benefit of the public:
a) to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time may think fit;
b) to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time think fit;
and c) to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time may think fit.
Activities
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The church offices are open Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
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Sunday Church Morning Service is at 10:30 am.
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Pastoral Team : Looking after the wellbeing of the church.
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MCC Kids / Youth Sunday Morning Service
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Ignite Youth – Sunday evening
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MoCoCo House – a supported accommodation for young people aged 16 to 24.
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Canalside Conference - ensuring full utilisation of our building and our assets for the benefit of the community as we deem fit
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Welcome Team: Setting up before the service, welcoming attendees and clearing up after the service. • Hospitality Team: Providing refreshments during and after the Sunday service.
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Music Team: Playing in one of the bands during the Sunday service.
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Sound desk and Media Team: Running the technical side of the service (set up, audio, visuals).
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Prayer Team: monthly prayer meetings.
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Kids Church Team: Participating in kids work during the Sunday service.
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Youth Church Team: Participating in Youth work during the Sunday Service.
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Ignite Youth – Sunday evening meetings held for teenagers.
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Life Groups – these are weekly meetings held at a member of the church congregation’s house
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Microtots - A baby & toddler group held mid weekly for the community.
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Middlewich Community Church
Trustees' Report (continued)
Events:
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Ladies’ ministry: WOW - Women of Worth event held bi-annually.
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Mens' ministry: Born to Win - event held quarterly.
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Connect 50 - held monthly for ladies over 50 to connect.
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Re-Connect 50 - held monthly
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Times of refreshing - held every first Tuesday of the month focusing on worship and prayer.
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Leadership Seminar - an annual training programme for local church leaders
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Youth Missions - annual youth Christian mission to Europe or overseas
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Youth Night - a regional youth outreach event held every six months.
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Kids and Carers : Community outreach held every six months
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AoG National Conference : For key leaders of the church
Other Ministries:
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Trustee Board Meetings
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Leadership / Eldership Meetings
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Ministry Team Meetings
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Missions Team Meetings
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Additional events approved by the Leadership
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Various events (AoGGB)
Missions:
- Foodbank in Middlewich - we partner with the foodbank on providing food for those in need.
• Middlewich High School - we partner with Middlewich High School by recognizing those excelling in Religious Education at the school.
• Middlewich Bowling Club - This partnership ensures that the club is independent from the church hence giving a direct connection to the local community.
• Partnership with Crewe’s The Lighthouse Centre - looking after the homeless, the vulnerable, people with mental health problems, the unemployed and lonely.
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Kasupe - relieving poverty, promoting the good health of children and providing shelter or accommodation in Malawi
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Supporting the poor in Hungary, Malawi, Kenya and the United Kingdom.
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Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Nick and Daisy Muriro are based in South Africa, travelling through Africa to teach mainly leaders on evangelism, biblical teaching and discipleship.
• Community Faith Church (CCFC), Malawi - we partner with CCFC after planting 2 churches in Malawi of which we are supporting.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
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Middlewich Community Church
Trustees' Report (continued)
Review of charitable activities in the financial year
Middlewich Community Church continues to serve the community in diverse ways, drawing its committed and enthusiastic congregation from both its hometown and the adjacent communities of Winsford, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Northwich, Knutsford, Nantwich, Crewe, and the surrounding villages and hamlets.
The trustees wish to put on record their appreciation to the congregation, who have remained faithful throughout another year.
Churches such as MCC depend on the commitment of both its staff and members to ensure the carrying out of its programmes to meet its objectives. In particular, the work of volunteers, i.e. partners who call MCC their spiritual home, is greatly appreciated. The cornerstones of the regular church programme are the Sunday service, midweek life groups, and the children's and youth ministries, serving both church families and the wider community. MCC is blessed to have a salaried youth and children's pastor, ensuring that the church's programs on Sundays and midweek continue to be delivered to a high standard.
The church successfully operates in two additional areas of activity in addition to its regular church services. Canalside conferencing remains a prime facility for day conferencing within the local community. We continue to deliver a higher level of service to our clients, which, amongst others, include local authorities, the Police, the NHS, and businesses. Due to restructuring, Canalside Conferencing’s prospects are looking promising.
MoCoCo House, a semi-independent housing facility, was established to provide safe accommodation for vulnerable young people. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, it has proven essential over time in addressing the needs of mainly local vulnerable youth, primarily from Cheshire and unaccompanied young asylum seekers. We continue to operate at full capacity, as the service remains highly sought after, primarily due to our highly regarded personnel within the care community. We are pleased to meet these demands at this time. As in previous years, we continue to improve our service delivery, always striving to make positive changes to the young people's lived experience of MoCoCo House. In the autumn of 2024, we achieved registration with Ofsted, confirming the excellent services we provide.
MCC continues to support projects and personnel locally as well as working in different parts of the world. The church allocated monthly financial support to assist the local Foodbank and Crewe's Lighthouse Centre, which looks after the homeless. Internationally, we have continued to support mission work in Eastern Europe and Africa. In Malawi, for example, we support two rural churches that we planted in partnership with a local church, which have now multiplied to seven churches.
Sandbach Community Church (SCC), a church plant partnership between MCC and Alsager Community Church (ACC) based in the town of Sandbach, is continuing under the leadership of both churches.
Finally, MCC remains a key member of Churches Together in Middlewich, actively participating in various initiatives throughout the year.
The trustees consider the church to be in a strong position, ready to continue serving the local community and everyone who believes Middlewich Community Church is their spiritual home.
Page 4
Middlewich Community Church
Trustees' Report (continued)
Financial review
The church recorded a surplus of £69,849 (2024: deficit £4,677).
Overall income increased by £158,725 due to the receipt of a legacy of £94,802 and an increase in income from the House of £53,711, due mainly to an increase in occupancy.
Expenditure increased by £84,199 mainly with an increase in staff costs of £26,432.
Policy on reserves
Whilst the Bible clearly indicates that we should not hoard, it is also clear that there should be sensible planning for an unforseen event. As such there is a need for the church to retain reasonable reserves to ensure the church can cope with financial challenges. The trustees calculate that reserves of £100,000 should be retained. At the year end the free reserves, ie those not designated, are £248,880 (2024: £180,311) which is in excess of the agreed amount. The excess is to be used for the continued development of the charity.
Principal funding sources
The income of the church is derived from three primary sources:
Giving by members and adherants of the church
Canalside conferences
Mococo House - supported living payments received from the surrounding local authorities.
In the current financial year a legacy of £94,802 was received from the estate of a church member.
Investments
Freehold land at a valuation of £2.5m plus legal fees was donated to the charity in 2013. The trustees believe the land is valued in excess of this value but no formal valuation has been obtained as this is subject to a number of factors such as potential use, planning permission etc.
Surplus cash funds are held in deposit accounts with Kingdom Bank.
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
The charity is governed by its constitution dated 11th July 2022. The charity is a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation (number 1199612).
The former charity, Middlewich Pentecostal Church, has been deregistered.
Trustee remuneration
Details of trustee remuneration and its basis is set out in note 9 to the financial statements.
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Middlewich Community Church
Trustees' Report (continued)
Organisational structure
The charity is governed by the Church Council, comprising the Senior Minister and other members as shall be appointed or elected. The church members meet as required.
Major risks and management of those risks
The charity reviews risks it faces regularly. It has full policies for safeguarding children and young people and vulnerable adults, with relevant persons undergoing regular training and DBS checks.
Disclosure of information to auditor
Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information. The trustees confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 20 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Reverend Antony Bhunu Trustee
Page 6
Middlewich Community Church
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Page 7
Middlewich Community Church
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Middlewich Community Church
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Middlewich Community Church (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising Charities SORP - FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Page 8
Middlewich Community Church
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Middlewich Community Church (continued)
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities (set out on page 7), the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
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making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
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considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
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performed analytical procedures on material balances for which robust, substantive analytical procedures have been undertaken to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
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tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions; and
Page 9
Middlewich Community Church
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Middlewich Community Church (continued)
- investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of noncompliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the trustees those matters we are required to state to trustees in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
......................................
KM, Statutory Auditor
1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG
20 August 2025
Page 10
Middlewich Community Church
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Other trading activities 4 Investment income 5 Other income Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 19 |
Unrestricted funds £ 172,283 567,578 61,417 2,017 8,370 811,665 (741,816) (741,816) 69,849 69,849 3,094,028 3,163,877 |
Total 2025 £ 172,283 567,578 61,417 2,017 8,370 811,665 (741,816) (741,816) 69,849 69,849 3,094,028 3,163,877 |
Unrestricted funds £ 74,843 513,867 61,361 1,230 1,639 652,940 (657,617) (657,617) (4,677) (4,677) 3,098,705 3,094,028 |
Total 2024 £ 74,843 513,867 61,361 1,230 1,639 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 652,940 | ||||
| (657,617) | ||||
| (657,617) | ||||
| (4,677) | ||||
| (4,677) 3,098,705 |
||||
| 3,094,028 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 19.
The notes on pages 14 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 11
Middlewich Community Church
(Registration number: 1199612) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 13 Investments 14 Current assets Debtors 15 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 16 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 17 Net assets Funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 19 |
2025 £ 828,413 2,518,516 3,346,929 57,726 225,010 282,736 (55,337) 227,399 3,574,328 (410,451) 3,163,877 3,163,877 3,163,877 |
2024 £ 848,568 2,518,516 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,367,084 | ||
| 54,416 137,501 |
||
| 191,917 (41,606) |
||
| 150,311 | ||
| 3,517,395 (423,367) |
||
| 3,094,028 | ||
| 3,094,028 | ||
| 3,094,028 |
The financial statements on pages 11 to 23 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 20 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
.........................................
Reverend Antony Bhunu Trustee
The notes on pages 14 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 12
Middlewich Community Church
Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash income/(expenditure) Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items Depreciation Investment income 5 Working capital adjustments (Increase)/decrease in debtors 15 Increase in creditors 16 Net cash flows from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Interest receivable and similar income 5 Purchase of tangible fixed assets 13 Net cash flows from investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of loans and borrowings 16 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March |
2025 £ 69,849 20,155 (2,017) 87,987 (3,310) 22,250 106,927 2,017 - 2,017 (21,435) 87,509 137,501 225,010 |
2024 £ (4,677) 11,569 (1,230) |
|---|---|---|
| 5,662 28,899 2,169 |
||
| 36,730 | ||
| 1,230 (1,032) |
||
| 198 (29,218) |
||
| 7,710 129,791 |
||
| 137,501 |
All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.
The notes on pages 14 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13
Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
Middlewich Community Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (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.
Going concern
The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. Based on the reserves held, the operating model, an assessment of risks, and forward looking budgets, the Trustees are comfortable that the charity is adequately resourced to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. At the date of sign off, the Trustees confirm there are no material uncertainties in relation to the going concern assumption. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
In preparing financial statements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. In the view of the Trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year.
Income
All income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
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.
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £2000 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
| Asset class | Depreciation method and rate |
|---|---|
| Land and buildings | 2% per annum on cost |
| Furniture and equipment | 35% per annum on cost |
Investment properties
Investment property is carried at fair value, derived from the current market prices for comparable real estate determined annually by external valuers. The valuers use observable market prices, adjusted if necessary for any difference in the nature, location or condition of the specific asset. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.
Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
Pensions and other post retirement obligations
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Legacies Regular giving and donations |
Unrestricted funds General £ 94,802 77,481 172,283 |
Total 2025 £ 94,802 77,481 172,283 |
Total 2024 £ - 74,843 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 74,843 |
3 Income from charitable activities
| Unrestricted | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | Total | Total | |
| General | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| MoCoCo House | 567,578 | 567,578 | 513,867 |
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
4 Income from other trading activities
| Conferences 5 Investment income Interest received |
Unrestricted funds General £ 61,417 Unrestricted funds General £ 2,017 |
Total 2025 £ 61,417 Total 2025 £ 2,017 |
Total 2024 £ 61,361 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total 2024 £ 1,230 |
6 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Charitable activities Depreciation Staff costs Bank interest payable Governance costs |
Unrestricted funds Designated £ General £ 7,931 284,753 20,155 - - 372,944 28,197 - - 27,836 56,283 685,533 |
Total 2025 £ 292,684 20,155 372,944 28,197 27,836 741,816 |
Total 2024 £ 242,472 11,569 346,512 32,564 24,500 657,617 |
|---|---|---|---|
7 Analysis of governance and support costs
Governance costs
| Audit fees Audit of the financial statements Allocated support costs |
Unrestricted funds General £ 4,500 23,336 27,836 |
Total 2025 £ 4,500 23,336 27,836 |
Total 2024 £ 4,500 20,000 24,500 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
8 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year include:
| Audit fees Depreciation of fixed assets |
2025 £ 4,500 20,155 |
2024 £ 4,500 11,569 |
|---|---|---|
9 Trustees remuneration and expenses
During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees:
Reverend Antony Bhunu
Reverend Antony Bhunu received remuneration of £45,013 (2024: £39,717) during the year.
Rev Antony Bhunu, a Trustee, also serves as an employee of the charity, i.e. Senior Minister for the Church and CEO of our professional departments - MoCoCo House and Canalside Conference - and is remunerated in this capacity but not for acting as a charity trustee. The charity’s constitution permits this arrangement. During the year and previous year his employment benefits were 75% - senior minister role - and 25% for the CEO/Nominated Individual role.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
10 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| The aggregate payroll costs were as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
2025 £ 341,961 24,409 6,574 372,944 |
2024 £ 319,672 20,585 6,255 |
| 346,512 |
The monthly average number of persons employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
| equivalents was as follows: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| No | No | |||
| Charitable activities | 15 | 19 |
During the year, the charity made redundancy and/or termination payments which totalled £5,553 (2024 - £Nil). Redundancy payments were made to one employee and on normal redundancy terms.
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year
The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £45,013 (2024 - £39,717).
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
11 Auditors' remuneration
| 11 Auditors' remuneration | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Audit of the financial statements | 4,500 | 4,500 |
12 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
13 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Land and buildings £ 923,315 923,315 76,858 18,466 95,324 827,991 846,457 |
Furniture and equipment £ 90,517 90,517 88,406 1,689 90,095 422 2,111 |
Total £ 1,013,832 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,013,832 | |||
| 165,264 20,155 |
|||
| 185,419 | |||
| 828,413 | |||
| 848,568 |
Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £827,991 (2024 - £846,457) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £Nil (2024 - £Nil) in respect of leaseholds.
Freehold land and buildings are:
Mococo House - acquired in 2013 and includes original purchase price and expenditure to convert the building into nine flats.
Middlewich Church building acquired in February 2022
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
14 Fixed asset investments
| Freehold land | 2025 £ 2,518,516 |
2024 £ 2,518,516 |
|---|---|---|
Freehold land
| Valuation At 1 April 2024 Provision At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 |
Freehold land £ 2,518,516 |
|---|---|
| - | |
| 2,518,516 |
Freehold land at a valuation of £2.5m plus legal fees was donated to the charity in 2013. The trustees believe the land is valued in excess of this value but no formal valuation has been obtained as this is subject to a number of factors such as potential use, planning permission etc.
15 Debtors
| Trade debtors Prepayments Other debtors 16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Bank loans Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals |
2025 £ 14,563 2,597 40,566 57,726 2025 £ 21,481 - 1,119 32,737 55,337 |
2024 £ 23,836 2,077 28,503 |
|---|---|---|
| 54,416 | ||
| 2024 £ 30,000 5,874 1,232 4,500 |
||
| 41,606 |
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
17 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
| Bank loans | 2025 £ 410,451 |
2024 £ 423,367 |
|---|---|---|
Creditors amounts falling due after more than one year includes the following liabilities, on which security has been given by the charity:
| Mortgage Kingdom Bank | 2025 £ 410,451 |
2024 £ 423,367 |
|---|---|---|
The mortgage is secured on the church building and is due to end on 10th February 2047, and is at Kingdom Bank's Gospel Partner Prime Discounted Variable Rate.
18 Pension and other schemes
Defined contribution pension scheme
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £6,574 (2024 - £6,255).
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
19 Funds
| Unrestricted funds General funds Designated Property and equipment Fixed asset investment Total funds Unrestricted funds General Designated Property and equipment Fixed asset investment Total funds |
Balance at 1 April 2024 £ 180,311 395,201 2,518,516 2,913,717 3,094,028 Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 203,669 376,520 2,518,516 2,895,036 3,098,705 |
Incoming resources £ 811,665 - - - 811,665 Incoming resources £ 652,940 - - - 652,940 |
Resources expended £ (685,533) (56,283) - (56,283) (741,816) Resources expended £ (613,484) (44,133) - (44,133) (657,617) |
Transfers £ (57,563) 57,563 - 57,563 - Transfers £ (62,814) 62,814 - 62,814 - |
Balance at 31 March 2025 £ 248,880 396,481 2,518,516 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,914,997 | |||||
| 3,163,877 | |||||
| Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 180,311 395,201 2,518,516 |
|||||
| 2,913,717 | |||||
| 3,094,028 |
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Middlewich Community Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
20 Analysis of net assets between funds
| 20 Analysis of net assets between funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities Creditors over 1 year Total net assets Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities Creditors over 1 year Total net assets |
Unrestricted funds General £ Designated £ - 828,413 - 2,518,516 282,736 - (33,856) (21,481) - (410,451) 248,880 2,914,997 Unrestricted funds General £ Designated £ - 848,568 - 2,518,516 191,917 - (11,606) (30,000) - (423,367) 180,311 2,913,717 |
Total funds at 31 March 2025 £ 828,413 2,518,516 282,736 (55,337) (410,451) |
| 3,163,877 | ||
| Total funds at 31 March 2024 £ 848,568 2,518,516 191,917 (41,606) (423,367) |
||
| 3,094,028 |
Page 23