Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 December 2023 Period start date To 30 November 2024 Period end date
Charity name: Discovery Church Swindon Central
Charity registration number:1202360
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the CIO is to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of faith and practices primarily, but not exclusively, within Swindon and surrounding areas and such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of faith which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charity work of the charity. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Regular services of worship, preaching and expounding the Holy Bible. Activities within the local communities that promote cohesion and family unity, e.g. Parent and Toddlers, youth events and ESOL courses. In addition to this we have organised several community services and lunches particularly as a welcome church for those asylum seekers and refuges. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The trustees consider that they have acted in the public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | We do not offer grants to other bodies or individuals, but we do try to support the pastoral work of other churches in our town and abroad. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Our volunteers engage fully in enabling us to fulfil the purposes of the charity, for example many help as befrienders via our mothers and toddlers, welcoming church, ESOL classes. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
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SORP reference
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| SORP reference | SORP reference | SORP reference |
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | During the 23-24 period we are reporting on the church has had a consolidated growth and this is also reflected on the increase giving of it members. We continue to be heavily involved in helping a number of families who are asylum seekers, providing a variety of services for them have such as Mothers and toddlers club (Beach combers) and also children club on Saturdays. In addition, the church continues to provide ESOL classes giving the asylum seekers a free opportunity to learn English. We continue to work closely with the Good News for Swindon initiative in helping to build the Christian Witness in the town of Swindon. Our church continues to meet regularly every Sunday for main services and Tuesday for Prayer. In addition, the church is developing a curriculum of teaching sessions for tie members led by the Pastor and leadership team in Studying the Bible giving an opportunity for the mmbers to grow in their faith. We have a thriving youth work on a Friday reaching 11-18 years old in the area of Broadgreen. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
Church has made great strides in establishing itself as an independent organisation and consolidating it finances. The church has seen growth in numbers in the past year and increase in participation of its members in various ministries. In addition the church has shown that is ready to |
|---|---|---|
| advance its strategic vision for the following year. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 Total funds at 30 November 2024 were
financial position at the end £104,979
of the period
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 We have inherited part of the reserve
policy for holding reserves from the dissolution of the old charity
stating why they are held however the church is trying to raise
funds to be able to support the
refurbishment of it buildings to support
the activities of the charity and the
ability to very soon be able to employ
part time staff in areas of pastoral
ministry, administrator and treasures.
For this reason we will be holding
£30,000 in reserve for staff salaries and
hold a development fund aimed at
supporting our work of renovating our
main building.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Total funds at 30 November 2024 were
£104,979
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
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| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Almost all of our funding comes from the members of the church. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
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Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document Para 1.25 CIO
(trust deed, royal charter)
How is the charity Para 1.25 CIO
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
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| Structure, Governance and Management | Structure, Governance and Management | Structure, Governance and Management |
|---|---|---|
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) Para 1.25 CIO |
||
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) Para 1.25 CIO |
||
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | The Trustees are selected on the basis of their Christian faith and maturity as well as their management skills. Discovery Church Swindon Central is an independent church working closely with a Network of Churches in Swindon are called Good News For Swindon. We retain however the same practices locally that have always governed our charity. The chairman of the charity is the senior minister, but he may delegate that responsibility with the permission of the other trustees. The senior minister is responsible for leading the charity overall, and local church is run by a minister appointed to that role. The church is governed practically and financially by the Church Council who are the trustees/members of the charity and proposed and chosen by the members in close working with chair and other church leaders. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | In October 2022 the church started as independent church from the old charity which split into two. Each one now being an independent CIO. It is managed practically and financially by Discovery Church Swindon Central leadership and team and Church council made of three members. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Good News for Swindon is a relational network of church and Christian organisational leaders who operate in the town of Swindon. We are a core part of this network. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
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Charity name Discovery Church Swindon Central
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1202360
Charity’s principal address Discovery Church
1 Lagos Street
SWINDON
SN1 2BU
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Gentian Mullaliu Chair
2 James Howard-Smith
3 Paul Thomas Denyer
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
|
|---|---|
| Gentian Mullaliu | |
Chairman |
|
| 12/09/25 | |
| 12/09/25 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Discovery Church Swindon Central On accounts for the 30 November 2024 Charity no 1202360 period ended (if any) Set out on pages 3 to 4 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30/11/2024 .
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 17/09/2025 Name: James Gare Relevant professional FCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Monahans, Hermes House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon SN2 2GA Address:
1
October 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
October 2018
IER
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Charity Name No (if any)
Discovery Church Swindon Central 1202360
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 01-Dec-23 30-Nov-24
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Donations 42,207 - 42,207 29,144
Rent 5,460 - 5,460 3,900
Bank interest 170 - 170 82
- - -
- - - -
Transfer from Discovery Church Swindon - 1,130 - - - 1,130 56,558
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 46,707 - - 46,707 89,684
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see
table).
Loan repayments from Discovery Chruch
1,645 - 1,645 5,130
Wroughton
- - - - -
Sub total 1,645 - - 1,645 5,130
Total receipts 48,352 - - 48,352 94,814
A3 Payments
Insurance 1,545 - 1,545 1,556
Bank charges 85 - 85 40
Repairs and equipment 1,388 - 1,388 2,391
Light, heat, water and internet 2,785 - 2,785 2,320
Cleaning and waste disposal 1,065 - 1,065 785
Printing and leaflets 1,200 - 1,200 865
Courses - - 121
Pastor's gift 1,700 - 1,700 1,250
Ministry and mission giving and external pastor
gifts 2,881 2,881 1,500
Subscription - - 140
Wages 1,330 - 1,330 77
Books - - - 125
Food for events 1,543 - 1,543 809
Legal fees 1,814 1,814 610
Sundry 197 - - 197 150
Accountany and independent examination 1,140 - - 1,140 -
Sub total [ 18,673 ] - - 18,673 12,739
A4 Asset and investment purchases,
(see table)
Loan to Discovery Church Wroughton - - - 6,775
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - 6,775
Total payments 18,673 - - 18,673 19,514
Net of receipts/(payments) 29,679 - - 29,679 75,300
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 75,300 - - 75,300 -
Cash funds this year end 104,979 - - 104,979 75,300
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
17/09/2025
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| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details CAF bank HSBC bank |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 93,454 11,525 - 104,979 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) - - - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
| - | ||||
| OK | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) |
Transactions with Related Parties
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
The trustee Gentian Mullaliu is Pastor and received a gift from the charity totalling £1,700 (2023: £1,250). There were no other transactions related parties during the accounting period.
| Signature | Print Name Gentian Mullaliu |
Date of approval 12/09/2025 |
|---|---|---|
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CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
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