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2023-03-31-accounts

Sketty Community Church

Trustee Annual Report and Accounts

for the period ended 31st March 2023

Charity Number: 234876

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Contents

Trustees Report 3 - 7
Independent Examiner Report 8
Receipts and Payments Account 9
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 10
Notes to the Accounts 11 - 12

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Trustees’ Annual Report

Objectives and Activities

The charity exists to advance the Christian faith in Swansea and the surrounding area and in other parts of the UK and the world as the trustees think fit. Also, it will fulfil other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the trust.

To bring relief to any persons who are in need due to hardship or other circumstances and relieve any distress caused by those circumstances as the trustees see fit.

Structure, Management and Governance

The charity is governed by a declaration of Trust dated 9[th] April 2019.

The charity is managed by trustees who are appointed by the church leadership and members. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out below.

The trustees who served during this financial period are:

Marilyn O’Connell Pamela Dacey Paul Mort Karen Jones

Achievement and Activities Report

Membership

It is with great sadness we report that the following are no longer in Membership: BR GE BW PT (Previously connected to the church – PH)

These ladies have been an integral part of our church family, and their service in the church will not be forgotten. We praise God for the legacy that they have each helped to leave for us to follow. We also remember their families as they adapt to life without their loved ones. Lord have mercy.

New members to be announced.

Finance

See accounts prepared by MJ

Church Officers/Leadership Team.

No changes to the existing leadership team/Deacons: Pam Dacey, Marilyn O’Connell, Karen Jones Martin Jones continues to act as Treasurer.

*See CIO below

Mission

Traditionally this has been thought to be opportunities to welcome folk to the church for an event to present the gospel in some form or another, or just to put something on “for the spiritual and social needs of young families in the area”. In an attempt to engage with the community, and show that the church is open, the display of small crosses for Remembrance Day, the Christmas Tree, Easter Cross, Ukraine and regular railing posters have been noticed and favourably commented upon.

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Via contact with a primary school in SA1, we continue to provide a fantastic supply of Christmas food and gifts to families with very little (materially).

Internationally, we continue to be linked with Louise and Peter Lynch in Bangladesh via the BMS.

The Jubilee Party that was held in June (2022) was a fantastic success with approx. 200 attenders from the community. The Excelsior Choir, Mal Pope and an acapella group provided the entertainment, whilst there was a vast array of merchandise to purchase. This “free” event raised £700 (approx.).

At Christmas the church grounds were filled with pupils from Sketty Primary School, along with many members of their families. Approximately 200 attended the event. The choir received chocolate gifts and hot chocolate and mince pies were available to all!

In association with other churches in Sketty, the Hall was opened up as “warm hub” between November 2022 and March 2023. Whilst we were financially prepared to run the hub from the church finances, we were able to access £820 from a warm spaces fund that was provided by Swansea City Council (safer spaces). As with others, not all the funds were used, but we have received an extension (until the end of May) to use the shortfall for other community events we put on, so resources have been purchased for Man Shed. Numerically, the venture was not a success (neither for us nor the other churches), but it did once again give us publicity and highlight our work in the community.

Wherever possible we have wished to put activities and events on where there are no charges for those attending, but opportunity will be provided for those who wish to contribute to one or more causes that have been identified. We worship and serve a generous God and believe that He will meet all our needs – temporal and spiritual. By not charging folk “to come to church” we wish to express the generosity of God as one aspect of the glorious gospel. Question: where do you think that God is at work in the community?

Activities

Currently (weekly): Tycoch Toddlers, Man Shed, Friendship Group, Pilates, Excelsior Choir, Forget Me Not, Slimming World The Hall continues to be used by those wanting a venue for: birthday parties, dance classes, an Industrial archaeology group.

Building

We continue to employ a cleaner for the Hall for 2 hours per week. PD continues to keep the lawns immaculately cut. Discussions about the renovation of the kitchen have commenced. Still awaiting a date for work on the drains to commence. A new front door for the church has been ordered.

Manse

At last year’s meeting it was agreed that Belvoir be approached to be the letting agent for the Manse. Some remedial work at the Manse was needed to be undertaken before they could take over the property. It has been a long, drawn-out process – slow response of trades to commence and complete works and very slow responses of the family residing in the property to complete paperwork required by Belvoir. However, the end is nigh! Rent has been raised by 5% pcm and once Belvoir have taken over the management it will be £660pcm: below the market rate but rises in rent are subject to a maximum limit per year. Belvoir will receive 11% of the rent in management fees, plus initial set up costs.

Administrative matters

Churches must always be open to transparency and scrutiny by its members/attender, and we should “render unto Caesar” and be compliant with current legislation in all areas of our operations and activities.

As a result, as well as the existing Health and Safety, the following have also been developed:

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Each of these policies are ready for review, which will be undertaken by the Summer of 2023.

It is anticipated that there will be an amended Safeguarding Policy presented by the Baptist Union to make the policy fit for purpose in the light of changes to church practices brought about by factors such as online services, Zoom etc. Charitable status:

The deacons have begun to look at moving away from the current trust document governing the church activities and changing the church to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (in future referred to as a CIO).

Many Baptist churches have been slowly moving over to this new method of governance, and so the Baptist Union have, in conjunction with Anthony Collins (Solicitors) produced a draft template that has been agreed with the Charity Commission. The deacons will continue to read and discuss the document and present their recommendation(s) by the next AGM (May 2024).

One of the main reasons that the existing trust document requires updating is to provide a higher level of security for those who are trustees. The current trust document exposes trustees to a much higher level of risk, particularly in the litigious times in which we now live in.

There will be a cost to changing the trust documents, but time and money will be saved if the template is followed.

Should a new trust document be accepted by the church, there will be an opportunity to move away from the current trust requirement for deacons to be trustees.

Safeguarding

There are no Safeguarding issues to report. Julie Rees remains our Safeguarding Officer.

Pastoral

A number of members/attenders are yet to return to meeting with us on Sunday mornings. Communion is shared on a regular basis with them, and additional ideas on how best to keep in touch and include as much as possible in the life of the church are being explored.

KJ is to be thanked for her pastoral duties.

Website:

Our website is not the most dynamic church website you can find, but virtually every day someonesomewhere in the world logs on to our pages. The vast majority look once (1315) and then move on never to return – actually 98% of them!

We do not engage with the virtual worlds of Twitter, TikTok, Facebook etc.

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

A daily report of site viewings over the past year:

Where in the world have been people been logging on?

Where in Britain?

Where in South Wales?

Baptist Union of Great Britain:

The BU and South Wales Baptist Association continue to provide advice and support across a range of areas -theological, pastoral, safeguarding, training, legal and financial.

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Conclusion:

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 3 vs 11-15

Financial Review

Policy on reserves

The Charity's policy is to keep a minimum in general funds to run the organisation for 3 months.

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which 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. 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.

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

On behalf of the board

Signed:……………………………………………................….Trustee

Print Name: Paul D Mort

Date: 20th January 2024

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Sketty Community Church

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] March 2023, which are set out on the following pages.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Signed: Nicola Jayne Lewis

Date: 6[th] February 2024

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Receipts and Payments Account

for the year ended 31st March 2023
INCOME
Donations Income
Gift Aid Tax Reclaims
Grants received - Unrestricted
Grants Received - Restricted
Other Income
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Charitable Expenditure
Accounting Fees
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME Before transfers
Transfers Between Funds
NET INCOME After transfers
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Total Funds Brought Forward
Total Funds Carried Forward		 notes Unrestricted
Funds
37,361
-
1,217		 Unrestricted
Funds
37,361
-
1,217		 Restricted
Funds
-
-
820		 Restricted
Funds
-
-
820		 Total Funds
This Year
37,361
-
1,217
820
12,019		 Total Funds
This Year
37,361
-
1,217
820
12,019		 Total Funds
This Year
37,361
-
1,217
820
12,019		 Total Funds
Total Funds
This Year
37,361
-
1,217
820
12,019
This Year
37,361
-
1,217
820
12,019		 Last Year
27,888
2,595
-
-
14,186
2
2.1
3.1
3.2
12,019
50,597 820 51,417 44,668
37,480
-		 641
-
641
179
-
179
179
-
179		 38,121
-		 69,921
-
37,480 38,121 69,921
13,117 13,296 25,253
-
-
13,117		 -
13,296		 -
25,253
-
13,117 13,296 25,253
-
93,757
106,874		 93,757
107,053		 119,010
93,757

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as at 31st March 2023

1. Fixed Assets

The Value of Assets owned by the charity at cost are as follows:

Land & Buildings (at cost)
This is the Manse property that is currently being let.
2. Bank and Cash Balances
Current & Deposit Accounts
3. Othet Assets and Liabilities
Assets:
Gift Aid tax not yet received
Liabilities:
Fee for Independent Examination		 This Year
184,950
This Year
107,053
107,053
This Year
7,200
600
600		 Last Year
184,950
Last Year
93,757
93,757
Last Year
0
0
0

The financial statements were approved by the Board and were signed on its behalf by:

Signed by………………………………………. ..........

Paul D Mort Print Name………………………………………...........

07.02.24 Date........................................

On behalf of the board of Trustees

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Accounting Policies

The accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis with a Statement of Assets and Liabilities

1.1 Income

Recognition of income – Incoming resources are included in the accounts when the monies are received. Any debtors at year end are shown in the Statement of Assets and liabilities but are not included in the Receipts and Payments account.

2.2 Expenditure and Liabilities

Liability recognition – Expenses are recognised when payment is made but a note of any liabilities owed at the year end is shown in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

2. Analysis of Income

Donations income consists of regular giving by church members in tithes and offerings, plus “one off” gifts or donations. Where these gifts are given for a specific purpose or project they are held in a restricted fund. This includes gifts received under the gift aid scheme.

Gift Aid tax relief is claimed and recognised when the refund is received from HMRC. A note of pending claims is made in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Restricted Grant – This year £820 was received into restricted funds (see note 4)

2.1 Breakdown of Other Income

Hire of Hall
Events & Activities
Special Contributions
Rent of Manse		 this year
3182
1277
0
7560
12019		 last year

1550
76
5000
7560
14186

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Sketty Community Church for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

Charity Number 234876

3. Analysis of Expenditure

3.1 Breakdown of Charitable Expenditure

Wages & Subcontracted Services
Caretaking & Cleaning
Manse Expenses
Church Rates & Insurance
Utilities
Advertising, postage & Stationery
Ministry and Music Costs
Repairs and Maintenance
Sundries
Small tools & Equipment
Subscriptions
Gifts & Donations		 this year
15639
1300
2618
1044
1891
0
400
2928
6652
214
362
5073
38121		 last year

19753
2487
2684
1222
1208
176
439
33173
1464
72
2075
5170
69921

There are no direct employees of the charity and no payments have been made to trustees for acting in the capacity of a trustee.

3.2 Breakdown of Support and Governance Costs

Book Keeping & Accounting this year
0		 last year

0

4. Analysis of Funds

The following restricted funds are held by the charity and the following movements in restricted funds have taken place this year

Swansea Spaces Warm Hubs Opening
Fund
Income Expenditure
Transfers
Closing
Fund
0
820
641
0
179

Fund Details:

Swansea Spaces Warm Hubs - Grant from Swansea Council to support the residents of Swansea and provide a Warm Hub for the community to use.

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