## **Sketty Community Church**
## **Trustee Annual Report and Accounts**
for the period ended 31st March 2025
_Charity Number: 234876_
Page 1
**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **Contents**
|Trustees Report|3 - 8|
|---|---|
|Independent Examiner Report|9|
|Receipts and Payments Account|10|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|11|
|Notes to the Accounts|12 - 13|
Page 2
**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **Trustees’ Annual Report**
The principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.
Sketty Baptist Church was founded in the year 1912 and the church building was opened on its present site in Carnglas Road in 1913. From the time of its founding the church had a constitution but the whereabouts of the original document is unknown. A new constitution was accepted as the Constitution of Sketty Baptist Church by the Church Members at the Church Members’ Meeting on 19 November 2013 and superseded any previous Constitution and/or Statement of Faith.
At a Special Members Meeting on 3 June 2018 the Church Members approved a change of name for the church from Sketty Baptist Church to Sketty Community Baptist Church - following a merger with another church in Swansea, namely Woodlands Church - but on the understanding that the church is to be known as Sketty Community Church.
Sketty Community Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain family, and more specifically the South Wales Baptist Association. The church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
## **Officers/Trustees**
The Trustees during the period: Marilyn O’Connell, Karen Jones, Pamela Dacey (resigned 13[th] August 2024) and Paul Mort (Minister). Jordan Manley was added as a new trustee on 30[th] April 2025.
Trustees, except for the Minister, receive no financial remuneration for carrying out their roles.
Trustees meet monthly.
At a previous meeting, discussions commenced regarding the church becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). No further progress has been made.
We wish to thank Pam Dacey for her time as Church Secretary. Her diligence and integrity in carrying out this role over the years has been exemplary and very much appreciated. Pamela resigned as a trustee in August 2024.
## **CHURCH ACTIVITY CALENDAR for 2024-2025**
The following activities of the church were led, managed, supported and/or assisted by members of the church. In all there are approximately 40 volunteers who have freely given of their time to enable the church to undertake its community focussed activities.
No volunteers received any remuneration for the work they have undertaken.
Where required (specifically Toddlers, Man Shed and Forget Me Not), volunteers have the relevant DBS certificates.
Following specific invitations, small teams hold monthly services at Hawthorne Court Care Home and Penybryn Care Home.
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**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **April**
Planning commenced for the running of a Bereavement Journey course. Four volunteers received the required training, and the church received a certificate to confirm that the required standards were met.
## **May**
The Church Hall was used as a Polling Station for Police Commissioner.
The first session of the first Bereavement Journey course commenced.
Safeguarding training (for Levels 2 and 3) was received by 12 volunteers at Aenon Baptist (Morriston).
20th May – AR passed away.
Two baptisms were held on 26th May (SV and EG).
Sketty Primary School held a coffee morning (repeated at regular intervals throughout the Summer Term).
## **June**
## **July**
AR’s funeral
The Church Hall was used as General Election polling station.
## **August**
Café Church each Sunday
Monthly donations to charities commenced.
Discussions commenced for a new web site host/designer.
Exterior of church building painted (led by KW – many thanks!).
Parking permits were issued to local residents.
## **September**
DXZ baptised.
Jordan and Luds were welcomed to the church!
New lights installed in the church Hall.
Bereavement Journey course (#2) commenced.
JO’C passed away.
The church took back the Manse from Belvoir (Estate Agent).
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**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **October**
MacMillan Coffee morning
## **November**
A Writing Group was set up – meeting monthly.
Sketty School choir and band at the lighting of the Christmas Tree.
## **December**
Busy! Carol singing in the community and around homes.
Church Carol Service and Carols around the Christmas Tree (indoors!)
Toddler party and Man Shed Christmas dinner.
Christmas hampers and children’s gifts distributed to families in need (through contacts at a local school whose catchment is an area of deprivation).
L and J initiated the first Youth meeting (for many years!).
The Writing Group contributed to the festive period with a booklet of their Christmas materials.
## **January**
Haven commenced (through to March) – Swansea City Council funding supported this venture through the Warm Spaces fund. This was, again, not particularly well attended by those in the community, although much bigger presence of church attenders.
Local community businesses warmly welcomed the offer of bacon/sausage baps!
The main building hosted a wedding ceremony for the Sketty School Reception classes.
## **February**
The church reregistered with the Bereavement Journey organisation.
A community event: Curry and Quiz Night, raising £410: proceeds to Sketty Foodbank.
## **March**
Discussions to hold a community event on the church grounds initiated by one of the local Councillors.
Haven came to an end. (*Both Haven and Man Shed are in receipt of Council funding and are required to submit monitoring forms and in some cases receipts as evidence of spending. These reports are required to be completed by a set date in April 2025.)
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**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **Appointment of a new Assistant Pastor**
Following the Special Church Meeting held on 3rd March 2024, a ballot was held and the result made public on 10th March 2024, which resulted in Jordan Manley being offered the post of Assistant Pastor. A salary was agreed and use of the Manse.
Notifications of Employment, terms of Employment, a standard contract for the use of the Manse were all completed.
DBS certification was approved and two references from his previous employers (Parklands Church, Sketty, Swansea) were received.
Jordan and Luds were welcomed into the life of the church on Sunday 1st September 2024, and the keys to the Manse were handed over to them on 14th September 2024.
Jordan’s day to day ministry has been overseen by the current Pastor (PDM) and the Deacons, which includes all aspects of the role of a Pastor as outlined in his Job Description, Marks of Ministry etc.
As well as familiarising himself with the church family, Jordan has also met both of the South Wales Baptist Regional Ministers, has visited numerous ministers and churches, attended local leaders’ breakfasts and attended the regional Ministers Conference.
## **Church members**
In the annual return to the Baptist Union at the beginning of 2025, we recorded a membership of 69.
## **Community engagement**
In addition to the church based activities outlined in the calendar above, the church Hall continues to host groups, many regular, including : a ladies choir, Pilates and exercise groups, an archaeological group, residents meetings, a social development group for young adults with additional needs, a neutral meeting place for parents and officers of the local education authority, first aid training for volunteers at a local Foodbank, a Tango dance group, dance classes for children educated at home, children’s parties, slimming support groups, a support group for those with fibromyalgia.
## **Safeguarding**
Julie Rees remains our designated Safeguarding Officer.
No Safeguarding issues were noted in this period.
As indicated above, 12 volunteers received Level 2/3 training in May 2024.
PDM undertook Due Diligence Checking training (for DBS applications) – October 2024.
## **Health and Safety**
PAT carried out and fire safety equipment checked.
No accidents or causes for concern reported by members or Hall users.
Page 6
**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **Policies**
The church holds the following policies:
Safeguarding
Complaints Policy and Procedures
Data Protection
Lettings
Lone Working
Health and Safety
Pastoral Care
Equal Opportunities
A Finance Policy has been written but remains in Draft form. Church members will be informed when a Reviews of these documents is undertaken.
## **Church Licenses**
The church holds relevant and current licences for CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) and Zionworx.
## **Assets**
The church buildings continue to be monitored for safety and decoration. The drains have continued to be a regular cause for concern. However, from January 2025, the issues appear to have been finally resolved.
The church continued to hold a current account with Barclays Bank.
A Reserves statement began to be formulated but had not yet been adopted.
Church Manse: 46 Llwynmawr Close, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9HD. With the appointment of Jordan in September 2024, the Manse has been taken out of the private rented sector and is once more managed by the church. In order to satisfy landlord responsibilities, set out by Welsh Government, John White has kindly offered to become the registered agent for the property.
The facilities of the Manse have been improved: new bathroom, kitchen, two rooms knocked into one, decoration throughout.
This Report was compiled by the Minister (and Trustee):
Paul D Mort
Accepted by: Marilyn O’Connell. Karen Jones. Deborah Lawson (Trustees)
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**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **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:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- state whether applicable accounting standards & statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures, disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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:
Page 8
**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
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 2025, 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:
- examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Charities Act);
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act);
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## _**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:
- (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Nicola Jayne Lewis
Date: 14[th] January 2026
Page 9
**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **Receipts and Payments Account**
for the year ended 31st March 2025
|**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**
29,589
7,901
-|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
29,589
7,901
-|**Restricted**
**Funds**
-
1,173|**Restricted**
**Funds**
-
1,173|**Total Funds**
**This Year**
29,589
7,901
-
1,173
12,363|**Total Funds**
**This Year**
29,589
7,901
-
1,173
12,363||**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||**This Year**
29,589
7,901
-
1,173
12,363||**Last Year**
27,671
-
9,072
1,720
13,369|
||_2_
_2.1_
_3_
_3.1_
_3.2_
_4_||||||||||
||||||||||||
|||||12,363|||||||
||||||||||||
|||||49,852||1,173||**51,025**||51,832|
|||||73,519
900||1,195
-
1,195
22
22
-
**-**
-||74,714
900||86,407
624|
|||||74,419||||75,614||87,031|
||||||||||||
|||-||24,567
-|||-|24,589
||35,199
-|
|||-
-|
|22
24,589
|||-|-
24,589
||-
35,199
-|
|||**-**||**24,589**
|||**-**|**24,589**
||**35,199**
**-**|
|||||71,854
47,265||||71,854
47,265||107,053
71,854|
Page 10
**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity Number 234876
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities**
as at 31st March 2025
## **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**
47,265
47,265
**This Year**
11,647
690
690|**Last Year**
184,950
**Last Year**
71,854|
|---|---|---|---|
||||71,854|
||||**Last Year**
13,700|
||||600|
||||600|
The financial statements were approved by the Board and were signed on its behalf by:
Signed by………………………………………. ..........
Print Name………………………………………........... Date........................................ **On behalf of the board of Trustees**
Page 11
**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
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 £1173 was received into restricted funds (see note 4)
## 2.1 Breakdown of Other Income
|Hire of Hall
Events & Activities
Other Donations
Rent of Manse||**this year**
9,319
410
0
2,634
**12,363**|**last year**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||
6,164
436
0
6,769|
||||**13,369**|
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**Sketty Community Church** for the year ending 31[st] March 2025
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**
25,727
2,210
24,562
1,535
4,643
0
444
2,252
6,937
30
570
5,804
**74,714**|**last year**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||
13,781
1,365
2,502
1,522
2,405
0
430
50,071
8,250
0
312
5,770|
||||**86,407**|
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**
900|**last year**|
|---|---|---|
|||
624|
## **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|1,173
1,195
22|0|
## 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.
Page 13