REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07893445 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1145653

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

for

Buckskin Evangelical Church

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

7

Independent Examiner's Report

8

Statement of Financial Activities

9

Balance Sheet

10

to

11

Notes to the Financial Statements

12

to

18

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The charity's objects for the public benefit are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs in Basingstoke and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the charity.

Our Mission Statement

We are committed to be God's church in Buckskin to:

Show His love - to those in the community;

Share His Message - with those around us;

Strengthen His People - to serve Him;

Support His Work - in His world;

Serve Jesus in the Community.

Introduction

Buckskin Evangelical Church was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 21st December 2011, was registered as a charity on 27th January 2012 and became operational on 20th April 2012 when the assets of the previous charitable trust and building trust were transferred to it. This report covers church activities for the year to 31st December 2024.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Review

The following table shows a comparison of unrestricted income and expenditure, 2024 vs 2023:

2024

2023

£

£

Unrestricted income

187,129

167,957

Unrestricted expenditure

166,128

166,510

Net unrestricted income (before transfers)

21,001

1,447

Restricted income

16,619

36,035

Restricted expenditure

16,297

21,203

Net restricted income (before transfers)

322

14,832

In summary, the trustees are confident that the Church's financial position remains sound. Generous and sacrificial giving from members and other supporters will allow a wide and growing programme of activities to take place. The trustees will take careful note of the financial position when agreeing budgets and setting spending plans for 2026 and beyond, to ensure that the Church's financial position remains sound. This will involve holding an appropriate level of reserves against maintaining an active programme of Church activities.

Grants Policy

The church seeks to give away a minimum of 10% of its unrestricted income to assist missionary activity both in the UK and overseas.

Reserves policy

The church's policy is to maintain a prudent level of free reserves (defined as unrestricted funds, less tangible fixed assets net of long-term loans secured on the fixed assets). The free reserves on 31 December 2024 amount to £20,331 (2023: £20,774). For the purposes of short term and medium-term financial management, the trustees are concerned more with the management of working capital. We endeavor to maintain reserves that cover up to 3 months salaries, costs and church running expenses. This is held in the CAF Gold deposit account which had a balance of £31,398 on 31st December 2024 (2023: £23,686). The giving and activities of the church are dependent on the donations given by members of the church. For this reason, no additional reserves are maintained by the church.

Risk statement

The trustees have examined the major strategic, business, and operational risks which the church faces and confirm that systems have been established to monitor those risks so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen them.

Trustee's Responsibility

Under the Charities Act 2011, the trustees are required to prepare a statement of accounts for each accounting year which gives a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the church.

They are required to:

1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.

2. Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.

3. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

4. State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed.

5. Prepare the financial statements on an ongoing basis.

They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church and to ensure that such accounts and records comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.

They also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the church and to take reasonable steps to detect fraud or any other irregularities and to provide reasonable assurances that:

1. The church is operating efficiently and effectively.

2. Its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition.

3. Financial information used within the church or for publication is reliable.

4. The church complies with relevant laws and regulations.

The Trustees of the church meet regularly to review and manage the activities of the church. In this they are supported by the Elders and the Leadership Team of the church.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 21st December 2011, and registered as a charity on 27th January 2012. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting was held on 18th March 2025 when two trustees, William Ross and Margaret Thompson resigned as required by the Governing Document [article 29]. Jason Miles was appointed as a new trustee. William Ross and Margaret Thompson were re-appointed as trustees.

Management

The spiritual life of the church is run by a team of five Elders, three of whom are Trustees.

One of the Elders/Trustees, Will Ross, is the Senior Pastor and a paid employee of the church.

The day-to-day management of the church is run by a management team comprising of Trustees, Elders, and various activity team leaders.

The administration of the church is managed by the activity leaders using ChurchSuite software. This is overseen by the Church Administrator.

Objective and activities

The Trustees and Elders are committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at the church and to become part of the fellowship.

When planning our activities for the year we have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, in particular the guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We endeavour to enable everyone to live out their faith as part of our fellowship through our mission statement.

To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church building.

Sunday Services

The church offers a choice of two services on Sunday mornings. The first is a Communion Service that starts at 9.00 am. There is the main Worship Service which commences at 10.30 am and runs for 90 minutes. At this service we also provide a crèche and separate children's and youth classes. On occasional Sunday evenings we meet for worship, prayer, and Bible teaching. On a typical Sunday we see around 120 - 140 people attending the church.

Activities and Community Outreach

It was the intention of those who started the church over 50 years ago to serve and support the local community. Today, the church seeks to do this by offering a variety of activities for its members and for those in the wider community..

- Stepping Stones - for parents and toddlers

- All Starz - for children to age 11

- Coffee Morning - for the retired

- Seminars and courses - covering topics such as Gifts Discovery, Discipleship

- Alpha Courses - aimed at those wishing to discover more about Christianity

- Home Groups - we have 7 small community groups for friendship, support and teaching

- Geared - Men's Ministry

- Threads - Women's Ministry

- Stitch & Craft Evenings

- Lunch Plus - for lonely and vulnerable people

- Youth Bible Study - meeting on a Monday aimed at 14 - 16 year olds

- EPIC Youth Group - meeting twice a month for 11 - 13 year olds

- TLG - a mentoring programme in the local primary school

- Refresh Cafe - operating once a week to support those struggling with their mental health

- Buckskin Pantry - operating once a week to donate fresh food to the local community

In addition to the ongoing weekly activities we also provide:

Church Office - the church is open five mornings a week from 9.00 am to 12.00 am. The aim is to have a place where people can come and find help if needed.

Support nationally/locally - The church is committed to continuing its support for Christian organisations and workers in the UK. We have supported organisations where church members are actively involved in outreach and support across the town, such as Money Lifeline, Besom, Foodbank, and The Starfish Enterprise Trust (which supports small community based Christian projects in the town).

From July 2021 the church has partnered with Foodbank and setup a centre where clients could come and collect their food locally. The centre operates one morning a week and is staffed mostly by church members.

Support Internationally - The church is also actively involved with supporting Christian organisations and Christian workers internationally. Church members are actively involved in supporting projects in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Ghana. During 2024 we have also given support to a project in Kenya, through the UK charity Stand By Me.

Working with other churches - The church is actively involved with OneChurch Basingstoke, the ecumenical body for the town. The church hosts a bi-weekly lunch time meeting for ministers and has also welcomed other churches and leaders for several larger 1CB events.

Family Events - Live Nativity and Easter Funday took place in 2024, with both events attracting over 300 people. The church also partnered with Chiltern Primary School to put on a Carol Service which over 200 people attended.

Community Development

The church has always sought to support the local community. We have done this in several ways:

Supporting the local school - we have very close links to Chiltern Primary School. Every other week the pastor, Will Ross, leads an assembly in the school. The school also visits the church on various occasions, e.g. Christmas, Easter, Harvest and other occasions to assist with curriculum studies. Through the TLG Early Intervention scheme the church has provided 5 coaches to support vulnerable pupils in the local primary school. The church has run a Cook & Eat course for one afternoon after school over 4 weeks, where a parent and child learn how to cook a nutritious family meal.

Volunteers - the church has over 120 active volunteers, and it has been estimated that the church contributes between 8,000 and 9,000 voluntary hours a year. An estimation of the annual 'volunteer value' of the church to the community is between £60,000 and £70,000. This is purely the value to the community of our volunteers and does not include any staff costs, seminar costs, pastoral care of local people or any major events that we put on (e.g. Fun Day). This does not consider those who volunteer for groups outside of the church like Money Lifeline (1 volunteer), Basingstoke Foodbank (9 volunteers), Besom (1 volunteer), Healing on the Streets (1 volunteer), Starfish Enterprise (2 volunteers) and Cedar Tree Counselling (1 volunteer).

Part time Community Worker - the church has employed a part-time Community Worker who supports local families who are linked to the church through the variety of activities the church runs. The cost of employing the Community Worker is borne by the Community Fund.

Church Building Usage

The church building is now the largest and most versatile community building in Buckskin. We have a main hall that will seat over 180 people, plus other small rooms including a high-tech youth room. The new annexe has four meeting rooms equipped with television screens and wi-fi. The church building has been used by several outside organisations for the benefit of the community. Most days it is used by some kind of group.

This year we have added a door to the Youth Lounge, and replaced the wall between two rooms with bi-fold doors to increase capacity on event days. This was made possible through a grant provided by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council.

Employees

The church employed the following staff:

- full time Senior Pastor

- part-time Church Administrator

- part time Youth Worker

- part-time TLG administrator and Children's Ministry Leader

- part-time cleaner

- part-time community worker

A Church in Buckskin for Buckskin

One of the church's major principles is to give and to be generous. Hence the everyday running costs and activities of the church are funded entirely by the congregation. A principle that we have adopted is to give regularly and generously to organisations outside of the church. In addition to the income that goes overseas to mission groups and relief aid, we financially support organisations in the UK.

We believe the church has a major part to play in transforming Buckskin. Our church has the people, resources, and the desire to bring about positive change into the lives of local people. We are all aware of the challenges that lay ahead for our communities as local government budgets and services face cuts. The government are looking to the voluntary sector to help fill some of the gaps that will be left. As a church, we are already serving and supporting the local community of Buckskin and are seeking to develop our role further so that we can share and express the love of God in practical ways.

On Sundays, we run a creche, and classes for children up to the age of 11. For children over age 11 we have a youth group. The church has a dedicated creche room, individual rooms in which to teach the different age groups that we cater for. The annexe also has infant toilets plus a disabled toilet with baby changing facilities.

Once a week the church operates as a Foodbank Hub and runs the Refresh Café for lonely and vulnerable people. On a Thursday morning the church operates a Food Pantry giving away excess food from local supermarkets delivered to us by Community Food Link. Each week we see around 30 people visit the Pantry.

Future Plans

The church's vision for 2025 is based on the words and promise of Jesus: 'I will build my church'. After spending a significant time in prayer and discussion we believe that this year we will see significant growth in the life of our church. This growth will be numerical, in spiritually maturity and in the ministries we offer.

To achieve this growth, we will be focussing in four specific areas:

- Prayer and Worship

- Discipleship

- Outreach

- Fellowship

To help achieve these aims the church has contracted with K180, a charity with its heart in evangelism, to provide a member of their staff for the whole of 2025 to train and encourage church members in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. To cover K180's costs, a gift day raised over £15,500 in donations, pledges and Gift Aid.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

07893445 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1145653

Registered office

Chiltern Way

Basingstoke

Hampshire

RG22 5BB

Trustees

Ashley Boardman Chairman

Michael Boys

Andrew Dossett Treasurer

Jason Miles (appointed 18/03/25)

Amelia Nirmnal (resigned 04/02/25)

William Ross

Darren Skipp

Richard Spiers

Margaret Thompson

Independent Examiner

Brewers Chartered Accountants

Unit 3

Birtley Courtyard

Bramley

Surrey

GU5 0LA

Website

www.buckskin.church

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 9 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

A Dossett - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Buckskin Evangelical Church ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

A M Skilton

Brewers Chartered Accountants

Unit 3

Birtley Courtyard

Bramley

Surrey

GU5 0LA

24 September 2025

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

182,092

14,026

196,118

199,569

Other trading activities

2

3,201

-

3,201

1,298

Investment income

3

740

643

1,383

1,115

Other income

1,096

1,950

3,046

2,010

Total

187,129

16,619

203,748

203,992

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

-

-

-

733

Charitable activities

charitable

163,581

16,297

179,878

162,851

Other

2,547

-

2,547

24,129

Total

166,128

16,297

182,425

187,713

NET INCOME

21,001

322

21,323

16,279

Transfers between funds

13

4,589

(4,589

)

-

-

Net movement in funds

25,590

(4,267

)

21,323

16,279

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

810,142

34,740

844,882

828,603

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

835,732

30,473

866,205

844,882

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

8

915,803

-

915,803

903,047

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

9

7,543

1,880

9,423

6,762

Cash at bank

31,860

28,633

60,493

69,711

39,403

30,513

69,916

76,473

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

10

(19,073

)

(40

)

(19,113

)

(20,960

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

20,330

30,473

50,803

55,513

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

936,133

30,473

966,606

958,560

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due after more than one year

11

(100,401

)

-

(100,401

)

(113,678

)

NET ASSETS

835,732

30,473

866,205

844,882

FUNDS

13

Unrestricted funds

835,732

810,142

Restricted funds

30,473

34,740

TOTAL FUNDS

866,205

844,882

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 9 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

A Dossett - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2024

2023

£

£

Church activities

3,201

1,298

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2024

2023

£

£

Deposit account interest

1,383

1,115

4.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2024

2023

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

13,112

9,976

5.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

6.	STAFF COSTS

Staff costs

2023

2022

£

£

Wages and salaries

85,651

93,065

Social Security costs

1,983

2,831

Other pension costs

3,408

3,557

91,042

99,453

Due to the size of the organisation, all staff are considered to be key management staff.

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2024

2023

Full Time Pastor

1

1

Part Time Staff

5

3

6

4

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

During the year the Church employed a Community worker, a new role for the Church.

7.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

165,812

33,757

199,569

Other trading activities

1,298

-

1,298

Investment income

847

268

1,115

Other income

-

2,010

2,010

Total

167,957

36,035

203,992

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

367

366

733

Charitable activities

charitable

143,883

18,968

162,851

Other

22,260

1,869

24,129

Total

166,510

21,203

187,713

NET INCOME

1,447

14,832

16,279

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

808,695

19,908

828,603

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

810,142

34,740

844,882

8.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

Freehold

to

property

property

Totals

£

£

£

COST

At 1 January 2024

997,595

-

997,595

Additions

-

25,868

25,868

At 31 December 2024

997,595

25,868

1,023,463

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2024

94,548

-

94,548

Charge for year

9,975

3,137

13,112

At 31 December 2024

104,523

3,137

107,660

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2024

893,072

22,731

915,803

At 31 December 2023

903,047

-

903,047

9.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Trade debtors

4,505

1,970

Prepayments and accrued income

4,918

4,792

9,423

6,762

10.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 12)

13,222

11,966

Trade creditors

5,851

502

Social security and other taxes

-

1,423

Accruals and deferred income

40

7,069

19,113

20,960

11.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Bank loans (see note 12)

100,401

113,678

12.

LOANS

An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:

2024

2023

£

£

Amounts falling due within one year on demand:

Bank loans

13,222

11,966

Amounts falling due between two and five years:

Bank loans - 2-5 years

83,703

77,124

Amounts falling due in more than five years:

Repayable by instalments:

Bank loans more than 5 years by installment

16,698

36,554

The building of the annexe took place in 2016 and was partly funded by a 15-year bank loan of £200,000 from CAF Bank secured on the land and buildings. The loan interest is 2.95% above the Bank of England base rate. The terms of repayment were interest only repayments for the first 12 months and full repayment over the remaining 14 years.

13.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

funds

31.12.24

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

810,142

21,001

4,589

835,732

Restricted funds

Restricted fund

34,740

322

(4,589

)

30,473

TOTAL FUNDS

844,882

21,323

-

866,205

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

187,129

(166,128

)

21,001

Restricted funds

Restricted fund

16,619

(16,297

)

322

TOTAL FUNDS

203,748

(182,425

)

21,323

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.23

in funds

31.12.23

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

808,695

1,447

810,142

Restricted funds

Restricted fund

19,908

14,832

34,740

TOTAL FUNDS

828,603

16,279

844,882