REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04446103 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1093779

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FOR

OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

5

Independent Examiner's Report

6

Statement of Financial Activities

7

Balance Sheet

8

to

9

Notes to the Financial Statements

10

to

15

TRUSTEES

K P Scott

R G Buckland

COMPANY SECRETARY

K P Scott

REGISTERED OFFICE

6 Bourbon Street

Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire

HP20 2RR

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER

04446103 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

1093779

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Beacons

Chartered Accountants

30 High Street

Wendover

Buckinghamshire

HP22 6EA

BANKERS

National Westminster Bank

22 Market Square

Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire

HP20 1TR

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

Oaks Community Church was started by a small group of Christians from the Church of the Holy Spirit, Bedgrove, who began to pray for the Acorns Estate in May 1995.

The Church eventually had its first public meeting in the William Harding School on December 10th 1995 with a group of 25 people.

Oaks became an independent church on December 10th 2000 and is now part of the Evangelical Alliance, the Aylesbury Church Network and linked to The New Wine Network.

In 2011 Oaks outgrew the hall at the William Harding School and moved to Aylesbury Grammar School where we continue to grow and continue to be involved in our community.

We remain good friends with the Church of the Holy Spirit and are also founding members of the Aylesbury Church Network.

Our Values

We particularly value the orthodox faith of the traditional Christian Church as revealed in the Bible, the Word of God, and as expressed in the historic creeds of the Church, (the Apostolic and Nicene creeds) and the work of the Holy Spirit in effecting the will of God the Father and the Son.

Worship: We believe that as human beings our primary purpose for existing is to worship God. In accordance with Biblical principles there are two main ways that we encourage our members to worship. One is that we seek to live our lives as a daily offering of praise and sacrifice to God and the other is by means of corporate worship as a fellowship, which is led by the worship band in a modern and lively style.

Bible teaching is a vital ingredient for a healthy church. We need to show its relevance as the basic issue for us is experiencing the Bible -not only knowing it. We highly value expository teaching, with an emphasis on doing and experiencing.

Ministry to people with the love of God the Father, and in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Presence Led: All that we do at Oaks needs to be prayerfully guided by the Father; it is our desire and our aim to say with Jesus ‘we only do what we see the Father doing’.

Other values we hold can be summed up by several sayings that we have at Oaks.

"We need to grow smaller as we grow bigger"

Because much of church life is about relationships we believe that as a church grows bigger it must also grow smaller. We therefore place an emphasis on our small groups, e.g. core groups and Life groups. These groups allow big churches to maintain close relationships and friendships, which are vital ingredients of a healthy church.

"Belonging - Believing - Behaving"

It’s important that when someone comes to Oaks on a Sunday, regardless of their background or spiritual state they feel as though they belong here, that they are welcomed. If people feel they belong then they’ll be more likely to come again and the hope is that as they are exposed to Christians and to Christian truth, they will begin their faith journey. And as they begin this journey, the Holy Spirit will begin to change their behaviour and they will slowly want to become more like Jesus. (Which is the mark of Christian maturity to be like Christ.)

"Discipleship is a Process"

We believe that discipleship is a process, therefore we have put in place a process by which people can grow into being fully active disciples of Jesus, equipped to minister and able to feed themselves spiritually.

"Every Member is a Minister"

We believe that together we are the body of Christ and that everyone can and does have a contribution to make to the life of the church.

"Empowering Leadership"

We believe that growing churches concentrate on empowering Christians for ministry. Leaders of growing churches do not use lay workers as helpers in attaining their own goals and visions. Rather, they assist them to attain the spiritual potential God has for them.

Vision statement

We aim to establish an outward looking church where God can be God and we can truly be ourselves

Our beliefs

- The Bible is God’s own word, and a sure and certain guide for life.

- God loved the world and gave His only Son to be its Saviour.

- Jesus died and rose again and will return in great power and glory at the end of the world.

- Men and women are called to be in a real and living relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus.

- The Holy Spirit has power to change those who trust in Christ, giving them a new start, a clean record, and a life worth living.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

While planning activities for the year the members of the Council have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

As a community church we continue to seek ways to be involved in the local community as well as supporting charitable work overseas including a couple who are connected to the church who are missionaries in Africa and a couple who are working in Malaysia.

During the year we have financially supported local ministries including Youth for Christ, Street Angels, Food bank and providing Christmas hampers for people. We were also able to part fund summer camps to make them more affordable for our young people to attend.

We continue with outreach programmes including our Coffee Shop being open to the public, our very popular weight loss group, Bridge lessons, Food bank and numerous social events.

We ran a very successful Alpha Course in 2024 after which the participants formed a Core Group that is still meeting. This now means that we have 5 Core Groups meeting each week either online or in person, these groups mainly do bible study but also have social events several times a year.

We also have life groups for a fortnight twice a year where we close down our activities and encourage the church to do life together; this could be a quiz night, woodturning, pancake evening, arts and crafts, Ice Hockey, etc. The list is only limited by our imagination, (and staying within the law!). Men's and women's groups also meet regularly through the year.

Sunday services are where we see our largest numbers and we continue to meet each Sunday at Aylesbury Grammar School; where as well as our adult service we provide separate children's and youth activities.

2024 saw a change in personnel when Wendy Kemp stepped down as our Youth Leader and we employed Amelia Godden. We thank Wendy for her hard work and dedication to our young people.

As well as our adult band we also have a thriving youth band who lead worship in the church during the year.

2024 saw us launch two new initiatives. Pause, which is a group for women who are facing the issues of menopause and YOYO's which is a lunch fellowship for people who may otherwise be eating alone.

We remain committed to church unity and are actively involved in the Aylesbury Church Network.

We hope this report will provide an insight into our work and we would like to thank all those who have supported us in the past year both in prayer and financially.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

The Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not designated or invested in tangible fixed assets (ie "free reserves") held by the charitable company should be equivalent to three months running costs. At the year ended 31 December 2024 the free reserves, were above the target level.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Oaks Community Church is controlled by a governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Limited company, and constitute a limited company limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment and training of new members of Council

In accordance with the Articles of Association the Council is authorised to appoint a new members Council. One third of the Council retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting but may seek re-election.

Members of the Council are encouraged to continually review their role within the Council and in this context new members are appointed following consultation with, and the approval of, the Church Leadership Team.

On appointment to the Council new members are provided with such training as is required to enable them to carry out their role in an effective manner.

Organisational structure

The Trustees usually meet by themselves two or three times a year. There is also a Church Leadership Team and the Trustees have meetings jointly with the Church Leadership Team three times a year. We also have wider church meetings where we hear reports from different ministries within the church twice a year. The Trustees and Leadership Team also report to that meeting.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 27 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

K P Scott - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Oaks Community 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.

Anthony Parks ACA

Beacons

Chartered Accountants

30 High Street

Wendover

Buckinghamshire

HP22 6EA

27 September 2025

31.12.24

31.12.23

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

63,027

-

63,027

80,010

Charitable activities

Shop

4,577

-

4,577

4,445

Investment income

2

1,634

-

1,634

1,990

Total

69,238

-

69,238

86,445

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Shop

6,254

14,143

20,397

19,577

Church costs

74,552

12,771

87,323

85,796

Total

80,806

26,914

107,720

105,373

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(11,568

)

(26,914

)

(38,482

)

(18,928

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

104,949

44,783

149,732

168,660

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

93,381

17,869

111,250

149,732

31.12.24

31.12.23

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

5,015

-

5,015

5,899

Investments

8

35,000

-

35,000

35,000

40,015

-

40,015

40,899

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks

9

477

-

477

847

Debtors

10

6,191

-

6,191

7,099

Cash at bank

49,662

17,869

67,531

104,205

56,330

17,869

74,199

112,151

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

11

(2,964

)

-

(2,964

)

(3,318

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

53,366

17,869

71,235

108,833

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

93,381

17,869

111,250

149,732

NET ASSETS

93,381

17,869

111,250

149,732

FUNDS

12

Unrestricted funds

93,381

104,949

Restricted funds

17,869

44,783

TOTAL FUNDS

111,250

149,732

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 27 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

K P Scott - 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, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.

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.

Donations

Cash donations are brought into the financial statements upon receipt. Gift Aid tax which is reclaimable on these donations is recognised on receipt of the donation.

Government Grants

Government grants are accounted for under the accruals model. Coronavirus support revenue grants are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) as other operating income in the same period as the related costs for which the grant is intended to compensate. Coronavirus support grants which are receivable as compensation for expenses or losses already incurred, or for the purpose of giving immediate financial support with no future related costs, are recognised in other operating income in the period all eligibility criteria are met.

Legacies

Incoming legacies are included gross in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is entitled to the income at the date of probate provided sufficient information has been received to value the charity's entitlement. Pecuniary legacies are recognised as receivable once probate has been granted and notification has been received. Residuary legacies are recognised as receivable once probate has been granted and they can be valued with reasonable certainty.

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.

Plant and machinery

-

15% on reducing balance

Fixtures and fittings

-

15% on reducing balance

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

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 Council members.

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

The Council makes transfers between funds when expenditure of a restricted nature is to be met from more than one type of fund. The maximum level of these transfers is agreed by the Council prior to the expenditure.

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

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Deposit account interest

234

502

Curr asset inv income

1,400

1,488

1,634

1,990

3.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

884

1,040

Other operating leases

26,331

26,858

4.	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.

5.	STAFF COSTS

The average number of employees during the year was 3 (2023: 3)

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

80,010

-

80,010

Charitable activities

Shop

4,445

-

4,445

Investment income

1,990

-

1,990

Total

86,445

-

86,445

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Shop

6,486

13,091

19,577

Church costs

72,677

13,119

85,796

Total

79,163

26,210

105,373

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

7,282

(26,210

)

(18,928

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

97,667

70,993

168,660

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

104,949

44,783

149,732

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Plant and

and

machinery

fittings

Totals

£

£

£

COST

At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024

22,186

5,332

27,518

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2024

16,890

4,729

21,619

Charge for year

794

90

884

At 31 December 2024

17,684

4,819

22,503

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2024

4,502

513

5,015

At 31 December 2023

5,296

603

5,899

8.	FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Other

35,000

35,000

There were no investment assets outside the UK.

Investments (neither listed nor unlisted) were as follows:

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Green Pastures Loan Stock

35,000

35,000

9.

STOCKS

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Stocks

477

847

10.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Prepayments and accrued income

6,191

7,099

11.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Trade creditors

336

1,074

Accruals and deferred income

2,628

2,244

2,964

3,318

12.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

31.12.24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

104,949

(11,568

)

93,381

Restricted funds

Building fund

44,783

(26,914

)

17,869

TOTAL FUNDS

149,732

(38,482

)

111,250

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

69,238

(80,806

)

(11,568

)

Restricted funds

Building fund

-

(26,914

)

(26,914

)

TOTAL FUNDS

69,238

(107,720

)

(38,482

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.23

in funds

31.12.23

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

97,667

7,282

104,949

Restricted funds

Building fund

70,993

(26,210

)

44,783

TOTAL FUNDS

168,660

(18,928

)

149,732

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

86,445

(79,163

)

7,282

Restricted funds

Building fund

-

(26,210

)

(26,210

)

TOTAL FUNDS

86,445

(105,373

)

(18,928

)

Restricted funds

The Building Fund consists of donations towards the purchase of a new building and accommodation costs. As the objectives are now clearly not achievable, the Fund is being put towards the accommodation costs of the Church and the Shop.

13.	CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

31.12.24

31.12.23

£

£

Contracted but not provided for in the financial statements

46,426

46,426

14.	OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

The internal policy of the Oaks Community Church is to distribute at least 10% of the previous years general donations. In 2025 the church plans to distribute £6,302.

15.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024.

16.	COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

The liability of each member is limited at £1. At 31 December 2024 there were 2 members (2023 - 2).