BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Charity Number (England and Wales): 1051190
BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1-5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6-7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities 2022 | 8 |
| Balance Sheet 2022 | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10-13 |
BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees present their Annual Report and the Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Charity Name and Number
The full name of the Charity is the Beacon Park Baptist Church (BPBC). It is registered in England as a charity (number 1051190).
Church Premises and address for correspondence
Beacon Park Baptist Church 11 Peverell Park Road Plymouth PL3 4LR
Structure, Governance and Management
The Beacon Park Baptist Church is a Registered Charity operating in accordance with its Governing Document. The Church Officers (Pastor and Deacons) are also the charity’s trustees. It is also possible to appoint new trustees from within the church’s membership. A resolution is passed by the membership at each Annual General Meeting (usually in May) regarding the confirmation of the church officers in their respective offices.
Trustees
The trustees of the Church who served for all the year are as follows:
Dr C. Christopher (Secretary, Treasurer and Deacon) Pastor R. A. Clarke (Chairman and Pastor) Mr S. J. Clarke (Deacon)
There have been no changes of trustees to date since the year-end. The chairman of the trustees is paid an annual stipend in his role as Pastor of the church in accordance with the Governing Document. The other trustees are not paid any remuneration and receive no additional benefits beyond what a regular beneficiary of the charity might receive.
Custodian (or Holding) Trustee
Title to the church’s premises is registered with the Land Registry in the name of Beacon Park Baptist Church Property Company Limited (“the company”), a company limited by guarantee and under the control of the church, two of the church trustees being the only directors of the company. The company therefore holds title to the church premises in a completely non-beneficial capacity. Since there has been neither trading activity nor transaction in the company during the year dormant accounts for the current year have again been filed with Companies House.
The church officers (Pastor and Deacons) regularly meet to oversee and approve all existing ministries, set and monitor the annual revenue budget and monitor the church’s strategic risk register.
Independent Examiner
Total Accounting Services 10 Drake Mill Business Park Plymbridge Road Plymouth PL6 7PS
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Solicitors Alun Jones Setfords London 46 Chancellery Lane London WC2A 1JE
Bankers The Co-operative Bank plc 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
The Church’s Object and Activities
The church’s Governing Document states that “The charity is established for the advancement of the Christian religion as revealed in the Statement of Faith contained within the Governing Document” .
As such, the church is only involved in one activity, the advancement of the Christian religion. Therefore, in the context of the SORP FRS 102 requirement to analyse the figures over activities, projects or services, the church’s Financial Statements reflect just this single activity.
The church functions as a biblically established local Church, holding public services each Sunday morning and evening, a prayer meeting on Monday evening and a Bible Study each Wednesday evening. Special invitation services are also held at Easter and Christmas when possible. In 2023, good numbers of families and young people from the community attended each of these services.
Children and young people attend the afternoon Sunday School and Bible Class as well as the Thursday and Friday evening children’s meetings and youth clubs held during the school term. All meetings are held in the Church building.
We were able to hold our annual May Bank Holiday outing to Mount Edgcumbe as well as our Sunday School outing to River Dart Country Park.
On the first Saturday of the month we hold an ‘Over 50’s Fellowship’ meeting to which senior members of our community are invited. Around 20 - 25 friends attend these monthly meetings.
The church continues to support work in Sri Lanka.
Also, during 2023 we held meetings for several organisations including the Bible League, and two meetings from the Christian Institute.
Several members of the church lead the morning devotions at Bethany Christian home and Camelia House.
The Trustees are thankful to God and to all who have supported and worked so tirelessly to make all this possible.
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Public Benefit & Impact
The trustees had regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission, including that in relation to Public Benefit, which requires that the Trustees make decisions which:
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ensure that the charity’s purpose provides benefit;
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manage risks of detriment or harm to the charity’s beneficiaries or to the public in general from carrying out the charity’s purpose;
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determine who benefits in ways that are consistent with the charity’s purpose;
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make sure any personal benefits are no more than incidental.
The charity has provided public benefit by adhering to its objectives and carrying out the activities already referred to in this Annual Report. The advancement of the Christian religion in accordance with the church’s Governing Document brings primarily spiritual benefits but also moral and practical ones too. For many, attending services for Christian worship and the various meetings organised by the Church will have eternal benefit through the salvation of their souls, which is an immeasurably greater benefit than anything that can be given in this world. In addition, help and encouragement for daily living will be of great spiritual benefit too.
We can measure impact by the many and varied expressions of gratitude and support we receive, sometimes telling of a person who has been saved through hearing the preaching and attending the various meetings and outings operated by the church. However, only eternity and the day of judgement will reveal the true benefit and impact of the church’s work.
Achievements and Performance
Operations
During 2023, the church continued to consolidate its activities in the former Methodist Church building in Peverell Park Road. All the church’s services and meetings are based in Peverell in the church premises.
Review of Finances
There was an operating surplus of £26,658 in 2023 compared with a deficit of £36,996 in 2022 (due to extensive repairs in 2022). Income increased to £82,629 in 2023 compared with £61,937 in 2022.
Operating expenditure decreased to £55,972 in 2023 from £98,933 in 2022.
The liquidity situation of the Charity is still good, with immediately available cash balances of £33,068 in 2023 compared to the total held at the end of 2022 of £16,533. Net assets have increased to £396,667 at the end of 2023 compared with £370,009 at the end of 2022.
The church building is included in 2023 at a net book value of £340,300 (2022: £348,600), and the associated borrowing costs, in the form of interest free loans, are included at £5,000 (2022: £7,000). The trustees believe the open market value is in line with the net book value.
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Significant Events
The church continues to make loan repayments. The Pastor will continue to receive a reduced stipend until these loans are fully repaid.
Reserves
The trustees regularly review the reserves of the church to ensure that sufficient liquid funds are available to meet its ongoing obligations. The Trustees believe the appropriate level of UK free reserves in unrestricted funds should be in the region of £30,000, which represents just over three months’ expenditure plus a sum necessary to complete essential repairs and renovations to the newly acquired premises. Reserves are held in instant access accounts or on deposit accounts.
Investment Policy
The Charity has no long-term investments.
Principal Risks
The trustees review and update the Charity’s Strategic Risk Register to ensure that all the identified risks are managed effectively.
Plans for the Future
By God’s grace, the church plans to continue to use every effort and all the resources available to achieve its core objective of advancing the Christian religion in accordance with its Statement of Faith.
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity, and of its incoming resources and the application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees should follow best practice and:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue its operations.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 applicable law and the Laws and Regulations of the Society. They 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 are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity’s website.
Independent Examiner
Total Accounting Services have indicated their willingness to continue in office. A resolution will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting to re-appoint them.
ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES
R. A. Clarke, Chairman
13 May 2024
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages |
Charity Name Beacon Park Baptist Church |
|---|---|
| 2023 Charity no (if any) 1051190 |
|
| 1-13 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) |
Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [named body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner’s statement 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 the 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.
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Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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Examiners’ Statement (other than that disclosed below *) 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply
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Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.(E.g. accounting records have not been kept in accordance with s132 of the Charities’ Act 2011 and those accounts do not comply with the requirements of the 2008 Regulations setting out the form and content of charity accounts; any material expenditure or action which appears not to be in accordance with the trusts of the charity; any failure to be provided with information and explanations by any past or present trustee, officer or employee; and any material consistency between the accounts and the trustees’ annual report.)
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Note Income from: Donations 2 Charitable Activities – Outings and Trips 3 Investment income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Total 2023 £ 80,750 1,879 - 82,629 55,972 55,972 ---------- 26,658 £ 370,009 26,658 396,667 |
Total 2022 £ 60,194 1,743 - 61,937 98,933 98,933 ---------- (36,996) £ 407,005 (36,996) 370,009 |
|---|---|---|
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 7 Current assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets Total Assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 9 Funds of the Charity: Unrestricted Funds |
Total 2023 £ 346,298 22,541 33,068 5,240 50,369 396,667 - 396,667 |
Total 2022 £ 355,797 10,254 16,533 7,574 19,212 375,009 5,000 370,009 |
|---|---|---|
Approved by the Trustees on 13 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
R. A. Clarke, Chairman
C. C. Christopher, Treasurer
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to the accounts and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 and SORP FRS 102. The Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
(b) Going concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Church’s ability to continue as a going concern.
(c) Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement, and it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount receivable can be reliably measured. All figures include VAT and recoverable income tax (i.e. Gift Aid).
(d) Expenditure
Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable. All figures include VAT.
Because the charity only has one activity (Advancement of the Christian religion as revealed in the Statement of Faith), it is not necessary to apportion either Support or Governance costs across activities. Expenditure is not apportioned between cost categories either.
(e) Provision for Annual Leave and Sick Leave
A provision is unnecessary on materiality grounds, as the Church’s annual leave year is coterminus with its financial reporting year.
- (f) Volunteer help
The value of any volunteer help received is not included in the financial statements but is described in the Trustees Report.
(g) Pension scheme arrangements
The Pastor has been enrolled in the Next pension scheme since 01 January 2017.
(h) Taxation
As a UK registered charity, the Church is exempt from income tax under part 10 of the Income Tax Act 2007. The Church is not currently registered for VAT.
(i) Trustee expenses.
No expenses were paid to any of the trustees during the year other than the normal reimbursement of expenditure incurred on behalf of the Church. The Chair of trustees is paid an annual stipend as he is also the Minister.
(j) Debtors
All debtors are included at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
(k) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of opening of the deposit.
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
(continued)
(m) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount.
(n) Fixed assets
Depreciation on fixed assets is provided at the following annual rates to write off the UK assets over their estimated useful lives:
Motor vehicles 10% of cost per annum.
Assets costing less than £1,500 are not capitalised.
Freehold land is not depreciated. Freehold buildings which are used for the Church’s own purposes are depreciated by equal annual instalments to write down the cost, less estimated residual value, over the remaining useful life (2% of cost).
The Church completed the purchase of the former Peverell Park Methodist Church building in January 2015.
The property is treated as depreciable in the 2022 Financial Statements. However, the Trustees are aware that market indications suggest that the property is currently worth more than the historic book-cost. It is also their view that provided the buildings are properly maintained (which the trustees intend to do) there is no evidence at present to suggest that these valuations would reduce substantially in the next 20-25 years. The trustees will keep this position under review annually.
The custodian trustee to the property is Beacon Park Baptist Church Property Company Limited, a company limited by guarantee, and as such is non-beneficially owned by the company on behalf of the Church. The Annual Report & Financial Statements of the company may be inspected at 89, Trelawney Road, Plymouth, PL3 4JY on application to the Company Secretary.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| 2. | Income and Donations | 80,750 | 60,194 |
| 3. | Charitable activities – Outings and trips | ||
| Wales trip | 1,800 | 1,641 | |
| Sunday School outing | 79 | 102 | |
| 1,879 | 1,743 | ||
| 4. | Investment Income | ||
| Interest | 0 |
0 | |
| 5. | Charitable Activities | ||
| Building costs (inc. hire of property) | 26,530 | 70,989 | |
| General Outreach | 3,020 | 2,457 | |
| Children’s and Young people’s outreach | 10,545 | 9,305 | |
| General Church activities | 15,877 | 16,182 | |
| Total Expenditure | 55,972 | 98,933 |
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)
6. Staff Costs
None of the trustees were paid any remuneration or received any other benefits for their services as trustees other than the Chair (who is also the Pastor). The Pastor received gross salary and additional staff costs were incurred as follows:
| red as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Salary | 11,400 | 11,400 |
| Social security costs | - | - |
| Pension cost | 912 | 912 |
| Total staff costs | 12,312 | 12,312 |
The average number of employees in the year was 1 (2019 – 1). No employee received employer benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000
7. Tangible Fixed Assets
8.
| Tangible Fixed Assets | |
|---|---|
| Freehold Minibuses Land & Building £ £ Cost At 1 January 2023 415,000 16,795 Additions - - Disposals - - At 31 December 2023 415,000 16,795 Depreciation At 1 January 2023 66,400 9,598 Provision for the year 8,300 1,200 Released on disposal - - At 31 December 2023 74,700 10,798 Net book value At 31 December 2023 340,300 7,197 At 31 December 2022 348,600 7,197 Debtors 2022 £ Revenue and Customs (Gift Aid scheme) 22,282 Other debtors’ prepayments & accruedincome 0 Total 22,282 |
Total £ 431,795 - - 431,795 75,998 9,500 - 85,498 346,298 355,797 2021 £ 10,253 0 10,253 |
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BEACON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 (continued)
| 9. | Creditors and accruals | Amounts falling due | Amounts falling due | Amounts falling due after | Amounts falling due after | Amounts falling due after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| within one year | more | than one year | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Long term loans | 5,000 | 7,000 | - | 5,000 | ||
| Sundry creditors | 240 | 574 | - | - | ||
| Total | 5,240 | 7,574 | - | 5,000 | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Particular Baptist Fund. £50,000. Interest free repayable over 10 | years | 0 | 5,000 |
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