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← Beechen Grove Baptist Church Trust

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1070890 (England and Wales)

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mr K Tondoneh
Mrs P Cox
Mrs E Mortimer
Mr K Adams
Ms M Bengco
Rev'd S Heard
Ms M Fox
Trustees who hold a Deacon position Mr K Tondoneh
Mrs P Cox
Mr K Adams
Ms M Bengco
Ms M Fox
Church Secretary Mrs E Mortimer
Minister Rev'd S Heard
Treasurer Mr K Adams
Charity number 1070890
Principal address Clarendon Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD17 1JJ
Independent examiner John Wilson FCA ATII
Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants
36 Crown Rise
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD25 0NE
Bankers Barclays Bank Plc,
62/64 High Street
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD17 2BT

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Chair of Trustees Statement 1
Trustees' report 2 - 5
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities 6
Independent examiner's report 7 - 8
Statement of financial activities 9
Balance sheet 10
Notes to the financial statements 11 - 22

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

I write to keep the congregation informed of an important matter concerning our church governance and to ask for your understanding as we move forward in obedience to God and in compliance with the Charity Commission.

What happened:

In the course of reviewing our financial procedures, our independent examiner identified that two of our trustees, Mr Komba Tondoneh and Mr Kelvin Adams, each received a loan of £2,000 from church funds. These loans were approved by the diaconate but were not presented for a vote in a church meeting. Giving out any monetary benefit, including loans to Trustees and their immediate family is contrary to Charity Commission regulations for charitable organisations.

Current status:

Actions taken:

Why this matters:

Our desire is to honour God in all we do and to protect the church’s integrity and reputation. By putting clear policies in place and ensuring all leaders are properly trained, we safeguard our members, our resources, and the witness of the gospel.

We sincerely apologise for any confusion or concern this incident may have caused. It was not intended to benefit anyone unfairly, and we are committed to learning from the oversight.

Thank you for your patience, prayers, and continued support as we seek to walk together in faithfulness and transparency.

May God bless our church and guide us in all truth.

In Christ,

Rev Simon Heard Minister and Chair of Trustees

Date: 9 January 2026

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".

Objectives and activities

The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document which states that the principal purpose of the Charity is to further the religious and other charitable work of Beechen Grove Baptist Church and the maintenance and repair of the fabric of the listed Church building and other Church property.

The Church occupies premises with are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd on Trusts which are entirely

compatible with the above object.

The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities to both its membership and to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people to a closer relationship with Him as a living Lord.

Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These take place each Sunday at 10.30 a.m. There are also occasional services at other times which are advertised on the church notice board, the local media and the website at bgbaptist.org.uk. There is also a children's programme during the morning service. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anyone is free to attend any of these services.

The church no longer holds a prayer meeting as such. However, a lifegroup is held each Monday morning in the Oasis which includes prayer. A second lifegroup takes place within a member's home on Thursday evenings which, again, includes prayer. A Book Club is held on Tuesday mornings. (And plans are underway to begin a Coffee Morning open to the community.

The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetting with regard to Disclosure and Barring.

The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Achievements and performance

We are blessed to have an increasing number of people now attending our church and membership is growing.

Live streaming of our Sunday morning services continues and the sermon can be found on YouTube (and other platforms) for later viewing.

A seaside day out to Clacton was enjoyed by the church in August, with the hiring of a coach seating as many as wanted to go, plus family members.

The church held its yearly Remembrance Day (Sunday) service with participation from the local Scouts group, along with cubs and beavers. And also held a Harvest Festival Sunday.

The church has continued its outreach within the town centre. A choir came together at Christmas time and sang within Charter Place during 2 afternoons and also sang inside the YMCA.

Members of the church handed out leaflets and tracts in the High Street.

The church maintains its connection with the World Day of Prayer (previously the Womens' World Day of Prayer).

We had a Christmas nativity play performed by the Sunday School children, alongside some adults. Also that the Sunday School has seen an increase in the number of children attending (although more recently this has begun to drop off.

As part of our ministry to and within the local community, we offer the use of our premises for reasonable fees to a variety of religious, community, educational, cultural and social groups. Many of the groups have been longterm users and have expressed satisfaction at the facilities provided.

The Church employs a full time, salaried Manager of House and Community who liaises with the Trustees and every user group and ensures that the facilities are well maintained and conform to public building regulations. A church member serves as a Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy chaplain to the staff at the Watford Borough Council offices.

We have been challenged by Jesus’ words: “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” Though we yearn to see our Baptist church grow, we also yearn to be facilitators for the growth of God's influence in our town. Recognising the great ethnic diversity in Watford, we have allowed four other independent Christian congregations to use our church halls on Sundays, and several others for their mid-week prayer services, so that now there are services in English, Portuguese, Romanian, Twi (a dialect spoken in Ghana and neighbouring countries), and a service with a very distinctive West Indies flavour every single Sunday. So, our church is moving in the direction of “becoming a house of prayer for all peoples.”

We seek to work and pray with ever greater unity with the other Christian churches in Watford, through such venues as Churches Together and Christians Across Watford.

Our endeavour to work with other Christians extends beyond the immediate Watford area. Our outreach beyond our shores to show Christian love and compassion has been channelled through such agencies as the BMS World Mission, Christian Aid, the Shoe Box Appeal, and Operation Agri, among other outlets.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Financial review

The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year.

The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making donations to local, national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church's own charitable purpose.

The financial results for the year, together with a summary of accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.

The Statement of Financial Affairs shows the income and day to day running costs of the church. This account

shows a surplus of £20,756 (2024: deficit £5,279).

The Balance Sheet shows the total resources of the church less our liabilities at the end of the financial year. This also includes an Endowment Fund of £12,500, which is the permanent endowment of the original Sutton Schools legacy. At the year end unrestricted funds were £206,406 (2024: £184,850).

The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the church and are satisfied that there are

policies in place to minimize them.

The reserves policy of Beechen Grove Baptist Church is to hold three months of all expenditure plus a further three months staff costs to allow the church to adapt to any changes in the income or expenditure of the church. The trustees currently believe this amount to be £50,000. This policy will be reviewed annually.

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in

place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

The trustees have reviewed the principal risks to which the church is exposed, and have identified appropriate mitigating measures.

The greatest risk facing the church is that he over reliance on key individuals, Lack of personnel to fill vacant roles, Rough Sleepers, maintaining the building on a regular basis and the general security of the building as the Church is heavily used on a daily basis.

The trustees have implemented strategies which include encouraging people to be involved in various activities in the church which involves delegating roles.

We are currently in the process of changing all our outdated electrical circuits to prevent any future blowouts.

We are also in the process of upgrading our CCTV systems to ensure security around the building due to the location of the building. Also laminated doors are going to be installed to prevent rough sleepers from using our porches as a haven for drugs.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Structure, governance and management

The charity is governed by a Scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 11 May 1998.

The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Mr K Tondoneh

Mrs P Cox Mrs E Mortimer Mr K Adams Ms M Bengco Rev'd S Heard Ms M Fox

Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ or be accepted for full membership based on their own public profession of faith.

The normal Church Member's Meetings take place five times per year including the Annual General Meeting in October. These Member's Meetings have responsibility for the overall policy of the Church. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.

The appointment of the Secretary and Treasurer are made annually.

The Trustees together with the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by the members), collectively known as the Diaconate, are responsible for the day to day running of the church's work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. The election of Trustees, Secretary and Treasurer takes place at the Annual Church Meeting.

Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church Members' Meeting by the Trustees for guidance, or may be raised by members in the Church Meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church Members' Meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church Members seek to work by consensus wherever possible.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mr K Adams

Trustee Dated: 9 January 2026

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The 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 the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient 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 Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Beechen Grove Baptist Church Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

Independent examiner's statement - matter of concern identified

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

I have completed my examination. I have identified a matter in relation to payments made to Trustees which are outside of that permitted by the Charity's Governing Document.

During the course of our examination work, it came to our attention that there were payments made to Trustees which were not in compliance with the Charity's Governing Document. These transactions have been disclosed in the Notes to the Financial Statements under Related Party Transactions. The Governing Document does not allow for payments to be made to any Trustee, with the exception of payments to the Minister in relation to their employment and for the general reimbursement of expenses.

The transactions that caused concern related to the provision of short-term financial support to two Trustees. One payment has been repaid to the charity in full since the year end. An agreement was put in place to ensure that the second payment is reimbursed in full before 31 December 2025. The second payment has subsequently been reimbursed in full.

I am satisfied that there has been no financial loss to the Charity and that subsequent to being made aware of the concern appropriate action has been undertaken by the Charity and its Trustees to rectify the situation.

The Charity has made the appropriate disclosure to Charity Commission, who have provided a response which has closed the matter with no further action.

I confirm that apart from the matter of concern set out above, no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

I confirm that there are 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 financial statements to be reached.

John Wilson

John Wilson FCA ATII

Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants 36 Crown Rise Watford Hertfordshire WD25 0NE 9 January 2026

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted Endowment
funds
funds
2025
2025
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
28,598
-
Charitable activities
4
211,775
-
Investments
5
2,308
-
Other income
6
-
-
Total income
242,681
-
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
219,983
-
Total expenditure
219,983
-
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
12
(1,942)
-
Net income/(expenditure) and
movement in funds
20,756
-
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
184,850
12,500
Fund balances at 31 March
2025
205,606
12,500		 Total
Unrestricted Endowment
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
28,598
30,933
-
211,775
166,915
-
2,308
4,477
-
-
35
-
242,681
202,360
-
219,983
206,318
-
219,983
206,318
-
(1,942)
(1,321)
-
20,756
(5,279)
-
197,350
190,129
12,500
218,106
184,850
12,500		 Total
2024
£
30,933
166,915
4,477
35
202,360
206,318
206,318
(1,321)
(5,279)
202,629
197,350

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Investments
15
Current assets
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
17
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The funds of the charity
Endowment funds
19
Unrestricted funds		 2025
£
28,721
105,388
134,109
(1,022)		 £
85,019
133,087
218,106
12,500
205,606
218,106		 2024
£
32,906
82,320
115,226
(4,837)		 £
86,961
110,389
197,350
12,500
184,850
197,350

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 9 January 2026

Mr K Adams Rev'd S Heard Trustee Trustee

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Beechen Grove Baptist Church Trust is an unincorporated charity.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include investments and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.5 Expenditure

The Church makes grants to other organisations whose charitable objectives complement its work. They are accounted for in the year in which they were paid.

1.6 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.8 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.9 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.10 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.11 Fund Raising

The church does not make formal appeals for funds and expenditure on these items are therefore not considered material.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.12 Fixed Assets

The Trustee of the Church land and premises is The Baptist Union Corporation Limited, which holds the freehold deeds on behalf of the Trust. The original cost of the land and buildings is unknown, and there are insufficient details of its current value. The insurance valuations are detailed in the notes to the accounts.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Donations and gifts 13,727 13,719
Envelope Scheme 2,841 1,495
Other offerings 6,488 9,601
Income tax refund 5,542 6,118
28,598 30,933

4 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Ancillary income
Contributions for use of premises 211,775 166,915

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 Income from investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Other income 2,308 4,477
6 Other income
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Other income - 35
7 Expenditure on charitable activities
2025 2024
£ £
Direct costs
Staff costs 76,100 65,543
Administration 4,117 3,680
Insurance 11,874 11,466
Premises costs 84,710 85,496
Manse expenses 17,514 12,793
Pastoral care 5,356 5,122
Resources 3,341 2,305
Telephone 1,216 1,249
Legal and professional costs 490 455
Sundry expenses 9,573 9,752
Bank charges 32 32
Governance costs 1,110 1,080
215,433 198,973
Grant funding of activities (see note 8) 4,550 7,345
219,983 206,318
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 219,983 206,318

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8 Grants payable

Grants to institutions:
BMS World Mission
CBA (Baptist Union Home Mission)
BMS (Baptist Missionary Society) - Turkey
Other
-
9
Net movement in funds
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial
statements		 2025
£
1,200
1,200
-
2,150
4,550
2025
£
1,110		 2024
£
1,200
1,200
1,000
3,945
7,345
2024
£
1,080

10 Trustees

Other than mentioned below, none of the other Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

The charity has the power under its articles to employ a trustee to provide necessary services to the charity, with appropriate safeguards to avoid conflicts of interest.

During the year, Rev Simon Heard, who was a member of the Trustee body of the charity was employed as Minister of Beechen Grove Baptist Church. During the year he received remuneration of £33,303 and employer pension contributions of £4,374.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2025 2024
Number Number
Pastoral Care (Minister) 1 1
Management of House and Community 2 2
3 3
Employment costs 2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 68,175 60,436
Social security costs 1,681 614
Other pension costs 6,244 4,493
76,100 65,543

During the year, an amount was paid in relation to Pastoral Care (Minister) by way of a Stipend of £33,303 (2024: £30,241)

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

12 Gains and losses on investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
Gains/(losses) arising on: £ £
Revaluation of investments (1,942) (1,321)

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

14 Tangible fixed assets

The Church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the land and premises it occupies, the legal title to the church premises and the manse being held by the church's custodian trustee, The Baptist Union Corporation Limited.

No meaningful value/original cost is available for the areas occupied and so it has not been included in the Balance Sheet.

The insurance values (as at November 2024) total £15,254,232. These were split accordingly:

Church Premises £14,435,399 Manse £818,833

15 Fixed asset investments

Listed
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024 86,961
Valuation changes (1,942)
At 31 March 2025 85,019
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025 85,019
At 31 March 2024 86,961

16 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors		 2025
£
20,259
8,462
28,721		 2024
£
19,164
13,742
32,906

17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
22
1,000
1,022		 2024
£
3,837
1,000
4,837

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18 Retirement benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £6,244 (2024 - £4,493).

Defined benefit schemes

Where a church is an employer in a multi-employer defined benefit scheme such as The Baptist Pension Scheme and where they have agreed a deficit contribution funding plan, this liability is to be recognised on the balance sheet.

The value of the liability should be the total all the future contributions to be made, discounted to present value using a discount rate equal to the yield on investment grade corporate bonds. At the end of June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (‘Just’) to secure members’ pension benefits under the Defined Benefit (‘DB’) Plan. As a result, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall.

A revised statement of contributions was approved with deficit contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reducing to just £1 per month from August 2022. These ceased in November 2024, in line with moving to Just Group. See www.baptist.org.uk/pensions for more details. Updated text to reflect this change has been included in the template for receipt and payment accounts which can also be found on our website.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18 Retirement benefit schemes

(Continued)

As there is a large number of contributing employers participating in the Scheme, the church in unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the Scheme. Accordingly, due to the nature of the Scheme, the profit and loss charge for the period represents the employer contributions payable.

£33m additional cash contributions from BUGB

BUGB made a contributions of £33m in December 2018 on behalf of the Baptist family in order to reduce the current deficit.

No change to the current employer deficit contributions

The large additional contributions from BUGB mean that the Scheme employers will see no increase in the deficit contributions under the new recovery plan. Deficit contributions for churches and other employers will not increase, other than to reflect any annual changes in the Minimum Pensionable Income.

The length of time for which deficit contributions must be paid, is reduced by 2½ years with contributions now due to finish in June 2026 rather than December 2028 .

Amendments to Scheme member benefits

At the request of the Employers Group, as part of the overall Family Solution, the Pension Trustee has agreed that from January 2019 onwards, the annual increase to pensions in payment will use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the measure of inflation, rather than the Retail Price Index (RPI). This change is permitted within the scheme rules. RPI is now generally accepted as a flawed measure that typically overstates inflation, whereas CPI is calculated to an internationally recognised standard. Because CPI is typically lower than RPI, this change reduces the scheme deficit, by reducing the annual inflation increase paid to Scheme beneficiaries.

To partly offset the impact on scheme beneficiaries of the change from RPI to CPI, a number of other amendments to the scheme benefits have been agreed:

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18 Retirement benefit schemes

(Continued)

Changes since the last valuation

The formal actuarial valuation of the Defined Benefit Section of the Baptist Pension Scheme as at 31 December 2019 has been completed. This was following discussions between the Scheme Trustee and representatives of the Baptist Pension Scheme Employers’ Group. The main outcomes of the valuation are: - The deficit in the scheme has reduced to £18m from £93m at the previous valuation. The estimated deficit at 30 June 2022 is £10m.

A temporary reduction of 50% to the deficit recovery contributions will be put in place for the second half of 2020 to alleviate some of the additional financial pressure on employers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Movements in the deficit in 2020

There are two substantial developments coming into play since December 2019 that have an impact on DB Plan funding:

  1. Although mitigated to some extent by the Trustee’s relatively low-risk investment strategy, the Coronavirus pandemic has impacted financial markets and led to a reduction in the value of some DB Plan investments. 2. The Government is currently consulting on how and when to change how the Retail Prices Index (RPI) is calculated to bring it more into line with the, generally lower, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) We anticipate that this change will lead to a lower value for some of the RPI-linked assets held by the DB Plan. This impact is partially offset by an assumed reduction in the cost of providing deferred benefits which are revalued up to retirement in line with RPI.

The DB Plan’s actual financial position moves daily with changes in financial market conditions. However, in the agreed deficit recovery contributions we have made an allowance for a £10m deterioration in the deficit since 31 December 2019 to take account of the current impact of the two items above.

Financial pressures on employers

BUGB recognised very early that some churches and employers would suffer significant financial loss because of being unable to meet or to rent out their premises during the Coronavirus lockdown. BPS circulated a survey to all employers in April to ascertain how extensive this was. Although the proportion of employers expecting to struggle over the short term was fairly low, BUGB and the Employers’ Group were eager to offer some reduction since the effects are continuing.

We are not able to treat individual employers differently depending on their circumstances, so we have had to balance both the immediate needs of those churches under financial pressure and the longer term need to fully fund the DB Plan. We believe a 50% reduction for the six months from July to December 2020 achieves this balance.

The reduction will happen automatically, you do not need to take any action. Deficit recovery contributions from January 2021 will then return to the full level, including the normal inflationary increase for 2021. Please note that your contributions to the DC Plan for any ongoing members of BPS will continue at their full rate. This reduction only applies to the DB Plan deficit recovery contributions.

At the end of June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (‘Just’) to secure members’ pension benefits under the Defined Benefit (‘DB’) Plan. As a result, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. A revised statement of contributions was approved with deficit contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reducing to just £1 per month from August 2022. These ceased in November 2024, in line with moving to Just Group.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

19 Endowment funds

Endowment funds represent assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund.

At
Permanent endowments
Sutton Road Fund
Previous year:
At
Permanent endowments		 1 April
2024
At 31 March
2025
£
£
12,500
12,500
1 April
2023
At 31 March
2024
£
£
12,500
12,500

The endowment fund comprises funds relating to the former Sutton Road School. The land was conveyed to former Trustees for use as a school and for the the promotion of such religious, philanthropic or other purposes as the Minister and Deacons (Trustees) for the time being of Beechen Grove Baptist Chapel (now Beechen Grove Baptist Church) should from time to time direct. During the 1960s, the Trustees at the time directed that the school building was to be sold. Under the terms of the deeds the capital was to remain a permanent endowment, but the Trustees can use the interest on that capital for philanthropic or other purposes. The Sutton Road Fund was administered as a separate charity. In 1997, the Trustees at the time directed that the Sutton Road Fund and two other small charities were to be combined into the present registered charity. The amalgamation of these charities was completed in 1998. This amount is invested in Charinco Common Investment Fund. The permanent endowment of £12,500 is invested in Charinco. In common with most endowment funds, the charity is only able to use the interest earned, leaving the capital element untouched. Special application would have to be made before the capital could be released.

BEECHEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

20 Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Endownment
Fund
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by:
Investments
85,019
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
120,587
12,500
205,606
12,500
Unrestricted
Funds
Endownment
Fund
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by:
Investments
88,517
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
19,154
12,500
107,671
12,500		 Total
£
85,019
133,087
218,106
Total
£
88,517
31,654
120,171

21 Related party transactions

The custodian Trustee of the church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited (Charity No. 249635), which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council. The church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Central Baptist Association.

The church made a grant to the Baptist Union Home Mission Scheme as set out in note 8.

The Church had the following amounts outstanding on loans to trustees:

Mr K Adams £1,600 (2024 - £2,000) Mr K Tondoneh £0 (2024 - £1,200) Mrs E Tondoneh £390 (2024 - £0)

During the year, an amount of £590 was paid on behalf of Mrs E Tondoneh (spouse of Trustee Mr K Tondoneh) to a third party. £200 on this amount has been paid during the year with the remaining balance outstanding at the year end.

Beechen Grove Baptist Church Accounts 2025

Final Audit Report 2026-01-21

Created: 2026-01-09 By: John Wilson (campbell@howardwilson.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAI5yMfYzoKlVgCL1SekpOSd-2C1Tc20h_

"Beechen Grove Baptist Church Accounts 2025" History

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