# **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
**Company Registration Number 05958521 Charity Number 1118796**
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Contents**|**Pages**|
|---|---|
|Trustee Directors’ Annual Report|1–7|
|Reference and Administrative Information|8|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|9|
|Statement of Financial Activities|10|
|Balance Sheet|11|
|Cashflow Statement|12|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|13–25|
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
**TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **Objectives of Widcombe Baptist Church**
1. To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Covenant of Membership, Declaration of Faith and Church Rules as set out in the Church Members’ Handbook,
2. to relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship, or who are aged or sick,
3. to advance education in accordance with Christian principles,
all as the Trustee Directors may consider appropriate, in Bath and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustee Directors see fit.
## **Structure, governance and management**
Widcombe Baptist Church is a Registered Company No. 05958521 and a Registered Charity No. 1118796.
There have been no changes to the structure, governance or management in 2023.
The Trustee Directors of the charitable company are the Ministers, Elders, willing Deacons of Widcombe Baptist Church and other individuals recruited and appointed as defined in the Church Rules. For Ministers and Elders this involves support demonstrated by not less than 75% of the votes cast by ballot of Full Church Members and for Deacons it involves support demonstrated by not less than 66.6% of the votes cast by ballot of Full Church Members.
New Trustee Directors are provided with guidance issued by the Charity Commission regarding the duties of Trustee Directors.
The Church is affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).
## **Activities**
## **1. To advance the Christian faith.**
- a) In Bath: The Church proclaims the Christian Gospel through regular Sunday services and other meetings during the week, a Sunday School and clubs and activities for children, young people, students and the elderly from the surrounding area.
- b) In the United Kingdom: The Church has supported workers involved with the international communities in London, and with students at universities and colleges throughout the United Kingdom. The Church has also supported the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, which seeks to establish new churches, restore struggling churches and train people for Christian ministry across the United Kingdom.
1
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
- c) In the world: The Church has supported workers in Romania, Rajasthan, Myanmar, France, Central and Eastern Europe, South Africa and other parts of Africa, and nomadic peoples in Northern Africa and in the Middle East.
- d) The Church uses a variety of electronic communication methods to serve and promote its activities to both members, the wider community in Bath and further afield in the UK and beyond. 2023 saw a period of consolidation and growth as some existing communication channels were updated and as more people returned to church in person, channels such as YouTube saw a different usage pattern.
Throughout 2023, the church's website was visited by approximately 12,000 people, up 40% compared to the previous year. The use of YouTube has changed over the last year, with lower numbers watching live - roughly 55 people join concurrently with our morning service and 35 at our evening service. However, we see a great deal of views of previous services and other video material, growing to 36,000 views over the course of 2023. The church's sermons podcast, which allows people to catch up with previous talks saw around 500 downloads per month.
The church continues to use social media including Facebook and Twitter, along with more traditional email, leaflets and word of mouth to promote its activities.
**2. To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick and to relieve the distress caused thereby.**
- a) In Bath: The Church has supported the Genesis Trust which seeks to help people in need and hardship and has supported the Bridgemead residential home for elderly people. The Church operates a weekly coffee morning, 'Coffee Plus', for retired people, for companionship and as an introduction to church life. The Church operates a ‘Toddlers’ group to support carers of young children in the surrounding area.
- b) In the world: The workers supported by the Church have been involved in helping people in need by providing funds supporting a foodbank and employment for gypsy communities in Romania. The church also supports specific requests for financial assistance when major disasters (such as floods, hurricanes and droughts) affect impoverished communities.
## 3. **To advance education in accordance with Christian principles.**
- a) In Bath: The Church provided regular education and training through Sunday School and other activities for people of all ages. Three Ministry Trainees have been based and trained at the Church throughout the year. The Church has also supported a group which is invited to lead school assemblies and provide workshops as part of schools’ programmes of religious education. The Church has trained a number of individuals who preach the gospel at other churches in the area.
- b) In the United Kingdom: Members of the Church have been involved in outreach projects in the summer and at other times including beach missions and youth camps.
2
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
**TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
- c) In the world: The workers supported by the Church have been involved in long running educational projects in South Africa, Myanmar, Thailand and Central and Eastern Europe providing basic skills to people who would otherwise be uneducated, providing training for Christian leaders and the development of business and political leaders. The church has also supported various individuals going abroad on gap year and other short-term appointments.
## **Fundraising**
In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the Trustee Directors are required to report on certain aspects of fundraising. The requirements and comments are tabulated beneath
|**Issue requiring comment**|**Comment**|
|---|---|
|The fundraising approach taken by the charity, or by
anyone acting on its behalf, and whether a
professional fundraiser or commercial participator
carried out any fundraising activities.|Members and the congregation are invited
to make gifts to support the work of the
Church. A box for offerings is kept at the
back of the church. There is no compulsion
on members to give. No professional
fundraiser or commercial participator is
used.|
|Details of any fundraising standards or scheme for
fundraising regulation that the charity has voluntarily
subscribed to.|None|
|Details of any fundraising standards or scheme for
fundraising regulation that any person acting on behalf
of the charity has voluntarily subscribed to.|None|
|Details of any failure by the charity, or by any person
acting on its behalf, to comply with fundraising
standards or scheme for fundraising regulation that
the charity or the person acting on its behalf has
voluntarily subscribed to.|Not applicable.|
|Whether the charity monitored the fundraising
activities of any person acting on its behalf and, if so,
how it did so.|Not applicable.|
|The number of complaints received by the charity, or
by a person acting on its behalf for the purposes of
fundraising, about fundraising activity.|None|
|What the charity has done to protect vulnerable people
and other members of the public from behaviour
which:
•
is an unreasonable intrusion on a person’s privacy.
•
is unreasonably persistent.
•
places undue pressure on a person to give money or
other property.|The financial needs of the church are
periodically laid before members, but all
fundraising is voluntary with no compulsion
to give. Individuals are never approached
separately to make gifts. No collection is
taken in Services. Only the Treasurer and
his team of 2 other people (neither of whom
are Trustee Directors) are aware of what
has beengiven byindividuals.|
3
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
**TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **Review of developments and achievements**
During 2023 the membership increased from 235 to 257. There has been significant growth in the Sunday congregation, with attendance exceeding 450 on a Sunday morning.
In April 2023 we completed the sale of the property at 4 Abbey View Gardens for £700,000 and in September 2023 completed the purchase of a new build property at 14 Derryman’s Close, Bath for £774,995. This will serve as a Manse for the pastor, Tom Heasman, who was appointed in 2022. Abbey View Gardens was unsuitable for the purpose of a Manse.
The purchase was funded by the sale proceeds of Abbey View Gardens and surplus funds from the General Fund. These two transactions incurred legal costs and selling agent’s fees totalling £32,483.
The Trustees meet three times a year, or more frequently if required to ensure the charity meets its statutory obligations and charitable objectives, to manage the affairs of the Church, review the financial position and track the progress of major projects. A full Church Members ’ meeting is held quarterly.
## **Investment powers**
There are no specific restrictions on the Trustee Directors’ investment powers.
## **Risk analysis**
Major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been assessed and where necessary steps have been taken to minimise those risks. The Church Manager has specific responsibility for matters relating to Health and Safety and other regulatory issues. A GDPR Policy was adopted by the church in 2018.
Training in Child Protection, Health and Safety and Food handling is provided to appropriate personnel. The Church has a Safeguarding Policy which is reviewed annually and implemented with advice from Thirtyone:eight.
## **Financial Review**
- Unrestricted Fund Income increased by £41,259 to £414,515 This was due to:
- Donations and gifts increasing by £29,818, because of the growth in membership and congregation.
- £11,400 interest earned on the sale proceeds of Abbey View Gardens pending the purchase of the Manse.
- Unrestricted Fund Expenses increased by £39,715 to £421,649: This is primarily attributable to:
- The £32,483 costs associated with the sale of Abbey View Gardens and the purchase of the Manse.
4
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
**TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
- £21,059 expenditure (2022: £13,500) on rent for a temporary manse and removal expenses for the pastor, Tom Heasman.
- Unrestricted Fund net operating deficit improved by £1,544 from a deficit of £8,678 to a deficit of £7,134.
- Free Reserves fell by £71,753 from £149,563 to £77,810. This is due to £74,995 being injected to the purchase of the Manse.
- Reserves policy:
- The Directors have established a policy whereby General Funds not designated for a specific purpose (“the free reserves”) should be able to meet two months’ General Fund Core Expenditure.
- Core Expenditure is defined as Unrestricted Fund Expenses less exceptional one-off expenditure. In 2023 Core Expenditure was £364,968, calculated as follows:
|Unrestricted Fund Expenses:
Less exceptional expenses:
Roof repairs after theft of lead
Rent of temporary manse
Fees for purchase of manse and sale of property
One off mission gifts
Core Expenditure|£421,649
£6,618
£15,580
£32,483
£2,000
£364,968|
|---|---|
- Against this background, the Trustee Directors have agreed to increase the minimum reserve level to £60,000, but this will be kept under review in 2024.
- Providing there are sufficient free reserves to cover 2 months of Core Expenses and any capital expenditure expected in the next 3 years, the Trustees plan to distribute all General Fund income each year to works that support the Church’s objectives.
- Financial reports are presented to Trustee Directors quarterly and at each members meeting.
5
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **Properties**
The charity owns 2 residential properties as well as the main church premises. The properties are revalued each year by a professionally qualified valuer.
- 7 Spring Garden’s Road, Bath is used specifically to further the objectives of the charity and is currently occupied by a retired missionary at below market rate rent. Income and expenditure in respect of this property is treated as a charitable activity. This property is valued at £340,000, which is an increase of £15,000 since 2022.
- 14 Derryman’s Close, Bath, used as the Manse and occupied at present by the pastor, Tom Heasman and his family. The purchase was completed in September 2023 for £774,995 but the valuation in December 2023 is £750,000, a reduction of £24,995, which reflects that the purchase price was agreed in February 2022 and the market for these properties has fallen since that time.
- Church premises at Ebenezer Terrace, Pulteney Road, Bath. This is a Grade 2 listed property in central Bath. It was extended and improved in 2021/22 but the valuation remained at £600,000 due to the restriction on use as a place of worship and its Grade Listing 2 status. The value has not changed in 2023 and remains at £600,000 in our Balance Sheet.
6
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **Remuneration of Trustee Directors**
The charity’s constitution allows for no more than one third of the Trustee Directors to be remunerated for day to day running of the charity. Please see note 19 for details. Remuneration for charity employees is recommended by the Treasurer and approved by a majority of non – salaried Trustee Directors.
## **Trustee Directors’ responsibilities**
The Trustee Directors are responsible for preparing the Trustee Directors’ Report (i ncorporating the strategic report and directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: _The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (United Kingdom Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustee Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustee Directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The Trustee Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustee Directors have read and had regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission and have considered this and reviewed it at Trustee Directors' meetings to ensure that the projects developed by the Charity are relevant and topical for the public benefit.
By order of the Trustee Directors
C P Hutchison, Treasurer and Trustee Director Date:
7
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **Legal Status**
Widcombe Baptist Church is a charitable company limited by guarantee, governed by memorandum and articles of association (dated 6 October 2006).
## **Trustee Directors**
The trustee directors who have served during the year and since the year end are as follows:
A C Barnett A W Battle D M Bolton R L Evans D Halliday (appointed December 2023) T Heasman R Henwood C P Hutchison J T Pollard A T J M Rose R E Thomas (appointed October 2023) C R Todman N Willoughby K C W Wiltshire
## **Registered Office**
Ebenezer Terrace, Pulteney Road, Bath, BA2 4JR
## **Independent Examiner**
## **Solicitor**
Joshua Kingston ACA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
Edward Connor Solicitors 10 The Point Market Harborough LE16 7QU
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
**Registered company number:** 05958521 **Registered charity number:** 1118796
8
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2023**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Widcombe Baptist Church (‘ the Company ’) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **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 sectio n 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**
Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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.
Joshua Kingston ACA Date: …………………………. Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower, 5 Farleigh Court, Old Weston Road, Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
9
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including Income and Expenditure Account)**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**2**
Charitable and other trading activities
**3**
Investments
**4**
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds: costs of rented properties
Charitable activities
**5**
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**8**
**Transfers between funds**
**16**
**Other recognised gains and losses**
**12, 13**
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Total funds at the start of the year**
**17**
**Total funds at the end of the year**
**17**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
364,957
38,148
11,410|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
45,721
-
-|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
410,678
38,148
11,410|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
417,520
22,094
13,981|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||414,515|45,721|460,236|453,595|
||850
420,799|-
45,183|850
465,982|6,749
416,046|
||421,649|45,183|466,832|422,795|
||(7,134)
(2)
(9,995)|538
2
-|(6,596)
0
(9,995)|30,800
-
74,384|
||(17,131)
1,799,387|540
570|(16,591)
1,799,957|105,184
1,694,773|
||1,782,256|1,110|1,783,366|1,799,957|
The charity has no recognised gains and losses other than the results for the period as set out above
All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing
The comparative Statement of Financial Activities is shown in note 10
## **The notes on pages 13 to 25 form part of these financial statements**
10
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**12**
Investments (Abbey View Gardens)
**13**
**Current assets**
Debtors
**14**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors : Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
**15**
Net current assets
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Restricted funds
**17**
**17**
Unrestricted Designated funds
**17**
Unrestricted General funds (includes
property revaluation reserve of
£1,536,005 (2022: £1,546,000)|**2023**
**£**
1,701,242
-
1,701,242
15,491
70,994
86,485
(4,361)
82,124
1,783,366
1,110
1,779,052
3,204
1,783,366|**2022**
**£**
947,771
700,000|
|---|---|---|
|||1,647,771
15,371
141,394|
|||156,765
(4,579)|
|||152,186|
|||1,799,957|
|||570
1,797,334
2,053|
|||1,799,957|
For the year ending 31 December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors responsibilities:
- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the trustees and are signed on their behalf by:
……………………………………… Chris Hutchison Church Treasurer and Trustee Company registration number: 05958521
Date:
## **The notes on pages 13 to 25 form part of these financial statements**
11
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH CASHFLOW STATEMENT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**2023**
**Note**
**£**
**Cashflows from operating activities**
**A**
4,595
**Cashflows from non-operational activities**
**Investing Activities**
Purchase of freehold property (14 Derrymans Close)
(774,995)
Improvements to Freehold Property
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
-
Sale of Freehold Property (4 Abbey View Gardens)
700,000
(74,995)
**Net Cash inflow (outflow) for the year**
**B**
(70,400)
**NOTES TO CASHFLOW STATEMENT**
**A. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash inflow from operating activities**
Statement of Financial Activities: Net movement in funds
(16,591)
(Gains) / losses on revaluation of fixed assets
9,995
Depreciation
11,529
Increase (Decrease) in creditors
(218)
Increase (Decrease) in payments in advance
-
(Increase) Decrease in Debtors
(120)
Cashflows from operating activities
4,595
**B. Analysis of changes in cash during the year**
**2023**
**2022**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at Bank and in hand
70,994
141,394
(70,400)
70,994
141,394
(70,400)
**Comparative changes in cash 2022**
**2022**
**2021**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at Bank and in hand
141,394
127,069
14,325
141,394
127,069
14,325|**2023**
**Note**
**£**
**Cashflows from operating activities**
**A**
4,595
**Cashflows from non-operational activities**
**Investing Activities**
Purchase of freehold property (14 Derrymans Close)
(774,995)
Improvements to Freehold Property
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
-
Sale of Freehold Property (4 Abbey View Gardens)
700,000
(74,995)
**Net Cash inflow (outflow) for the year**
**B**
(70,400)
**NOTES TO CASHFLOW STATEMENT**
**A. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash inflow from operating activities**
Statement of Financial Activities: Net movement in funds
(16,591)
(Gains) / losses on revaluation of fixed assets
9,995
Depreciation
11,529
Increase (Decrease) in creditors
(218)
Increase (Decrease) in payments in advance
-
(Increase) Decrease in Debtors
(120)
Cashflows from operating activities
4,595
**B. Analysis of changes in cash during the year**
**2023**
**2022**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at Bank and in hand
70,994
141,394
(70,400)
70,994
141,394
(70,400)
**Comparative changes in cash 2022**
**2022**
**2021**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at Bank and in hand
141,394
127,069
14,325
141,394
127,069
14,325|(774,995)
-
-
700,000|**2023**
**£**
4,595
(74,995)|-
(25,616)
(2,158)
-|**2022**
**£**
42,099
(27,774)|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||
||||(70,400)||14,325|
||||||105,184
(74,384)
15,557
1,237
(3,600)
(1,895)|
||||4,595||42,099|
||||**Change**
**£**
(70,400)|||
||70,994|141,394|(70,400)|||
||**2022**
**£**
141,394|**2021**
**£**
127,069|**Change**
**£**
14,325|||
||141,394|127,069|14,325|||
**The notes on pages 13 to 25 form part of these financial statements**
12
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **(a) Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention (except for investments which have been included at fair value) and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in Oct 2019 and the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice applicable from 1.1.2019.
The charity is a public benefit entity as defined under FRS 102.
The trustees believe that there are no material uncertainties affecting the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.
## **(b) Income**
Income from donations are included when these are received, except as follows:
i) When donors specify that donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods.
ii) When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions have been met.
Gift Aid tax refunds on unrestricted gifts are credited to the General Fund and Gift Aid tax refunds on restricted gifts are credited to the designated beneficiary, unless the donor specifies otherwise and asks for the Gift Aid tax to go to the General Fund.
Legacies are recognised when the charity is legally entitled to the legacy and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Entitlement is regarded as the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.
Investment income is included in the SOFA when receivable.
## **(c) Expenditure**
Expenses are recognised when incurred and are apportioned where possible exactly to the category to which they relate. In circumstances where this is not possible the trustees apportion the amounts on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. Governance costs are included within support costs.
## **(d) Fixed Assets**
All tangible fixed assets costing £750 or more are capitalised.
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Equipment: 20% straight line.
Whatever the date of acquisition, a full year's depreciation charge is made in the year of acquisition.
No depreciation is charged on freehold properties, which instead are revalued each year and are subject to a regular program of inspection and maintenance. The Trustees revalue the property on the basis of advice from a qualified professional. The effective date of the most recent revaluation was 31.12.23.
## **(e) Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid need of any trade discounts due.
## **(f) Cash at bank and cash in hand**
This includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **(g) Creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting 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 normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
13
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **Accounting policies (continued)**
## **(h) Pension Scheme**
The charity operates defined contribution pension scheme arrangements. Contributions payable to the schemes are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. These contributions are invested separately from the charity's assets.
## **(i) Fund Accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees. Designated funds are unrestricted funds held by the treasurers of church auxiliaries for use in auxiliary activities. 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.
## **2 Income from Donations and legacies**
## **2023**
|Donations and gifts
Income tax refunds|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
304,591
60,366|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
38,102
7,619|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
342,693
67,985|
|---|---|---|---|
||364,957|45,721|410,678|
## **Comparative donations and legacies for the year ended 31 December 2022**
|Donations and gifts
Income tax refunds
Listed Places of Worship VAT refund grant|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
274,774
58,107
4,300|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
71,957
8,382
-|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
346,731
66,489
4,300|
|---|---|---|---|
||337,181|80,339|417,520|
## **3 Income from: charitable and other trading activities**
|Auxiliary activities
Event Fees
Hire of rooms
Insurance Claims
Christmas Mission Sales
Other General Fund Income
Spring Gardens Road Property Rent|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
6,484
3,449
5,810
5,000
4,204
8,401
4,800|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
4,509
-
6,630
-
-
5,755
5,200|
|---|---|---|
||38,148|22,094|
All income from Charitable and other trading activities for both current and prior year were unrestricted
14
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **4 Income from Investments**
|Property rental income
Interest on bank and building society deposits|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
-
11,410|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
13,720
261|
|---|---|---|
||11,410|13,981|
All income from Investments for the current and prior year was unrestricted.
## **5 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Activities in Bath
Activities elsewhere in the UK
Activities outside the UK|**£**
45,705
18,147
73,675
**Grants**
**made**
**(Note 6)**|**£**
110,766
-
-
**Direct costs**|**£**
213,335
2,177
2,177
**Support**
**costs**|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
369,806
20,324
75,852|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||137,527|110,766|217,689|465,982|
## **Comparative charitable activities for the year ended 31 December 2022**
|Activities in Bath
Activities elsewhere in the UK
Activities outside the UK|**£**
56,895
13,272
61,676
**Grants**
**made**
**(Note 6)**|**£**
98,676
-
-
**Direct costs**|**£**
181,817
1,855
1,855
**Support**
**costs**|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
337,388
15,127
63,531|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||131,843|98,676|185,527|416,046|
|_Direct costs_
Staff costs (Pastors & Pastoral Care)
Core Activities (Youth work, Guest speakers, special events)
International Café
Auxiliary Accounts|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
90,317
12,165
2,729
5,555|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
83,849
6,708
3,414
4,705|
|---|---|---|
||110,766|98,676|
15
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Expenditure on: charitable activities continued**
_Support costs_
Staff Costs (Manager and Administrator)
Office and Miscellaneous Costs
Insurance
Legal fees
Professional Services
Fuel
Cleaning expenses and materials
Church Flat
Maintenance of premises and equipment and equipment purchases < £750
New Building Project fitting out
Premises Improvement Project
Rent of Temporary Manse
Manse Expenses (Council Tax and other expenses excluding rent)
7 Spring Gardens Road
Governance costs (see note 7)
Equipment depreciation|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
57,286
28,872
9,735
23,519
8,964
11,912
8,947
1,630
31,025
-
-
15,580
5,479
991
2,220
11,529|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
63,601
20,915
8,577
-
-
10,729
6,696
1,961
19,437
9,449
12,800
13,500
-
115
2,190
15,557|
|---|---|---|
||217,689|185,527|
16
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **Total funds at the end of the year**
## **6 Analysis of grants**
|**2023**
**_To Organisations_**
**£**
Activities in Bath
Genesis Trust
3,000
Carols at the Rec
299
Bridgecare & Ray King Memorial Fund
1,500
Bath Youth for Christ
1,008
Focus Counselling
-
Open Christmas
-
University of Bath CU
250
Bath Spa Uni - CU
250
UCCF Bath
832
Activities elsewhere in the UK
Friends International
6,154
UCCF
500
FIEC
8,193
Contagious
300
Leftwich Church
2,000
Activities outside the UK
UFM Worldwide
1,500
South Asia Concern (NVS)
700
Tear Fund
475
Mission in Romania
13,781
Open Doors
8,785
Barnabus
500
Innovista
3,860
**_Sub Total to Organisations_**
**To individuals**|**2022**
**£**
3,000
-
11,500
1,008
250
250
200
200
-
7,139
5,614
500
6,858
300
-
17,147
1,500
1,000
-
6,970
-
1,200
10,079
29,601
53,887
83,640
137,527||
|---|---|---|
|||16,408|
|||13,272|
|||20,749|
|||50,429
81,414|
|||131,843|
17
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**7**|**Governance costs**
Independent examiner's fees
Current year|**2023**
**£**
2,220|**2022**
**£**
2,190|
|---|---|---|---|
|||2,220|2,190|
## **8 Net income/(expenditure)**
This is stated after charging:
|**2023**
**£**
Remuneration of trustees and related parties (see note 19)
132,404
Trustees' expenses reimbursed (4 trustees; 2022 - 4 trustees)
4,195
for travel, use of phone for work, training, conferences and Heasman relocation costs
Depreciation
11,529
Independent Examiner's fee
2,220
**Staff costs and numbers**
The aggregate staff costs were
**2023**
**£**
Wages and salaries
112,315
Social security costs
12,577
Pension costs
22,711
147,603
**No.**
**Staff numbers**
Based on average headcount of employees
Pastoral
3.0
Administrative
2.0
5.0
**Staff numbers**
Full time equivalent
Pastoral
2.6
Administrative
1.5
4.1|**2023**
**£**
Remuneration of trustees and related parties (see note 19)
132,404
Trustees' expenses reimbursed (4 trustees; 2022 - 4 trustees)
4,195
for travel, use of phone for work, training, conferences and Heasman relocation costs
Depreciation
11,529
Independent Examiner's fee
2,220
**Staff costs and numbers**
The aggregate staff costs were
**2023**
**£**
Wages and salaries
112,315
Social security costs
12,577
Pension costs
22,711
147,603
**No.**
**Staff numbers**
Based on average headcount of employees
Pastoral
3.0
Administrative
2.0
5.0
**Staff numbers**
Full time equivalent
Pastoral
2.6
Administrative
1.5
4.1|**2022**
**£**
119,302
8,740
15,557
2,190
**2022**
**£**
114,585
12,262
20,603|
|---|---|---|
||147,603|147,450|
||**No.**
3.0
2.0|**No.**
3.0
2.0|
||5.0|5.0|
||2.6
1.5|2.6
1.5|
||4.1|4.1|
## **9 Staff costs and numbers**
No staff received employment benefits of more than £60,000 (excluding employer's national insurance and pension contributions) in 2023 or 2022.
The Trustees consider the key management personnel of the charity to be themselves and L Battle. Total benefits received for services to the charity including employer's national insurance and pension contributions were £132,404 (2022: £119,302). See note 19 for details of Trustee and related parties remuneration.
18
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **10 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2022**
|**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable and other trading activities
Investments
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds: costs of rented properties
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Other recognised gains and losses**
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Total funds at the start of the year**
**Total funds at the end of the year**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
337,181
22,094
13,981|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
80,339
-
-|**Total Funds**
**2022**
**£**
417,520
22,094
13,981|
|---|---|---|---|
||373,256|80,339|453,595|
||6,749
375,185|-
40,861|6,749
416,046|
||381,934|40,861|422,795|
||(8,678)
39,038
74,384|39,478
(39,038)
-|30,800
-
74,384|
||104,744
1,694,643|440
130|105,184
1,694,773|
||1,799,387|570|1,799,957|
## **11 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
19
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **12 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Freehold**
**Property**
**Equipment**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 January 2023
925,000
245,970
1,170,970
Additions (New Manse)
774,995
-
774,995
Revaluation
(9,995)
-
(9,995)
At 31 December 2023
1,690,000
245,970
1,935,970
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2023
-
223,199
223,199
Charge for the year
-
11,529
11,529
At 31 December 2023
-
234,728
234,728
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2023
1,690,000
11,242
1,701,242
At 31 December 2022
925,000
22,771
947,771
Freehold properties are included at the trustees' valuation at 31 December 2023.
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
Church building and associated premises
not known
not known
Freehold house at Spring Gardens Road
79,000
79,000
Freehold House at Derryman's Close (Manse)
774,995
-
**Analysis of freehold properties at valuation**
Held for use by the charity:
Church building and associated premises
600,000
600,000
Freehold House at Derryman's Close (Manse)
750,000
-
Residential property for mixed purposes (Spring Garden's Road)
340,000
325,000
1,690,000
925,000
If the freehold land and buildings had not been revalued they would have been included at the following historical
cost:|**Freehold**
**Property**
**£**
925,000
774,995
(9,995)|**Equipment**
**£**
245,970
-
-|**Total**
**£**
1,170,970
774,995
(9,995)|
|---|---|---|---|
||1,690,000|245,970|1,935,970|
||-
-|223,199
11,529|223,199
11,529|
||-|234,728|234,728|
|||||
||1,690,000|11,242|1,701,242|
||925,000|22,771|947,771|
The residential properties were revalued at 31 December 2023 by an experienced property agent. The church premises was professionally valued in December 2021 and updated by an experienced agent in December 2023. On an existing use basis the opinion is that the market value remains £600,000.
20
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **13 Investment Property at Abbey View Gardens**
|**Investment Property at Abbey View Gardens**||
|---|---|
|At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2023|**£**
700,000|
||-|
The property was sold in April 2023 for £700,000 and the sale proceeds invested in a new manse which appears in Note 12 as an addition costing £774,995. The new property is a charitable asset
## **14 Debtors**
|**14**
**Debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
|Income tax recoverable
**15**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accrued expenses|**2023**
**£**
15,491|**2022**
**£**
15,371|
||15,491|15,371|
||**2023**
**£**
4,361|**2022**
**£**
4,579|
||4,361|4,579|
21
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **16 Movements in funds**
**For the year ended 31 December 2023**
|**At 1**
**January**
**2023**
**£**
**Restricted Funds**
Mission to Europe
-
Open Doors
-
Tear Fund
-
May Culver Funeral Offering
385
Gifts to Individuals
185
570
**Unrestricted Designated Funds**
Designated (Auxiliary) funds
2,053
2,053
**Unrestricted General Funds**
Property revaluation reserve
1,546,000
General funds
251,334
1,797,334
**Total funds**
1,799,957
**For the year ended 31 December 2022**
**At 1**
**January**
**2022**
**£**
**Restricted Funds**
Building fund
-
Mission to Europe
100
Bridgemead
-
Innovista
-
Barnabus
-
May Culver Funeral Offering
-
Gifts to Individuals
30
130
**Unrestricted Designated Funds**
Designated (Auxiliary) funds
2,249
Designated Building Fund
27,317
29,566
**Unrestricted General Funds**
Property revaluation reserve
444,671
General funds
1,220,406
1,665,077
**Total funds**
1,694,773|**At 1**
**January**
**2023**
**£**
-
-
-
385
185|**Income and**
**Gains**
**£**
6,718
8,782
475
-
29,746|**Expenditure**
**and Losses**
**£**
(6,100)
(8,785)
(475)
(350)
(29,473)|**Transfers**
**£**
-
3
-
-
(1)|**At 31**
**December**
**2023**
**£**
618
-
-
35
457|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||570|45,721|(45,183)|2|1,110|
||2,053|6,484|(5,555)|222|3,204|
||2,053|6,484|(5,555)|222|3,204|
||1,546,000
251,334|-
408,031|(9,995)
(416,094)|-
(224)|1,536,005
243,047|
||1,797,334|408,031|(426,089)|(224)|1,779,052|
|||||||
||1,799,957|460,236|(476,827)|-|1,783,366|
|||**Income and**
**Gains**
**£**
39,038
8,564
81
10,079
150
770
21,657|**Expenditure**
**and Losses**
**£**
0
(8,664)
(81)
(10,079)
(150)
(385)
(21,502)|**Transfers**
**£**
(39,038)
-
-
-
-
-
-|**At 31**
**December**
**2022**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
385
185|
||130|80,339|(40,861)|(39,038)|570|
||2,249
27,317|4,509
-|(4,705)
(9,449)|-
(17,868)|2,053
-|
||29,566|4,509|(14,154)|(17,868)|2,053|
||444,671
1,220,406|74,384
368,747|-
(367,780)|1,026,945
(970,039)|1,546,000
251,334|
||1,665,077|443,131|(367,780)|56,906|1,797,334|
|||||||
||1,694,773|527,979|(422,795)|-|1,799,957|
22
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **16 Movements in funds - notes**
## **Restricted Funds**
Restricted funds are principally where the church collects gifts for specific purposes. Such gifts and offerings are normally passed on to the nominated beneficiaries soon after receipt.
## **Mission to Europe**
Gifts to support work in Romania, in addition to gifts made by the Church from the General Fund.
## **Open Doors**
Support to persecuted Christians, by supplying Bibles, providing emergency relief and helping persecuted believers stand strong for the long-term.
## **Tear Fund**
Tearfund is a Christian Charity that partners with churches in the world's poorest countries, tackling poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice
## **May Culver Funeral Offering**
The widow of a former pastor. Funds are being distributed in accordance with the family's instructions.
## **Gifts to Individuals**
Gifts to missionaries and the needy, in addition to gifts made by the Church from the General Fund.
## **Barnabus Fund**
Provides spiritual and practical assistance to persecuted Christians. Our gifts were for flood relief in Pakistan.
## **Building Fund**
The building of a new extension and refurbishment of the existing premises to provide additional capacity, improved flexibility of use and support outreach and accessibility.
## **Bridgemead**
A Christian Home for the elderly. These gifts are to support the project to protect the building from flooding.
## **Innovista**
Provides practical support and training to Christian leaders in the Ukraine and other parts of eastern Europe. In 2022 we provided £10,079 to help local churches support refugees in Ukraine.
## **Unrestricted Designated funds**
For Junior Church, Youth Groups, Men's' Breakfast, Ladies Brunch, Toddlers and Coffee Plus.
## **Property Revaluation Reserve**
The total of property value adjustments up to the current year.
23
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **17 Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **As at 31 December 2023**
|**As at 31 December 2023**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Restricted funds
Unrestricted Designated funds
Unrestricted General funds
**Total funds**
**As at 31 December 2022**|**Tangible**
**Fixed**
**Assets**
**£**
-
-
1,701,242|**Investments**
**£**
-
-
-|**Other**
**Net Assets**
**£**
1,110
3,204
77,810|**Total**
**£**
1,110
3,204
1,779,052|
||1,701,242|-|82,124|1,783,366|
||||||
|Restricted funds
Unrestricted Designated funds
Unrestricted General funds
**Total funds**|**Tangible**
**£**
-
-
947,771|**Investments**
**£**
-
-
700,000|**Other**
**£**
570
2,053
149,563|**Total**
**£**
570
2,053
1,797,334|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||947,771|700,000|152,186|1,799,957|
## **18 Company limited by guarantee**
The company is limited by guarantee and as such has no issued share capital. In the event of the company being wound up the liability of the members is limited to £1 each.
24
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **19 Related party transactions**
Trustee remuneration (excluding expenses). Up to 2022 these figures included business expenses paid to trustees for travel, training, entertainment and other approved expenses. Excluding expenses is a more accurate reflection of employment costs. In 2023 Trustee expenses were £4,195 (2022: £8,740).
Under the Articles of Association, article 5, not more than 1/3 of the Trustees may be remunerated for services provided under a contract of employment.
The minimum number of Trustees that held office in the year was 12 (2022: 11).
||**Salary &**|**Employer**|**Total 2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Employer**|**pension**||
||**NI**|||
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|T Heasman|40,810|4,501|45,311|
|C Todman|26,428|4,500|30,928|
|L Battle (wife of Trustee)|9,278|929|10,207|
|R Evans (retired 31/7/23)|18,991|1,746|20,737|
|R Thomas (appointed 1/10/23)|23,000|2,221|25,221|
||118,507|13,897|132,404|
|||||
|Donations (excluding Gift Aid recovered) received from Trustees|||52,807|
|**Comparative Trustee Remuneration 2022**||||
|**Comparative Trustee Remuneration 2022**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||**Salary &**|**Employer**|**Total 2022**|
||**Employer**|**pension**||
||**NI**|||
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|P Mallard (retired as pastor August 2022)|20,150|2,454|22,604|
|T Heasman (appointed Pastor September 2022)|13,624|1,623|15,247|
|C Todman|24,595|3,891|28,486|
|L Battle (wife of Trustee)|8,764|871|9,635|
|R Evans|39,176|4,154|43,330|
||106,309|12,993|119,302|
|||||
|Donations (excluding Gift Aid recovered) received from Trustees|||65,599|
25