## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 DECEMBER 2024**
**Company Registration Number 05958521 Charity Number 1118796**
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Contents**|**Pages**|
|---|---|
|Trustee Directors’ Annual Report|1 – 8|
|Reference and Administrative Information|9|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|10|
|Statement of Financial Activities|11|
|Balance Sheet|12|
|Cashflow Statement|13|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|14 – 26|
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
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 2024.
## **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 and
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 2024.
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 2024**
- c) In the world: The Church has supported workers in Romania, Myanmar, France, Central and Eastern Europe, 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.
In 2024, use of the church's sermon podcast increased by over 50% compared to the previous year, reaching around 800 downloads per month in the second half of the year. Usage of the church's website reduced to around 8,400 unique visitors during 2024, which reflects that our core member group now tends to stay connected with church activity by using ChurchSuite, the podcast, YouTube and other social media as regular communication channels. Views on YouTube of both our live streams and access to historical content remain stable with roughly 50 people joining live for each morning service and around 37,000 downloads of previously streamed content, a slight increase compared with 2023.
**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 2024**
- c) In the world: The workers supported by the Church have been involved in long running educational projects in 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 2024**
## **Review of developments and achievements**
During 2024 the membership increased from 257 to 288, an increase of 31. There has been significant growth in the Sunday congregation, with attendance exceeding 450 on a Sunday morning. 16 people were baptised.
In March 2024 the Trustees recommended that we support the revitalisation of Sladebrook Evangelical Church, a small fellowship with a declining congregation and no pastor in an area of Bath not well served by gospel centred churches. This was supported by Members.
We have agreed to cover 2/3[rd] salary costs of a Revitalisation Pastor for Sladebrook for up to one year, plus 1/3[rd] accommodation costs for one year and up to £5,000 relocation costs.
An individual was recruited in November 2024, to start in February 2025. All the costs associated with this support will be incurred in 2025, for which funds are already available due to the increase in gifts experienced in 2024. In addition, several members from Widcombe will relocate to Sladebrook from later 2025 to support the new Pastor and boost the congregation.
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.
4
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Financial Review**
Key financial measures are tabulated beneath.
Key points to note:
- The significant increase in gifts was driven by the growth in membership and congregation, plus a legacy of £6,000 and an unexpected one-off gift of £23,500.
- Expenses reduced in 2024. This is mainly because 2023 included £32,483 legal costs and agent’s fees associated with the purchase of the new manse and £15,580 for the temporary rental of a property for the new Pastor pending completion of the new manse.
- The increase in income, combined with the reduction in expenses, led to a large increase in Net Income and a very significant increase in Reserves.
- Financial reports are presented to Trustee Directors quarterly and at each members meeting.
5
**TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Reserves policy**
The Directors have reviewed the approach to Reserves and established a new policy (approved at the Trustee AGM in February 2025) whereby General Funds not designated for a specific purpose (“the Cash Reserves”) should be able to meet two months’ General Fund Core Expenditure. The calculation is on a cash basis.
Core Expenditure is defined as Unrestricted Fund Expenses less 25% of the costs of regular activities and routine repairs and maintenance (on the basis that these costs could be curtailed if necessary) less exceptional one-off expenditure all as tabulated beneath for 2023 and 2024, with a forward-looking estimate for 2025.
Based on these figures the Directors plan to increase minimum Cash Reserves from £60,000 at the end of 2024 to £65,000 at the end of 2025.
6
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Properties**
The charity owns 2 residential properties as well as the main church premises.
The valuation of the residential properties has been adjusted by reference to HM Land registry House Price Index for Bath and North East Somerset.
- 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 £345,000, which is an increase of £5,000 since 2023.
- 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 and the current valuation is £760,000, an increase of £10,000 on 2023, but still £14,995 less than the purchase price, which is to be expected as there is always a premium for new houses.
The Church premises at Ebenezer Terrace, Pulteney Road, Bath 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. This is a very difficult property to value as it has no obvious alternative use and as there are biblical texts inscribed on the roof tiles with bright white paint which form part of the listing it would be an unattractive property for most secular uses. For balance sheet purposes the valuation stays at £600,000 for 2024 and is unlikely to change.
7
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **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 (incorporating 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: 26 June 2025
8
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **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 T Heasman R Henwood C P Hutchison J T Pollard A T J M Rose R E Thomas C R Todman S M Walker (appointed October 2024) N Willoughby K C W Wiltshire (Resigned March 2024)
## **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
9
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **31 DECEMBER 2024**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Widcombe Baptist Church (‘the Company’) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
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 am 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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. osha Kingston Joshua Kingston ACA Date: …………………………. 26 June 2025 Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower, 5 Farleigh Court, Old Weston Road, Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
10
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including Income and Expenditure Account)**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**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**
**15**
**Other recognised gains and losses**
**12**
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Total funds at the start of the year**
**15**
**Total funds at the end of the year**
**15**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
463,919
35,498
1,718|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
29,472
-
-|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
493,391
35,498
1,718|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
410,678
38,148
11,410|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||501,135|29,472|530,607|460,236|
||-
376,427|-
22,980|-
399,407|850
465,982|
||376,427|22,980|399,407|466,832|
||124,708
31
15,000|6,492
(31)
-|131,200
-
15,000|(6,596)
-
(9,995)|
||139,739
1,782,256|6,461
1,110|146,200
1,783,366|(16,591)
1,799,957|
||1,921,995|7,571|1,929,566|1,783,366|
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 14 to 26 form part of these financial statements**
11
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||
|Tangible assets|**12**|1,711,325|1,701,242|
|**Current assets**||||
|Debtors|**13**|26,565|15,491|
|Cash at bank and in hand||194,016|70,994|
|||220,581|86,485|
|**Creditors : Amounts falling**||||
|**due within one year**|**14**|(2,340)|(4,361)|
|Net current assets||218,241|82,124|
|**Net assets**||1,929,566|1,783,366|
|**Funds**||||
|Restricted funds|**16**|7,571|1,110|
|Unrestricted General funds (includes|**16**|1,918,917|1,779,052|
|property revaluation reserve of||||
|£1,551,005 (2023: £1,536,005)||||
|Unrestricted Designated funds|**16**|3,078|3,204|
|||1,929,566|1,783,366|
For the year ending 31 December 2024 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 sections 144(2) and 476 of the Charities Act 2011.
- 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 special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
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: 26 June 2025
## **The notes on pages 14 to 26 form part of these financial statements**
12
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH CASHFLOW STATEMENT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**2024**
**Note**
**£**
**Cashflows from operating activities**
**A**
126,579
**Cashflows from non-operational activities**
**Investing Activities**
Purchase of freehold property (14 Derrymans Close)
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(3,557)
Sale of Freehold Property (4 Abbey View Gardens)
-
(3,557)
**Net Cash inflow (outflow) for the year**
**B**
123,022
**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
146,200
(Gains) / losses on revaluation of fixed assets
(15,000)
Depreciation
8,474
Increase (Decrease) in creditors
(2,021)
(Increase) Decrease in Debtors
(11,074)
Cashflows from operating activities
126,579
**B. Analysis of changes in cash during the year**
**2024**
**2023**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at Bank and in hand
194,016
70,994
123,022
194,016
70,994
123,022
**Comparative changes in cash 2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at hand and in Bank
70,994
141,394
(70,400)
70,994
141,394
(70,400)|**2024**
**Note**
**£**
**Cashflows from operating activities**
**A**
126,579
**Cashflows from non-operational activities**
**Investing Activities**
Purchase of freehold property (14 Derrymans Close)
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(3,557)
Sale of Freehold Property (4 Abbey View Gardens)
-
(3,557)
**Net Cash inflow (outflow) for the year**
**B**
123,022
**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
146,200
(Gains) / losses on revaluation of fixed assets
(15,000)
Depreciation
8,474
Increase (Decrease) in creditors
(2,021)
(Increase) Decrease in Debtors
(11,074)
Cashflows from operating activities
126,579
**B. Analysis of changes in cash during the year**
**2024**
**2023**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at Bank and in hand
194,016
70,994
123,022
194,016
70,994
123,022
**Comparative changes in cash 2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**Change**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Cash at hand and in Bank
70,994
141,394
(70,400)
70,994
141,394
(70,400)|-
(3,557)
-|**2024**
**£**
126,579
(3,557)|(774,995)
-
700,000|**2023**
**£**
4,595
(74,995)|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||
||||123,022||(70,400)|
||||||(16,591)
9,995
11,529
(218)
(120)|
||||126,579||4,595|
||||**Change**
**£**
123,022|||
||194,016|70,994|123,022|||
||**2023**
**£**
70,994|**2022**
**£**
141,394|**Change**
**£**
(70,400)|||
||70,994|141,394|(70,400)|||
**The notes on pages 14 to 26 form part of these financial statements**
13
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **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. Average gift per member has not been impacted by cost of living issues.
## **(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 residential properties on the basis of a recognised House Price Index. The effective date of the most recent revaluation was 31.12.24.
## **(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 net 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.
14
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **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**
## **2024**
|Donations and gifts
Legacies
Income tax refunds|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
376,591
6,000
81,328|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
25,216
-
4,256|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
401,807
6,000
85,584|
|---|---|---|---|
||463,919|29,472|493,391|
## **Comparative donations and legacies for the year ended 31 December 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|
## **3 Income from: charitable activities**
|Auxiliary activities
Event Fees
Hire of rooms
Insurance Claims
Christmas Mission Sales
Other General Fund Income
Spring Gardens Road Property Rent|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
3,275
7,128
8,341
-
261
11,693
4,800|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
6,484
3,449
5,810
5,000
4,204
8,401
4,800|
|---|---|---|
||35,498|38,148|
All income from Charitable and other trading activities for both current and prior year were unrestricted
15
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **4 Income from Investments**
|Interest on bank and building society deposits|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
1,718|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
11,410|
|---|---|---|
||1,718|11,410|
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|**£**
20,128
16,394
50,491
**Grants**
**made**
**(Note 6)**|**£**
151,916
-
-
**Direct costs**|**£**
157,268
1,605
1,605
**Support**
**costs**|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
329,312
17,999
52,096|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||87,013|151,916|160,478|399,407|
## **Comparative charitable activities for the year ended 31 December 2023**
|Activities in Bath
Activities elsewhere in the UK
Activities outside the UK|**£**
45,355
18,147
74,025
**Grants**
**made**
**(Note 6)**|**£**
110,766
-
-
**Direct costs**|**£**
213,335
2,177
2,177
**Support**
**costs**|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
369,456
20,324
76,202|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||137,527|110,766|217,689|465,982|
|_Direct costs_
Staff costs (Pastors & Pastoral Care)
Core Activities (Youth work, Guest speakers, special events)
International Café
Auxiliary Accounts|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
127,739
16,990
3,786
3,401|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
90,317
12,165
2,729
5,555|
|---|---|---|
||151,916|110,766|
16
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**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
Rent of Temporary Manse
Manse Expenses (Council Tax and other expenses)
7 Spring Gardens Road expenses
Governance costs (see note 7)
Equipment depreciation|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
49,540
29,742
11,257
72
-
11,086
12,772
2,341
23,764
-
3,832
5,258
2,340
8,474|**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|
|---|---|---|
||160,478|217,689|
17
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **6 Analysis of grants**
|**2024**
**_To Organisations_**
**£**
Activities in Bath
Genesis Trust
3,000
Carols at the Rec
2,770
Bridgecare & Ray King Memorial Fund
1,500
Bath Youth for Christ
1,000
University of Bath CU
250
Bath Spa Uni - CU
250
UCCF Worker in Bath
2,496
Activities elsewhere in the UK
Friends International
6,300
UCCF
500
FIEC
8,844
Contagious
-
Leftwich Church
-
Activities outside the UK
UFM Worldwide
1,500
South Asia Concern (NVS)
-
Tear Fund
-
Mission to Romania
11,594
Open Doors
-
Barnabus
-
Innovista
4,200
**_Sub Total to Organisations_**
**To individuals**|**2023**
**£**
3,000
299
1,500
1,008
250
250
832
11,266
6,154
500
8,193
300
2,000
15,644
1,500
700
475
13,781
8,785
500
3,860
17,294
44,204
42,809
87,013||
|---|---|---|
|||7,139|
|||17,147|
|||29,601|
|||51,887
85,640|
|||137,527|
18
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**7**|**Governance costs**
Independent examiner's fees
Current year|**2024**
**£**
2,340|**2023**
**£**
2,220|
|---|---|---|---|
|||2,340|2,220|
## **8 Net income/(expenditure)**
This is stated after charging:
|Remuneration of trustees and related parties (see note 18)
Trustees' expenses reimbursed (4 trustees; 2023 - 4 trustees)
for travel, use of phone for work, training and conferences)
Depreciation
Independent Examiner's fee
**Staff costs and numbers**
The aggregate staff costs were
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
**Staff numbers**
Based on average headcount of employees
Pastoral
Administrative
**Staff numbers**
Full time equivalent
Pastoral
Administrative|**2024**
**£**
126,117
4,883
8,474
2,340
**2024**
**£**
148,067
8,840
15,506|**2023**
**£**
132,404
4,195
11,529
2,220
**2023**
**£**
122,081
6,408
15,049|
|---|---|---|
||172,413|143,538|
||**No.**
4.0
2.0|**No.**
3.0
2.0|
||6.0|5.0|
||3.6
1.5|2.6
1.5|
||5.1|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 2024 or 2023.
The Trustees consider the key management personnel of the charity to be themselves and L Battle. Total benefits
19
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **10 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2023**
|**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**
**£**
364,957
38,148
11,410|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
45,721
-
-|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
410,678
38,148
11,410|
|---|---|---|---|
||414,515|45,721|460,236|
||850
420,799|-
45,183|850
465,982|
||421,649|45,183|466,832|
||(7,134)
(2)
(9,995)|538
2
-|(6,596)
-
(9,995)|
||(17,131)
1,799,387|540
570|(16,591)
1,799,957|
||1,782,256|1,110|1,783,366|
## **11 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
20
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**12**
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Freehold**
**Property**
**Equipment**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 January 2024
1,690,000
245,970
1,935,970
Additions
-
3,557
3,557
Revaluation
15,000
-
15,000
At 31 December 2024
1,705,000
249,527
1,954,527
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2024
-
234,728
234,728
Charge for the year
-
8,474
8,474
At 31 December 2024
-
243,202
243,202
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2024
1,705,000
6,325
1,711,325
At 31 December 2023
1,690,000
11,242
1,701,242
Freehold properties are included at the trustees' valuation at 31 December 2024.
**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
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
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)
760,000
750,000
Residential property for mixed purposes (Spring Garden's Road)
345,000
340,000
1,705,000
1,690,000
If the freehold land and buildings had not been revalued they would have been included at the following historical
cost:|**Freehold**
**Property**
**£**
1,690,000
-
15,000|**Equipment**
**£**
245,970
3,557
-|**Total**
**£**
1,935,970
3,557
15,000|
|---|---|---|---|
||1,705,000|249,527|1,954,527|
||-
-|234,728
8,474|234,728
8,474|
||-|243,202|243,202|
|||||
||1,705,000|6,325|1,711,325|
|||||
||1,690,000|11,242|1,701,242|
The residential properties were revalued at 31 December 2024 using the HM Land Registry House Price Index. The church premises was professionally valued in December 2021 and updated by an experienced agent in December 2023. On an existing use basis the Trustees' opinion is that the market value remains £600,000.
21
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **13 Debtors**
|**13**
**Debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
|Income tax recoverable
**14**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accrued expenses|**2024**
**£**
26,565|**2023**
**£**
15,491|
||26,565|15,491|
||**2024**
**£**
2,340|**2023**
**£**
4,361|
||2,340|4,361|
22
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **15 Movements in funds**
**For the year ended 31 December 2024**
|**At 1**
**January**
**2024**
**£**
**Restricted Funds**
Mission to Europe
618
Innovista (Ukraine)
-
Africa Inland Mission (Rendile People)
-
Wycliffe Bible Translators
-
Tear Fund
-
May Culver Funeral Offering
35
Gifts to Individuals
457
1,110
**Unrestricted Designated Funds**
Designated (Auxiliary) funds
3,204
3,204
**Unrestricted General Funds**
Property revaluation reserve
1,536,005
General funds
243,047
1,779,052
**Total funds**
1,783,366
**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|**At 1**
**January**
**2024**
**£**
618
-
-
-
-
35
457|**Income and**
**Gains**
**£**
8,155
50
1,871
2,500
731
-
16,165|**Expenditure**
**and Losses**
**£**
(3,657)
-
(312)
(2,500)
(735)
-
(15,776)|**Transfers**
**£**
-
-
-
-
4
(35)
-|**At 31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
5,116
50
1,559
-
-
-
846|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||1,110|29,472|(22,980)|(31)|7,571|
||3,204|3,275|(3,401)|-|3,078|
||3,204|3,275|(3,401)|-|3,078|
||1,536,005
243,047|15,000
497,860|-
(373,026)|-
31|1,551,005
367,912|
||1,779,052|512,860|(373,026)|31|1,918,917|
|||||||
||1,783,366|545,607|(399,407)|-|1,929,566|
|||**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|
23
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **15 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.
## **Innovista**
Provides practical support and training to Christian leaders in the Ukraine and other parts of eastern Europe.
## **Africa Inland Mission (AIM) Rendile People**
AIM serves and partners with churches to advance the gospel among Africans who have the least opportunity to hear about Jesus. Our support is directed to ministry amongst the Rendille who are a semi-nomadic unreached people group living in northern Kenya.
## **Wycliffe Bible Translators**
The purpose of the organisation is to provide the Bible in every known language so that in every community worldwide people have access to God's Word in their own language.
## **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 have been distributed in accordance with the family's instructions.
## **Open Doors**
Support to persecuted Christians, by supplying Bibles, providing emergency relief and helping persecuted believers stand strong for the long-term.
## **Gifts to Individuals**
Gifts to missionaries and the needy, in addition to gifts made by the Church from the General Fund.
## **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.
24
## **WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **16 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**As at 31 December 2024**
Restricted funds
Unrestricted Designated funds
Unrestricted General funds
**Total funds**
**As at 31 December 2023**
Restricted funds
Unrestricted Designated funds
Unrestricted General funds
**Total funds**|**Tangible**
**Fixed**
**Assets**
**£**
-
-
1,711,325|**Other**
**Net Assets**
**£**
7,571
3,078
207,592|**Total**
**£**
7,571
3,078
1,918,917|
|---|---|---|---|
||1,711,325|218,241|1,929,566|
||**Tangible**
**Fixed**
**Assets**
**£**
-
-
1,701,242|**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|
## **17 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.
25
**WIDCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **18 Related party transactions**
Trustee remuneration (excluding expenses). In 2024 Trustee expenses were £4,883 (2023: £4,195). 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 14 (2023: 14).
|**Salary &**
**Employer**
**NI**
**£**
T Heasman
47,198
C Todman
28,054
L Battle (wife of Trustee)
9,826
R Thomas
29,540
114,618
Donations (excluding Gift Aid recovered) received from Trustees|**Salary &**
**Employer**
**NI**
**£**
47,198
28,054
9,826
29,540|**Employer**
**pension**
**£**
4,099
4,099
855
2,446|**Total 2024**
**£**
51,297
32,153
10,681
31,986|
|---|---|---|---|
||114,618|11,499|126,117|
|||||
||||60,974|
## **Comparative Trustee Remuneration 2023**
|**Salary &**
**Employer**
**NI**
**£**
T Heasman
40,810
C Todman
26,428
L Battle (wife of Trustee)
9,278
R Evans (retired 31/7/23)
18,991
R Thomas (appointed 1/10/23)
23,000
118,507
Donations (excluding Gift Aid recovered) received from Trustees|**Salary &**
**Employer**
**NI**
**£**
40,810
26,428
9,278
18,991
23,000|**Employer**
**pension**
**£**
4,501
4,500
929
1,746
2,221|**Total 2023**
**£**
45,311
30,928
10,207
20,737
25,221|
|---|---|---|---|
||118,507|13,897|132,404|
|||||
||||52,807|
26
## Audit Trail
## **Document Details**
**Title** WBC - Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 - For signing.pdf **File Name** WBC - Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 - For signing.pdf **Document ID** a5a5b92115d64211b4fe605502a8b612 **Fingerprint** 8b785dcebf05ef92594f424cf6581b16 **Status** Completed Ld
|**Document History**|**Document History**||
|---|---|---|
|**Document Created**|Document Created by Kavin Vadher (kavin.vadher@burton-sweet.co.uk)
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|**Document Signed**|Chris
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|**Document Signed**|qos
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|**Document**|This document has been completed.|Jun 26 2025|
|**Completed**|Fingerprint: 8b785dcebf05ef92594f424cf6581b16|11:17AM UTC|
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