Colchester Baptist Church Eld Lane, Colchester, Essex COI ILS Re ort and Accounts for the ear to 31 December 2023 Registered Charity no. 1127024 Colchester Baptist Church Report and Accounts for the year to 31 December 2023 Index Statutory and other information Trustees Report Independent Examiners, Report on the Accounts Statement of financial activities Balance She61 Notes to the Accounts 9-16 Statutory and other information Church address Colchester Baptist Church Eld Lane Colchester C01 1LS Phone, E-mail address and web-site 01206 571879 office@colchesterbaptistchurch.org.uk www.colchesterbaptislchurch.org.uk Registered Charity no. 1127024 Trustees - also known as the Diaconate (All have served from 1 January 2023 to the date of signing the accounts unless othe￿ise shown) Lead Minister Associale Minister Associate Minister Church Secretary Treasurer Deacons.. Evelyn Agyekum Amanda Barnes William Butcher Lizzie Chingati-Phiri Darren Greenfield David Gubemu Robin Harbord Rev Tery Tennens Pastor Le8 M¢Dade Rev John Pulford Mike Baker Chris Chapman resigned on 31.12.23 resigned on 31.12.23 Karou Magee Tunde Ikuesan Brenda Reade Tim Rose Pam Simpson Lesley Walder resigned on 31.12.23 resigned on 31.12.23 appointed on 1.1.24 Indopendont Examiners Richard Goldring, BA Stève Hunt, ACIB, FNASBM Property Trusteo The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd Baptist House, 129 Broadway Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX118RT Bankers Barclays Bank PLC 9 High Street Colchester, C011DD Solicitors Thompson Smith and Puxon stable 6, Stable Road Colchester, C02 7GL page 1 Colchester Baptlst Church Trustees Report for the year to 31 December 2023 The Trustees P￿sent theirAnnual Report and Accounts for 2023. General The Church was founded in 1689 and is in membership wfch The Baptist Union of Great Britain and with the Eastern Baptist Association. The Church is registered as a charky with the Charity Corrtmission {Registration number 11270241- Charltable Object In conformity wlth Its Constitution, the principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Bapt15t denoTnination to include the advancement of education, community service and such other general charÉtable purposes in such parts of the United Klngdom and the workl as the Church shall determine. The Church occupies premises which are held by The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, as its Propertv Trustee, under a Trust which is entire￿ compatible with the above object. Organisational struttU￿ and declslon-making processes Membership of the Church is open to all who confess Jesus Chrfst as Lord and Saviourand whose Ilve5 give evidence of that profession. Those whohave notbeen baptised as believers are eligiblefor embership but are asked to glve prayerful conslderatlon to the New Testament teaching on this matter. Church Meetings are normally bi-monthly and have responsibility for the overall policy of the Church. In accordance with the Constitution, members appoint up to twelve Deacons, a Church Secretary and a Treasurer. They, together with the Ministers. are collertively known as the Diaconate and are the Trustee5 of the Church. They are responsible for the day to day running of the Church's work and witness and for its financFal and legal rriatters. All members are encoLtraged to take part in the spiritual and practical tasks of the Church. Relevantmatters are submltted tothe Church Meeting by the Trusteesormay be raised by members in Church Meetings forfurther consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church Meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible. Objectlves and Aclivltles The Church has expressed Sts Purpose as beingyo followjesus Chrlst and make Him known" and It's Vision as being'To be a growin& thriving. nurturing family of God. In orderto achieve these. the Church provide5 a variety of actlvlties both to its membership and to the community generalty. The aim 15 to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed 3nd to bring people into a closer relationship with HIM as livin8 Lord. -Page 2- Colchester Baptlst Church Trustees Report for the year to 31 December 2023 (contlnued) Central to the work and witness of the Church 15 the provision of regular public seNices of Christian worshlp. These servlces normally take place each Sunday at 10.30 am ar)d on some Sundays at 6.30 pm. There is a full children's programme during the moming seNices. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community, and anybody is free to attend any of these services. A prayer and bible study known a5 Tuesday@Twelve is more informal time of worship and bible study which have proved popularwith many who are less familiarwith formal church services. The Church asked Open Doorto oversee this ministry. and this has worked well under the Open Door Dirertor. The Sunday morning and evening seNices continuing to be live streamed to those unable to attend and accessible to the general public. These Sunday services and the wide range of artivities during the week are shown on the Church's web-site Iwww.colchesterbaptist.churchl.Through 2023 these attivities have continued and include.. Small group Bible studies- mostof these groups meet in homes twice a month but there Is also a group that meets fortnightly at the Church. Bright Sparks- in the Churchon Monday mornlngs for parents and tarers to loin with their pre- school child￿n. Luncheon Club- monthly In the Church to provide meals, but more importèntly felFowship and prayerfor our elderly members and others. Many chlldren's and young people's activities inclijding Powerhouse forages O-11 and Conne for ages 12-18 on Sunday mornings and Afterhours for ages 14+ on Sunday evenings. "Remix" a Youth Night for both girls and boys aged from 5 to 18. Increasing contact wlth local schools, offering assemblles and h05ting vi51ts to our premises. We are delighted that Colchester High School uses our premises on a regular basis fortheir special occasions and members of our church have provided prayer spaces in some of the local schools. Our premises are the base forthe Colche5terStreet Pastors, who help and supeNise those who have been in the town's nightclubs as they come out on to the streets on Friday and Saturday nights. We are pleased that the 12 Colchester Sea Scout Group Is using our Church premises as thelr base. The Nepalese Church is uslng our Church premises to meet for worshlp at IlTr.(Xlam on Sunday mornlngs and theirthildren join in with our children's attivities. Some social attivltles are organtsed, suth a5 group walks I"Amiable Amblers") and an annual church holiday at Sizewell Hall. The Church 15 part of a group of local churches which organise an annual lolnt Pentecost servlce and annual Free Famlly Fun Day in Castle Park which continues to attract thousands of parents and children. -Page > Colchester Baptist Church Trustees Report for the year to 31 December 2023 (continued The Church hosts Open Door- Colchester, an ir)dependent charity- which uses the church Lounge on each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Here people meetovera cup of tea orcoffee - the Directorand volunteers offera listening earand offer advi￿ and help for problems If needed. Pastoral care ts prlmarily in the handsof the Ministers and nominated Pastoral Assistants who seNe the Church membership and others connetted with the Church, Together, they look out for situations where there are needs and reart in a caring way to them. This is complemented by a ministry of caring forthe elderly in their own homes through the employment of a part-time "Care ofthe EldedyWorkeV. The Church operates systems to ensure that all people worklng with children and adults at rlsk are approprlately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Se￿1￿. The Trustees con51der that both the Church's Purpose and the activities designed to achieve it. as shown above, comply with the 8uidance of the Charity Commission on public benef it in respect to the advancement of religion. Achlevements and Perfomiance During 2023 the newly established Ministry team lead and developed the fellowship. Newcomers were welcomed almost every Sunday morning and the congregation has grown through the year which has enriched the diversity amongst the fellowship. In 2023 John Pulford completed his studies and became and accredited minister with the 8aptist Union. Recogni5ing the value of John's ministry to familie5 and children, in May 2023 the Church called John to the full-time ministry of CBC as an ordained minister to continue his focus on families and children and provide focus on pastoral issues. During 2023 the church undertook a review of its carbon footprint and worked w(Éh Rocha Uk with the result that we were achieved an ECO Church Silver award. At the end of 2023 the membership was 19212022- 1921. We continue to encourage people to grow in theirfaith and putthat faith into practice in their homes, workplace and wider community. The many mln(stries of th@ church are completely dependent on members giving theirtime, skill5. resources and prayer to equip them and of those members who are physically capable of being attively InVO￿ed. -Page 4- Colchester Baptist Church Trustees Report for the year to 31 December 2023 (continued) Flnancial RÈvlew The Church continuedto raise the fundswhith it neededto tarry on Its activities from within its own membership congregation. In addition to financial 5UPPOrt required to achieve its objectives, the Church is also heavily dependent upon its members working as volunteers in all aspects of its artivities. It 15 goDd to report that they do this willingly and with great enthusiasm. The financial results forthe year, including the accounting policies and the Reserves Policy of the Twstees, are set out in the accompanying f inantial statements. TheTrusteesare satisfiedthatthere are sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date togetherwf(h antlcipated ongoing income to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year. Future plan5 We will continue to seek God's will for our Church maximising the opportunltie5that our prlme location at the heart of a busy regional commercial "Cit￿, centre present5 to follow Jesus Chrlst and make Him known through worshlp and sery1￿. Throughout 2023 and into 2024 we have seen considerable growth in attendance at the Sunday morning seNices. The Church is blessed bya wide diversityof age and ethnicfty, antj this is ref lected in a balanced style of worship. We are grateful for Rev Terry Tennens for fulfilling the role of Lead Minister gwing wise leadership to the leadership team. So. with Rev Terry Tenllens, Rev John Pulford and lee Mtdade providing spiritual and pastoral leadership. the church looks fO￿ard with excitementto whatever God has plan ned for us. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behaw 28 201*. Mike Baker Church Secretary 21 O&Jo.J 2024 -Page Colchester Baptist Church Indepèndont Examinors. Report on the Accounts ort to the Trustees and members of Colchestor Ba on th8 accounts for the oar ended 31 Do¢embèr 2023 set out on 887to16 tist Church Res ective re5 onsibilities of trustees and examiners The Church's truste8s are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Church's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year, under Seclion 144 of the Charities Aot 2011 {Ihe Charilies Act). and that an independent examinalion is needed. It is our responsibility to: examine the accounts undèr Seclion 145 of the Charities Act. follow th8 pro￿dureS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Seclion 145{5llb) of Ihe Charities Act),. and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of inde endent examiners, ststement Our examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Church and a comparison of the accounts presented wilh those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual itéms or disclosures in the accounts and seeking axplanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence Ihat would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounls present a 'lrue and fail, view and our report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Inde endent examiners, statement In conn8Ction with our examination, no material matters have come to our attention which gives us cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordanco with Section 130 of the Charities Act th8 accounts do not accord with the accounting r8cords the accounts do not cornply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and ontent of accounls sel out in the Chafities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 oth8r than any requirement that the accounts give a "true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination We have come across no olher matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a prop8r understanding of the arKounts to be reached. Signed Mr R Goldring, BA 7 Provence Close Colchester, C03 OJD Signed Mr S Hunt, CIB, FNASBM 15 Deben Road Colchesler, C04 3UZ Date Date St) Mr R Goldring completed the independent examination ,however died on the 14th October 2024 before being able to sign the examinels statement -page6- Colchester Baptist Church statement of Financial Aclivities for the year to 31 Decombtrr 2023 Notes 2023 2022 Total funds Gener81 funds Oeslgnated fund8 Restrici8d lund8 Endiywment fund8 Total fvndo Incoming rosource8 Voluntary income Other income Investment income 167,223 23.365 3,842 167,692 28,129 3,842 167,772 8,876 771 1,164 3,600 3.600 199663 177,419 Re80urces exponded Ch8Titable activiti8S 209,178 1,309 22.404 232,889 159,345 Total resources expended 209 176 22.404 232,889 159.345 Net In¢omlng resou￿￿9 (14,746) 324 (18.804) (33,226) 18,074 Total funds brought forward 18-21 66.711 71.319 254,654 298,000 690,684 672,610 Recla¥8ifi¢ation of Fund8 Transfers between Funds 18 19 Total funds carried forward 18-21 51,965 71,643 235,850 298,000 657.458 690.684 -page7- Colchester Baptist Church Balance Sheet at 31 December 2023 Notes 2023 2022 Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 523,000 523,000 Current assets Deblors Investmenls Bank and cash 12 13 14 13,780 102,937 20,704 137421 7.093 70,498 106,328 183,919 Current liabilities Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 15 2,963 16,235 Net current assets 134,458 167,684 Provisions 16 Nel assets 21 657,458 690,684 Charitable Funds Endowment funds Property Fund Restricted funds Manse Fund Buildin9 Repairs & & Development Fund Total Designated funds Legacy Fund Mothers & Toddlers Wednesday Fund Holiday Club Fund Lunch Club Fund REMIX Fund Total Unrestricted funds General Fund 17 298.000 298,000 18 225,000 225,000 29,654 235,849 254,654 19 69.149 627 615 535 717 69,14g 467 500 342 861 71,643 71,319 20 51,966 66,711 Total funds 657,458 690.684 The notes on pages 9 to 15 form an integral part of these accounts These accounts were approved by the Trustees on on their behalf by and signed Ch s Chapman reasurer Mike Baker Church Secretary -page8- Colchester Baptist Church Notes to Ihe a¢counts for the year to 31 Decembor 2023 1 Acco In ollcl a 8881$ of ara on Thg accounts are P￿Pared in accord8nce the Charilies Statement of Re¢iNnmended Practice {Ch8rilies SORP 20f5}, FRS102 and with the Charittes Act 2011. Colche8ter Bapllst Church is a registered charity. no. 1127024, and ffteets the definitson of a wblic benefit entity under FRSIO2. Assets and liabllibes a￿ initially recognized at historical ￿$t or ts3nsaction value unless othernrf5e strdted In the relewant accounting policy notes. onatlons receiv Donations are a¢¢ounled for when received. c Le acles Legacles are accounted for when received. in Investment income is included in the a￿UnIS in the year in which il is recelvable. All expenditure is acco￿ted for on ￿ accruals basis. and blicil co The Church does nol make ft)rmal appeals for fund$ othèr than with6n the Church and expendltL¢re on these items is therefore not material. The ChuTch makès 9Tants io othr Organisatio￿ whose charitable object8 complement Ils work. They are accounted for in the year for which thèy are payable. h Governance co This represents direct expenditure on the govemance of the Church. Most of Ihe management is carried out wlhoul charge by volunteers. This intangible cost 18 not included in the Statement of Financial Aclivfties Sin￿ there 18 no measurable c05t to the volunteer$ for their seTViCe. l Flxed asset 1 The Church's freehold premi8es are included in the Balance Sheet at cost. 2 Purchases of equipment are accounted for as fixed assets wher8 Indlvldual assets Gost £5,000 or more. There has been no such expenditure in the year or in recent years. Any such fixed asset woukl be depreciated to Writ￿ the expenditure evenly overthe course of ils estimated useful Ilfe. recialion Depreciation has not been charged on the Church preml8es becau8e, in ¢)pinion ofthè Trustees, their residual value is not less than the original cost price. k Inve81ment Quoted Investments are Stated al rnarket value. All other investment assets afe shown al cost. This Is set out in Note 2 -P8ge9- Colchester Baptist Church Nots8 to the accounts for the year to 31 December 2023 (continued) Reserves Ge Trustees of charflies are under a general legal duty not to hoard furKls but to use them for Ihe purposes of the charity,. this is part of the basis under which charitios receive preferential tax treatment. notably that they are not subject to Corporation Tax and that they can recover tax on certain donath'ons urKier Gift arrangements. Charities are now required to have a Reserves Policy for most of their funds. The Church's reserve policies are shown below- no such policy is required for the Propetty Fund, this being a capital endowment fund. Recognising the possibility that the Church may be required to purchase more than one manse In the future. the current policy of the Tll￿tees is that the Manse Fund should have a maximum balance of £600,000. Buildin Re airs & Develo ment Fund renamed from Buildin Develo enl Fund The polioy of the Trustees is that the money in th8 fund, which is to provide finance for agreed and posslble projects. will be spent within 5 years of being received. Fun The policy of the Trustees is that money received by this fund- which arises from legacies from the estates of former members-vAII be spent wlthln 5 years of being re￿ived. General Fund The policy of the Trustees is lo have behveen £25,(￿￿ and £76.c￿ in the General Fund at the end of any accounting year so as lo provide a reserve against a sudden drop in the general income of the Church. mall fijnds related to These funds are currently Mothers & Toddlers Wednesday Funds Holiday Club Fund Lunch Club Fund REMIX Fund The policy of the Truste8S IS that the Funds will have sm811 balances. -page10- Colchester Baptist Church Note5 to the accounts for tho yoar to 31 Decembor 2023 (contlnued) All values shown in £ 2023 naled Reslricted 430 39 2D22 Toial 128.104 28,866 1,000 1,Q42 157,012 Unwstricled 137,206 29.073 Des Tgtsl 137.636 29.112 Off8ring8 Gift Aid Lega¢les and bequest8 Oe$l9th&ted donations rgcaivable INots4) Total 167,223 469 167.092 on8 r•celva 2023 noted Re81rict8d 2022 Tolal 485 Unr85tricled Tetal 600 344 BMS WoFhJ Ml$$lon Chri4tian Aid Ukraine Appeal Total 600 344 557 1,042 2023 naled Re51rf¢ted 2022 Total 1,750 Unrestricted 4.570 1,950 15250 1,089 400 1Q6 23.385 Total 4.570 1,950 15,250 4.689 400 1.270 28.129 Donations for use ofthe CMr¢h Car Pafkdonatlons Rgnt receivabEe on Manse Ll$t¢d Placas of Worship Grgnt S¢heme Qulnnlftgnlal Report BU Grant Other Total 3,600 1,164 1.164 5,581 8.876 3.600 2023 Dalod 2022 Total 657 113 Unroslricted 3.842 De$ TDtal 3,842 BU Logn Intèrest AffinYFatlve D8PO$it Fund f0rCh8Fit￿S Inlere5t ot￿r Totol 3.842 771 2023 Resllct 2022 Total 35,376 20,550 Unrestricled De5 Toisl 104,380 13.126 MiDi$try Our mi55ion Other mission Donations by the Ghuf¢h (Note 8 D8svJnated donatknns payab￿ INot841 Establlshmenl Pwml8&S Admlnbtratlon INote 91 FotTr*r D&fined Benefft Penslon Sch8mB Inteièst Actuarfal gains, etc Quinouenxi*l Report Employm8ni Allowan Tot81 r¢Bou￿8 gKpeTrded 104.380 11,817 1.309 30270 30,270 29,270 11,802 22.404 66.869 22.616 53,051 24,677 22,616 232 (11,0551 12 12 900 028 232,889 8,028 209.176 1,309 22.404 159,345 Do Chwc 2023 nated Re$trl¢ted 2022 Total 9,894 Unrestricted Tot81 9,894 10,894 5,000 1,000 BUGB Heme MlssK)n BMS Wortd Mission O￿n DOOT Wydiffe Biblo Translatorn I PiltlNJ8r8 Beacon Ho￿& 9,894 10,894 5,000 1,OfXJ 5,000 1.000 cyo Spurgaons Colleg8 Compassion The BaTnaba5 Fund IDlerJatlonal Ju8tiC8 Mvd8ion Total 750 750 750 588 434 434 434 29.270 434 434 434 30,270 434 434 434 11 -page 11- Colchester Baptist Church Notes to the accounts for the year to 31 December 2023 (contlnued) All values shown in £ ex where stated otherwise Admlnlstra ' 2023 nated Restricted 2022 Total 73,661 10,287 23.928 Unrestricted 14,613 8,003 22,816 Des Total 14.613 8,003 22.fj16 Administratlve staff Olhor admini81ralion costs Total adminislralion cost fl costs and Trustees ex on$ 2023 Total 96.984 6.028 2022 Total 81,558 Salades Social security cosls Pension {soe a180 Note 22) Contributions to Defined Contribution Plan Payments re fomier Deflnèd Beneffil Plan Interest cost ro d8ficil in fom7er Defined B&n8frt Plan A¢tyari81 gains etc re deficit In formor Defined Benerrt Plan other costs (Coundl laK water and telephone) Total 609 12 1.195 232 112,6311 105.633 Averag8 numbèr ofemployees dwing the yoar Full time workers Part lime workers 0.33 5.88 No èmployeo received emoluments in gxcess of £60.OC(J during the y88r12022- none). And no 8uin8 wefe reimbursed to thè Truatees fortheirwork as Trustses {2022- none). Ea¢h Mini31eT ol the Church acts as 4$ of its Trustees in accord8nc8 vAlh thè Chur¢h's Constitution, is not reimbvrsed for Ihls woik. Each is remunerated for hlslher wowk as a Ministsr of the Church. During tho year. tha omploymenl costs and benefits of Ihg Minister8 was £60.789 P022- £86.8071. No olheT Trustees wgre remunerated in the year {2022- none) 11 Ta Ibl• Fl d Freèhold ro Manse Church remises Total Cost and Net book valLEe 31 December 2023 and 2022 298,000 225.000 523,000 The Church premlses are the freehold Premises in Ehj Lan8, ￿CluSIv￿ of the Church organ and pews. They are also Incluslve of the Church's 13 f￿ehOkI Car park spaces in the Vineyafd Street car paik, whi¢h were acquired in 1977 al no cost recogn181ng the inabilily lo park in Eld L£ne during the day resulting from the pedestrianisation of Eld Lano. Thè M8n$e is Ihe house in Colchest¢r purchased In January 2009 89 th& man88 fr>r our then Sen￿r Minister and his family. Since then It has bèèn rented when not being used as ¥ M8llSg. These premises are used for direct charflable purposeB. 12 Dobtors 2023 Total 12,912 668 200 13.780 2022 Total 6,212 621 260 A¢cw¢d incorne Prepayments other deblors Total page 12- Colchester Baptist Church Note6 to the accounts for the year to 31 December 2023 {continued) All values shown in £ 13 Investmènts held a& current ass 2023 Tolal 102,937 102,937 2022 Totsl 70,498 70.498 B8pli$l Union Loan FurKI Total 14 Bank and cash balancès 2023 Total 20,704 2022 Total 106,328 Barclays Bank PLC 15 Creditors - amoun fallln wl 2023 Total 2,963 2022 Total 15,325 910 16.235 Accrued charges Deferred income Total 2,963 2023 Total 2022 Total 12,400 (1,5771 232 11.055 Pen81on Provlsion brotsght fonvard Repayment8 in the year Inte￿81 cost re deficit in former Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial gains etc re defiut in fomier Defined Benefit Plan Penslon Provlsion carried fiJN8rd The provtslon wa8 In respect of pension defiat contributions due lo Ihe Baptist Pension Scheme on ils Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Thls follows the Baptist Pension Scheme signing an agreement in June 2022 th the insurance company Just Group I"Jusr) to secure Defined Benefrt PlBn member8, pension benefits. Tthe￿ is no longer a deficit in the Scheme and contributions payable from Augu$l 2022 have been £1 per month. See a180 Note 22. 17 Endowm•nt F 1 Jan 2023 Inconwng re50UTces Resources expended Transfers 31 Dec 202 Property Fund 298,000 The Property Fund was creatod in 2006 88 a result of Including the Church's property in the aceounls. 1 Jan 2023 Incoming resources Resources ex ended Transfers 31 De¢ 202 Manse Fund Building RèpaiTS & Development Fund Total 225,000 225,000 29,654 254,654 3,600 3,600 22,404 22,404 10,850 235,850 The Manse Fund is to provlde funds towards the Manse or second mortgage of eaGh Minister. The Building Repairs 8nd Development Fund. Is to raise money for Specific projects approved by the ChurGh Meeting anil lo pay for such projects.money for specific projects approved by the Church Meeting and lo pay for su¢h projects. The expenditurè of £22,404 was for ropalnting the front of the Church and redeveloping some of the Church's toilets. The income to it in the yeBr of £3.600 was from the Listed Places of Worshlp Grant Scheme for VAT on qualifying eXp6n