CIRENCESTEII BAPTIST CHUIICH Trustees, Annual Report & Accounts for the Year Ended 31" December 2023
Contents Trustees Report 1-12 Independent Audltors Report Statement of Flnanclal Activlties 13-14 15 Balance Sheet 16 Statement of Cash Flows 17 Accounting pollcles 18-20 Notes to the Accounts 21-24
Clrencester Baptist Church Annual Report 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023 statutory Information Name of Charlty: Cirencester Baptlst Church (Sometimes shortened to CBC) Reglstered Charlty Number: 1127222 Reg15tered Addr955: Chesterton Lane Clrencester Gloucestershlre GL7 IYE Trustees Mr Matthew Fr05t (Senior Pastor) Rev Carolyn Mccrone (Assoclate P8Storl (from IStAprfl 2023) Mrs Naomi Shrubsole Iyouth and Chlldren's Pastor) Mr Peter Marrow1Secretaryl Mrs Carollne McKemey ffrea5urerl Mrs Clare Baker Mrsteve Chandanam Mr Granville Gray Mr Colin Lawford Dr Michael McKerney Mrs Cate Oxenha Mr Paul Willmott (until July 20231 Mrs Clare Hannis (from July 2023) Mrs Emlly Luckham (from July 2023) Mrs Anna Marshall (from July 20231 Mr Patrick Tampkins Ifrom July 20231 Mr Ben FemarKlez Ifrom July 20231 Mr 5am Bartholomew {fromJuty 20231 Properry Trustees The Baptist Union Corporation Limlted. Registered Charity No. 249635 Baptist House 129 Br02dway Didcot, Oxford5hlre OXII 8RT Other offir$ Administrator Pastoral Worker Frlday Under Ftves Worker Facilltles Manager MrsDebbie MacGOr Miss Ann-Rachel Harwood Mrs stephanie Kingsley Mr Steven Chandanam (until November 2023) Mr Colln Sayles (from end Ottober 20231 Mrs Ellzabeth Glover Mr Luke Dive5 Children's Pastor Youth Pastor
Bankers Lloyds T5B Bank plc 14 Castle Street Clrentester, Glos GL7 IQJ Audltor SumerAudit Mited Hermes House, Flre Fly Averyue. Swindon. SN2 2GA
Annual Report for 2023 The Trustee5 present their report and the audited ffnanclal *3tements of the Cha,, forthe year ended 31si December 2D23. The trustees have adopted the provlsions of the Statenent of Recommended Prdctice ISORPI 'Accountin8 al Reporttng by Charltie< in preparingthe annual report and financial ststements of the charity, The flnancial statements have been prepsred in accordance with the accountlng pollcles set out In note5 to the accoufjts dnd ¢ompSy wlth the charlty's governlng document, the Charlties Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Prdrtice applicable to charlties preparing thelr accounts in accordance with the Flnancial Reportlng StsrKlaril appllcable in the UK gnd Republlc of Ireland publlshed In October 2019. (81 Objectlves and Acti¥lifes The Charity is governed by Approved Governing Document ICon5tituMonl, adopted at a Speclal Churth Members, Meeting on the 9thSeptember 2Ch)8. This ststes thatthe prlndpal purpose of the charity is the adv4ncement of the Ch-. istian fatth o£cording to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other ciaritsble Piirposes in the Unlted Kingdom and other parts of the world. The Church occupies premi5e5 that are hdd bythe Baptist Union Corpordtion Ltd, on Trusts which are enfjrely compatible with the above objectives. In order to athleye the charltable objectives which are Set out above, the Church provldes a varlety of actTvlUes both to Its Membershlp and to the communty generally. The Trustees of the Church have consldered arbd have regard to the Charity Commission guidance on publlc beneflt. The prlnclpal activlties of the church may Indude, but are not restrlcted to: regular publlc worshlp, prayer, Bible study. preaching and teachlng; baptlsm, as defined in the Baptist Union's DedaTrtlon of Princlple,. the communlon of the Lord'5 Supper which Is normal obserned at least once a month: evangelism and mlsslon, locally, regionally, natfonally and Intemationally,. the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people; nurture and growth of Christian disciples; education and trainlng for Chrlstlan and community servtce; gfvlng and encouraging pastoral care; supportlng and encouraging charitsble soclal action In the Unlted Kingdom and abroad; encouraging relationships wtth and supportlng Baptlst and other Christians. To undertake activlties as a means of a¢hlevlnB the Charitable Objectives, the church works on tts owTh or with other churches or groups. The aim Is to show the love of Jesus Chrfst in both word and deed,. to brlng people Into a closer relationship with Him as Ilvlng Lord; to support and entourage ¢harltsble social action: and to encourage relafjonshlps wth other Chri5tbans. Central to the work and vltness of the church Is the provision of regular publlc servlces of Chr15tian worship, These servlces take place at 9am. 10-.30om and 6-,30pm. There are also occasional 5eTvlces at other time5 which are adverknsed within the churth and its website at www.clrencester-baptist.org. Services Df a special nature are advertlsed more widely in Cirencester. There is a full programme for chjldren and young people during the 10.30am service on Sundays. A monthly All Age Wot5hip serv5 provldes a Cholce of Involvement and activtty for all ages. Each of the Sunday seNices has its own style to suit. the differing preference5 of the church and community. The church seeks to be a frlendly and welcomln8 community. and anybody is free to attend any of these servlces.
Throughout 2023, many new people came to join us, whilst others moved on for a variety of reasons. Some of the changes of people during 2023 involved several signilic3nt team changes. We interviewed several candidates for the role of Associate Pastor and following a church members, meeting in March we appointed Rev. Caz Mccrone who moved to join us on 1st April from Queen's Park Baptist Church in Glasgow. In the autumn, our facilities manager Steven Chandanam moved to a new job, and the church appointed Colin Sayles, a long-time church member, into the role. Both appointments have been very successful. Coz s induction, April 2023 We are always very thankfu for the volunteers who help in many different ways across ihe activity of the church. It takes many people to run our Services and activities as well as supportr'ng people across the church. We continue to encourage more people to volunteer across different teams. Attendance continues to increase across our services and as a churcFI we will seek to discern the best way forward with the space that we have. We continue to have people attending servlces live on YouTube as well as many choosing to Use this to 'catch-up' later In the week. House groups play an important part in the life of the chLJrch by encouraging friendship, er¢abling the growth of faith, providing pastoral care, and developing relationship with the local community. The church leadership has invested in training and encouraging the leaders of these groups who become increasingly important in the pastoral ministry of CBC. Leaders of pastoral ministries meet regularly, as a pastoral fc>rum, to ensure we are serving and caring for everyone in the church. The mainstays of our pastoral care continue to be house Eroups and personal relationships. By the end of 2023 there were 22 such groups, comprising some 300 people meeting in various homes throughout the catchment area of the church, namely Cirencester and surrounding village5 & towns. We have one group which continues to meet online and has been a great source of support to those who are more vulnerable, those who live slightly further afield, and those travelling with work. Toward5 the end of the year, a group of people living in the Fairford area gathered to discuss the possibility of starting a house group there. This group began meeting in November. The Bible study element of these groups generallv follows the Sunday service teaching. All who consider themselve5 part of the church are encouraged to integrate into the life of a house group. Details of these groups are advertised in the church news sheet. Staff teum d(Jy, October 2023 Ministry with Youth and Children on Sundays and in the week has continued to grow. On Sunday mornings many families worship with us, on average about 90 attend each week, but over a month we average 170 different individuals. We have an established monthly music-ba5ed worship event called 'Revive' which is designed to appeal to young people in the church. This is in addition to the 4 midweek youth & children's hoLJse groups that regularly attract 38 nine to eighteen-year-olds each week. We have been delighted to see more attending these groups.
Viney Hill Youth WpekendAwoy, Spptember 2023 There are a large number of other church activities which provide a means of friendship, encouragement, practical support and growth in Christian faith to all in the church. These cater for different age51 genders and interests, and contribute to the ethos and life of the church. They are a means of encouraging new people to come among us and benefit from what we provide. Numerous special events and regular activities took place during the year to provide opportunities for deepening friendships. Our regular groups and meetings include monthly curry club, banner making group, Food for Thought (monthly lunch club for those around during the dayl, Friends Cafe (monthly support group for widows and widower51, monthly prayer breakfast, and a weekly prayer meeting. Our weekly Friday-Under-Fives group runs three sessions every Friday morning during school term time. We run two sessions for parents and toddlers, and one session for parents and pre-crawling babies- called FUFlings. These groups have given encouragement and support to over 366 pre-school families thi5 year. The church employs someone for eight hours a week to help run this succe55fLJI activity. Our numbers have continued to grow over the year. Messy Church provides 'alternative' church for families who are less keen on the formality of Sunday worship or as an introduction or outreach to bring friend5 and extended family. Its style is relaxed, and activity based and appreciated by those who attend. Set up included game5, craft, activities and shared tea. Easter Messy we had 167 people175 adults and 92 childrenl. At the Light Party13151 October) 247 people came, with d4 team helping before, during and after to make the event happen. Christmas Messy we had 155 people, with 30 on team. We are very grateful for new people who have volunleered with this ministry and find that Messy Church links in with our different ministries. It's also a great time to invite friends and familie5 to church. Lizzie ond Naomi le(yding the fvle5sy Light P£Trtv, October 2023
The two mid-week youth club events (Fusionl that catei for young people aged 10-16, are attended by about 60 each week lover the course of a term we link with about 108 different young people). The number5 fluctuate over the year, some coming for a week or two and some attending for many years. These young people generally have no other church connection, except for the regular school assemblies. We are delighted that assemblies have continued in schools this year and relationships have continued to Erow. 10 monthly primary school assemblies take place, and we also share a story in a local pre-school bi- monthly. Members of CBC lead school assemblies and activities in all the primary and secondary schools in the area, Sometimes in partnership with other group5 such as Open the Book. Kingshill School have termly a55emblie5 Wlth each year group, and we have continued to lead "Inspire" with Year 95 at Deer Park School every Friday during tutor time. This is an ophonal session that young people choose to attend, We had over 50 attending by the end of May last year. This academic year our number5 have fluct(Jated, bul we pray that the right young people will attend each week. We averaged about 27 each week by the end of 2023. We have provided "It's Your Move" books to Year 6s transitioning to Secondary School ?nd conducted seven interactive sessions at the local schools osuring July. We also provided the 'Next Step" book for parents of those startinE school (via FUFS and our links with the local pre-schooll. In December it was gre8t to have 4Front Theatre with us for their Christmas show. We invited local schools to attend one of two interactive pan-tivity showlngs, seven schools attended1738 people) and were delighted to be able to come. We also invited Doug Horley to a Sunday service in December to share his "Awesome Christmas Bubble Show", We used this as an outreach event and it was advertised at Messy Church, through FUFS and over social media. Many people came to church that wouldn't normally be there on a Sunday, and it was also a great time for grandparents to brin8 their grandchildren too. Doug Horley, December 2023 The church is involved in numerous other community activities. These include Cirencester Pi5grims Ifootball team), the chaplaincy team at Cirencester Hospital, and our Senior Pastor is a chaplain 8t the Royal Agricultural Univer51ty. The Senior Pastor along with a different church leader continued the Two Pastors in a Pub podcast which has grown in the year to over 500 downloads each month and featured on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. We also have the Time Out Cafe which is open weekly on Wednesday mornings for coffee, cake, and a chat. Up until June, we had held "Space for You" sessions la school holiday initr'atrve that developed from "Eat Lunch" offering a warm welcome, games, crafts and free cafe to families who may need some extra support during the holidaysl. Following this we recognised that the families we had been supporting were now well supported throu8h other activities, or by coming to the Time Out Cafe. Around the Table, a twice monthly board games evening has continued to grow during the year. The all-dav games conventions in 2023 were well attended and led to more people attending the regular gatherings. Several members of the Church continue to be involved with Cirencester Home-start (who have an office in our building), which provides support for parent5 of young children in the community. The Cirencester, Fairford and Tetbury Foodbank continues to have its warehouse in the basement of our church building. In addition. many individual Church Members have responsibilitie5 and involvement in a whole range of community activities e.g. people being involved in taking services in local care homes.
CBC'S building continues to be used not only by the church but also by many other group5 in the community, totalling 76 different groups throughout the year. We work closely with the other churches in Cirencester. A lon8 running joint involvement has been with the Alpha course, which seeks to help those who wish to explore the Christian Faith. One successful Alpha Course ran in 2023 which was the largest that we have ever run. Also, during 2023 we shared together in a Good Friday service and Walk of Witness Ihrough ClnCester. All the churches in Cirencester worshipped together on Pentecost Sunday at CBC, with our guest speaker Hils Grew, one of the pastoral team from Trinity Church in Cheltenham. At Christmas the churches worked together to sing carols in the town centre. Mott as u centurion, 5huring a spoken word in the market place, April 2023 Our concern is not only for people in the church and Ihe local community, bul further afield loo. We partner with church members land former church members) working as missionaries in Japan and Lancashire with Teach Beyond, South East Asia with Interserve and the Middle East with Frontiers. In each case, they continue to be supported through mission agencies as we consider that provides them with a more secure support base. We also support missionaries in Bangladesh through the 8aptiSt Missionarv Society World Mission. The relationship with pastor Daniel and his churches in Romania has continued. Again, CBC collected shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and decorated and filled 209 boxes with presents. The Church expresses its part in the widor Christian community by giving to national and internatr'onal Christian organlsations and societie5 Wlth aims and objectives compatible with the church's own charitable purpose. The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission'5 guidance on public benefit in deciding what activitie5 the charity should undertake. The trustees consider that they have acted in the public benelit. Ibl Achievements and Performance The Church does not only measure the success of its programs in numbers, including linancial numbers, but also in les5 tangible area5 like fellowship, support, and encouragement. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure but believe that 2023 was a posilive year in the life of the church. BaptI5ms from 2023
S¥ven people were baptised following 8 professlon of falth In Jesus Chrlst. We were pleased to welcome 24 new people into church membership. 2 of our membÈrsJolned our Friends Llst or resigned from membèrshipi. l of our members dled during the year. On 31st December 2023 the ynembershlp stood at 305, whlch VaS a net incyeose of 20 overthe year. We were delighted that 13 babies were born ta familie5 In the church and two couples from the church were marrled at CBC in 2023. The congregauon at CBC appears to have continued to grow in numbers duri48 2023 and we are Seeing Increaslng IntegTrilon wlth the wlder church communlty. Thls Is welcome and Is hopefully aLso allied to a growth in communltyi spirituality, and service. Toward5 the end of 2023 those who volunteer withln the Ilfe of the church numbered at least 240 land thls says nothlng of those who are also seing elsewhere In thr local communltiesl. This is a measure of the act1vlttes and enthuslasm of the congregatlon. One in which we are seelng new attendees Integte Into the Ilfe of the church is through Increasing numbers of people volunteertng wlthln the church. By the end of 20Z3 the weeklv Sunday services were belng regular attended by over 450 people each week. Although with some onllne, we are aware that measuring number5 can be difficult. We have COned to support Gloucester Outdoor churc ng5 Stsnley Baptist Church, Bourton on the Water Baptist Church, Arlington Baptist Chutth in Bibury and Winston Baptlst Church. helplng the consregatton wlth practfjcal matters and finding a way fo[Vrd for the church and its misslon. The has also been a growlng connection with 5troud Bapt1st Church. and a partnershlp with other Christians in Fairford wlth a monthly prayer & praise servi. Icl Flnancial Review The church conttnues to raise funds that It needs to carry on its artlvltles from within its own CongregaOn, We have been able, through the generosity of many in the church, to contlnlte to repay the loans on the new bullding from ihe Baptist Building Fund and the BapUst Unlon Corporation. The churchls heavily dependent on its congregation working voluntsrily in all aspects of our activities, many of which run wlth little or no Impact on our eXpeIlture. but nevertheless, contribute substsnfjally to the achlevement of our objertives. The flnanclal 5lts for the year, togetherwith a summary of the accounting poSide5 adopted are set out In the accompanylng flnanclal statements. Our total Incorne was £618,383. £478,834 to unrestrlcted funds, £139,549 to the restrlcted funds and £Oto the endowment fund. Our total expendlture was £595,903 This is mède up as follows, £452,59S from the unrestricted funds, £79.995 from the strIcted funds and £63,313 from endowment fvnd5. We ended the year wlth a surplus of £22,479. The net assets held on 31 December 2023 were £2,978,853. Made up of fixed assets of £3,318,725, Current assets of £169,309, current liabillties of1£256,8051 arKI long-term liabllities of1£252.2961. Reserves of £102,170 were held in the unrestrlrted fijnds; £23,582 in resirfetèd funds. £2,788,241 In the endowment fund; £46,867 Sn the unre5tr.'cted fixed asset fund,. £30,000 In the designated building malntenance fund. The Baptists Pension Scheme was subject to a buyout from an in5urénce provider In lulv 2022 and therefore no future deficit contribution5 are payable.
Our reseNes poIIcy states that 4here should be reseNes of three months of normal church General Fund expendlture which has Brown to about £1.000 this year after employing rnore stsff and Increased oper4tr.ng cost5. Our reserves at the end of the year now stand at £102,170 whlch Is lower than the requlred level, so we will try to increase our reserves over the nextfew years. We note that the Church has net ¢urrent Ilabllides of £87,576, and we seek to cont.nue to ger.eTrte funds. The key financlal r15k Is generddng funds to repay the long-term103n5. The prlnclpal fundlng source5 are donations and offe-. inBS f,.om the congregation. Slgnlflcint expense5 Include the employment of 3 fUll-tile Ministers, and slx other employees to lead and co-ordlnate the church's actfvlties. These athvities include Sunday service51 pastoral care for the ¢ongrewaLlon and other people. They also encourage the congregailon In Its Ilft, thrlsuan wltness and servlce. They also Include the runnln8 and upkeep of our bulldln& A further slgnificant expense Is tne 5UPPQrt of both overseas and UK mlsslon and outreach. The Church expresses its part in the wlder Chrlsdan communlty by making grants to national and Internafjonal Chrtstlan organltations and socleties wlth alm5 and objective5 compadble wlth the church's own thurltabfe purpose. The major rFsks to whlch the church Is exposed have been identified by the Ikustees as follows, and sysiems have been estsbllshed to mana8e these risks.. Governance rlsks- Constltlrtlon adopted 09112108 outlinlng procedu$ for membershlp,. members, meetings,. appoirhtm@nt, role, responsibility, and removal of charlty trustees, Operational rtsks- On-going staff and volunteer tralning: Safeauarding policy and procedures In place (Baptlst Unlon Model Poliry): Disclosure & Barring Service IDBSI check5 of all staff and Volunteers W01n8 wit.i children and adults at risk: Healti & Safety, Fire and IT policles and Rlsk Reglster in place Irevlewed & updated gU adyl; Flrst Aid Courses,, Food Hyglene,, Adherence to Baptist Union guidolines and consultation with BU advisors on wide range of iSSLse5. Hnanclal risks- Financial Procedures Policy In place and rthdewed regularfy. Generatlng sufficient funds to repay the long-term loans. External risks- Regular updates and advice on Bovemment pollcy received from Baptlst Union, Evangel[1 Alliance and Charity Commlssion. Compliance with law and regulatlons- Employer. public and charity trustee Indemnlty insurydnte In place and vIewed annually. (d) Structure, Governance and Mawerne The Charlty Is govemed by an Approved Governlng Document Iconstltutionl, adopted at a Speclal Church Members, Meetlng on the 9th September 2(Kl8. Those seeklng Church membership are accepted Into membershlp In accordance wlth the Approved Govemlng Document IConstStution). Church Member5. Meetings are held on at least 4 occaslons In the year. In 2023 we held slx In person meetings with the option of attendlng on zoom. At these meetirbgs, th@ Members seek to dlscern the mlnd of God for the overall polScy and affrairs of the Church. In accordance with the Constitution, the Members appointTrustees, both Elders and Deacons. Durlng 2023 the churth electeé some new deacon5, inueqsing the team to 8. Their role was abo ¢larlfied as one of SUPPDrting the elders and helplng to oyer overslght of the church. These, together wlth the Mlni5ter5, Church Secretary and Treasurer {who are also appointed by Lhe Membersl, are respon51ble for the day to day runnlng of the Church'5 work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charlty, Trust*e5, both men and women, must be baptlsed Church Memberssecuring the support of at least 66Yo ofthe Members voting by secret ballot at a Church member Meeting. Apart from the Minlsters lalso Trustees),
they3 appointed for a period of3 years, subjertto the onoir£ 5UPPOrtofthE Church Members, Meetlng. Trustees meet at least bi-monthly to coriSider the affairs of the Church. During 2023 the deacon team via5 reshaped with their role focussing on support for the elders and the governance of the Chh Irather than spedfic practical and builéin8 related roiesl. The deacong team was expandeLI from 5 to 8 members. All MembetE are enCOuged to tske an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical ta5k5 involved in the furtherance of the charitable objectives. Relev?n matter5 may be submltted to the Church TheetinB by the Trustees for consideration or may be raised by Members in chUh Meetlng for consideration by the Trustees and Members. Though the Constitution permlts declsSon5 to be made at Church meengs by appropriate majorities, the Church See to work by consensus wherever posslble. The Trustees COnflr, that the m8Jor rfsks have been revlewed and systsms or procedures have been established to manage those rlsks. The remuneration p8cka8e for ministers (classed as key management personnel of the charity) Is b2sed upon BUGB guldellnes and national agreeMeS made between BUGB and HMR¢ and also takes account of exlstlng historic arrangements wlth Individuals. Remuneraiion wlll be reewed annually each Octoberl November for inclusion in the budget. Recommendations will be made by the Finance Team and authorised by the Truslees. e) Future Plan5 for 2024 To contlnue to develop splrltuallty, frlendshlp, hospitallty, and care among our members. To welcome new people Into the Slfe of the church, and to reach out to our local eornmunltles wlth the good news of Jesu& We expÈct the thurch to (Ythnknnue to grow In numbers, To continue to offer online services and gatherlngs. Tg maximize the opportunliies of our chureh building to welcome and seple the local cornmunity and Share the gospel, To Start new house groups in Clrencester, as well other towns and •Allages In the surroundinE area as well as strengthening and suppofing those already meeting. . To strengthen Dur supportive relationships with smaller churches In our area- In particular Klngs Stanley Baptlst Church, Stroud Baptlst Church and Arfington Baptirt chUh (Bibury) To continue to explore the posslbility of further connections into area5 partTcularly to the east and west of Clrencester To Strengthen the role of the local duster of Baptirt churches in the Cotswolds. To deepen CBC'S minl#ry to young people and SC1$ In the area Including Cirencester College. To seek opportunltles to serve those in need in the lool area. Tg encourage people from our church to serve and supp)rt those who are overseas- and to encourage peDk)le from CBC to con51der going oversea5 to serve for medlurn to long temi. To continue to provide a Space for part-time interns to work with the church and to grow In thelr To welcome and encourage students at the local Royal &qricultural UnlveTsIty. TD identify and Invest In the development of leaders particularly wlth church plantinglsatellite church in mind Intentlonally grow the Sunday 6.30pm servlce- In part to reduce spa pressure In the mornlng seNice5. To seek to develDP Integratlon pathway5 forth0 newly connecting wlth the church. To seek to pay off an Increased amount of loans on The bulldlng io
(fl Trustees, responslbllltles slatement The trustees are responslble for preparing the Tru*.eeg Annual Report and the flnanclal statements In accordance with applicable law and Unlted Klngdom Accounting 5tsndard5 (Untted Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable ts charitie5 In England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial ststement5 for each financlal year wplch glve a true and fairview of te state of affalr5 of the charity and of the Incomlng resources appli¢alon of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are requlred to: select sultable ac¢ountlng polldes and then apply them consistently; observe the method5 and prln¢lples In the Charities SORP 2019 IFRS 1021; make judgement5 and estimates that a reasonable and prudent; si8te whether applicable accounilng ¥(andards have been folk)wed, subject to any materfal departu$ dlsclosed and explained in the financlal ststements,. prepgre the linan¢ial ststemer,ts on the going conrn basis unle55 it Is Inapproprlate to presume that the charity will contlnue In operation. The trustees are responslbte for keepln8 proper accounting records that disclose wlth reasonable aceurdcy at any tirne the financial posidon of the charity and enable them to ensure that the fiiancial ststements comply wlth the Charlttes Act 2011, the Charitie5 {Accounts and Reportsl Regulation$ 2008 and the provisions of the Irust deed. They are a150 responsible for safeguarding the a55et5 of the charlty and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and dete¢Jon of fraud and other irregularlues. Fund-RaisinB 5tandard5 Information rhe Charity does not empl(ry a professional fund-ralser/Commeraal participator. rhe Charity or arry per50n acting on behalf of the charity was not subject to an undertakin8 to be bound by any person voluntary scheme for reBulating fund-Trising. orvoluntary standard for fund-ralsing in respect of activlties on behalf of the charfty. We did not directly monitor activities carried out by any person on behalf of the Charlty, for the purpose of fund-ralslng. No complaints were received by the Charity or a person actfng on Its behalf about acilv111es by the charity or by a person orb behalf of the Charlty for the purp05e of fund-rdisir.g. We do not actively fund-rdise QLtt5ide of our church buildlng. Collections at each servlce are stressed lo be on a purely voluntary basis and rnore d1cted at regular rnembers and attendees. Igl Audltors The audltors, Sumer Audlt Llmlted, wlll be proposed for re-appointrnent at the forthcomlng Annual Generdl Meeung. li
Ih) Declaratlon The trustees declare that they have approved trustees, report above. Slgned on behalf of the charivs trustee5: Slgnatory Full Name Peter M3rrow Caroline McKemey Position Church Secretary Church Treasurer Date 12
IndB
endent
lo
Chu
Oplnlon
We have auititÉd the Ihand81 stal8m8rnts of Cir8n¢oth.. B8pUsi ChuFch Ithe thartty'l for Ihe ygar gndod
31 Doo9rnbBr2023 whh cornprBe the Statement of Acu8, th8 B21ance Sheet notss to thfj financlal
statsments, Induding a sumrr,ary Oln8n13rx1jUIry p)'.Ictes. Tho fnal fEFX)rtsrofram&wththethg$ beenapplled
IH tholr pwpamts¢n kg appllcabla18w aAd Unw KIngdD. ACCnting Standards {Unltsd KIDgdotn Gengramy Awpiod
Accounllng Pracknl.
In our opln',on the financlal Biat8mgnts'.
glvè a tsue anc faIreW ofth8 St8ts ol Its tha17V8 8ffai a8 at 31 Dwber 2023 and of118 Inoom1ro r08Dvfc88 and
appllcation of résourc&g, forthe yè8rth8 Ènd.,
hAvè been property prewdrgd 1.7 ac¢crd8rKe ith Uthd G918r81 AeLept8d Armjrytlro Pr8cticg.' and
have be9n prapared In e)rdan the racNrfrerKnts 041he Charftl8B Act 2011.
Ba81s for oplnlon
We cu)duct8d ?ur audit 1.7 ac
nda •ndbnt Audltorn to th rBa ti6l Chu steeg Our re8pon81blllllg8 for thè audll of th& fftnanelal tstalèments We hava AppdTrl8d a8 auditors under Sectlor. 144 cf the Charille8 Actxill Jnd re[rt In am)rdance th the Act and relevant rogulatlons mad6 or 8fftthereunder. Ouroblecbves aretoobtain Fea80nable BSSLnanceaknjlknts:-th&ftiad s.Rlemer..ts a8awhol8 arofr8efrom mg18rial m188tat&menl, whelh8r due to fr8ud ur&m)r, Bnc to t& a ReFOrt of tha Independent ALKltorg that Indudes our oplnlon. Reasonable aSsurae Is a hkjh Iw810l asswarKx. but18 not a guwsnt8p Ihal ai ajdit conduclod In accordanc Tmth ISA8 IU<I wlll 81ways d8tsct a malwU M188tst8eI'thon it fyx8ts. MK8sta'0rn8nts w arfse Ircxm fraud or fyrror end ar0 conslded matgrlal K, Indivldudly In ffte 8ggraga;A they eou'd reaY expted to in11u9 the 8CDnomlc de¢lslon¥ of US tskgn on ihe ba81s of Ihe88 firondai 8tatgmgnt& Irregularflle5, Includlng fraud. arg fvwances of non-(xJnpllance and guOI. We deslgrb prOdUr h Ilne wlth oui respons1litieS, ouutned at(Jve, to detect matsrf81 m16AL•merts h rgspecf. of Irrwwlartues. inratKlnG fraud. Thè extsnt lo wrprc¢eduM trt C8pabk IrrgJulartW knthdlng frwd19 datsU8d bdow.. Ba8ed on our urtdarsfand1ry clhe chadty the Indb81ry, icentified Ihatlhe 1ndpa( rfsk8 of ngn-wmplipncg wi 14w¥ dnd regu12t¥)ns tlatsd lo health and •, em)Y.. and Chdrity l¥. 8fKI wo cgn81d8r8d th8 extenlto which non-complan¢o mlaht h8V8 a Matgrl81 eff1¢)n thg finar.cial ststeTrents oflhe traartty, We 8150 wnsldar&J laws and rÈgulath)n$-hat have a dlred Impactcn Ihe wepaT.ion o1th8 fdiendal Ètstemgnts such the ChaYiLi99 Act 2011 end taxation logislglon. We evaluated managemenvs bKonllvg9 8n¢ orwtunthe6 foT TrarJJJlent m9n1putl0n of th8 llnond818t8tsrnwts Ilncluding the rfsk of overridg rf contrDbl drmhed th8t tha pAnC&1 risks w6r8 iD revenue ronknn, monagem8ntovarAdè, golny concem, and marAgeent bla3 n accounting 88tsmatss andJUdgentsl argas ofth fflnancial statem8nts 8uch 88 the deatth polky and vdualkn ofdobkns. Audtt prrde$ performed by Ihg audyc gngagamanl taam Includéd.. - dlscus8loH8 th m9naggmenl, IrolLdrKJ ofknown or InBtances ofnLYPCDmpllanc¢ wlth Iw aThd reuulatlonsand fraud: - understsndlng 9nd ofmanagemenys irTkmal cwlml8 to pr84nt 8r¥l lThesuleride& frwjd; - review of the miThrte8 of the TTu8t886 - perfothng pryydure6 to antlfyanY unwal cf unoxported rdaion8hlp¥th81 might irKllcats Sk80f atarfal mlsstatemeni du9 t) frgud., - vIeW of Ihe fin8nGi918tstll8ts disckn8urns arNJ leBfrwJ tt) gJppoffjng {kMenOnl a88e88 &)tr4)Ilan vAth r81gvantlaws and wulatlons dL%cussèd obrNe' - enqulr',ng of the TNstee5 about octual and pgtsrrtla lith3allon 9nd cknFftN' - lesJng transacuons enteMI InlD outs ofthe rK)rmal eouw ¢h8riV8 buthBSS". and - Idendfvlng and tÈ#tlTrJ lourp.al ees. In paructrfar aruma1 enblesthlbh fraud char3t18ri5tic8 8$lOth wlth Y(tnd numbe Thore are Inheren+ limitaoops In the audm prmdwes dealbed a)ovo and the ffiJrtherTd non-cornplian wllh laws and regulBt(A)g is from the events and the tsns)cts01s refi1d In tha flnarthl statemantg, lh£ less Ikety we WOLAd b9comg awarg of . Al, the risk of N)1 a materk81 mL8818tsrn8nt th9 to fraud is hhJherthan th6 rt8k ofnot d9teCti1 on& resultirg fr¢M efmr, as fraLKI rn8y knvofve dellberate rxinceakrth by, fOrexaMo. forgery or Ir]tsnNonal mlsr6prewtstionB, orthrouuh collusloft. A further descrlFU3n Of our resp911118s forthè atKUI Df tha ffinanclal statementg 18 Irmaed on the nancIal Reportir Councll8 b$ll8 at.&0[g.kl1tOrBF06pons1lilQ This knmtt part ofour Rewrt of IrpeI¢lTrt AlItors. U8e olour rewt Th18 r8port Is made to ts tsi8rity8 tNste88. a iKKty. in *lth Psrt 4 of thè Charities and R9POrtsl RertatiOnS 200e. Our audit work has been untsrtakn w that mlght stsle lo th& eharty's tNJst688 matth we are requlred to 51ate lo fhem Ir] alit¢8, rewt ond no other purpose. To Ihe fvU9&1 gxknt pellrrfted by law, we do not acceFt or a8sumo ro4X61bIty to anyone otior IhB clarity and the chartys trustw a6 8 tKJty, oUraUd((wo, forthls reporL or forthg nI$ we va IoTm¥J. Surner j(CO Umlted S{U{(¥Y Audttors Eligible lo act a8 8n 3uditorln temis of secu 1212 Olthe compan Act2LXY6 H?nnes HOUBO F¥e Fly Av8nu8 Swlndo Wiltshire SN2 2GA hJhcO Datg: 30 April 2024
o* LL tL
•Lr)4YjX 0¥10 rD¢D 11511111" c to 6tsa] uuuTr- rLJ(JtL8
OKJ 7J LLz
Clrencester Baptlst Church Notes to the Accounts Year ended 3112 2023 Accountlng Policies General Information and Basis of PreParatn arencester Baptlst Church Is an unlncorporated charlty. The address of the re8l*ered offi and the nature of the charltvs operations and principal artivr(ies are given in the trustee annual report. The charlty constltutes a public benefrt entity as deflned by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accgrdance V¥lth Accountlng and Reportlng by Charltles: Statement of Reccmmended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts In accordan wIt. the Flnanclal RepDrtlng Stsndard applitrable in the UK and Republic of Ireland Issued In October 2019, the Flnancial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021, the Charlties Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The financlal statements have been prepared to gwe a'true and falrf view and have departed from tho Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and falr vlew,. Thls departure has involved following the Accountlng and Reportln8 by Charltles: Statemènt of Recommended Practlce applicable to chaTltles preparlng their accounts In accordance wlth the Flnanclal Reporting Standard appllcable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland Issued In October 2019 rather than the Accountlng and Reporting by Charltles: Statement of Recommended Practlce effectlve from l April 2005 which has since been wlthdrawn. The flnancial stalements are prepared on a 80in8 concem basis underthe historlcal cost convention, modified to Include certaln Items at falr value. The flnanclal statement5 are presented In sterllng whlch Is thefunctlonal currency of the tharity and rounded tothe nearest pound. The slgnfficant accounting pollcies applied in the preparatlon of these financial statement5 are Set out below. These policies have been conslstently applled to all years presented unless otheIse stated. There are no slgnlflcant areas of ludgèments or key sourtes of estlmatlon uncertainty. Goin concern The trustees acknowledge the net current liabillties of £87,576. Contlnual overpayments of the loans have seen total loan liabilities reduce from £630,682 to £483,618 at 31 December 2023. We are also pleased to see that both glving and hire of premises have increased on 2022. The trustees are confident that the thartty will be able to generate sufflcient income to meer Its loan repayments. The trustees considerthat there are no materlal uncertalntles about the Charltls ablllty to contlnue as a going COnrn. al status The charity is an unincorporated trust constituted by its governlng documenL 18
Income All Incomln8 resources are Included In the StatemÈr)t of Flnandal Actrvtties (SOFA) when the charlty Is legally entitled to the Income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably, and1115 probable that the income will be received. For donatlons to be recognised the chartty will have been nottfied of the amounts and the settlement date In wrltlng. If there are condltions attached to the donation and thi5 requires a level of performance beforo entltlement can be obtalned then income Is deferred untll those condftlons are fully met or the fulfilment of those condition5 IS withln the control of the charlty and it Is probable that they vwll be fulfilled. Income from tradin8 artivitles Includes income earned from fundrèislng events and trading octlvltl to ralse furids for the charlty. Income Is received In exchange for supplylng goods and servlces in order to raise funds and Is recognised when entitlement has occurred. Interest Income Is recogn15ed uslng the effectlve Interest method and dlvldend and rent Income Is recognised as the charitls right to re1ve payment is establlshed. Income from government and other grants are recognlsed at falrvalue whenthe charity has entftlement after any perfOMan condltlons have been met, it Is probable that the Income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement Is not met, then these amounts are deferred. Grants payable The church makes grants to Indivlduals and other orBanlsatlons whose charltable objectlves complement Its work. Where uncondltlonal grants are offered. thls Is accrued as soon as the reclplent Is notified of the grant, as thls glves rise to a reasonable expectation that the recipient will reeelve the grants. Where grants are condttional relatlng to perforMall then the grant Is only accrued when any unfulfilled Londitions are outslde of the control of the chartty. Expenditure Llabllltleg are recognlsed as expenditure as soon as there is a12gal or constructive obligation comTnittlng the charlty to that expendlture, It is probable that settlement wlll be requlred, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual's ba51s. All expense5, includln8 SUPPOrt costs and governance costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headinBS in the statement of financial activities. Irrecoverable VAT is charged agalnst the expenditure hÈadin8 for which it was Incurred. VDlunteer5 Most of the management Is carrled out without d)arge byvolunteer5. Thi5 intanBible cost is not included In the Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles sinco it Is not prattlcal to measur2 the value of the volunteers, time. Funds Unrestrlcted fund5 cornprise 8eneral fvnds whith the church can use for ordinary purptsses, and designated funds which the church has allocated to particular purpose5. Restricted funds represent monies received or invsted by the ehurch for 3 5peclfic purpose, The funds may only be expended on the speclftc purpose forwhich theywere glven, Transfers from the general fund to restricted fund5 occur ivhen the expenditure on the restrleted fund h3s exceeded the income. 19
The endowment funds representthe value of bulldlngs owned and used by the churth. In the oplnlon of the Trustees the endowments are expendable, but the church may not sell any of S property without the express permlsslon of the holding trustee5, Baptist Unlon Corporatlon. Employee benefits The charlty operates a deflned contribution plan for the benefit of Its employees, Cortributions are expensed as they become payable. h Current assets Amounts owlng to the charlty at 31st Detember In respect of fees, rents or other Income are shown as debtors less provisions for amounts that may prove uncollettable. Cash at ban[( and cash in hand Includes cash and short temi highly Ilquld Investments with a short maturlty of twelve months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the dEp051t or slmilar account. Current liabilities Credltors are recognlsed where the tharity has a present obllgatlon resultlng fmm a past event that wlll probably result in the transfer of fvnds to a thlrd party and the amount due to settle the obll8atlan can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally reco8nised at their settlement amount afterallowlngfor anytrade dlscounts due. Loat)s and borrowings Loans and borrowing5 are inltially recognised at the tranSaCOn prfce Includlng tran5artion costs. Subsequently. they are measured at amortised c05t uslngthe effecuve Interest rate methtsd, le55 ImpalrmenL If an arrangement constltutes a finan transactlon It Is measured at present value. Flnancial rlsk management Tho charkty has minimal exposure to customer credtt risk liquidty rlsk and market rlsk. Please refer to the rlsl< sectlon of the trustees, annual report for informatlon on how rlsks are managed, The charity doe5 not have any non-baslc financial instruments. Tanglble fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciation is calculated to write off the cost, less estimated resldual value over their experted useful lives. Fixed assets costlng more than £200 are capltallsed. Cost includes costs directly attrlbutable to maklng the asset capable of operatlng as Intended. Depreciatlon Is provided at the followlrgg rates on a 5traitht line basls: Freehold Land Freehold Bulldlng5 Computers and other electronics Furnlture and fittings 25% m Tax The charity Is exempt charity wlthin the meanlng of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and Is consldered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore It meets the definltlon of a charttable company for UK corporation tax purposes. 20
1',5219 4.)$1 452.917 fu.74P 139,47. flU.T 549,Qfjl d,e45 185,178 15ea89 158.38 t37,en &r.ts Pay l¥eo 5} JWtrCaUr¢hlYcu & Chlld(E 39274 19.277 11.BeD 774 11.1 Yth y Undql S.551 6,7 $.1 2M74 CJWnPlgthsltODl*lte•nl 1J16 1,24Y 4821 Worr1 J>vJnwffl LA( [lr.0. d¢Ort UK dthiTBb9 Irr¥XEr89 Pro9• 74 74 32D IriJA79 Ch(tto Zi1eJ 21163 IB, 71.149 egl 21 2IA36 21214 14,253 2D,756 104 21. fjaA12 21 10T,647 24.173 74 24,IT8 A974 2T.735 393 PthW&AdorwJ s,aoz 3,4Q2 B,769 1748 IY4B &632 1.073 I,S77 424 91.167 91,16r
165,354 g.Tl 20.73 38A72 16,a87 Tq 227,tyJJ 2125 Mr&lFr7 Mrs•cM¢ 4.8D8 i& 24.621 Z,956 IthW2 $5.514 13200 10212 8022 Prrn 2,76Q 2,012 17A£8 2J plrthn tr.JthJ202avrf4thC•wthE¥w 14 IIQY8 1¥m 4AaY l• mil1h 125 (4rwm•iergw B&ZFT thtqr &1 8Crtd ua 14DU4 FLuBn
2111 CowliL1¥JW¢ry21 B2,510 At31LtWembwX ¢WelnJ 016PW¢ 401#2 t4PYBWKVUE 401 A111¥iCwberw2J 47x1 &380 143DAC l.laKJ O &J Y.14ll PFEtor Jirlg1- t9 ¢hi14thAmuknkn Rmnki& YOUth¢b 75 4ei EMOn1 FrfdoyUsB T1@[gr¢p &TII ¥0 Y¢thntsyl-tQ chdS 6,17Q 14 13 176 In Tfo6FuThS NfiwBUldlr4FthW-p4l 73.e35 17AIO 23WI Pl.4W} 1,1 1,1 1hlT 1Asr i,go* lJ141
lrfvu4 11,122022 YOL I133) JI.12& OUQ FWAdA6lètFth G9rt¢rOlFvts PernlMLINbTrY JnB 178 191,5171 $Du JL124022 ¢trAsÈFu 1498 2115 Jr¢ 242b Fu 11 12fj8 Lor•tknM Il¢bl 41XJ 219 126 PbD,QSSJ LoKYJmii&bl 3,Ja072 ¢mhbdn aÈFLo 58,11 166,6001 (3BBÈ2) 169Am) BtalirMThtoJFfn•alAGtlv¥oJ ts1 Dbtothr2022 27AJ4 17DW2 JY4Y4e ITDJ 51E.T17 4& 44733 1fv57 112 1113 SYJ12 1. Rahtr@Fund& S3èA72 12 337m 11531IL6 I1.[2) 2) 111.140 Tvhl Punth YDl&l Fur$ CdEIIBd F4pM*PJ