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 offi￿r$ Administrator Pastoral Worker Frlday Under Ftves Worker Facilltles Manager MrsDebbie MacG￿￿Or 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 Cl￿nCester. 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 se￿ing elsewhere In th￿r local communltiesl. This is a measure of the act1vlttes and enthuslasm of the congregatlon. One in which we are seelng new attendees Integ￿te 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 CO￿n￿ed 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[V￿rd 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 Congrega￿On, 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 eXpe￿Ilture. but nevertheless, contribute substsnfjally to the achlevement of our objertives. The flnanclal ￿5￿lts 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-ti￿le 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 W0￿1n8 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 on*oir£ 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 Ch￿￿h Irather than spedfic practical and builéin8 related roiesl. The deacong team was expandeLI from 5 to 8 members. All MembetE are enCOu￿ged 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 chU￿h Meetlng for consideration by the Trustees and Members. Though the Constitution permlts declsSon5 to be made at Church mee￿ngs 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 agreeMe￿S made between BUGB and HMR¢ and also takes account of exlstlng historic arrangements wlth Individuals. Remuneraiion wlll be re￿ewed 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 chU￿h (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 SC￿￿*1$ 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 t￿e 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 con￿rn 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 d1￿cted 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 wh￿h cornprBe the Statement of Acu￿￿￿8, th8 B21ance Sheet notss to thfj financlal statsments, Induding a sumrr,ary Ol￿n￿￿8n13rx1jU￿Iry p*)'.Ictes. Tho f￿n￿al fEFX)rtsrofram&wththethg$ beenapplled IH tholr pwpamts¢n kg appllcabla18w aAd Unw KIngdD￿. ACC￿nting Standards {Unltsd KIDgdotn Gengramy Awpiod Accounllng Pracknl. In our opln',on the financlal Biat8mgnts'. glvè a tsue anc faIr￿eW 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 doFAI. 13 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 8ff￿tthereunder. Ouroblecbves aretoobtain Fea80nable BSSLnanceaknjlknts:-th&ftia￿d 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. 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Rahtr@Fund& S3èA72 12 337m 11531IL6 I1￿.[￿2) 2) 111.140 Tvhl Punth YDl&l Fur￿$ CdEIIBd F4pM*PJ