## **DIDCOT BAPTIST CHURCH** 

_Annual Report and Financial Statements_ Year ended 31 December 2024 

Didcot Baptist Church Charity Number 1128696 



CONTENTS 

|Annual Report|Pages 2-5|
|---|---|
|Legal & administrative details|Page 6|
|Independent Examiner’s report|Page 7|
|Statement of financial activities|Page 8|
|Balance sheet|Page 9|
|Notes to the financial statements|Pages 10-16|





ANNUAL REPORT 

## **Annual Report for 2024** 

The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements of the charity, Didcot Baptist Church, for 2024. 

## **Charitable Object** 

The Church is an unincorporated association, governed by a constitution which states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the Baptist denomination, to include the advancement of education, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church will determine. 

The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd on trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object. 

## **Organisational structure and decision-making processes** 

Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution. Baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the membership of a Baptist Church. 

Church Membership is open to those who: 

- accept the beliefs of the Church 

- meet the Church’s qualification on baptism 

- commit themselves to serving Christ within the Church and beyond 

- abide by the decisions of the Church Members’ Meeting; 

- acknowledge their responsibilities as Church Members 

- have their membership application accepted by the Church Members’ Meeting. 

In regard to baptismal qualification for Church Membership, the Church operates an open membership. It therefore allows that persons who have not been baptised in the manner described in the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle may, at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting, be accepted for full membership based on their own public profession of faith. 

The members’ meeting normally takes place six times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the Church.  In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Trustees, who include the Senior Minister (currently vacant), Associate Minister, Children and Youth Director, Administrator and Treasurer, Elders and Deacons and are collectively known as the Leadership Team who are responsible for the day to day running of the Church’s work and witness and the financial and legal aspects of the charity.  All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable object. 

Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church Meeting by the Trustees for guidance and decision or may be raised by members in Church meeting for further 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. 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

In order to achieve the principal objective, which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both for its membership and for the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as Loving Lord. Our vision is “to be a Welcoming Community, following Jesus, and making Him known”. 

Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These services take place each Sunday at 10.30am. There are also occasional services at other times which are advertised on the church notice board and the website at www.didcotbaptist.org.uk. A varied programme is also provided for children and young people, on Sundays and also throughout the week. The church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community, and anybody is free to attend any of these services. 

The Church holds prayer to be of central importance and seeks to incorporate prayer within our regular activities. Additionally, this year a dedicated monthly church prayer meeting was started, at which all aspects of our church life and witness are brought to God. 

The Church runs a series of house groups for the growth of faith and discipleship in the homes of some members and in the church building, and further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services of worship. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 2** 



ANNUAL REPORT 

Whenever possible, the Church makes available its premises, at an affordable cost, to community groups. This is done as part of the outworking of our mission statement, and as an acknowledgement of our commitment to serving our community in various ways. 

The Church is itself responsible for the following activities with the purpose of assisting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ: 

- A Toddler Group is run by the church on the Church premises on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. A baby group is run on Wednesday afternoons. The church employs a part-time Toddler & Baby Group Leader to facilitate these groups. 

- Coffee & Co continues to meet on Monday and provides company for those who wish to meet and chat. 

- An International Cafe started in June 2023 and meets on a Thursday where approx. 40-50 people meet from different nations to share food & conversation. 

- A conversational English class also takes place on a Thursday  which was originally started to help locally placed Ukrainian people to speak English, but now other nationalities are also finding this useful. 

- An Emergency Foodbank is operated four hours a week from church premises, led by DBC members, but also supported by other churches and organisations within the town and volunteers. This is a practical, community-based project aimed at providing short term relief by giving food to people in crisis in our local area. 

- A weekly meeting point for the older people of the area provides a varied programme of events and speakers. This is known as Welcome Break and attracts up to 35 people each week. 

- A Girls' Brigade Group which provides girls and young women with the opportunity to explore faith, develop leadership and life skills, and to engage in social action. 

- Occasional men’s events, providing the opportunity to develop friendships and provide support for one another. 

- A pastoral care team who meet regularly to pray for the church family and provide support through difficult situations and life challenges. 

In partnership with other Churches in the Greater Didcot area, DBC supports the Greater Didcot Christian Children and Youthwork Trust (registered charity 1194345), which provides ECHO. ECHO is focused on helping young people to discover and share life in all its fullness, by developing and delivering a range of provisions e.g., a sports outreach (Soul Sport), Youth Cafe, and ECHO Events (Discipleship Hub). The ECHO Youth Cafe continues to meet in the Hub of our premises on Thursday afternoons. Engagement has continued to be high, with one week seeing 109 secondary / sixth form students visit after school. 

Also, in partnership with other Churches in Didcot and the surrounding area, DBC supports the work of Didcot and Wallingford Area Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre (registered charity 1160343) (CAP). The Didcot branch of CAP have their office on the church premises and also use the space for prayer meetings, some client visits and celebration events. 

Our Children and Youth Director and other volunteer church members support faith engagement in local schools e.g. through prayer spaces, serving as Governors, and attending assemblies.  This year they also led the All Saints Church of England Primary School Year 6 Leavers Service, at All Saints’ Church, in Didcot. 

The Church operates a safeguarding system to ensure that all people working with children and adults at risk are appropriately vetted through the Disclosure and Barring Service and receive regular safeguarding training. 

The Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Evangelical Alliance and Welcome Churches. It also has a twinning arrangement with a Baptist Church in El Salvador. Over the years, this arrangement has enabled the church to support university students and to provide housing in El Salvador as part of its mission strategy. The Church is a member of an inter-denominational forum in the town, Churches Together in Didcot and District. 

The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and is satisfied that the activities outlined above, clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 3** 



ANNUAL REPORT 

## **Achievements and Performance** 

The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas. These would include the practical and emotional support of individuals and families within the church and the wider community. Also, through our support of churches, projects and organisations with a national and international reach, the impact of the church is seen in the spiritual and physical transformation of lives in places far from our church. 

2024 has been a year of a lot of change for the church and through it all our God of faithfulness has shone through, and it is wonderful to see the building being used by many of our own groups and other groups from the wider community too. 

We continued our search for a new senior minister during the year with the support of Rev Mike Lowe as a moderator, facilitating us in prayer and reflection, and helping us to think through as a church where we are now and what our vision going forward will be, and how this relates to looking for a new minister. Rev Mark GrantJones will be taking up the post of Senior Minister in September 2025. 

Examples of highlights from the year include: 

- Soul Sport run by ECHO has continued to meet at St Birinus School, and has engaged with the sports of football and rounders, as well as a range of faith exploration themes. 

- Supporting the three ECHO Events providing the opportunity for young people (and their friends) from DBC and different churches to meet for food, games, and worship.  These events have also seen the development of an ‘ECHO Young People’s Worship Group’. 

- Young people and volunteers from DBC attending an ‘Elle Limebear & Band Event’ at Wallingford Baptist and having the opportunity to hear Elle’s testimony of how God has been at work in her life, as well as to worship with people from a range of churches. 

- Uniting with other churches in Didcot to take part in a Walk of Witness on Good Friday, leading to an open-air service outside the Cornerstone Arts Centre. 

- A student from St Birinus School and DBC undertaking their Year 10 work experience with DBC and ECHO and assisting with the children and youth work activities. 

- A number of young people from DBC participating in the ECHO Engage Programme, focusing on the area of ‘creative communication’ and helping to co-create a couple of ECHO films, which were premiered at ‘Celebration Sunday’; a gathering hosted at DBC in September. 

- Hosting the ‘ECHO EXPLORERS - Summer Activity Sessions’ for primary school youngsters, building on the great summer work that has taken place in the past. 

- Running a number of discipleship courses, which also encouraged more people to consider attending home groups. 

- People from a number of nations including Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan, have found a welcome and friendship at the international café. 

- Several people who come to Coffee & Co have started attending Sunday services too. 

- The Girls’ Brigade Group playing an active part in the preparation, and delivery, of the All-Age Christingle Service that took place in December. 

- Seeing a number of CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Clients go debt free. 

- A varied programme of fun and engaging activities being provided at Welcome Break with the opportunity for faith and friendships to grow. 

- Gathering together with friends, family, and the wider community, at various points throughout the year including Christmas, and Easter, to worship God, and give thanks for who He is, all He’s done, and is doing. 

Seeing two young people who have been part of the DBC family (one who has moved away, and the other currently at university) get baptised. 

Working alongside other churches in Didcot, the church has also participated in: 

- Didcot and Wallingford Area Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre (registered charity 1160343) 

- Didcot Churches Refugee Welcome group 

During 2024 no new members were welcomed into membership. Two sadly died, and three members resigned, usually due to moving away. The membership on 31 December 2024 stood at 124. 

Typical attendances at Sunday worship are difficult to gauge owing to being a mix of live and online throughout the year but attendances have stayed strong with numbers, on a weekly basis, mostly ranging from 120-160 including children. It is always encouraging to see different generations, nations, and backgrounds coming together to worship God. Through its regular activities (across the whole week) the church is in contact with approximately 180 children and young people (0-18 years) and we are grateful to the team, and support of the wider church, for helping to make this possible. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 4** 



ANNUAL REPORT 

Other activities, including house groups have continued to function, online and in-person at different times of the year, providing the opportunity for fellowship and faith-sharing. 

The church runs Didcot Foodbank which distributed food for 7,346 adults and children during the year (2023: 8,590). This figure includes some repeat visits. Didcot Foodbank is supported by other agencies and churches in the area. In addition, a number of hampers were distributed to families at Christmas identified through working with another charity active in the town, Christians Against Poverty debt centre (registered charity 1160343). In addition to donations of food and other supplies, the Foodbank received financial donations in the year of £55,475 (2023: £52,471). 

Didcot Baptist Church is blessed to have a great team of volunteers who faithfully serve in a whole range of areas of church and community life.  Over 125 people connected with the church are involved in volunteering, and there are always opportunities for more people to get involved 

## **Financial Review** 

The church continues to raise the majority of the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation, except in the case of the Foodbank where a majority of the income is given by the general public, alongside food donations. 

General fund donation income fell by 22% or £40,608 to £145,592. Large one-off gifts received in the previous year totalled £34,500 and account for most of the fall. Underlying regular giving increased by 8.5%, and one-off giving (which includes Sunday offerings) also saw an increase (except for the larger gifts). Income from the rental of the premises has reduced slightly to £6,045, partly due to the increase in church activities at the premises. Other income fell as in the prior year two grants were received for both the provision of a new toddler playhouse, and a defibrillator which has been made available to the community. In addition, interest income on cash balances increased by £776 as cash has been put into interest bearing savings where possible. 

Restricted income fell by 6% largely due to lower restricted grant income in the year. The majority of restricted income relates to the Foodbank which fell by £7,525 compared with the previous year. 

General Fund expenditure increased by £5,645 compared with the previous year, about 4%. This was largely due to the pay increases for ministerial staff. Restricted expenditure largely reflects the cost of running the Foodbank, which have remained similar to the prior year. 

The most significant of our general fund expenses relates to the payment of staff to lead and co-ordinate the church’s activities including the Sunday Services, to provide pastoral care for the congregation and other people, and to equip and encourage the membership in their life, Christian witness and service. In addition to the Associate Minister and the vacancy for a Senior Minister, the church employs (part-time) an Operations Manager and a Toddler Group Leader. We pay Greater Didcot Christian Children and Youthwork Trust for our part-time Children and Youth Director. 

The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants (19% of unrestricted donations) to local, national and international organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church’s own charitable purpose. 

The Church is heavily dependent on its membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the church’s activities, many of which run with little or no impact on the church’s expenditure but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the church’s objectives. 

The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy that requires a minimum of three months’ expenditure be held in General Reserves at any time. The balance held at the end of the year represented ten months’ expenditure (£145k). The Trustees are satisfied they have more than sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with on-going income anticipated, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year. Given the current level of economic uncertainty, the Trustees consider it prudent to hold a higher level of reserves for the time being, particularly in anticipation of the appointment of a new minister. Although the reserves for the Foodbank are currently high, demand outstripped both food and monetary donations in 2024 and the balance is expected to fall as we meet the needs of the community in the coming year. 

Signed by George Ferguson on behalf of the Trustees: 

Date:  22 July 2025 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 5** 



LEGAL INFORMATION 

## **LEGAL INFORMATION** 

The church is a registered charity number 1128696. 

## **CHURCH ADDRESS** 

Didcot Baptist Church 43 Wantage Road Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 0BS Tel: 01235 813187 

**TRUSTEES** 

George Ferguson Joanna Schüder Martin Clegg Julie Excell Karen Marriott Bevan Marchand Sebastian Campanella Sara Green Alistair Brown (appointed 3 June 2025) 

**CHURCH TREASURER (also Trustee)** Kate Andrews 

**CHURCH MINISTER (also Trustee)** Rev Louise Brown (until 30 June 2025) 

## **CHILDREN AND YOUTH DIRECTOR (also Trustee)** 

Hannah Field 

## **BANKERS** 

Charities Aid Foundation 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** 

Richard Wilson 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 6** 



INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF DIDCOT BAPTIST CHURCH** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 8 to 16. 

## **Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** 

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. 

## It is my responsibility to: 

- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, 

- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and 

- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention 

## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement** 

My 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 charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.  The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 

## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** 

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: 

- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or 

- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or 

- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Signed: 

Richard Wilson 

Date 21 July 2025 

_**Richard Wilson, FCMA**_ 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 7** 



## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

|_Notes_<br>**Income**<br>Donations and legacies<br>_2_<br>Income from investments<br>_3_<br>Income from charitable activities<br>_4_<br>Other trading income<br>_5_<br>Total Income<br>**Expenditure**<br>Expenditure on charitable activities<br>_6_<br>Other expenditure<br>_7_<br>Total expenditure<br>Net income/(expenditure)<br>Transfers between funds<br>Gains/(losses) on revaluation of<br>property<br>_11_<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>**Fund balances at 1 January** <br>**Fund balances at 31 December**|Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Endowed<br>Funds<br>Totals<br>2024<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>145,592<br>49,074<br>-<br>194,666<br>14,055<br>-<br>-<br>14.055<br>157<br>10,781<br>-<br>10,938<br>6,045<br>-<br>-<br>6,045<br>165,849<br>59.855<br>-<br>225,704<br>142,512<br>74,594<br>-<br>217,106<br>-<br>**-**<br>-<br>-<br>142,512<br>74,594<br>-<br>217,106<br>23,336<br>(14,738)<br>-<br>8,598<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>111,134<br>-<br>-<br>111,134<br>**134,470**<br>**(14,738)**<br>**-**<br>**119,732**<br>**569,700**<br>**52,633**<br>**1,585,000**<br>**2,207,333**<br>**704,170**<br>**37,895**<br>**1,585,000**<br>**2,327,065**|Totals<br>2023<br>£<br>237,175<br>13,299<br>16,592<br>6,720|
|---|---|---|
|||273,786|
|||212,382<br>-|
|||212,382|
||||
|||61,404|
|||-<br>17,660|
|||**79,064**|
||||
|||**2,128,269**|
||||
|||**2,207,333**|



_All the above results are derived from continuing activities.  All gains and losses recognised in the year are included above. The notes on pages 10 to 16 also form part of these financial statements._ 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 8** 



For the year ended 31 December 2024 

## BALANCE SHEET 

|_Notes_<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>_12_<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>_13_<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>_14_<br>Total current assets<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within one year<br>_15_<br>Net current assets<br>**Total net assets**<br>**Funds**<br>Endowed funds<br>_16_<br>Restricted funds<br>_17_<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Designated funds<br>_18_<br>General fund<br>Total unrestricted funds<br>**Total funds**|2024<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>2,095,107<br>1,983,516<br>15,057<br>14,879<br>223,532<br>217,156|
|---|---|
||238,589<br>232,035<br>(6,631)<br>(8,218)|
||231,958<br>223,817|
||2,327,065<br>2,207,333|
||1,585,000<br>1,585,000<br>37,895<br>52,633<br>558,739<br>451,218<br>145,431<br>118,482|
||704,170<br>569,700|
||2,327,065<br>2,207,333|



The financial statements on pages 8 to 17 were approved by the Trustees at a meeting of Elders and Deacons and signed on their behalf by Kate Andrews: 

Date: 22 July 2025 

_The notes on pages 10 to 16 also form part of these financial statements._ 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 9** 



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **1 Accounting Policies** 

## **Basis of preparation** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP 2021), FRS102 and with the Charities Act 2011. 

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis and under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of properties. The Trustees have reviewed the church’s forecasts and projections, and consider that the church is well placed to manage the risks it faces, with an appropriate level of reserves and cash balances. The Trustees therefore have reasonable expectation that the church has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and believe there are no material uncertainties that call into doubt the ability of the church to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the going concern basis has been adopted in preparing the financial statements. 

Didcot Baptist Church is a registered charity, no. 1128696 and meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. 

## **Income recognition** 

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received. 

## **Donations** 

Donations are accounted for gross when received. Fixed asset gifts in kind are recognised when receivable and are included at fair value. 

## **Legacies** 

Legacies are accounted for when notified of entitlement, providing the amount can be accurately measured and receipt is probable. 

## **Investment income** 

Investment income is included in the accounts in the year in which it is receivable. 

## **Expenditure recognition** 

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. 

## **Costs of raising funds** 

The church does not make formal appeals for funds, and expenditure on these items is therefore not material. 

## **Grants Payable** 

This Church makes grants to other organisations whose charitable objectives complement its work.  They are accounted for when the recipient has been notified of the grant and payment is unconditional. 

## **Support Costs** 

Support costs are those that assist the work of the church but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs and governance costs. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to the cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. This represents direct expenditure on the governance of the church.  Most of the management is carried out without charge by volunteers.  These intangible costs are not included in the Statement of Financial Activities since there is no measurable cost to the volunteers for their service. 

## **Fixed Assets** 

Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £250. They are initially recognised at cost, or for donated assets, as a reasonable estimate of their value on receipt. 

There is no reliable information available for the cost of the church premises or the manse and so on first time adoption of FRS102, the insurance value used previously was adopted as deemed cost. The manse is revalued each year based upon the insurance valuation as reliable cost information is not available. The church has been valued by a RICS qualified surveyor as at 31 December 2022. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 10** 



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **1 Accounting Policies (continued)** 

## **Depreciation** 

Depreciation is provided on all fixed assets, other than freehold land, to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful life, at the following rates: 

|Freehold land|Nil|
|---|---|
|Furniture and fittings|4 years|
|Computer equipment|3 years|



Depreciation has not been charged on the church premises and the manse as they are revalued each year. 

## **Funds** 

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. 

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity, principally the Church premises reserve. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on revaluation of the property form part of the fund. 

## **Employee benefits** 

The charity operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the charity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the charity has no further payments obligations. The contributions are recognised as an expense when they are due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals in the balance sheet.  The assets of the plan are held separately from the charity in an independently administered fund. 

Prior to 2012 pension provision was made through multi-employer defined benefit pension plans. Where it is not possible for the charity to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for a plan as a defined benefit plan, it accounts for the plan as a defined contribution plan. 

Where the plan is in deficit and where the charity has agreed, with the plan, to participate in a deficit funding arrangement, the charity recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the contributions payable under the agreement that relate to the deficit.  This amount is expensed in the Statement of Financial Activities.  The unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost. 

## **2 Donations and legacies** 

|Donations and grants<br>Legacies<br>Tax refunds<br>Total|Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Totals 2024<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>123,429<br>42,892<br>166,321<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>22,163<br>6,182<br>28,345<br>145,592<br>49,074<br>194,666|Totals 2023<br>£<br>203,131<br>-<br>34,044|
|---|---|---|
|||237,175|



In 2023 £50,975 of the donations and legacies income was attributable to restricted funds, with the remaining £186,200 being attributable to unrestricted funds. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 11** 



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **3** 

## **Investment Income** 

|Bank interest<br>Manse rental<br>Total|Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Totals 2024<br>Totals 2023<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>4,169<br>-<br>4,169<br>3,394<br>9,886<br>-<br>9,886<br>9,905|
|---|---|
||14,055<br>-<br>14,055<br>13,299|



In 2023, all of the investment income was attributable to unrestricted funds. 

## **4 Income from Charitable Activities** 

|Income from church activities<br>Government grants<br>Other grants<br>Other income<br>Total|Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Totals 2024<br>Totals 2023<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>6,812<br>6,812<br>7,238<br>-<br>3,969<br>3,969<br>8,654<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>700<br>157<br>-<br>157<br>-|
|---|---|
||157<br>10,781<br>10,938<br>7,238|



In 2023, £12,604 was attributable to restricted funds, with the remaining £3,988 attributable to unrestricted funds. 

## **5 Other Trading income** 

Other trading income arises from the rental of the premises to community organisations when not in use for church activities. All income is unrestricted. 

## **6 Expenditure on Charitable Activities** 

|Ministry<br>Mission<br>Establishment and Premises|Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Totals 2024<br>Totals 2023<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>58,158<br>-<br>58,158<br>54,182<br>34,155<br>64,286<br>98,441<br>99,116<br>50,199<br>10,308<br>60,507<br>59,084|
|---|---|
||142,512<br>74,594<br>217,106<br>212,382|



In 2023, £66,132 mission costs and £9,383 establishment and premises costs were attributable to restricted funds. 

Ministry includes the costs of those employed to carry out the ministry of the church, including minsters and youth workers. Mission represents grants made and outreach activities including the provision of food supplies at the Foodbank (restricted funds). Establishment and premises includes support costs for the church, premises costs and the fellowship activities of the church including the costs of services, children and youth groups, other fellowship groups and an employed toddler group leader. 

Support costs are included in Establishment and premises and the amounts included within these figures are broken down as follows: 

|Administration<br>IT<br>Subscriptions<br>Bank charges|Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Totals 2024<br>Totals 2023<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>13,136<br>6,568<br>19,704<br>16,497<br>3,928<br>-<br>3,928<br>5,609<br>920<br>-<br>920<br>874<br>154<br>666<br>820<br>865|
|---|---|
||18,138<br>7,234<br>25,372<br>23,845|



In 2023 all support costs other than £5,494 administration and £730 bank charges were attributable to unrestricted funds. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 12** 



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

|**7**<br>**Grants payable**<br>Home Mission – core grant<br>BMS World Mission – core grant<br>El Salvador<br>ECHO<br>Christians against Poverty<br>Other grants and special gifts|Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Totals 2024<br>Totals 2023<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>8,735<br>-<br>8,735<br>10,718<br>8,735<br>-<br>8,735<br>11,804<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>8,260<br>-<br>8,260<br>3,000<br>7,000<br>-<br>7,000<br>6,500<br>1,000<br>287<br>1,287<br>1,250|
|---|---|
||33,730<br>287<br>34,017<br>33,272|



In 2023, £1,086 grants payable were attributable to restricted funds. 

## **8 Net income for the year** 

|Net income for the year is stated after<br>charging/(crediting)<br>Independent examiners’ remuneration<br>**9**<br>**Staff costs and Trustees’ expenses**<br>Salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Pension costs<br>Other remuneration|2024<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>Nil<br>Nil|
|---|---|
||2024<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>62,069<br>49,971<br>6<br>-<br>4,218<br>3,788<br>-<br>-|
||66,293<br>53,759|



The average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year was 2 (2023: 2). No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year (2023: none). 

The Senior Minister (role currently vacant) and the Associate Minister act as church trustees in accordance with the constitution and with formal assent from the Charity Commission. 

In 2024, Rev Brown received remuneration of £40,693 (2023: £37,559) in respect of her services as Minister. 

£16,134 was paid to the Greater Didcot Christian Children and Youthwork Trust (2023: £14,951) for the services of Hannah Field as the part-time Children and Youth Director. 

£nil in total was reimbursed to the Trustees in respect of expenses incurred as Trustees (2023: £nil). Those with ministerial office, who are also Trustees, are deemed to have incurred expenses in discharging their duties as ministers, rather than as Trustees. During the year, the church received donations of £29,005 from the Trustees (2023: £41,197). All donations were received for general funds, with the exception of £90 received for Girls Brigade. 

The church pays pension contributions for its Associate Minister to the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan of the Baptist Ministers Pension. Further details are set out in note 21. Pension contributions under auto-enrolment obligations for other staff are made to NEST pensions. 

Total aggregate remuneration paid to key management personnel during the year was £40,693 (2023: £37,559). 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 13** 



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **10 Gains and losses on revaluation of fixed assets held for the charity’s own use** 

Gains and losses on property assets were recognised during the year. The manse value is based on the revised insurance valuations received from the Baptist Insurance Company PLC. The church value is based upon a valuation carried out by David Parlett, MRICS at 31 March 2022. 

|Church premises<br>Manse<br>**11**<br>**Tangible fixed assets**<br>_Cost_<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Additions<br>At 31 December 2024<br>_Depreciation_<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Depreciation charge<br>At 31 December 2024<br>_Gain/loss on revaluation_<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Gain/(loss) for the year<br>At 31 December 2024<br>_Net book value_<br>31 December 2024<br>31 December 2023|2024<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>111,134<br>17,660<br>111,134<br>17,660<br>Church<br>Premises<br>Manse<br>Furniture and<br>Fittings<br>Computer<br>Equipment<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>1,980,357<br>250,000<br>57,007<br>2,996<br>2,290,380<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>5,146<br>5,146|
|---|---|
||**1,980,357**<br>**250,000**<br>**57,007**<br>**8,142**<br>**2,295,526**|
||-<br>-<br>52,117<br>2,765<br>54,882<br>-<br>-<br>3,273<br>1,416<br>4,689|
||**-**<br>**-**<br>**55,390**<br>**4,181**<br>**59,571**|
||(395,357)<br>143,395<br>-<br>-<br>(251,962)<br>-<br>111,134<br>-<br>-<br>111,134|
||**(395,357)**<br>**254,529**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**(140,828)**|
|||
||**1,585,000**<br>**504,529**<br>**1,617**<br>**3,961**<br>**2,095,107**|
||1,585,000<br>393,395<br>4,890<br>231<br>1,983,516|



All of the fixed assets are used for direct charitable purposes. The church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of two premises, the legal titles to which are held by the church’s custodian trustee, the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd. These are the church premises and the adjacent manse. 

## **12 Debtors** 

|Trade debtors<br>Accrued income<br>Prepayments and other debtors<br>**13**<br>**Bank and cash balances**|2024<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>270<br>10,238<br>10,648<br>4,819<br>3,962|
|---|---|
||15,057<br>14,879|
|||



|**Bank and cash balances**||
|---|---|
|Cash at bank<br>Other (organisation accounts)|2024<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>218,347<br>212,931<br>5,185<br>4,225|
||223,532<br>217,156|



**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 14** 



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

|**14**<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**<br>Accruals<br>Deferred income<br>Other creditors|2024<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>6,102<br>7,571<br>240<br>300<br>289<br>347|
|---|---|
||6,631<br>8,218|



|**17**|<br>**Endowment Funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||At 1 January||At 31 December|
|||2024|Gains/(losses)|2024|
|||£|£|£|
||Church Premises reserve|1,585,000|-|1,585,000|



The Church Premises reserve represents the value attributed to the Church premises, the legal title to which is held by the church’s custodian trustee, the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd. 

|**18**<br>**Restricted funds**<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Foodbank<br>Other restricted funds under £3,000<br>Church organisations|1 January<br>2024<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>Resources<br>expended<br>Transfers<br>31 December<br>2024<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**£**<br>44,776<br>47,950<br>(62,923)<br>-<br>29,802<br>3,627<br>5,093<br>(4,256)<br>-<br>4,466<br>4,230<br>6,812<br>(7,415)<br>-<br>3,627|
|---|---|
||52,633<br>59,855<br>(74,594)<br>-<br>37,895|



The Foodbank fund represents funds received to support the local foodbank in Didcot which is an activity of the church. 

|**Restricted funds**<br>Foodbank<br>Other restricted funds under £3,000<br>Church organisations|Fixed Assets<br>Current<br>Assets<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>29,802<br>29,802<br>-<br>4,466<br>4,466<br>-<br>3,627<br>3,627|
|---|---|
||-<br>37,895<br>37,895|



|**19**<br>**Designated funds**<br>**Designated funds**<br>Fixed assets reserve<br>Tithe<br>Capital projects<br>Defibrillator maintenance|1 January<br>2024<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>Resources<br>expended<br>Gains and<br>losses<br>Transfers<br>31 December<br>2024<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**£**<br>396,968<br>-<br>-<br>111,134<br>2,005<br>510,107<br>26,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>26,000<br>27,000<br>-<br>(802)<br>-<br>(4,816)<br>21,382<br>1,250<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,250|
|---|---|
||451,218<br>-<br>802<br>111,134<br>(2,811)<br>558,739|



The fixed assets reserve represents amounts set aside equivalent to the net book value of property and equipment used by the church and purchased from unrestricted funds. The tithe represents amounts given which have been set aside to bless other charities as a thanksgiving for the funds raised for the redevelopment project. Following receipt of two large one-off donations during 2023, the church decided to set the funds aside for future capital projects, including the updating of the sound system during 2024. A gift was made to the church to make available a defibrillator – subsequent grant funding was received which covered the entire cost, so the original gift has been designated to cover maintenance of the defibrillator in subsequent years. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 15** 



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **Designated funds (continued)** 

|**19**<br>**Designated funds (continued)**<br>**Designated funds**<br>Fixed assets reserve<br>Tithe<br>Capital projects<br>Defibrillator maintenance<br>**20**<br>**Analysis of net assets**<br>**Analysis of net assets**<br>Endowment funds<br>Restricted funds<br>Designated funds<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Pension reserve|Fixed Assets<br>£<br>1,585,000<br>-<br>510,107<br>-<br>-|Fixed Assets<br>Current<br>Assets<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>510,107<br>-<br>510,107<br>-<br>26,000<br>26,000<br>-<br>21,382<br>21,382<br>-<br>1,250<br>1,250|
|---|---|---|
|||510,107<br>48,632<br>558,739|
|||Net Current<br>Assets<br>Long term<br>liabilities<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>1,585,000<br>37,895<br>-<br>37,895<br>48,632<br>-<br>558,739<br>145,431<br>-<br>145,431<br>-<br>-<br>-|
||2,095,107|231,958<br>-<br>2,327,065|



## **21 Pensions** 

The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers Pension Fund, started in 1925. At the beginning of the financial year, the scheme comprised of a defined benefits scheme which was closed to future accrual on 31 December 2011 and a defined contribution plan which was opened in January 2012.The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers. 

For the current financial year, the pension provision for members of the Scheme is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to longterm incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited. Furthermore, members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%. 

In October 2024, the insurance company Just Group completed a buy out of the liabilities of the closed defined benefit scheme. From that date any remaining liability of the participating scheme members to defined benefit scheme ceased and the £1 per month deficit contributions payable by the participating employers which were agreed in the recovery plan approved in August 2022 also ceased from that date. Administration of the closed defined benefit scheme transferred from the pension trustees to Just Group from that date. 

The Ministers are eligible to join the Scheme. 

## **22 Related Charities and Related Party Transactions** 

The custodian Trustee of the church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited (Registered Charity No. 249635) which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council.  The church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Southern Counties Baptist Association. 

Rev L Brown, is a trustee of the Greater Didcot Christian Children and Youthwork Trust (Registered Charity No. 1194345) who run ECHO. The church made a grant of £8,260 to the charity (2023: £3,000). The church also paid the charity £16,134 (2023: £14,951) for the services of Hannah Field as Children and Youth Director. 

**Didcot Baptist Church** 

**PAGE 16**