## **Thatcham Baptist Church**
_The Ministers and Deacons of Thatcham Baptist Church present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. These comply with current statutory requirements and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (Revised 2019)._
## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023**
## **Charitable Object**
The Charity is currently governed by its Church Constitution and is registered with Charities Commission in accordance with the Charities Act 2022. The Church Constitution states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination, to include the advancement of education and other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world. The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd. on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.
## **Objectives and Activities**
In order to achieve the principal objective, which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities, both to its membership and to the community at large. Individual reports on many of these activities are available separately. The overarching aim is to express the love and truth of Jesus Christ in both word and deed, and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as living Lord.
We have very attractive premises which include wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet, and lift access to first and second floors. There is an induction loop system for the hearing-impaired and we ensure that the use of projected words and images is as clear as possible for those with a visual impairment, with large print song sheets also made available at services.
## ● **Worship, Discipleship and Fellowship**
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 morning and evening. Other events are advertised within these services, on the Church Notice Boards, on our website, via social media and through our Church Management tool, ChurchSuite. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community, and anybody is free to attend its services. Parts of the worship are offered in Spanish and Farsi for the benefit of native speakers.
The Church cares for its Members and others by sharing Christian friendship and fellowship in various ways. Central to this are our Small Groups and short course which meet regularly for the growth of faith and discipleship of Members and other attendees. There are also a number of prayer groups. Further details of all these groups can be obtained from the Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services.
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The Church runs a varied children’s and youth programme, which engages about thirty children under 11 and about twenty 11-18s on a regular basis (excluding our toddler group – see below). The Church operates systems to ensure appropriate vetting of all people working with children and adults at risk.
The Church cares for those who are sick or in declining health by visiting them in hospital or at home, giving practical help, offering the ministry of prayer and, where appropriate, administering communion. Our prayer chains ensure that particular needs are prayed for promptly and responded to appropriately.
The Church offers its services to those who are facing life’s major events such as births, marriages, and deaths. We have two Authorised Persons for the registration of marriages, and our Pastor is also registered for this purpose.
The Church seeks to offer Christian training to its Members where appropriate.
Our Pastor David Taylor and other Trustees and Group Leaders attend annual conferences for the purpose of their ongoing development. David meets regularly with the other local church leaders and workers in Thatcham, and Baptist Pastors in neighbouring towns, for the purpose of mutual support and co-ordinated action.
## ● **Community Work and Evangelism**
The Church pursues a wide range of partnerships with a varied number of stakeholders within the community, detailed as follows .
The Church, in partnership with the other churches, supports the town’s schools. Our Pastor David Taylor co-leads the Christian group _Connect_ at Kennet Secondary School. He also facilitates the termly breakfast for local headteachers and church leaders.
The Church is the West Berks Foodbank distribution centre for Thatcham. With the cost-of-living crisis the need for this is only increasing.
In 2023 the church had around twenty-five regular attendees to our church services and events who were Asylum Seekers. For their benefit we held weekly meals, Bible study groups and other activities as part of caring for them within our community. They became part of our fellowship, contributing in various ways as well as continuing to receive help. As an example, we ran an international event on Good Friday in the town centre s where they cooked delicacies from their culture and shared them with the community **.**
The Renew Wellbeing group continued throughout 2023 with twelve people attending on a regular basis. In a year where the population’s mental health continued to be severely challenged this gentle ministry became even more relevant.
Our Tuesday Café, Fellas games afternoon, Queen Bees and Toddler group continued to provide a valuable service to the local community. These groups
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provide excellent support to individuals and families, and as a Church we are grateful for their leaders’ care, thought and prayer in the way they run these outward facing activities. Sadly, due to family bereavement, Queen Bees was unable to continue towards the end of the year.
The Church building is widely used by community and individual groups. This includes social and other events run by U3A (The Third Age Trust), Alcoholics Anonymous, and other local groups. Southern Counties Baptist Association sometimes make use of our premises for their committee meetings.
The Church offers introductory courses for newcomers and those exploring the Christian faith on a regular basis. In 2023 we held an Alpha Course for this purpose _._ We also offered a Bereavement Course along with partners from other local churches, though this did not go ahead due to lack of demand.
The Church has well-developed relationships with Christian organisations working in the UK and abroad. It partners with BMS World Mission and Christian Aid, both major NGOs across the developing world. One of our church members continued to serve with the Church Mission Society in Ecuador in 2023 and two others went to Malawi with Mission Direct for a two-week visit.
The Church offers a school term time Toddlers group. It is in contact with some 50 parents and carers, with around 35 attending weekly with their toddlers. They enjoy age-appropriate activities and conversational time together. They have excellent support and as a Church we are grateful for the toddler group leaders’ care and thought in this outward facing work. One of the longstanding leaders moved away at the end of the year. She will be much missed.
A weekly Café is run by the church on Tuesday mornings, providing a welcoming place for anyone to drop in with a core group of regular customers.
Our Men’s Breakfast continues to meet each month and has a varied and interesting programme of speakers. This event continues to attract a variety of men from both within and beyond the church fellowship.
The Church continues its presence online through the website www.thatchambaptist.org.uk and through social media to enable our community to know about events that may interest them. We continue to livestream our Sunday services over Facebook with individuals joining us from all over the World including South Africa and Ecuador. We have continued this medium as we have seen many newcomers join us in person having first seen us online. We are grateful to our website manager and Social Media updaters.
## ● **Achievements and Performance**
8 people were received into church membership during the year. 3 others resigned their membership with two of those moving away from the area. Average attendance at worship services increased slightly during the year with many different people attending.
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12 people were baptised during the year. We held 4 weddings and 4 funerals at the church.
At 31 December 2023 the membership stood at 98.
Our Sunday morning teaching programme this year included, amongst other things, a series from Matthew’s Gospel and a focus on church unity. Our children’s and youth groups continued to provide an invaluable service to our young people each week.
On Sunday evenings we continued a varied programme each week. This included Worship and Bible studies and an online prayer meeting. A small team led by our Pastor took over the Sunday evening youth work and together with our Youth Deacon organised occasional evening youth services.
Our weekly programme of activities continued strongly during the year. Twelve small groups of various kinds met regularly for prayer and Bible study. Renew Wellbeing, Tuesday Café, Fellas games afternoon, Queen Bees, TBC Toddlers and the monthly Youth Games Night all proved popular. The monthly men’s breakfasts were increasingly well attended.
The Saturday morning prayer breakfast continues to meet faithfully every week, enabling God’s work among us in ways that cannot be measured.
At our Annual General Meeting in March one deacon stood down and one new deacon was appointed. One vacancy remains unfilled.
At Easter we held services on the Maundy Thursday (at Newbury Baptist Church), Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
At the end of October we held an alternative Halloween party for JAM children.
In November the Church was once again able to be a collection point for Operation Christmas Child’s Shoebox appeal. We also supported the town’s Remembrance Parade by supplying stewards for the event.
The Advent and Christmas period was as busy as ever with a variety of services for all ages. We also went carol singing in our local roads and at The Maltings, our residential development for over 55s next door.
Beyond the local church our Pastor continued to work with local schools, serve as Chair of Churches Together in Thatcham (until the AGM in September), Chair of West Berkshire Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, attend SCBA meetings and occasionally write for the Newbury Weekly News Christian Viewpoint column.
## **Financial Review**
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. The only wider public appeal made for funds during the year was via the Greenham Trust from which we received
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£9200 towards our work with Asylum Seekers and Refugees as we sought to expand what we were already doing from September onwards.
The most significant expense is related to our Pastor who leads, and co-ordinates the church’s activities including the Sunday Services, provides pastoral care for the congregation and other people, and equips and encourages the membership in their life, Christian witness and service. The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to national and international Christian 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 financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements. However, these are summarised here (Figures in brackets are the prior year figures for comparison.):-
- During the year the total income of the church from all sources was £142,720 (£135,627) of which £11,470 (£6,517) was in restricted funds. The total expenditure was £118,163 (£126,011).
- At the end of 2023 the assets carried forward into 2024 amounted to £99,844 (£75,286), of which £7,164 (£526) was held in restricted funds.
- The above represents an increase in reserves of over £24,000.
- In November the church members approved a negative budget for 2024, however, if this turned into reality, the net effect would be for the reserves to fall to approximately the same level as at the end of 2022.
- Thatcham Baptist Church therefore believes it has enough financial reserves to continue viable operation, not only for 2024 but into the future.
The Church owns the following properties:
The Church Building, Wheelers Green Way, Thatcham, Berkshire 16 Cochrane Close, Thatcham, Berkshire (the owned manse).
Both these properties are under the trusteeship of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and insured through The Baptist Insurance Company Plc.
During 2023 the Church made charitable donations of approximately 15% of its general fund income to the following charities: Baptist Home Mission (£6,000), BMS (£3,600), CMS (£2,400), CAP (£2,400), with nearly £4,000 to other charities.
PTO
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## **THATCHAM BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **STATUTORY INFORMATION**
## **1. Principal Address**
Wheelers Green Way Thatcham Berkshire RG19 4YF
## **2. Registration**
Thatcham Baptist Church is established as a charitable unincorporated association registered with the Charity Commission, No. 112869.
## **3. Custodian Trustee for Property Assets**
Baptist Union Corporation Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT
## **4. Organisational Structure**
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with our Church Constitution. The Members’ Meeting generally takes place five times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. These are a mix of online (Zoom) and in-person members’ meetings.
All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective. Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church Members’ Meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in Church meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution requires certain decisions to be made at Church Members’ Meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
In accordance with the Church Constitution, the Members appoint Ministers (also referred to as Pastors) and Deacons. Ministers are appointed to office for an indefinite period. Deacons are elected by the church members by resolution at the Annual General Meeting to serve for periods of 3 years. The Ministers and Deacons are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity.
Those who served during the year 2023 are as follows: Minister: Rev. DJS Taylor (Pastor)
Deacons: Mr. D. Carter (Treasurer)
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Mrs. R. Andrews (Secretary) to March 2023 Mr. R. Appleby Mrs. C. Collis from March 2023 Ms. S. Deering-Punshon (interim Secretary May 2023-) Mr. S Goss Mr. M. Hurd Mr. R. Sneddon Mrs. A. Stopher Mrs. E. Spencer
The Ministers and Deacons are the managing trustees of the Church. The Baptist Union Corporation acts as custodian trustee in respect of the property assets of the Church. All major decisions are taken to a full meeting of church members, which are held five times a year.
## **5. Reserves Policy**
The Trustees consider that since the church owns the church building and the house currently in use as a manse there is adequate reserve coverage and no formally agreed reserve policy is needed. The church does however endeavour to maintain a buffer of approximately six months of normal expenses in its bank accounts.
## **6. Risk Management**
The Ministers and Deacons have assessed the major non-financial risks facing the church and have satisfied themselves that there are policies in place to mitigate these risks wherever possible. Alongside the formal Constitution, the Church has specific policies in place covering Health and Safety, Equality Diversity & Inclusion, Disability Discrimination, and Children and Young People; these being reviewed annually.
## **7. Statement of Charity Trustee Responsibilities**
Charity law requires the Charity Trustees, in our case the Ministers and Deacons, to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Church and of its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Ministers and Deacons are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the activities of the Church will continue.
The Ministers and Deacons are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and
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hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **8. Grant Making Policy**
There are a number of different processes by which the church gives money to other organisations and individuals. Special offerings held during the year are for certain projects as agreed by a Church Meeting. Donations are also made to other causes as funds are available or as designated by donors.
## **9. Connected Charities**
The Baptist Union Corporation continues to act as custodian trustee for the Church and all of its properties are held in the name of the Corporation on behalf of the members. The Church remains affiliated to Southern Counties Baptist Association, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Evangelical Alliance.
## **10. Adviser**
Independent Examiner: Rachel Belshaw
Church Bank: HSBC, Newbury
_Approved by the Ministers and Deacons on_ _**……… 2024** , and signed on their behalf by:_
_Ms S Deering-Punshon Interim Church Secretary Thatcham Baptist Church_
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||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Thatcham|Baptist|Church|(Charity|No.|1128697)|
|||C|th|Receiptsi|and payments accounts|CC16a|
|Forthe|period|01/01/2023|To|31/12/2023|
|Report to the trustees and members of Thatcham Baptist Church (Chanty|Registration|No.|1128697) on|the accounts for the year end 2023|
|Church|Address|
|Thatcham|Baptist|Church,|Wheelers Green Way.|Thatcham,|Berkshire,|RG19 4YF|
|Trustees|
|Andrews,|Rachel|(until|March|2023)|
|Appleby,|Robin|
|Carter,|David|
|Collis,|Carol|(from|March|2023)|
|Deering-Punshon,|Susan|
|Goss,|Stephen|
|Hurd,|Mark|
|Sneddon,|Robert|
|Spencer,|Elizabeth|
|Stopher,|Anne|
|Taylor,|David|
|Bankers|
|HSBC,|6|Northbrook|St,|Newbury|RG14|1DT|
|Independent|Examiners|
|Rachel|Belshaw,|Hill Top|Accounting|Ltd,|Hill Cottage,|Church|Lane,|Ufton|Nervet,|Reading,|RG7 4HQ|
|!|Designated|Restricted|Last|year|
|Al|Receipts|
|[Voluntary|Income|2|JE|(116,289.46|||[fe|£|118,308.07|
|ee|a|0 RS|@FI|
|lincome[Other[Restrictedlinvestmentincomeincome from incomeChurch ActivitiesSSSCidS~
Page 1 2023 accounts v1.0 - approved by Trustees
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Categories Details Unrestrictedfunds Designated funds Restricted Funds Total funds
to nearest £ to nearest£ to nearest£ to nearest£
B1 Cash funds £ 6,655.64 |[£ 4,000.00 |[£ 7,164.29 | {|e 17,819.93
e eoaorr7|ie ‘(fe
Baptist Union Corporation Deposit Acct - Ref ‘| |e 6007.77
eases ‘(ile =
|fe ‘| fe
fe zreo|[e [(fe] ‘|fe282.0
‘|e eras
fe [erasife-] ‘|fe [=] _2st.60|
evaoo|[e ‘(ie ‘(ie 7208
[+20]
fe saso|fe [-] |fe [‘|e]
fefe [ide] dle
Total cash funds | £ 88,679.60 || £ 4,000.00 ||}£ 7,164.29 | |£ 99,843.89
Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment
funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Details Fund tobelongswhich asset Cost (optional) Currentee value
Fietalle Fund— asset Cost (optional) value
22] Church Premises (insured value) + Contents
charity’s own use
Fund to which Amount due (optional) When due (optional)
Details liability relates
Signedbehalf ofby all one the trusteesor two trustees on Signature Print Name Date of approval
| DJCarter David Carter | 42/03/2024 |
Approved at the Deacowy Meeting (Trustees Meeting) ow 12/03/2024
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a These accounts have been prepared on a ‘receipts and payments’ basis and accord with Section 133 Charities Act 2011
b It should also be understood that the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is not meant to balance. It is merely meant to be a summary of the
church's material assets and liabilities.
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As a rule the church operates 3 funds,
1) The General Fund which is an unresticted fund which represents the main income and expenditure of the church
2 Designated Funds
(a) A Pastoral fund for supporting financial needs within the fellowship where appropnate.
(b) An Events fund which is used for the big events where the use of the church accounts is a convenient place to coordinate an overall funding. This was not used in 2023 (nor 2022)
3) In addition from time to time when money is given for specific projects, often in the form of grants, one or more restricted funds are employed. For 2023 there were 4 which are
detailed in the notes later.
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General (Unrestricted) i Events (Designated) _ Pastoral (Designated)
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
VoluntaryFundraising Income | £ 116,269.46 et| feee270.00| [es
Income fromInvestment Church Activities Income || £ £ 12,923.871,366.98 | | £ gaszse|{e - +‘|feee- ~+‘JJe fe= [ fe]
Other Income [£ 400.00 | [£ 369.97] |&-] [e&_- [J] {eed
Total Incoming resources | [ZTRENSOMGST]] [NEVZGVERST| [EMU| ET| ree PEESeESD
PAYMENTS 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Salanes | £ az29982|{£ ssol42ijfe fe ee)
Expenses [£ 167468] [E __ 2,220.74 |
PremisesFinance [E [34364)] [E= weso2a|[evozei|{e-- ~+‘i|{& [ —-] |fe-~—ide~*<4dJfe= [ eye] a
Subscnptions | £ 3,310.05 | | £ area {e [2][|][ )f][|] ee
Stationery & Postagea | £ 4.116.07|322682 | [£347aa7}{e@[Eee0ae7| —-fe- [~*+i|{e] |e- ~*‘\je [=] [fe]
[[Eid]
CommunicationsMission || ££ 10,505.542,656.77 || || £ £ 650323;{£161828||£.- - [«dS][|/£][ (£SS—SSC~Cd‘YE][=][ C—O] ~—TE 2.962.587
Gwing [ETS 23400] [Ee taso000] fe- ‘j{e [fe]
EquipmentYouth | £[£ 6,067.39170348] | | £|e 1eea7o|173.33 fe- |{@ee [SS] - —SdE |Ce [ es]
Surplus (deficit) for the year £ 21,064.91 © 1664012 €£ - £ - £ (2,692.87) £ (1,620.29)
Transfer between Funds £ (1,146.18) £ (10,487.92) £ - £ - £ 692.87 £ 4,558.76
Balance Brought forward £ 68,760.87 £ 62,608.67 £ - £ - £ 6.000.00 £ 3,061.53
Balance Carried Forward £ 88,679.60 £ 68,760.87 £ - £ - £ 4,000.00 €£ 6,000.00
General _ Pastoral
2023 2022 2023 2022
Agencies | £ 2190033] [£ 2072610|{c - |jf [=]
Envelopes [£ 490.00 | | £ 7oooo|{e - [|jf][=][_]
tmoneng (Eo sae (eee [ee
Oneot |¢£ 1418154] ]€ 13,532.04] |£ 270.00
Standing Orders | £ 5910300] |e e5se300|{e€ - [|{f][=]
TaxRecam [Ee 2010177] [e tore720|[e fe sd
General
2023 2022
events [f= [&
General
2023 2022
Interest £ 1 366.98 £ 79 67
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|SIncome trom Church Activities
General weeingl : Events
2023 2022 2023 2022
Coffee Moming ee |
Events a |
Fellas le- jfe=
renew [e [1z6e1|[e] [_ro3es|[e][ —-] ~—|fe [=]
Lettings le [=]
TBC Toddlers fe atzgooffe [ —-] [ie
Crwzone [g[ge-=| feCe |( e e e
[Ober hcone THT ee ee 7.)
General '
2023 2022
Other Income
The church had 3 employees: A stipendary minister, an Asylum Seeker/Refugee Support worker (as from Nov 2023), and a cleaner. This section does not include the cost for the cleaner,
these are accounted for within the costs for the premises.
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The church uses two pension providers; the Baptist Pension Fund for Ministers, and NEST for non-stipendary employees. The pension figures shown here are the employer pension
contributions and broken out separately the mandatory payments to the Baptist Pension Fund to help reduce the deficit within their funds.
The stipend and salary figures show a smaller number than the 2022 figures as our children/youth worker left employment at the end of 2022 and we only started paying the AS&R
Support worker from November onwards.
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Employer NIC contributions are zero as they fall below the allowance threshold.
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Pension deficit payments were reduced part way through 2022 as the deficit had been decreased to zero. We now just pay £1 per month for this so this is lower still in 2023
General bribe ie
2023 2022
National insurance [¢=
Pension |[e@fe 4.251.12 |
Pension Deficit [g¢ [12.00]
Stipend & Salary |
REEee ye |
General Ba
2023 2022
AccommodationConferencesBoots [{¢[¢_—a2.23|[e [ -] =| (f=214.82|
Hospitality [e[¢|442.50] |e [{f=][82.50] |
Mileage
Other
Study [efe_10.00/4,674.66] [¢[e [__235.00][2,220.74] |
SeeSee aA
HSBC started charging for cash and cheque deposits in 2022 as well as a monthly charge. In 2023 one donor gave via employer which resulted in an additional charge for a few months.
Hence the charge was higher for this year.
We paid for an independent examiner and this was the charge for examining the 2022 accounts.
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General
2023 2022
Banking Charges le «143.64 | £ 92.81
Finance Regulation £ 200.00
Finance Training [gfle-343.64]| [e [202.01] I - |
LiaMes
General
2023 2022
Church MaintenanceCouncilTaxCleaning fe264303][3542.28| ||e [3.16212] £ 2511.92 |
Fixtures & Fittings
Manse Insurance |e [_3.218.22] |
Exterior Works [e [=]
Manse Maintenance
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PURee
General
2023 2022
esenptns
[a2Consumables&Misc
General
2023 2022
Consumables
Miscellaneous [fe
Photocopier
Training [e| fg
PePrice rises in the cost of electricitya and gas have impacted us and will continue to do so. Previous fixed price deals ran out in the middle of the year and new deals were negotiated. Both
are now with Bntish Gas Lite and are fixed until June 2026.
General
2023 2022
Electricity
Water(Manse)Gas [e [2.15024] |
[¢ [532.00] |
ficationsmeinem
General
2023 2022
Advertising [e_—-3.00| |e [=]
Broadband/Fixed
Internet fe
MobilePhone [e13500] |@ [105.00] |
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a)
General Events Pastoral
Events 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Coffee es |a 6
Moming le =i lefe
RenewFellas jefeeT
Flowers ee |Ce 0ee
Home groups er s ||esCe 20
Music Lettings fe| Ce|CS |
PastoralMaterialCare (eee|CS |eee
Pastoral Care - Special fefe
Pulpit Supply |
Preaching / Teaching le Jefe
Fund Payout | fe ie
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[16.MissionalGiving
The church attempts to donate at least 10% of its general fund income every year to other charities. There are 4 main, pre-agreed charities that we support in addition to other causes from time to time. » Baptist Union Home Mission - which helps fund Baptist Churches within the UK that are struggling financially and the regional ministry team, We aim to give at least of 5% of our general fund income. » The Baptist Missionary Society - which supports overseas mission. We Provide £3,600 per year plus any specific appeals. at their» Therequest.) Church Mission Society (CMS) - We donated £2,400 which goes to support the work in Ecuador. (An additional £200 was given as part of the christmas appeal from Fellas funds » Chnstians against Poverty (CAP) to which we also donated £2,400.
In 2023 the Christmas appeal was split between Mission Direct and West Berks Foodbank. All moneys raised for this by 27th December plus an amount equivalent to that which will be reclaimed via the Gift Aid and GASDS schemes was paid out before the end of the year. Inevitably there were one or two additional gifts that came in after that,and indeed in early January, which will be paid out in the first month of 2024. Additional funds raised after 28/12/22 for the 2022 Christmas Appeal were paid over to Yeldall Manor (£75) and WBAR (£75) early in the year. The total missional giving this year amounted to approximately 15.75% of the voluntary income (including tax refund ) received for the general fund, with 5% going to Home Mission. If the amount of tax relief is excluded from the voluntary income figure these rise to 19% and 6% respectively.
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General
2023 2022 2023 Restricted Fund Extras
BMS
CAP
cms
Other l€ __250.00 | £800.00 See Notes 19 & 20
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of total General of total General
nagein 2024 ere
of which was offset by a matching gift. These items were received dunng December 2023 and will be installed early
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General va
2023 2022
Audio Visual
iT
Other
ROACH) OS) aa aes.
General ;
2023 2022
6Up/4-12 le [|]
Energise™moUp |e-_i|
Subs je
JAM
Connect |e [Ss] tie [Cd]
TBC ToddlersSchoos [esfle
Spree/OtherOutng |e [sf] [fee]
Youth Night le
Zone fete 441.51 |
[£4,703.48] |e [1,884.79] |
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|49) Restricted Funds
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal AS&R Support. WarmSpace
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Designated donations fe fedede de Cd
Voluntary Income-oneotGrants [e{es [|e] fe| fe [ -][ jie] - *|fefe [ —-] *‘ffe [-] *Jfe
Total Incoming resources fePENNS) fe[La eeeo)fee [eesda | [ey
Christmas Appeal Other 2022 only Total Restricted
2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Designated donations leSe [365.00] | fe [2,111.16][|]
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Total Incoming resources le deactel{e [ -] |[e 4ava00|[@ 1146079] [e [6,617.16] |
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal AS&R Support | WarmSpace
PAYMENTS 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
events [e -[{e - iefe [ee][ fe][ Cd]
Consumables [¢-|{¢ [ -] |j[e [ —-] *‘|{e [=e] [922] |
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Christmas Appeal «Other2022 only 5 Total Restricted
2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
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Consumables [€ [=|] fe- ‘jje+|egaa} ie 32.08]
imeesteo [5= |e. te I |
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Page 7
2023 accounts v1.0 - approved by Trustees
The church made a number of transfers from the general fund this year
» £50 was transferred from the Coffee moming income (part of General Fund) to the Pastoral Fund on 2 ocassions =£100 » £400 from Fellas anda further £50 from Coffee Moming were transferred to the Christmas Appeal at the request of those groups » Recognising that 2024 is likely to be a difficult year with larger than usual demands on the Pastoral (Designated) fund £592.87 was transferred to this so that the fund would start 2024 with £4000 in it. Some of this can of course be transferred back should it not be needed there.
» Finally, in order to pay out the restricted funds as far as possible where the proceeds of the appeal were going to external organisations, the tax recoverable via Gift Aid and GASDS schemes was assessed and transferred to the appropriate Restricted Fund - This resulted in £161.60 being transferred to the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal fund and £300.41 being transferred to the Chnstmas Appeal fund. Due to late payments into this fund a small credit was carried forward into 2024 and that combined with any further ‘late’ receipts will be paid over early in 2024.
Additionally Southem Counties Baptist Association generously said that they did not require us to refund the unused £450 from the Warm Space Grant, but that we should use it to help with our support of Asylum Seekers and Refugees so this (along with a small allowance for extra heating costs) was transferred into the General Fund.
Thatcham Baptist Church holds two main bank accounts held with HSBC, and a single petty cash account. The HSBC accounts are a standard Charity current account and a higher interest, fast access savings account (BMM). Additionally this year to maintain the HSBC balance below the FSCS protected level (£85,000), some money was invested in a 3 month notice savings account with the Baptist Union. Since this in reality holds some of the ‘reserve’ it is deemed acceptable that 3 months notice of withdrawal is required. The remaining accounts are owned and operated by the various groups within the church, for the purposes of the overall accounts these are all treated as petty cash accounts.
It ts assumed that the main current account contains all the money for the pastoral care fund and the restricted funds. The money can be quickly transferred from the BMM account should that become necessary or with notice fom the BU account.
Payment processors (SumUp and Stewardship) are also used - due to payment dates they occassionally hold funds at year end.
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2023 2022
HSBC Account £ 17,819.93 £ 34,719.69
BMM Account £ 60,807.77 £ 39,940.37
Baptist Union Corporation Deposit Acct
- Ref NTO10 £ 20,499.58
TBCTodders [£ [252.93]] [£ 295.94
Zone [ge fe
RenewFelas [€£ 201.60]72.09 [£ [240.20] & 11.30|
Coffee Morning £ 67.49 £ 78.99
StewardshipPettyCash [¢€i250] {e [=] _
[e [|e][ =]
sumup [e€ [_200o/{e] [-_—]
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The church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title to which is held by the church's customer trustee the Baptist Union Corporation Limited (a) Church Premises at Wheelers Green Way, Thatcham, RG19 4YF which has a current insurance value of £1,984,748 (b) The Church Manse at 16 Cochrane Close, Thatcham, RG19 4QX which has a current insurance value of £390,304
The value stated is the insured value for rebuiding the premises according to the Baptist Insurance Company.
On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure OB Plan members’ pension benefits. Just are now providing financial backing for all pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan and following this transaction, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which recovery contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per month from August 2022.
Page 8
2023 accounts v1.0 - approved by Trustees
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‘
Report to the trustees of Thatcham Baptist Church (Charity Registration No. 1128697) on the accounts for the year end 2023, set out on pages 1 to 6.
Respective | report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above chanty (“the Trust’) for the year ended 31/12/2023.
Responsibilities of
trustees and examiners As the chanty trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the
Chantties Act 2011 (“the Act’).
| report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my
examination, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiners | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which
statement gives me cause to believe that in, any matenal respect
* accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
* the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to
enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name Rachel Belshaw
Address Hill Cottage, Church Lane, Ufton Nervet, Reading, RG7 4Hq
qualification(s) or body (if any) MA ACA CTA
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Page 9
2023 accounts v1.0 - approved by Trustees
## Hill Top Accounting Ltd
## 18 March 2024
The Trustees Thatcham Baptist Church Wheelers Green Way Thatcham RG19 4YF
## Dear Trustees
INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION — ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
As you will be aware, | was appointed to undertake the independent examination of the charity's receipts and payments accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023. | have completed my work and my report attached to the accounts did not identify any material defects regarding the accounts.
However, | should like to bring your attention to the following points:
1. As in previous years | note that the charity does not have a formal reserves policy. While it is not a legal requirement to have a reserves policy it is strongly recommended by the charity commission. Detailed guidance is available on their website about how to set the policy.
2. As| raised in previous years | would continue to recommend that the financial policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and formalised as necessary. There is a helpful checklist on the charity commission website which can be used to identify any areas which may need further work. It can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/internal-financial-controls-for-charities-cc8.
Thank you for trusting me with your independent examination and | look forward to working with you again next year.
Yours sincerely
## fleccteek 0 etiten
Rachel Belshaw
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Ww ICAEW
y CHARTERED
== ACCOUNTANTS
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Director:sssRachelBelshawMAACACTA Registered office: Hill Cottage, Church Lane, Ufton Nervet, Reading, RG7 4HQ Tel: 07900678393 Email: rachel@hilltopaccounting.co.uk Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 11369947