2023-03-31-accounts - Moortown Baptist Church

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Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Annual Report for 2022-23 Moortown Baptist Church

1. Statutory Information

Registered Address

204 King Lane, LEEDS, LS17 6AA. Charity Registration Number: 1128960

Trustees

Dr Patrick Colling (Until July 2022) Dr Phil Commons (Appointed September 2021) Mrs Shelley Dring (Minister – appointed July 2022) Mr Geoff Fennell (Appointed March 2021) Mrs Krystyna Gadd (Appointed February 2023) Mr Zac Mwanje (Appointed September 2021) Mrs Karen Ross (Appointed March 2021) Mr Rod Russell (Appointed February 2023) Mr John Sherbourne (Appointed March 2021) Mrs Diane Sunter (Appointed September 2021)

Property Trustees

The Baptist Union Corporation Limited / The Yorkshire Baptist Association (Incorporated) Baptist House 129 Broadway DIDCOT Oxfordshire OX11 8RT

Bankers

Virgin Money Bank Yorkshire Baptist Association Trust Fund Baptist Union

Independent Examiner

Wyatt & Co Chartered Accountants, 125 Main St, Garforth, Leeds LS25 1AF

2. Annual Report for 2022/23

The trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for the year to 31[st] March 2023.

3. Charitable Object

Moortown Baptist Church (MBC) is governed by a Constitution which states that the principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out 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 Trust which are entirely compatible with the above object.

4. Public benefit

When reviewing the aims and objectives of the charity, and in planning future activities, the trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission, and in particular the guidance for charities for the advancement of religion. The Church proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This benefit is available to all who come into contact with the Church in any way.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.

5. Organisation Structure and Decision making processes

Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to have been baptised on their profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or (at the discretion of the Church Members meeting) on their own public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

Governance of a local Baptist church is achieved through the Church Members meeting together to consider matters related to the life and work of the church. Local Baptist churches nevertheless appoint individuals to responsibilities within the church, so its mission can be advanced through the effective and deliberate sharing of tasks, within a framework of mutual accountability.

In accordance with the constitution, deacons have been appointed by the Church Members Meeting, who for 2022/23 together with the minister (also appointed by the Church Members meeting) have formed the church Leadership Team and shared the responsibility for the church’s mission and pastoral care. The church appointed a new minister in July 2022, Shelley Dring, previously its Children’s and Families Lead, and a total of nine individuals have served as deacons during the course of the year. The deacons and minister are together the charity trustees of the church, responsible for governance and administration of the charity. All church members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.

The Church Members meeting usually takes place up to six times per year and is where matters affecting the life and activities of the church are discussed in the context of worship, including prayer and the reading of Scripture. Attendance at the meetings through Zoom is an option where members cannot attend in person. The intention is that, so far as is possible, practical issues are not perceived as being separate from the spiritual aspects of the Church. Relevant matters may be

raised to the Church Members Meeting by the Leadership Team or at the request of church members. The Church Members meeting is where overall policy and key decisions of the church are determined. Although the constitution permits decisions to be made by appropriate majorities at Church Members meetings, the church generally seeks to work by consensus where possible.

6. Objectives and Activities

In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission in December 2008.

In order to achieve the principal object which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the wider community generally. In loving God and living generously, our 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 living Lord, by following Christ.

– Our shared life Christian worship and discipleship

Although considerably smaller than it was pre-pandemic, Moortown Baptist Church continues to be an increasingly diverse community of Christians, drawn from neighbourhoods across North and North East Leeds. We seek to apply a vision of Truth and Grace as a church together and in whatever context we find ourselves in our everyday lives. When we gather together we seek to promote Christian living, offer hospitality and equip our members.

All through this period Shelley Dring, initially as the church’s Children and Family Lead and then from July 2022 as the church’s minster, took on responsibility, together with the deacons and supported by many volunteers, of compiling and delivering much of the church’s output.

At the heart of this are our Sunday services, in which we share teaching, sung worship, prayer and communion. Sunday services continue to be streamed on Youtube to enable ministry to continue for those who cannot attend in person.

Prayer is a vital part of a thriving church and in the last year we have sought to make it more prominent in the life of our church. This has been evident in a number of different ways. Periodically, times of prayer have been held after morning Sunday services and during Lent a group met every evening at 9 o’clock for 15 minutes, virtually via a WhatsApp group, to pray for the church and many other issues. We now have a Sunday prayer team, which started in March 2023. The purpose of this team is to be available on a Sunday after the service to pray for anyone about anything they need.

In addition to the above, faithful ongoing prayer by individuals and in various church groups has continued.

A number of housegroups and bible study groups met on a regular basis during the year, either in people’s homes or in the church, for fellowship, prayer and bible study as part of their seeking to grow in faith.

Youtube. Moortown Baptist youtube channel continued to be used to stream Sunday services to enable people to “attend” who could not be present in person. This was used both by members of our own church and also by others who were seeking somewhere to worship God.

Facebook is also regularly used to communicate with members of the church and beyond about everything that is happening at Moortown Baptist Church.

Zoom. Zoom meetings continued to be used in various ways to enable those to take part who could not attend activities or meetings in person. This has proved particularly useful for church meetings and some housegroups.

Worship and Teaching .The teaching series planned by the Minister, supported by others, was designed to be accessible and included: Jesus in Mark’s gospel, running the race, the ‘I am’ statements of Jesus, things where Jesus said “I am not”, a series from the book of Philippians, Harvest, Fruitfulness, an Advent and Christmas series, a series on Epiphany moments and Journeying with Compassion.. All ages took part in creative activities and this has continued. A supporting team led worship each week including choosing songs and another team provided technical support including recording content.

Staff . The church employed four people during the year: the Minister, a Seniors Worker, an Administrator and a young person who prepared various rooms in different parts of the building for the whole variety of activities taking place each week. The church is extremely grateful to have four such amazing employees. Without them it would not have been able to function so well.

Volunteers. In all of its activities, the church relied on volunteers to support its staff and trustees. Numerous volunteers helped with Lunchclub, Sunday services in all its aspects, the pastoral team, toddlers, small study groups, children and youth, overseas mission links, the Beacon cafe, encouraging the prayer life of the church, maintaining the building, helping with administration and compliance with the church’s legal duties as a charity and employer in a whole variety of ways. Many individuals helped in a number of different aspects and the church is enormously grateful for all their help and commitment.

Outward Focus

Our local and citywide connections

We are committed to equipping one another in our daily living and work. As a church we partner with others to achieve common goals, through action, campaigning, prayer and financial support. We encourage individuals to get involved with community groups and charities and continue to host open contact groups such as a Monday morning Beacon Cafe. Specific events open to all and attended by many from across the community included the annual plant sale and a special meal to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee. We also continue to have links to the Pathways Christian Counselling service (see below).

As a church we have continued our support for Baptists Together Home Mission. Additionally, we continued to support a range of groups including Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store and Grace Gospel Church.

During the year the ‘Beacon’ group met every Monday morning between 10am and 12.00 noon. Members of the church and local people from the community came in regularly to chat and have a drink. We had a short prayer time at the end for anyone who wanted to stay, using a printed card

with simple responses. The numbers for this grew over time and gives a good way to start off the week. Requests for prayers are followed up and passed to the relevant people.

The craft group has been regularly attended with new people joining. Some continued to knit squares to make into blankets which were taken to local care homes. Others came for the fellowship and enjoy colouring or simply chatting. Others knit, crochet or do small crafts or weaving. Materials can be provided by the church if needed. Wools are often donated by members for the group to use as they want. The church has a stock of needles and patterns and members are happy to teach new people certain skills.

The church utilised Beacon and the craft group to provide “Warm Spaces” for anyone who was struggling with the cost of heating their homes. Government funding was given to help with the additional costs associated with this.

Building and strengthening relationships across communities continued to be important. Organisations we were involved with included the Queenshill Gardeners Project, the Leeds Jewish Housing Association and Lingfield Living Local.

During the year the Pathways Christian Counselling service, which offers counselling to all in the community through its team of professionally trained counsellors and students, ceased to be part of the church and instead became a project within The Leeds Christian Community Trust (LCCT). This would help it to widen its working with churches across the city. One of the church’s trustees continues to serve on the Pathways management committee.

The church maintained its partnership with the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store through encouraging donations of furniture. In addition, several church members were closely involved either through working for the Store or as trustees.

The church operates what it calls the “Lords Pantry” which is a stock of food and supplies which can be given to those who are struggling. It is available for anyone who approaches the church and regular donations are given by members to restock items.

To the same end, the church received Government grants through Leeds City Council and connected agencies to enable it to support people who were struggling with the cost of living. It did this by providing food and supplies, food vouchers for Sainsburys and electricity prepayment vouchers in partnership with a local post office.

One of our members has continued to pastor the Ethiopian church in Leeds and the Ethiopian church continues to reach out to asylum seekers in the UK with God’s love and to supply practical and spiritual support.

Our international links

BMS World Mission

The Church continues to support overseas links and overseas mission in a number of ways (see sections below). The main outlet for support for overseas work remains the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS).

We have given monthly financial support to BMS from general church funds and through individuals’ monthly, annual, and special appeal donations. The generous level of individual giving has been maintained and the amount raised through the Birthday Scheme has been acknowledged by BMS as among the top 10 Baptist Churches in the country.

During the summer we were pleased to welcome, for the first time, our medical mission partners who work in a remote hospital in the Sahara in northern Chad. They visited our weekly Monday café to give an inspiring presentation of their work and the lifestyle of this marginalised community.

Wider news from Chad and our partners in France, and of BMS work worldwide continues to be communicated to the church through the Church’s online newsletter and mission magazines.

MAF

Our church rep for MAF kept in touch with MAF links and continued to receive regular prayer diaries covering pilots and their families working overseas serving those in the world’s most needy places. The continuing effects of climate change on vulnerable peoples and shortages due to the global impacts of conflicts makes life very hard. Our objective has been to continue to inform using the Church website to highlight all those concerns and once again many individual members quietly carried on their loving support (in prayer and materially) for all those whom we have made commitments to support over the years.

Work with Asylum Seekers

We referred earlier to the church’s links with the Ethiopian church in Leeds. In addition to that, one of our church members who pastors that church has made a number of trips to France and Belgium to give practical support and show the love of God to people in refugees’ camps there.

Romania

MBC has continued its links with its sister churches. Nearly £9,000 was raised through a number of events to allow the Romanian support group to send various amounts to the churches we support, including nearly £6,000 to help them support Ukrainian refugees. The money allows for help for a Gypsy pastor in Cluj Napoca and to help students in the city who are at university and need support to live. Money is shared with Odorheiu church and the village of Cserefalva who run a joint youth camp every summer.

Two church members were able to spend a week visiting the churches in the Spring and enjoyed visiting friends. In particular they visited Manastur church in the city of Cluj where they got to meet Ukrainian refugees who had travelled into Romania for sanctuary. The Ukrainians sang and talked about their experiences and on their return the members were able to share this with the church. Videos and greetings were shown.

Following this trip one of the deacons from Manastur Baptist church, with his wife and daughter, spent a week at MBC. Florin Fodor works for Campus Crusade in Cluj. It is an American Christian charity that works with young people in the Universities. As a deacon of his church Florin showed

slides and talked to us about driving into Ukraine with essential items bought with money MBC had provided. It made it all very real to the church.

‘Via’ church (The Way) is a church set up two years ago after a split in Manastur. The MBC members were able to visit this new church and be shown around. That church has a large family and young people’s ministry which was heartening to see. It is hoped that the strong links we have will result in exchanges.

Zsuzsi and Andor Ferko, two young pastors, who work in Odorheiu In the south east of Romania were also pleased to show members around. They have a growing church and especially note that young people are coming more and more. They hope to visit MBC next year.

The new church pastor in Cserefalva was visited to maintain the links started over thirty years ago and to hear how the camps have helped their young people.

All in all MBC members are trying to keep the links going and share in all they can teach us.

WEC International

The Church continues to support (through an annual donation and regular giving by individuals) the work of two of our members working with Radio Worldwide (WEC International)

Due to ongoing travel restrictions during the year, the work is carried out in two main ways.

Firstly by running training courses on Zoom in the use of radio and other media for Christian work – most notably in African countries.

Secondly by producing an audio and video, Christian Thought for the Day, in Hindi, which is distributed via radio stations in India, Australasia, Fiji etc, and also through social media to thousands of phones.

In these ways we continue to witness, in words, service and actions, to the truths of the Good News of Jesus Christ for the wider world.

Children and Young People

On Sunday mornings, except when there is cafe church, a faithful group of volunteers have taken children and young people into an adjoining room where they have carried out a range of teaching and activities on the same theme as is being followed in church. The children have then usually shared with the whole congregation what they have learnt and been doing.

Toddlers . : Following the closure of parent and toddler groups under Covid lockdown, a group for parents and their pre-school age children within the local community was re-established in April 2022. Many young children were “Lockdown babies” who, along with older children, had missed out on the opportunity to mix with wider family members or other children outside of the nuclear family. For Parents, and especially for new parents, support networks and friendship groups had been difficult to start or maintain due to Covid restrictions.

So Stepping Stones Parent and Toddler Group was started. The group began meeting once a week during term time on a Tuesday morning. The group is an opportunity for children to explore and play and mix with other young children. For parents and carers the group offers a chance to socialise in a relaxed environment, build friendships, and share worries and concerns within a trusted group. Attendees have included Mums, a few Dads, and a significant number of Grandparents who are caring for grandchildren while Parents are at work.

Stepping Stones is run entirely by a team of dedicated volunteers from the church. The volunteers aim to offer a safe and stimulating environment for the children who attend, and to offer friendship, care, support, understanding and acceptance to all the families who attend. Above all the volunteers seek to demonstrate the Love of God to all who attend through the care and friendship they offer.

Stepping Stones makes a nominal charge per family per session to cover the cost of resources and drinks and snacks. However no family is excluded if they are unable to pay.

Stepping Stones group started with a small number of families, but the numbers continued to grow during the year to over 25 families each session, mainly due to word of mouth, and the group continues to be very popular

Youth – Rock Solid. With a growing need for youth work at the Church since restarting after the pandemic, in September 2022 the church started a weekly Rock Solid programme. Rock Solid is a programme aimed at 11 to 14 year olds using resources provided by Youth for Christ. Each meeting is a mixture of games, talks and chats themed around a particular topic usually relevant to the lives of young people. The programme provides an opportunity to present a Christian view on the topics. Biscuits and drink are provided for a short break in the one hour meeting. All safeguarding guidelines are followed.

The format of Rock Solid is such that it benefits from having enough young people to make the activities work. The material is also very focussed on its particular age group. At the start of the year meetings were attended regularly by up to 10 children, mainly but not exclusively from church families. By the end of the year it became apparent that many of the young people had become too old, the novelty of having a new meeting had worn off and the number attending had fallen. With a lower number attending, the activities became less exciting and so the format started to fail. The leaders of the group were able to engage with the smaller number of young people but it is difficult to engage in a deep conversation in such an informal setting.

The leaders believe that Rock Solid should continue with a new intake of young people but something more bible centric is required for those now too old for the format. The leaders have discussed with the minister the intention to meet with parents of the older youth to arrange something suitable for this coming academic year.

Seniors

Our Seniors Worker worked alongside a team of over 20 volunteers who supported her in her work with seniors.

The Lunch Club met weekly during term time with a summer special in August and three outings for lunch. There are up to 24 Lunch Club members aged from their 60’s to 90’s who normally attend. A fresh meal was cooked onsite each week and a variety of activities took place.

The Seniors worker and volunteers stayed in touch with members by telephone when they were absent from the group through illness or other issues and through the school holidays.

We continued to signpost to or liaise with other organisations as appropriate to help people’s particular needs and requests.

The Management Committee continued to meet during the year to plan and oversee the running of Lunch Club.

7. Pastoral Care

The church is committed to the pastoral care of its members and those connected with it and has a Pastoral Care Team (PCT) consisting of a properly trained team and a volunteer team leader. Through this and its wider membership, the church has continued to develop and offer quality pastoral care under the leadership of our Minister, Shelley Dring, and the Leadership Team of the church, with the support, involvement, and advice of our Designated Leaders for Safeguarding, as required. The work that the PCT engage in, is largely a ‘behind the scenes ministry’ and their support for others has continued discretely, carefully and behind the scenes. In our Statement of Pastoral Care at MBC, the emphasis of our pastoral care is always confidentiality.

The priority of the PCT has been to maintain contact, connection, and communication with people at MBC , and those connected with the fellowship. The team has been involved with individuals and families offering precise, targeted, and consistent support. This has involved supporting those with mental health concerns, those with partners in Care Homes or Hospital, recovery after surgery, illness, or accident, support for those recently bereaved, the supply of essential materials for home, work or recreation, support for those with complex family situations, shopping trips and lifts to church. The team have visited, given practical help, emergency help, supported and prayed for those in our fellowship.

Members of the PCT attend Beacon Café and warm space on a Monday morning, Stepping Stones Mother and Toddler Group on a Tuesday morning, Lunch Club for Seniors on a Wednesday, and the Thursday afternoon Craft Group and warm space, and so are strategically placed to offer help and support to those who attend these groups as required. The Team is present at the Sunday morning worship services, and several are part of the Prayer Team, offering specific prayer for those who seek this. The PCT is committed to praying for individuals and families and the c onfidential WhatsApp prayer link is well established, on which specific prayer requests are shared. Any items for prayer by the PCT are held in the strictest confidence and given only on the explicit instruction of the individuals with their permission for the information to be shared.

The Team hopes to increase its numbers by adding those who may be ‘befrienders’. There are a wide range of talents and gifts that would be helpful. Befrienders would perhaps meet with or phone someone during the week as a catch up, give help filling in complicated forms, give practical advice and help to someone moving into the area, offer lifts, or be a welcomer at church. In so many small ways this would demonstrate care, practical concern, and the love of Jesus.

We are aware of our need for further training and for the provision of courses that may offer support more widely to others such as a bereavement awareness training course and a self-care course for those who are supporting others.

8. Health and Safety / Facilities / Data Protection

Our Health and Safety Policy and Practice was monitored by the Health & Safety Deacon working alongside a dedicated Health & Safety team supported by our church administrator.

The church has an agreed GDPR policy and privacy statement and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

9. Leadership Team and Church

During the year under review, the church appointed Shelley Dring, previously the Children’s and Families Lead, as its Minister. The Leadership Team of the deacons and minister sought to ensure the continuing ministry and mission of the church. They met approximately fortnightly to pray and discuss a full range of issues.

The deacons, as well as all being committed Christians, brought a range of skills to their roles as trustees, including media, education, childcare, health, accountancy, construction and business.

A continuing focus for the church was on strengthening relationships to build a community centred on Christ. Our congregation grew gradually in numbers as they sought to continue to grow in their Christian faith.

10. Online and electronic communications

The continued use of our re-launched website (www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk) together with a weekly online E newsletter has more or less guaranteed that MBC is served not simply with a fresh face to face look but also vibrant online news. It has helped to keep families in touch with what the church is doing and the website currently holds a library of many hundreds of stored items all of which can be easily traced and downloaded.

The weekly newsletter, which the Minister has emailed out to all those on the church’s email address list, included a message in which she shared thoughts on our Christian lives and faith and also set out information about what was happening in the coming week and where appropriate further ahead. For those without email and who wished to receive news, a printed version was photocopied and either hand delivered or posted out. Further copies were available at the Sunday service for anyone to collect .

11. Future Plans

As we move from one financial year to another, Moortown Baptist Church’s main focus will be to continue to try and discern what God wants from us and for us and for those we have yet to meet.

We will continue to pray and to seek to put Jesus at the centre of everything we do. We will continue to offer pastoral support where needed via our dedicated pastoral team.

We will continue to be outward looking by offering outreach to our local community (Beacon cafe, Seniors, Toddlers, support for those struggling financially through the Lords Pantry and external

funding), across our wider city (Grace Gospel Church, Leeds and Moortown Furniture store, Pathways counselling service) and supporting mission across the world (for example BMS and WEC). In short we aim to continue to be Christ to our neighbours both near and far.

During the year to come the church will also be considering whether major spending might be needed on building maintenance and improving systems to support worship within the church and communications externally.

12. Financial Review

The Church continues to raise the funds needed to carry out its activities primarily through voluntary giving from within its own membership and congregation, from our charitable activities and from tax refunds through the Gift Aid scheme. The Church is intensely grateful for the continuing generous giving of its membership.

Due to a reduction in the number of its members, the year saw a reduction in unrestricted income for the church compared with the previous year of £19,366. In addition there was an increase in unrestricted expenditure of £22,262. Nevertheless, there was a surplus in year in unrestricted funds of £12,456, before adjustments relating to Baptist pension fund liabilities. During the year the pension fund announced it was no longer in deficit and accordingly there is no longer a need to make provision for an ongoing liability. That meant there was a surplus in adjusted unrestricted funds of £31,137 and an overall increase in funds of £29,859. Total funds at the end of the year amounted to £246,178 (2022 £216,319) including unrestricted funds of £114,941 (2022 £83,804). The church was able to make grants of £33,154 to individuals and other organisations.

The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted, are set out in the accompanying financial statements.

The trustees will continue to report the ongoing financial situation to the whole church.

13. Reserves

The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy to hold six months worth of running costs, equivalent to about £60,000 based on unrestricted running costs. At March 2023 unrestricted reserves have increased by £31,137 to £114,941 as described above.

The trustees are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with anticipated ongoing income, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year. The reserves at March 2023 exceed six months worth of running costs and will be closely monitored. The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the church, and are satisfied that there are policies and plans in place to minimise these risks.

14. Trustees’ Responsibilities

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity and of its income and expenditure for the year. We are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts.

Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

15. Approval

This report was approved by the Trustees at their meeting on 10[th] October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Geoff Fennell (Treasurer and Trustee)

John Sherbourne (Deacon and Trustee)

Charity Registration Number: 1128960

Moortown Baptist Church Annual Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2023

Contents:	Page
Independent Examiner’s Report	2
Statement of Financial Activities	3
Balance Sheet	4
Notes to the Accounts	5–17

Moortown Baptist Church 204 King Lane Leeds LS17 6AA

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Moortown Baptist Church

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Moortown Baptist Church (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2023 on pages 3 to 17 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 5 and 6.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I 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 I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

The charity's gross income did not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do 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.

Nigel Wyatt B.Sc, FCA Independent Examiner

125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF

04/12/2023

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes Income & endowments from: Donations & legacies 5 Charitable activities 6 Grants 7 Investments 8 Total Expenditure on: Costs of generating funds Charitable activities 9 Total Net income/(expenditure) Actuarial revaluation of defined benefit pension scheme liability 22 Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 118,140 19,668 137,808 4,411 13,045 17,456 - 4,300 4,300 870 870 123,421 - 37,013 - 160,434 - 110,965 38,291 149,256 110,965 - 38,291 - 149,256 12,456 - (1,278) - 11,178 18,681 18,681 31,137 - (1,278) - 29,859 83,804 - 7,324 125,191 216,319 114,941 - 6,046 125,191 246,178	Total 2022 £ 171,612 21,765 932 29
		194,338
		- 136,576
		136,576
		57,761 14,035
		71,796 144,523
		216,319

The notes on pages 5 to 17 form an integral part of these accounts.

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2023

2023 £ £ 125,191 2,968 1,267 118,212 122,447 (1,460) 120,987 - 246,178 114,941 6,046 - 125,191 246,178	2022 £ £ 125,191 7,965 1,193 107,513 116,671 (10,873) 105,798 (14,670) 216,319 83,804 7,324 - 125,191 216,319	2022 £ £ 125,191 7,965 1,193 107,513 116,671 (10,873) 105,798 (14,670) 216,319 83,804 7,324 - 125,191 216,319
122,447 (1,460)	116,671 (10,873)

		216,319
		83,804 7,324 - 125,191
		216,319

The notes on pages 5 to 17 form an integral part of these accounts.

These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 5[th] September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Geoff Fennell Treasurer and Trustee

John Sherbourne Deacon and Trustee

Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 1 January 2019.

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis, as there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue. Based on the adequacy of the charity’s reserves as at the balance sheet date, along with their knowledge of the charity’s ability to meet bills, payments and other liabilities as they fall due, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

The following are the accounting policies which have been applied in dealing with material items:-

Income

All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is probable that the resources will be received, and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donated income and grants receivable are taken into account when received by the charity. Income received in circumstances where a claim for repayment of tax has been or will be made to HM Revenue & Customs is grossed up for the tax recoverable. Any amount of tax reclaimed from HM Revenue & Customs but not yet received is shown within the charity's debtors. Income from donated goods is accounted for on the basis of the value of average donation times no. donations received.

The charity has relied significantly upon volunteers in carrying out its activities during the year. In accordance with paragraph 6.18 of the SORP, the role of volunteers has not been recognised as income from donated services in the accounts.

Investment income is taken into account when receivable and expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, when incurred by the charity, regardless of when payment is made.

Fund raising and publicity costs

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

Grants payable

The church makes grants to other organisations whose charitable objects complement its work. Grants payable are taken into account at the earlier of when they are paid or become constructive obligations.

Governance costs

Other than the costs of independent examination of the accounts, direct expenditure on the governance of the church is not material. Most of the management of the church is carried out without charge by volunteers. This intangible cost is not included in the Statement of Financial Activities since there is no measurable cost to the volunteers for their service.

Funds

General funds are donations and other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without specified purpose and are available for purposes as directed by the trustees. Restricted funds are amounts received where the donor has specified the purpose for which they should be used.

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

Fixed Assets

The church premises are included in the balance sheet at deemed cost of £125,191, a valuation obtained on 1[st] January 1977.

Furniture and equipment in the church premises is included at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Assets costing less than £500 are not capitalised.

Depreciation

Depreciation has not been charged on the church premises because, in the opinion of the Trustees, the residual value of the asset is not less than the deemed cost. In addition, there is a long estimated useful life of the building and depreciation in any year would not be material.

Depreciation on other fixed assets is calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over their expected useful life, at the following rates:

Computer hardware 33% Furniture and Equipment: 20%

Pension liability

The church accounts were prepared under the accounting standard FRS102 for the first time for the year ended 31 March 2017 following the withdrawal of the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities. As result of this change the church is required to include on its balance sheet a liability representing its share of the pension deficit relating to the defined benefit section of the Baptist Pension Scheme. The liability shown in the church accounts is based on the Employer Debt that would be due on a cessation event. This figure has been provided by the pension scheme actuaries. As no cessation event is anticipated the liability has been discounted to reflect the time value of money on the assumption it will be paid over the period for which deficit contributions are expected to be paid.

2. Going Concern

It is the view of the Trustees that the church will continue to operate as a going concern (i.e. that the church will be able to continue operating as a charity without threat or intention of liquidation) for at least 12 months from the date these accounts were signed.

Pension Liability

In previous years there were significant current and long-term amounts due to the Baptist pension scheme. However, during the year, the scheme announced that it was no longer in deficit. To reserve its position, it maintained the requirement for monthly deficit payments by churches, but only at a nominal £1 per month. Payment of the previously stated full employer debt to the pension scheme would still be triggered by a cessation event, such as the Church still not employing a member of the Baptist Pension Scheme. However, the church’s minister has now joined the scheme which means that the situation is not currently relevant and therefore there is no longer the need to account for a pension creditor.

The Trustees expect the church to be able to continue to meet all liabilities as they fall due.

3. Independent Examination Costs

Net income for the year is stated after charging £620 (2022; £500) for the costs of independent examination.

4. Government Grants

There were no further grants in respect of the Government’s furlough scheme (2022; £932). However, central government grants totalling £4,300 were received via Leeds City Council approved organisations to help support households with food and energy costs (2022: nil).

5. Income from Donations & Legacies

Offerings Tax Refunds Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 97,754 - 16,705 - 114,459 20,386 - 2,963 - 23,349 118,140 - 19,668 - 137,808 141,066 - 30,546 - 171,612	Total 2022 £ 145,626 25,986
		171,612

6. Income from charitable activities

Counselling Service Room Hire Toddlers Other Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ - - 13,045 - 13,045 3,217 - - - 3,217 1,163 - - - 1,163 31 - - - 31 4,411- 13,045 - 17,456 760- 21,005 - 21,765	Total 2022 £ 21,005 760 - - 21,765

7. Income from grants

Household Support Furlough Income Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ - - 4,300 - 4,300 - - - - - - - 4,300 - 4,300 932 - - - 932	Total 2022 £ - 932
		932

8. Income from Investments

Interest: Yorkshire Baptist Account Baptist Union Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 777 - - - 777 93 - - - 93 870 - -- 870 29 - - - 29	Total 2022 £ 29 -
		29

9. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Ministry, Fellowship & Outreach Youth Work Childrens & Toddlers Work Seniors Work Counselling Service Totals	Direct Grant Support Total Activities Funding Costs 2023 (note 11) (note 10) £ £ £ £ 39,537 33,154 32,184 104,875 - - - - 9,078 - 4,019 13,097 9,755 - 4,319 14,074 17,210 - - 17,210 75,580 33,154 40,522 149,256	Total 2022 £ 72,211 71 36,201 11,252 16,840
		135,576

The Children’s and Families Worker who unofficially carried out the role of church Minister during the first part of the year was appointed as Minister in July 2022 and the costs of employing her are split between Ministry, Fellowship & Outreach and Children’s & Toddlers Work.

The counselling service operated largely independently which is why no support costs are allocated there. It ceased to be part of the church during the year and instead became a project within the Leeds Christian Community Trust (LCCT). The figure above consists of direct costs incurred before the transfer and the balance of funds transferred to LCCT (see also note 19).

Restricted funds included above are:

Ministry, Fellowship & Outreach Childrens & Toddlers Work Counselling Service Totals	Direct Grant Total Activities Funding 2023 (note 11) £ £ £ 1,218 19,764 20,982 99 - 99 17,210 - 17,210
	18,527 19,764 38,291

10. Support costs

Administrator Printing, Stationery, Telephone Governance Costs Buildings Costs Other Costs Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 8,416 - - - 8,416 1,600 - - - 1,600 1,172 - - - 1,172 24,849 - - - 24,849 4,485 - - - 4,485 40,522 - - - 40,522 39,005 - - - 39,005	Total 2022 £ 12,183 2,146 1,000 20,400 3,276
		39,005

11. Grant funding

Recipient BMS World Mission BMS Uganda appeal Caring for Life Grace Gospel Church Household Support Fund Leeds & Moortown Furniture Store Lingfield Living Local MAF Martin House Hospice MBC Romania Fund MBC Romania Fund (Ukraine) Pathways Counselling Radio Worldwide Youth For Christ Personal gifts to staff YBA Home Mission Totals Total by fund for 2022	General Restricted Designated Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 5,060 4,060 - - 9,120 - - - - - - - - 2,300 - - - 2,300 - 1,786 - - 1,786 500 - - - 500 - 667 - - 667 - 1,000 - - 1,000 - 667 - - 667 - 2,993 - - 2.993 - 5,641 - - 5,641 500 - - - 500 1,200 1,950 - - 3,150 - 500 - - 500 - 500 - - 500 3,830 - - - 3,830 13,390 19,764 0 0 33,154 15,165 24,196 0 0 39,361	Total 2022 £ 13,560 1,106 150 3,510 - 755 - - - 3,755 8,090 - 2,860 500 - 5,075
		39,361

The organisations to which grants have been given serve the following purposes:

BMS World Mission: a Baptist missionary society that works worldwide to share the Christian faith
BMS Uganda Appeal – a special child protection appeal
Caring For Life is a local Christian charity that seeks to "Share the Love of Jesus" with at-risk and hurting people, including those who are homeless, through providing long-term support .
Grace Gospel Church: a Leeds church that works mainly with Ethiopian immigrants and refugees
- Household Support Fund – Government grants distributed in Leeds via Leeds Community Anchor Network to fund direct support to people struggling to pay for essentials such as food and energy
Leeds & Moortown Furniture Store: a charity that provides donated furniture free of charge to those who could not afford to buy it
Lingfield Living Local – an organisation that works with people in local socially and economically disadvantaged communities
MAF – Mission Aviation Fellowship flies pastors and relief and medical workers and their necessary supplies into otherwise difficult to reach parts of the world
Martin House Hospice – a hospice for children and young people
MBC Romania Fund: providing support to two partner churches in Romania
MBC Romania Fund (Ukraine) – providing support to our partner churches in Romania to assist them as they support refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine
Pathways Counselling – a professional counselling service previously part of the church
Radio Worldwide: a missionary organisation that shares the Christian faith through radio and media
Youth For Christ: works to share the Christian faith with young people throughout the country
Personal Gifts for Staff – private gifts for staff from within the church membership
YBA Home Mission: Association of Yorkshire Baptist churches that supports churches in carrying out their work including with new initiatives

12. Staff costs and Trustees expenses

All Staff Salaries Social Security Costs Pension Costs - Current Pension costs - deficit contributions Other costs Totals The average number of employees during the year was: The full time equivalent number of staff was:	2023 2022 £ £ 56,075 42,618 - 810 3,696 2,506 2,018 5,965 534 -
	62,32351,899
	4 4 1.8 1.8

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year (2022 none).

None of the Deacons who served the church was paid in an employment capacity. No sums were reimbursed to the Trustees for their work as Trustees (2022 none).

Salaries Social Security Costs Pension Costs Other Costs Totals	Minister 2023 2022 £ £ 30,435 - - - 2,173 - 299 -
	32,907 -

The Children’s and Families Worker who had unofficially been carrying out the role of minister was appointed as Minister in July 2022 and in that position was defined as key management personnel. So the total remuneration of key management personnel is £32,907 (2022; nil).

The church pays pension contributions for various employees into defined contribution arrangements. Further information about pension schemes is given in note 22.

Trustees’ Gifts and Expenses

The total value of monetary gifts given by trustees (and their connected persons), to the church during the year ended 31 March 2023 is £11,055 (2022: £19,990).

Four (2022: two) trustees incurred reimbursable out of pocket expenses totalling £5,640 (2022: £996) towards the day to day running of the charity.

13. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost 1 April 2022 Additions Disposals 31 March 2023 Depreciation 1 April 2022 Additions Disposals 31 March 2023 Net Book Value 31 March 2023 31 March 2022	Church Premises £ 125,191 - - 125,191 - - - - 125,191 125,191	Total £ 125,191 - -
		125,191
		- - -
		-

		125,191

		125,191

The Church premises are included at a valuation undertaken on 1 January 1977. The current insurance value of the property (as at June 2022) is £2,421,064.

All of the fixed assets are used for direct charitable purposes.

14. Debtors and prepayments

Gift Aid Recoverable Prepayments Totals	2023 2022 £ £ 2,968 7,965 1,267 1,193
	4,235 9,158

15. Bank and cash balances

Cash at Bank and In Hand Yorkshire Baptist Account Baptist Union Totals	2023 2022 £ £ 26,525 56,696 51,594 50,817 40,093 -
	118,212 107,513

16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

General Accruals Pension Liability Totals	2023 2022 £ £ 1,460 4,843 - 6,030
	1,460 10,873

Further information in respect of the pension liability is given in note 22.

17. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Pension Liabilty Totals	2023 2022 £ £ - 14,670
	- 14,670

Further information in respect of the pension liability is given in note 22.

18. Endowment Funds

The assets making up this fund are the Church premises, represented in the balance sheet as fixed assets.

19. Restricted Funds

Donations for specific grants Lords Pantry Donations for specific expenditure Childrens and youth work fund Counselling service Totals	1 April 2022 Incoming Resources Gains & Transfers Resources Expended Losses £ £ £ £ £ 1,627 22,337 (19,764) - - 1,186 120 (138) - - - 1,511 (1,080) - - 346 - (99) - - 4,165 13,045 (17,210) - - 7,324 37,013 (38,291) - -	31 March 2023 4,200 1,168 431 247 -
		6,046

The purposes of the main restricted funds in the table above are:

Donations for specific grants; see note 11 above
Lords Pantry; a fund that provides food and other essentials free of charge to those who are struggling to make ends meet

Donations for specific expenditure; where donations or grants have been given to enable the church to make specific purchases or carry out specific works
Counselling Service; where clients make payments to receive professional counselling at reduced rates. The service was transferred to the Leeds Christian Community Trust (LCCT, charity number 1096860) with effect from 1st December 2022 along with £7,299 being the balance of its restricted funds. There was no staff transfer involved.

The assets making up these funds are represented in the balance sheet as current assets.

20. Designated Funds

There are currently no designated funds.

21. Analysis of net assets

At 31 March 2023 Endowment Funds Restricted Funds Designated Funds General Funds Totals At 31 March 2022 Endowment Funds Restricted Funds Designated Funds General Funds Totals	Fixed Net Current Creditor Asset Assets Due after one year £ £ £ 125,191 - - - 6,046 - - - - - 114,941 - 125,191 120,987 - 125,191 - - - 7,324 - - - - - 98,474 (14,670) 125,191 105,798 (14,670)	Total £ 125,191 6,046 - 114,941
		246,178
		125,191 7,324 - 83,804
		216,319

22. Baptist Ministers Pension Scheme

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 assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.

The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income.

From January 2012, pension provision is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme. 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 long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited. [Members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%.]

The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. Because it is not possible to attribute the Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers, the scheme is accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme.

The Church’s Minister has chosen to join the Scheme.

Actuarial valuation as at 31 December 2019

A formal valuation of the DB Plan as at 31 December 2019 was carried out by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets was £298 million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316m, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The Church and the other participating employers in the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit.

The key financial assumptions underlying the valuation were as follows

Type of assumption	% p.a.
RPI price inflation assumption	3.20
CPI price inflation assumption	2.70
Minimum Pensionable Income Increase Adjustment (above CPI)	0.50
Pre-retirement assumed investment returns (gilt yield plus 1.75% pa)	2.95
Post retirement assumed investment returns (including benefits matched by	1.70
the insurance policy) (gilt yield plus 0.5% pa)
Minimum Pensionable Income increases (CPI plus 0.5%)	3.20
Deferred pension increases (based on RPI)
Pre April 2009	3.20
Post April 2009	2.50
Pension increases
Based on CPI with an annual floor of 0% and annual cap of 5%	2.70

Mortality is assumed in accordance with 80% of the S3NA standard mortality table. Future improvements projected from 2013 in line with the “CMI 2019” projection with a long-term rate of improvement of 1.75% p.a. for males and 1.5% p.a. for femaleswith the core smoothing parameter and with additional initial mortality improvement factor A=0.5%.

The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme is due to take place not later than 31 December 2022 and the valuation has to be lodged with the Pensions Regulator by the end of March 2024.

Recovery Plan

In addition to the contributions to the DC Plan set out above, where a valuation of the DB Plan reveals a deficit the Trustee and the Council agree to a rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan. Following the 2019 valuation a Recovery Plan was signed in September 2020 under which deficiency contributions are payable until June 2026. These contributions were broadly based on each employer's membership at 31 December 2014 and increase annually in line with increases to Minimum Pensionable Income as defined in the Rules.

On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure DB 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.

Movement in Balance Sheet liability

Section 28.11A of FRS 102 requires agreed deficit recovery payments to be recognised as a liability. The movement in the provision is set out in the table below.

Balance sheet liability at year start Minus deficiency contributions paid Interest cost (recognised in SoFA) Remaining change to balance sheet liability* (recognised in SoFA) Balance sheet liability at year end	2023 2022 £ £ 20,700 40,700 (2,019) (5,965) 453 868 (19,134) (14,903)
	- 20,700

Comprises any change in agreed deficit recovery plan and change in assumptions between yearends.

This liability represents the present value of the deficit contributions agreed as at the accounting date and has been valued using the following assumptions set by reference to the duration of the deficit recovery payments:

recovery payments:
	31 Mar 2023	31 Mar 2022	31 Mar 2021
Discount rate	5.6%	2.3%	2.3%
Future increases to Minimum Pensionable Income	0%	3.2%	3.2%

The Church has been advised that the cost for the church to buyout their Pension Scheme liabilities at 31 December 2021 was approximately £35,600.

Pension cost charged in respect of the Baptist Minister's Pension Scheme:

Total pension cost in respect of the Baptist Minister's Pension Scheme was as follows:

Accounting date Contributions to DC scheme for current employees Deficit contributions Administration Costs	31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 £973 - £2,019 £5,965 £649 £205
	£3,641 £6,170

23. Related Charities and Parties

The Custodian Trustee of the Church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited which is charity number 249635. The Church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Yorkshire Baptist Association (YBA).

The church made donations to the following related charities: YBA Home Mission Fund - £3,830 (2022 £5,075) of which £3,830 (2022: £5,025) was from general funds. In 2022 there was also a trustees’ donation to the YBA of £100.

The Church paid a total of £500 (2022: £755) in donations during the year to the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store where one of the trustees, John Sherbourne, is also a trustee of Moortown Baptist Church. In addition, the church paid a total of £500 (2022: nil) in donations during the year to the Pathways Counselling Service of which one of the management committee, Geoff Fennell, is also a trustee of Moortown Baptist Church.

Charity Registration Number: 1128960

Moortown Baptist Church Annual Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2023

Contents:	Page
Independent Examiner’s Report	2
Statement of Financial Activities	3
Balance Sheet	4
Notes to the Accounts	5–17

Moortown Baptist Church 204 King Lane Leeds LS17 6AA

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Moortown Baptist Church

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

The charity's gross income did not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do 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.

Nigel Wyatt B.Sc, FCA Independent Examiner

125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF

04/12/2023

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes Income & endowments from: Donations & legacies 5 Charitable activities 6 Grants 7 Investments 8 Total Expenditure on: Costs of generating funds Charitable activities 9 Total Net income/(expenditure) Actuarial revaluation of defined benefit pension scheme liability 22 Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 118,140 19,668 137,808 4,411 13,045 17,456 - 4,300 4,300 870 870 123,421 - 37,013 - 160,434 - 110,965 38,291 149,256 110,965 - 38,291 - 149,256 12,456 - (1,278) - 11,178 18,681 18,681 31,137 - (1,278) - 29,859 83,804 - 7,324 125,191 216,319 114,941 - 6,046 125,191 246,178	Total 2022 £ 171,612 21,765 932 29
		194,338
		- 136,576
		136,576
		57,761 14,035
		71,796 144,523
		216,319

The notes on pages 5 to 17 form an integral part of these accounts.

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2023

2023 £ £ 125,191 2,968 1,267 118,212 122,447 (1,460) 120,987 - 246,178 114,941 6,046 - 125,191 246,178	2022 £ £ 125,191 7,965 1,193 107,513 116,671 (10,873) 105,798 (14,670) 216,319 83,804 7,324 - 125,191 216,319	2022 £ £ 125,191 7,965 1,193 107,513 116,671 (10,873) 105,798 (14,670) 216,319 83,804 7,324 - 125,191 216,319
122,447 (1,460)	116,671 (10,873)

		216,319
		83,804 7,324 - 125,191
		216,319

The notes on pages 5 to 17 form an integral part of these accounts.

These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 5[th] September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Geoff Fennell Treasurer and Trustee

John Sherbourne Deacon and Trustee

Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The following are the accounting policies which have been applied in dealing with material items:-

Income

Investment income is taken into account when receivable and expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, when incurred by the charity, regardless of when payment is made.

Fund raising and publicity costs

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

Grants payable

Governance costs

Funds

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

Fixed Assets

The church premises are included in the balance sheet at deemed cost of £125,191, a valuation obtained on 1[st] January 1977.

Furniture and equipment in the church premises is included at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Assets costing less than £500 are not capitalised.

Depreciation

Depreciation on other fixed assets is calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over their expected useful life, at the following rates:

Computer hardware 33% Furniture and Equipment: 20%

Pension liability

2. Going Concern

Pension Liability

The Trustees expect the church to be able to continue to meet all liabilities as they fall due.

3. Independent Examination Costs

Net income for the year is stated after charging £620 (2022; £500) for the costs of independent examination.

4. Government Grants

5. Income from Donations & Legacies

Offerings Tax Refunds Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 97,754 - 16,705 - 114,459 20,386 - 2,963 - 23,349 118,140 - 19,668 - 137,808 141,066 - 30,546 - 171,612	Total 2022 £ 145,626 25,986
		171,612

6. Income from charitable activities

Counselling Service Room Hire Toddlers Other Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ - - 13,045 - 13,045 3,217 - - - 3,217 1,163 - - - 1,163 31 - - - 31 4,411- 13,045 - 17,456 760- 21,005 - 21,765	Total 2022 £ 21,005 760 - - 21,765

7. Income from grants

Household Support Furlough Income Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ - - 4,300 - 4,300 - - - - - - - 4,300 - 4,300 932 - - - 932	Total 2022 £ - 932
		932

8. Income from Investments

Interest: Yorkshire Baptist Account Baptist Union Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 777 - - - 777 93 - - - 93 870 - -- 870 29 - - - 29	Total 2022 £ 29 -
		29

9. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Ministry, Fellowship & Outreach Youth Work Childrens & Toddlers Work Seniors Work Counselling Service Totals	Direct Grant Support Total Activities Funding Costs 2023 (note 11) (note 10) £ £ £ £ 39,537 33,154 32,184 104,875 - - - - 9,078 - 4,019 13,097 9,755 - 4,319 14,074 17,210 - - 17,210 75,580 33,154 40,522 149,256	Total 2022 £ 72,211 71 36,201 11,252 16,840
		135,576

Restricted funds included above are:

Ministry, Fellowship & Outreach Childrens & Toddlers Work Counselling Service Totals	Direct Grant Total Activities Funding 2023 (note 11) £ £ £ 1,218 19,764 20,982 99 - 99 17,210 - 17,210
	18,527 19,764 38,291

10. Support costs

Administrator Printing, Stationery, Telephone Governance Costs Buildings Costs Other Costs Totals Total by Fund 2022	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 8,416 - - - 8,416 1,600 - - - 1,600 1,172 - - - 1,172 24,849 - - - 24,849 4,485 - - - 4,485 40,522 - - - 40,522 39,005 - - - 39,005	Total 2022 £ 12,183 2,146 1,000 20,400 3,276
		39,005

11. Grant funding

Recipient BMS World Mission BMS Uganda appeal Caring for Life Grace Gospel Church Household Support Fund Leeds & Moortown Furniture Store Lingfield Living Local MAF Martin House Hospice MBC Romania Fund MBC Romania Fund (Ukraine) Pathways Counselling Radio Worldwide Youth For Christ Personal gifts to staff YBA Home Mission Totals Total by fund for 2022	General Restricted Designated Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 5,060 4,060 - - 9,120 - - - - - - - - 2,300 - - - 2,300 - 1,786 - - 1,786 500 - - - 500 - 667 - - 667 - 1,000 - - 1,000 - 667 - - 667 - 2,993 - - 2.993 - 5,641 - - 5,641 500 - - - 500 1,200 1,950 - - 3,150 - 500 - - 500 - 500 - - 500 3,830 - - - 3,830 13,390 19,764 0 0 33,154 15,165 24,196 0 0 39,361	Total 2022 £ 13,560 1,106 150 3,510 - 755 - - - 3,755 8,090 - 2,860 500 - 5,075
		39,361

The organisations to which grants have been given serve the following purposes:

BMS World Mission: a Baptist missionary society that works worldwide to share the Christian faith
BMS Uganda Appeal – a special child protection appeal
Caring For Life is a local Christian charity that seeks to "Share the Love of Jesus" with at-risk and hurting people, including those who are homeless, through providing long-term support .
Grace Gospel Church: a Leeds church that works mainly with Ethiopian immigrants and refugees
- Household Support Fund – Government grants distributed in Leeds via Leeds Community Anchor Network to fund direct support to people struggling to pay for essentials such as food and energy
Leeds & Moortown Furniture Store: a charity that provides donated furniture free of charge to those who could not afford to buy it
Lingfield Living Local – an organisation that works with people in local socially and economically disadvantaged communities
MAF – Mission Aviation Fellowship flies pastors and relief and medical workers and their necessary supplies into otherwise difficult to reach parts of the world
Martin House Hospice – a hospice for children and young people
MBC Romania Fund: providing support to two partner churches in Romania
MBC Romania Fund (Ukraine) – providing support to our partner churches in Romania to assist them as they support refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine
Pathways Counselling – a professional counselling service previously part of the church
Radio Worldwide: a missionary organisation that shares the Christian faith through radio and media
Youth For Christ: works to share the Christian faith with young people throughout the country
Personal Gifts for Staff – private gifts for staff from within the church membership
YBA Home Mission: Association of Yorkshire Baptist churches that supports churches in carrying out their work including with new initiatives

12. Staff costs and Trustees expenses

All Staff Salaries Social Security Costs Pension Costs - Current Pension costs - deficit contributions Other costs Totals The average number of employees during the year was: The full time equivalent number of staff was:	2023 2022 £ £ 56,075 42,618 - 810 3,696 2,506 2,018 5,965 534 -
	62,32351,899
	4 4 1.8 1.8

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year (2022 none).

None of the Deacons who served the church was paid in an employment capacity. No sums were reimbursed to the Trustees for their work as Trustees (2022 none).

Salaries Social Security Costs Pension Costs Other Costs Totals	Minister 2023 2022 £ £ 30,435 - - - 2,173 - 299 -
	32,907 -

The church pays pension contributions for various employees into defined contribution arrangements. Further information about pension schemes is given in note 22.

Trustees’ Gifts and Expenses

The total value of monetary gifts given by trustees (and their connected persons), to the church during the year ended 31 March 2023 is £11,055 (2022: £19,990).

Four (2022: two) trustees incurred reimbursable out of pocket expenses totalling £5,640 (2022: £996) towards the day to day running of the charity.

13. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost 1 April 2022 Additions Disposals 31 March 2023 Depreciation 1 April 2022 Additions Disposals 31 March 2023 Net Book Value 31 March 2023 31 March 2022	Church Premises £ 125,191 - - 125,191 - - - - 125,191 125,191	Total £ 125,191 - -
		125,191
		- - -
		-

		125,191

		125,191

The Church premises are included at a valuation undertaken on 1 January 1977. The current insurance value of the property (as at June 2022) is £2,421,064.

All of the fixed assets are used for direct charitable purposes.

14. Debtors and prepayments

Gift Aid Recoverable Prepayments Totals	2023 2022 £ £ 2,968 7,965 1,267 1,193
	4,235 9,158

15. Bank and cash balances

Cash at Bank and In Hand Yorkshire Baptist Account Baptist Union Totals	2023 2022 £ £ 26,525 56,696 51,594 50,817 40,093 -
	118,212 107,513

16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

General Accruals Pension Liability Totals	2023 2022 £ £ 1,460 4,843 - 6,030
	1,460 10,873

Further information in respect of the pension liability is given in note 22.

17. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Pension Liabilty Totals	2023 2022 £ £ - 14,670
	- 14,670

Further information in respect of the pension liability is given in note 22.

18. Endowment Funds

The assets making up this fund are the Church premises, represented in the balance sheet as fixed assets.

19. Restricted Funds

Donations for specific grants Lords Pantry Donations for specific expenditure Childrens and youth work fund Counselling service Totals	1 April 2022 Incoming Resources Gains & Transfers Resources Expended Losses £ £ £ £ £ 1,627 22,337 (19,764) - - 1,186 120 (138) - - - 1,511 (1,080) - - 346 - (99) - - 4,165 13,045 (17,210) - - 7,324 37,013 (38,291) - -	31 March 2023 4,200 1,168 431 247 -
		6,046

The purposes of the main restricted funds in the table above are:

Donations for specific grants; see note 11 above
Lords Pantry; a fund that provides food and other essentials free of charge to those who are struggling to make ends meet

Donations for specific expenditure; where donations or grants have been given to enable the church to make specific purchases or carry out specific works
Counselling Service; where clients make payments to receive professional counselling at reduced rates. The service was transferred to the Leeds Christian Community Trust (LCCT, charity number 1096860) with effect from 1st December 2022 along with £7,299 being the balance of its restricted funds. There was no staff transfer involved.

The assets making up these funds are represented in the balance sheet as current assets.

20. Designated Funds

There are currently no designated funds.

21. Analysis of net assets

At 31 March 2023 Endowment Funds Restricted Funds Designated Funds General Funds Totals At 31 March 2022 Endowment Funds Restricted Funds Designated Funds General Funds Totals	Fixed Net Current Creditor Asset Assets Due after one year £ £ £ 125,191 - - - 6,046 - - - - - 114,941 - 125,191 120,987 - 125,191 - - - 7,324 - - - - - 98,474 (14,670) 125,191 105,798 (14,670)	Total £ 125,191 6,046 - 114,941
		246,178
		125,191 7,324 - 83,804
		216,319

22. Baptist Ministers Pension Scheme

The Church’s Minister has chosen to join the Scheme.

Actuarial valuation as at 31 December 2019

The key financial assumptions underlying the valuation were as follows

Type of assumption	% p.a.
RPI price inflation assumption	3.20
CPI price inflation assumption	2.70
Minimum Pensionable Income Increase Adjustment (above CPI)	0.50
Pre-retirement assumed investment returns (gilt yield plus 1.75% pa)	2.95
Post retirement assumed investment returns (including benefits matched by	1.70
the insurance policy) (gilt yield plus 0.5% pa)
Minimum Pensionable Income increases (CPI plus 0.5%)	3.20
Deferred pension increases (based on RPI)
Pre April 2009	3.20
Post April 2009	2.50
Pension increases
Based on CPI with an annual floor of 0% and annual cap of 5%	2.70

Recovery Plan

Movement in Balance Sheet liability

Section 28.11A of FRS 102 requires agreed deficit recovery payments to be recognised as a liability. The movement in the provision is set out in the table below.

Balance sheet liability at year start Minus deficiency contributions paid Interest cost (recognised in SoFA) Remaining change to balance sheet liability* (recognised in SoFA) Balance sheet liability at year end	2023 2022 £ £ 20,700 40,700 (2,019) (5,965) 453 868 (19,134) (14,903)
	- 20,700

Comprises any change in agreed deficit recovery plan and change in assumptions between yearends.

recovery payments:
	31 Mar 2023	31 Mar 2022	31 Mar 2021
Discount rate	5.6%	2.3%	2.3%
Future increases to Minimum Pensionable Income	0%	3.2%	3.2%

The Church has been advised that the cost for the church to buyout their Pension Scheme liabilities at 31 December 2021 was approximately £35,600.

Pension cost charged in respect of the Baptist Minister's Pension Scheme:

Total pension cost in respect of the Baptist Minister's Pension Scheme was as follows:

Accounting date Contributions to DC scheme for current employees Deficit contributions Administration Costs	31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 £973 - £2,019 £5,965 £649 £205
	£3,641 £6,170