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← Whetstone Baptist Church

2024-12-31-accounts

Charity Registration number: 1130585

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

THE ROWLEYS PARTNERSHIP LIMITED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS CHARNWOOD HOUSE HARCOURT WAY MERIDIAN BUSINESS PARK LEICESTER LE19 1WP

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

CHARITY INFORMATION

Charity Name and Number Whetstone Baptist Church WBC (working name) Registered charity number 1130585 Trustees Rev P M Robinson (Senior Minister) (Resigned 28 January 2025) Mrs T Cosgrove Revd N Swanson (Associate Minister) Mr S Howard Mr S Clay (Minister-in-training) (resigned 21 July 2024) Mrs D Knipe Mr P Ndabananiye Mr S Wheeler Mr C Hanning (appointed 24 June 2024, resigned 25 March 2025) Mrs S Bywater (appointed 24 June 2024) (Chair of Trustees) Mr P Smith ( Treasurer) Mrs S Anderson (appointed 24 June 2024 ) Mr J Kyte Mrs A Howard Mrs H Ward (resigned 24 June 2024 ) Miss S Hill (resigned 24 June 2024) Mr S Mould (resigned 2 June 2025) Principal Address Whetstone Baptist Church Springwell, Dog and Gun Lane Whetstone Leicestershire LE8 6LJ Auditors The Rowleys Partnership Limited Statutory Auditors Chartered Accountants Charnwood House Harcourt Way Meridian Business Park Leicester Leicestershire LE19 1WP Bankers Santander UK Plc Bootle Merseyside L30 4GB Property Trustees The East Midlands Baptist Trust Company Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

CONTENTS

Page(s)
Trustees' report 1-5
Report of Independent Auditors 6-8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance sheet 10
Statement of Cash Flows 11
Notes to the accounts 12-21

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024

The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

Structure and Charitable Objectives

The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing document ("The Constitution" and working practices addendum) which 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, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.

The Church occupies premises which are held by the East Midlands Baptist Trust Company Ltd on trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.

Charity Registration

Whetstone Baptist Church registered as a charity in its own right on 16 July 2009, previously being an excepted charity. On the 1st January 2010 the reserves of the excepted charity were effectively transferred to this charity. Constitution adopted on 3 June 2009 was amended on 20 March 2013.

Organisational Structure and Decision making processes

Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ. The members’ meeting takes place four times or more per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. The Church is overseen by the Church Leadership Team (CLT). In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint the CLT, who together with the Ministers, Church Secretary and Treasurer or equivalents (who are also appointed by the Members), and collectively known as the Leadership, are the charity’s Trustees. They are responsible for the day to day running of the Church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.

Newly appointed trustees are provided with information relevant to their role produced by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland (BUGBI) and the Charity Commission.

Pay and remuneration for staff is agreed by the Trustees on the recommendation of a Finance Group.

Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance, or may be raised by members in the Church meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at a Church meeting by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.

1

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024

Relationships with other churches and charities

The Church is part of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland (BUGBI) and a member church of the East Midlands Baptist Association. The Church supports the work of BUGBI through its Home Mission Fund and that of the BMS World Mission. The Church supports a number of other national charities including Tearfund, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Scripture Union as well as a number of smaller charities. Giving to these charities is reviewed annually by the Trustees and Church meeting.

The Church participates in Churches Together in Whetstone.

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 generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as Living Lord.

Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody is free to attend any of these services. There are two services each Sunday; the 10am service is popular for all ages and features engaging contemporary music, relevant biblical teaching and age-appropriate provision for babies, children and youth groups. The 5pm service gives an opportunity for deeper exploration of the Bible and often has an interactive seminar style to the study. This service often has Christians visit the Church from other nearby villages that don’t have a Sunday evening service of their own. A weekly email bulletin, posted newsletter and meeting in small groups helps keep the church family informed and connected. The Church Leadership team also call regular members’ meetings through the year to bring the membership up to date on developments of the Church’s activities, discuss and vote on important topics affecting the Church community and fulfil requirements of the Church Constitution.

The Church runs a popular pre-school as part of its outreach ministries to the community and has been doing so for over 50 years. At Springwell Pre-school, children are encouraged to experience a range of play-based activities within a Christian environment The pre-school has a high ratio of well-qualified staff and the pre-school leader is supported in the day-to-day management by a pre-school committee which involves at least one of the Church Trustees. The pre-school has been graded good by Ofsted in a 2024 inspection.

The Church continued to donate grocery items to a local foodbank and collect hampers of essential items to help resource the Dawn Centre Shelter for the homeless run by Leicester City Council. The Church also encouraged its members to serve as volunteers and take part in the various outreach ministries such as Seedlings, Weigh and Stay pre-toddler Group, Afternoon Tea for the Elderly, Be Still and Springwell Children's Choir.

The Church also has a committee dedicated to take part in or host community events during key times of the year. There were events during Easter week, and a positive alternative to Halloween for children called "Glow in the dark party". The Church continued to have a presence during important community events such as serving refreshments and contributing to the Rememberance Day memorial service in the village and hosting popular Christmas carol services.

All these activities are done with the purpose of assisting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ. There is also a prayer request page on the Church website for anyone wanting to be prayed for by the dedicated prayer team.

The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service. In response to GDPR, data protection and sharing of information is managed by a Trustee as our data protection officer. In the absence of a trustee overseeing data protection, the Chair of Trustees will arrange for the data protection policy to be followed.

2

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024

Objectives and Activities - continued

The Church continued to progress through phases of construction and refurbishing of the new Church building at the south end of Whetstone village so that it was available to be used both as a place of worship and a community facility for outside groups to hire. The Church has established a Limited Company, WBC Design Co Ltd (08509454) to act as a vehicle to manage the construction. During 2024, fitting out of three additional meeting rooms and a store and the sports hall was commenced and the overflow car park was completed during the summer of 2024. A serious flooding of the building in August 2024 due to exceptional rainfall caused sufficient damage to the new area to delay opening. Negotiations with insurers and our contractors, Mayway have continued and it is hoped the area will be open mid 2025. We have resolved some of the ongoing planning issues with Blaby Council and are working on outstanding matters.

Public Benefit

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

Achievements and Performance

The Church employs key individuals to help provide vision, care and their expertise through their passion for the Christian faith, guidance and supportive relationships. At the start of 2024, we had the ministerial team of three: Rev Phil Robinson as our Senior Pastor, Rev Nick Swanson as our Associate Minister, and Simon Clay as our Minister-in-Training. Simon was accepted in September 2021 to have Whetstone Baptist Church as his training placement while he completed his threeyear theological degree. Simon completed his training and was called to Upton Vale Baptist Church Torquay, taking up position there in July 2024. Rev Phil Robinson finished in January 2025. We now currently have Rev Nick Swanson as our Associate Minister and sole Pastor.

The Church had a busy and productive 2024, seeing services well attended, many children dedicated, many people exploring faith and committing to follow Jesus. As well as seeing several baptisms, a number of people transferred, renewed or applied for becoming members of the Church.

In 2024, a number of people from the church volunteered at Leicester Fosse Way Prison helping run coffee mornings, running a Restorative Justice course and taking a Sunday service each month. Recently, they completed a Christianity Explored course and there have been a number of baptisms through the year.

Throughout the year there were over 20 home groups operating for midweek bible study and fellowship.

In addition to activities formally linked to the Church, members also served as volunteers in other local charities and organisations, including parish councils, governors for local primary schools and food distribution charities in the area.

The Future

The Church will continue to strengthen existing ministries and develop new ministries in the community as we settle into our new building.

Financial Review

The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year with respect to the regular ministries.

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.

3

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024

Financial Review - continued

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 have established a Reserves Policy, and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year.

The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the Church, and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks.

Reserves policy

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 have established a Reserves Policy that allows the Church to manage any financial risk and short-term income volatility to ensure that financial commitments can be met as they fall due. This includes covering ongoing expense on the building, running costs, staffing costs for our ministers, admin team and pre-school, and the costs for servicing our ministries. The Trustees agree to hold minimum reserves equivalent to 3 months' staff cost and if the balance is less, to agree action to bring reserves back to the minimum level. The Trustees will regularly review the Policy to ensure Reserves are at an adequate level to meet the Church’s commitments and fulfil its principal objective set out above.

Risk Management

The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the Church, and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

4

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

02/06/2025

Approved by order of the board of trustees on and signed on its behalf by:

Sarah Bywater

signed on 09/06/2025, 14:39:02 BST Mrs S Bywater Chair of Trustees

Date: 09/06/2025

5

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Whetstone Baptist Church (the 'Charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Report of the Trustees, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

6

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:

7

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements - continued

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

signed on 09/06/2025, 15:46:02 BST

The Rowleys Partnership Limited Statutory Auditors Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 Charnwood House Harcourt Way Meridian Business Park Leicester LE19 1WP

Date: 09/06/2025

8

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS		 RESTRICTED
FUNDS		 TOTAL
2024		 TOTAL
2023
£ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
2
Other: Profit on disposals
Investment income - bank interest
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
3
Grants payable
Cost of activities		 284,199
211,584
-
13,865
509,648
-
459,871		 111,514
-
1,682
-
113,196
17,000
160,448		 395,713
211,584
1,682
13,865
622,844
17,000
620,319		 1,112,594
169,909
445,952
1,885
1,730,340
17,500
601,518
Expenditure on charitable activities 19,677 - 19,677 18,988
Total expenditure 479,548 177,448 656,996 638,006
Net income/(expenditure) 30,100 (64,252) (34,152) 1,092,334
Transfers between funds
12
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2024		 (13,080)
17,020
1,622,276
1,639,296		 13,080
(51,172)
3,582,142
3,530,970		 -
(34,152)
5,204,418
5,170,266		 -
1,092,334
4,112,084
5,204,418

The annexed notes form part of these financial statements.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

9

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

==> picture [471 x 459] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2024
2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 7 5,348,418 5,269,832
5,348,418 5,269,832
Current Assets
Debtors 8 41,107 721,809
Cash at bank and in hand 347,850 48,364
388,957 770,173
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year 9 (135,021) (340,178)
253,936 429,995
Total assets less current liabilities 5,602,354 5,699,827
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year 10 (432,088) (495,409)
Net Assets 5,170,266 5,204,418
Charity Funds
Restricted funds 12 3,530,970 3,582,142
Unrestricted funds 12 1,639,296 1,622,276
Total charity funds 5,170,266 5,204,418
----- End of picture text -----

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on and were signed on its behalf by:

02/06/2025

Sarah Bywater

signed on 09/06/2025, 14:39:02 BST

Mrs S Bywater

Chair of Trustees

==> picture [299 x 41] intentionally omitted <==

Date: 09/06/2025

The annexed notes form part of the Financial Statements

10

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

Note
Cash flow from operating activities
As below
Cash flow from investing activities
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets
Proceeds on sale of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash flow from investing activities
Cash flow from financing activities
Repayments of long term loans
Interest paid
Net cash flow from financing activities
Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2024
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2024
Cash and cash equivalents consists of:
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2024
Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities
Net income for year
Interest receivable
Interest payable
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(Decrease) in creditors
Net cash flow from operating activities
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2024		 2024
£
743,406
(295,060)
73,787
13,865
(207,408)
(200,312)
(36,200)
(236,512)
299,486
48,364
347,850
347,850
347,850
-
2024
£
(34,152)
(13,865)
36,200
144,369
(1,682)
680,702
(68,166)
743,406		 2023
£
109,194
(51,849)
680,452
1,885
630,488
(734,061)
(40,345)
(774,406)
(34,724)
83,088
48,364
48,364
48,364
2023
£
1,092,334
(1,885)
40,345
144,590
(445,952)
(679,158)
(41,080)
109,194

11

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. Accounting policies

Whetstone Baptist Church is an unincorporated charity registered in England and Wales. The address of the Charity is given in the charity information page of these financial statements.

The financial statements of the Charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the Charity and rounded to the nearest £1.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

1.2 Fund Accounting

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

1.3 Income

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

For donations to be recognised, the Charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met.

Legacies are accounted for when probate has been completed, the amount of the legacy can be reliably quantified and the conditions of the legacy are within the control of the Church.

1.4 Restricted funds

Restricted funds comprise of offerings given for specific purposes. Where gifts relate to capital items acquired or concern building issues, an appropriate transfer is made between restricted and unrestricted funds.

12

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1.5 Resources expended

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Grants payable are accounted for when they are paid or become legally enforceable.

1.6 Taxation

The Charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

1.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

All tangible assets costing over £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows:

Furniture, Fixtures and Fittings 20% on cost PA Music and Electronic equipment 33.3% on cost Freehold buildings 3% on cost Property under construction Nil Land Nil

1.8 Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transition price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

1.9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and cash on deposit.

1.10 Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with level of reserves for the Charity to continue as a going concern.

13

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 DECEMBER 2024

2.
Unrestricted
fund
£
General and specific offerings
210,734
Building Fund
-
Legacies
2,000
Memorial garden
-
Manse Building Fund
-
Gift Aid
38,286
Room hire
15,227
Rent - 4 Knightsbridge Road
10,545
Other income
7,407
Incoming Resources		 2.
Unrestricted
fund
£
General and specific offerings
210,734
Building Fund
-
Legacies
2,000
Memorial garden
-
Manse Building Fund
-
Gift Aid
38,286
Room hire
15,227
Rent - 4 Knightsbridge Road
10,545
Other income
7,407
Incoming Resources		 Restricted
fund
£
9,598
82,134
-
-
2,000
17,782
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
220,332
82,134
2,000
-
2,000
56,068
15,227
10,545
7,407		 Unrestricted
fund
£
183,425
-
696,887
-
-
34,186
13,136
11,400
11,231		 Restricted
fund
£
5,208
139,010
-
760
-
17,351
-
-
-		 Total
2023
£
188,633
139,010
696,887
760
-
51,537
13,136
11,400
11,231
284,199 111,514 395,713 950,265 162,329 1,112,594
Incoming resources from charitable activities:
Pre-school
211,584		 - 211,584 169,909 - 169,909
211,584 - 211,584 169,909 - 169,909
3. Charitable expenditure
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
£
£
Gifts payable in furtherance of the charity's objects:
Specific gifts
-
17,000		 Total
2024
£
17,000		 Unrestricted
fund
£
-		 Restricted
fund
£
17,500		 Total
2023
£
17,500
- 17,000 17,000 - 17,500 17,500
The gifts made during the year includes £17,000 (2023: £17,500) to EMBA (East Midlands Baptist Association).
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Accounts preparation fee
1,500
-
1,500
5,950
-
Audit fee
13,074
-
13,074
11,193
-
Legal and professional fees
2,370
-
2,370
(121)
-
Payroll admin fee
1,809
-
1,809
1,152
-
Bank Charges
924
-
924
814
-		 5,950
11,193
(121)
1,152
814
19,677 - 19,677 18,988 - 18,988

14

3. Charitable expenditure (Cont'd)
Unrestricted
fund
£
Cost of activities in furtherance of the charity's objects:
Ministry stipends and Expenses
95,317
Office staff salaries and National Insurance
30,179
Pre-school Salaries and National Insurance
157,750
Pre-school Expenses
7,760
Office and Pre-school Pension
3,256
Family and Children's worker
8,216
Building Repairs and Maintenance
7,991
Memorial garden
-
Building alarms
1,807
Health & Safety
4,142
Cleaning
9,869
Light and Heat
32,140
Office Administration
2,356
Catering
2,383
Telephone
5,816
Pastoral care
1,910
Professional fees re legacies
15,883
Church Council Tax and Water Rates
3,866
Insurance
8,334
Affiliation Fees
1,562
Printing, postage, stationery
6,657
Youth Work
1,566
Music and Worship
2,699
Ministry and Publications Expenses
1,673
IT
2,407
Misc Expenses
1,034
Depreciation
29,296
Alpha
651
Building Fund Loan interest
-		 3. Charitable expenditure (Cont'd)
Unrestricted
fund
£
Cost of activities in furtherance of the charity's objects:
Ministry stipends and Expenses
95,317
Office staff salaries and National Insurance
30,179
Pre-school Salaries and National Insurance
157,750
Pre-school Expenses
7,760
Office and Pre-school Pension
3,256
Family and Children's worker
8,216
Building Repairs and Maintenance
7,991
Memorial garden
-
Building alarms
1,807
Health & Safety
4,142
Cleaning
9,869
Light and Heat
32,140
Office Administration
2,356
Catering
2,383
Telephone
5,816
Pastoral care
1,910
Professional fees re legacies
15,883
Church Council Tax and Water Rates
3,866
Insurance
8,334
Affiliation Fees
1,562
Printing, postage, stationery
6,657
Youth Work
1,566
Music and Worship
2,699
Ministry and Publications Expenses
1,673
IT
2,407
Misc Expenses
1,034
Depreciation
29,296
Alpha
651
Building Fund Loan interest
-		 Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,404
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
115,073
-
36,200		 Total
2024
£
95,317
30,179
157,750
7,760
3,256
8,216
7,991
-
1,807
4,142
9,869
32,140
2,356
2,383
5,816
4,314
15,883
3,866
8,334
1,562
6,657
1,566
2,699
1,673
2,407
1,034
144,369
651
36,200		 Unrestricted
fund
£
113,522
31,533
140,769
7,230
2,814
-
9,756
-
2,184
2,695
9,673
34,258
1,023
3,431
5,462
2,542
-
4,504
8,677
1,442
6,805
1,224
2,103
746
2,884
612
29,597
1,433
-		 Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,522
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
114,993
-
40,345		 Total
2023
£
113,522
31,533
140,769
7,230
2,814
-
9,756
-
2,184
2,695
9,673
34,258
1,023
3,431
5,462
5,064
-
4,504
8,677
1,442
6,805
1,224
2,103
746
2,884
612
144,590
1,433
40,345
Manse Loan Interest 2,805 - 2,805 3,169 - 3,169
Training Costs
Community Outreach
Appeals
Mission support		 3,880
2,167
-
4,499
459,871		 -
-
6,771
-
160,448		 3,880
2,167
6,771
4,499
620,319		 5,209
1,875
-
3,100
440,272		 -
-
3,386
-
161,246		 5,209
1,875
3,386
3,100
601,518

15

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

4. Staff and ministry support costs

(Staff costs and numbers included in note 3 & 5)

==> picture [500 x 150] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
£ £
Salaries and wages 250,538 253,374
Social security 7,341 7,313
Pension costs 9,910 12,973
267,789 273,660
Number Number
Management and administration 17 17
There are no employees who received total emoluments (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000.
----- End of picture text -----

5. Ministry support and expenses

The following received ministry support and ministry expenses as detailed below:

Revd M Clay - Pension (former Senior Pastor)
Mr S M Clay - Stipend (current Minister-in-Training)
Mr S M Clay - Pension (current Minister-in-Training)
Mr S M Clay - Expenses
Revd N Swanson - Stipend and Employers National Insurance
Revd N Swanson - Pension
Ministers' Manse Leaseback
Revd N Swanson - Ministers' Expenses
Revd P M Robinson - Stipend and Employers National Insurance
Revd P M Robinson - Pension
Revd P M Robinson - Ministers' Expenses
Revd P M Robinson - Manse Allowance		 2024
£
8
4,765
283
1,643
18,718
2,510
2,378
3,358
48,931
5,051
100
7,572
95,317		 2023
£
12
10,327
135
1,292
35,407
4,621
2,378
4,173
42,651
5,392
-
7,134
113,522

6. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

None of the Trustees received any remuneration from the Charity in relation to their role as a Trustee. The ministers who are also Trustees received remuneration and expenses as noted in Note 5 of these accounts, in accordance with the Charity's Constitution.

16

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7. Tangible fixed assets

==> picture [390 x 206] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Freehold Property Furniture P A and
Land & under Fixtures & Musical Total
Property construction Fittings Equipment
£ £ £ £ £
Cost
Brought Forward 4,396,705 1,128,830 72,863 69,851 5,668,249
Additions at Cost 2,640 284,878 7,043 499 295,060
Disposals (56,078) (17,709) - - (73,787)
At 31 December 2024 4,343,267 1,395,999 79,906 70,350 5,889,522
Depreciation
Brought Forward 301,944 - 48,471 48,002 398,417
Charge for the year 119,273 - 6,953 18,143 144,369
Disposals (1,682) - - - (1,682)
At 31 December 2024 419,535 - 55,424 66,145 541,104
Net book value
At 31 December 2024 3,923,732 1,395,999 24,482 4,205 5,348,418
At 31 December 2023 4,094,761 1,128,830 24,392 21,849 5,269,832
----- End of picture text -----

The title of freehold land and the property under construction are held by East Midland Baptist Trust Company Limited of Baptist House, P O Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxon OX11 8RT, as custodians for the Charity, also see note 10.

Freehold land and property includes land amounting to £423,592 (2023: £423,592) which is not depreciated.

8. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade debtors
Gift aid receivable
Other debtors- WBC Designco Ltd
Other debtors
Prepayments
Legacies receivable
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals & deferred income
Social security & other taxes
Other creditors - WBC Designco Ltd
Pension
Building fund & other loans:
Baptist Union loans for building of church
Other loans for building of church
Manse Loans:
Baptist Union loans for purchase of Manse
Other loans for purchase of Manse		 £
52,030
4,500
7,211
3,000		 2024
£
2,969
10,795
12,656
3,742
10,945
-
41,107
2024
£
653
62,636
2,235
-
2,756
56,530
10,211
135,021		 2023
£
144
13,576
-
-
11,202
696,887
721,809
2023
£
2,397
38,027
3,421
90,766
1,835
165,275
38,457
340,178

9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

17

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2024

10. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Building fund & other loans:
Baptist Union loans for building of church
Other loans for building of church
Manse Loans:
Baptist Union loans for purchase of Manse
Other loans for purchase of Manse		 £
405,300
-
26,788
-		 2024
£
405,300
26,788
432,088		 2023
£
460,981
34,428
495,409

Security and borrowing costs on Building Fund

The Baptist Union Corporation (BU) has registered a restriction against the Land Registry Title for the Church property to be in place for the duration of the loan. The Restriction will be discharged only when the loan is repaid.

Loans taken from Baptist Union as at 31 December 2024 was £457,330 (2022: £506,257) and the interest charged in the year was £36,201 (2023: £40,345). The rate of interest to be charged on the borrowing decreased from 7.75% to 7.0% in 2024.

The Church has also borrowed money from the Trustees and members of the Church. Amounts owed to Trustees and members was £4,500 (2023: £120,000).

Manse Loan - 4 Knightsbridge Road

In order that the Church could purchase property for the Manse, they had to borrow money from The Baptist Union Corporation (BU) for £73,000, borrowed money from the Trustees, Church members and used donations from the accumulated general reserves.

The Manse Fund loan balance as at 31 December 2024 was £33,999 with BU (2023: £40,885). Amounts owed to Trustees and members was £3,000 (2023: £32,000).

11. Leasing Agreements

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years		 2024
£
3,836
3,836
168
7,840		 2023
£
3,836
3,836
4,004
11,676

18

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2024

12. Movements in funds

Unrestricted Funds
General fund
Designated Fund - Simon Clay's living expenses
Restricted Funds
EMBA
Other charitable donations
Parish Nursing
Pearl Of Africa Choir
Growing leaders - joint church
Communion fund & other gifts
Manse Building Fund
Memorial garden
Reception desk
Building Fund		 Funds B/fwd
01-Jan-24
£
1,577,276
45,000
-
-
744
20
261
5,043
-
9,710
3,020
3,563,344
5,204,418		 Voluntary
income
£
509,648
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,598
2,000
-
-
101,598
622,844		 Charitable
expenditure
£
479,548
-
17,000
-
-
-
-
9,175
-
-
-
151,273
656,996		 £
31,920
(45,000)
17,000
(744)
(20)
(261)
(2,000)
(291)
(604)
-
-
Transfers		 Funds C/fwd
31-Dec-24
£
1,639,296
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,466
-
9,419
2,416
3,513,669
5,170,266

Comparatives for movements in funds

Unrestricted Funds
General fund
Designated Fund - Simon Clay's living expenses
Restricted Funds
EMBA
Other charitable donations
Parish Nursing
Pearl Of Africa Choir
Growing leaders - joint church
Communion fund & other gifts
Manse Building Fund
Memorial garden
Reception desk
Building Fund		 Funds B/fwd
01-Jan-23
£
498,385
45,000
-
-
744
20
261
5,743
400
8,950
3,020
3,549,561		 Voluntary
income
£
1,566,126
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,208
-
760
-
158,246		 Charitable
expenditure
£
459,260
-
17,500
-
-
-
-
5,908
10,875
-
-
144,463		 £
(27,975)
-
17,500
-
-
-
-
-
10,475
-
-
-
Transfers		 Funds C/fwd
31-Dec-23
£
1,577,276
45,000
-
-
744
20
261
5,043
-
9,710
3,020
3,563,344
4,112,084 1,730,340 638,006 - 5,204,418

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

13. Analysis of net assets between funds
Fixed assets
Net current assets
Funds balances at 31 December 2024 are represented by:		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
£
£
£
123,797
5,224,621
5,348,418
1,515,499
(1,693,651)
(178,152)
1,639,296
3,530,970
5,170,266

14. Related party disclosures

During the year, £nil (2023: £nil) of loans were received without conditions from the Trustees among which £33,000 (2023: £41,000) was repaid in the year. The amounts outstanding to Trustees at the year end was £nil (2023: £43,000). The total amount of donations received without conditions from Trustees was £47,085 in the year.

WBC Design Co. Ltd is a company limited by guarantee without share capital and is controlled by the Trustees of the Charity. This company is undertaking the building work for the property under construction, as shown in Note 7. Three of the Charity's Trustees held a directorship of the company during the period, these being Revd P M Robinson, Mr S W Mould, Mr C Hanning. All the transactions between WBC Design Co. Ltd and the Church is on an arm's length basis. There were no transactions with the directors of the company or the Trustees of the Charity during the year to 31 December 2024 (2023: £Nil). At the year end there was an amount owed by WBC Design Co Ltd of £12,656 in current assets, (2023: owed to WBC Design Co Ltd of £90,766 included in current liabilities). Accountancy fees of £1,500 (2023 £5,950) were paid on behalf of WBC Design Co Ltd in the year.

15. Pension

The Church is a participating employer of 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.

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 Ministers are eligible 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.

20

WHETSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

15. Pension - continued

The key financial assumptions underlying the valuations were as follows:

==> picture [423 x 195] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
||| |---|---| |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% p.a.)|2.95| |Post-retirement assumed investment returns (including benefits matched by the insurance| |policy) (gilt yield plus 0.5% p.a.)|1.70| |Minimum Pensionable Income Increases Adjustment (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|

----- End of picture text -----

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 females with 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 was due to take place no later than 31 December 2022. However,the defined benefit plan is to be wound up, and the process to wind it up was started with effect from 31 March 2024 and ,therefore, no formal valudation is due to take place.

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 were payable until June 2026.

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. These contributions ceased in November 2024, as the scheme was no longer in deficit. The outstanding deficiency contributions due under the Recovery Plan up to November 2024 are not considered material and therefore have not been included in the balance sheet.

16. Auditors remuneration

The amount of £13,074 including VAT for audit (2023: £11,193 including VAT) was paid in the year.

21