## **Bushey Baptist Church**
**To know Jesus Christ and to make Him known**
**Trustees Report for the Year ended 31[st] March 2025**
Reference and administration details: **Charity Name:** Bushey Baptist Church **Address:** Chalk Hill, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD19 4BX **Telephone:** 01923 801643 **Website:** https://www.busheybaptist.org.uk **Email:** info@busheybaptist.org.uk **Registered Charity Number:** 1130634 **Trustees** : Rev Philip Amos (Chairman) Minister (appointed 01.01.22) Ivon Carnall Deacon (elected 21.03.24) Tiago Cruz Deacon (elected 27.03.25) Dorothy Dear Elder (re-elected 21.03.24) (Deceased 16.10.24)) Maureen Hider Elder (elected 27.03.25) Jude King Minister in Training (appointed 19.08.24) Ian Lloyd Elder (re-elected 21.03.24) Melissa Ruparell Deacon (elected 21.03.24) Patricia Samms Deacon (re-elected 21.03.24) Christine Singleton Elder (re-elected 27.03.25) Jenny Sutch Deacon (elected 21.03.24) Selinah Warmann Deacon (elected 23.03.23) Jeremy Weldon Elder (elected 27.03.25) Marilyn Williams Deacon (re-elected 27.03.25)
Trustees typically serve as Deacons or Elders for a term of 3 years.’ They may continue to serve beyond that 3 years so long as they have the support of the Church Members Meeting through a vote of re-election every 3 years.
The positions of Church Secretary and Church Treasurer are currently vacant.
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## **Property Trustees**
The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire. OX11 8RT.
Bushey Baptist Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain
**Bankers:** HSBC, 73 High Street, Watford Herts, WD17 2DS
## **Solicitors:**
Anthony Collins, 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham. B3 2ES
## **Independent Examiner:**
Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship, 1 Lamb’s Passage, London, EC1Y 8AB
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## **Ethos and Values:**
Bushey Baptist Church is a Member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. The Basis of the Baptist Union is:
That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each Church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried, and rose again the third day'. That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in evangelisation of the world.
The mission of Bushey Baptist Church is to "Know Jesus Christ and to make Him known". Our vision is to achieve our mission by being a Church that resources its members for mission. We believe in helping our members to achieve their personal calling to mission by supporting and nurturing their spiritual and natural gifting.
Our emphasis is on trusting and following Jesus together in Christian discipleship. Our identity as Christians is determined by the life of Jesus. We believe that this involves living in radical commitment to Him. We are called to follow Him, doing as He did and giving ourselves to God's loving purposes in the world.
We exist to bear witness to Jesus Christ in the world, to share in His mission, to make known His faithful and saving love for all creation, and to express His concern for the wholeness and harmony of all that He has made.
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## **Annual Report for 2024-2025**
## **Structure, governance and management:**
Members of the church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution. Baptism by immersion upon a personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the membership of a Baptist Church. Bushey Baptist has open membership which means those persons seeking membership, who have not been baptised as believers, may apply for membership on their own public profession of faith.
The Charity Trustees are the Deacons, Elders, Church Secretary, and the Church Treasurer, who together with the Senior Minister are responsible for providing spiritual leadership, oversight, and management of the affairs of the Church. Currently, the Charity Trustees consist of the Senior Minister, the Minister in Training, 4 Elders and 7 Deacons.
Our Senior Minister is Philip Amos. Jude King is a Minister in Training on placement with us. He was appointed in September 2024 and is on placement finishes in June 2026. The Church Secretary’ and Treasurer’s position are, and have been, vacant throughout this period but there is a small ‘finance working group’ who deal with all financial matters. The church employs a part time Administrator, a part time Family Worker, and a Church Cleaner.
With respect to the general operation of the Church, it conducts its work using a wide network of volunteers from its membership. The Trustees meet at least four times a year. The whole Leadership meet as stated in the Constitution.
Church meetings are held six times a year when Church members meet to discuss and make decisions together about the life and witness of the church. Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church meeting by the Trustees or may be raised by Church members, both before and during a meeting. Matters can also be referred to the Trustees from the Church meeting or by individual members. Although the Constitution permits decisions at Church meetings to be made by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus whenever possible.
## **Objectives and activities:**
The Church is a Trust and is governed by a Constitution which states “its principal purpose is the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the principles of the Baptist denomination, to include the advancement of 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 Limited on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above objective.
When planning activities for the year, the Church Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and particularly the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
The Church does this in numerous ways - through a variety of activities for its membership and for the local community generally. The aim is to show the Love of
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Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as the living Lord.
The church since its conception has been used for regular public Christian worship by Baptists. in recent years it has attracted Christians from all denominations in the community and, therefore, while still a ‘Baptist Church’ the congregation consists of a diverse community of believers.
The morning congregation, which meets on Sunday at 10.30 a.m. averages between 80 to 100. The evening service, with the title of “Sundays at 7” operates in a different format. The church seeks to be a friendly, welcoming community and anybody is free to attend any of its services.
These aims of the church are fulfilled by the regular Worship Services, the observation of communion, the practice of believer’s baptism, the provision of a crèche and Sunday School for children under the age of 16, week-night activities for children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 years old. The church’s programs include activities for both men and women and guests from the community. There is also a Toddler Group for parents/carers of young children under the age of 5 years old. Along with this there are a number of activities for children and young people.
The membership of Bushey Baptist as of March 2025 was 115.
Paid staff and volunteers at the church who are in contact with children and young people are appropriately vetted through the Criminal Records Bureau. The church has a Safeguarding Policy in place which is displayed, given to members and all who work in the various activities of the church. This policy is updated regularly and brought to the church meeting for approval and adoption each year at the September Church meeting.
There are number of House Groups that meet to help develop the growth of faith and discipleship.
In the last 12 months, the church has reached out to Christians at Carpenders Park and run fortnightly services and other activities in that area. The regular congregation in that area has now formally become part of Bushey Baptist church.
The church has also run various courses over the last year, an “Alpha” course was held at Carpenders Park. This is a course introducing people to the Christian faith. It creates a space for people who want to know more about the Christian faith to ask questions and explore the big questions of life. There was also another course – ‘Practicing the Way’ – held at the church site in Bushey but involved members of both congregations. This course was an eight-session introduction to following Jesus in the modern era.
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## **Achievements and performance:**
The church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship and encouragement.
This last year has seen a growth in the church, not only in numbers but also in the growth of individuals in faith. We have held regular services at both the Bushey Baptist site and fortnightly at Carpenders Park. In addition to Sunday services, some of the weekly activities provided are:
- a. Alive - This catered for activities for children of age group (years 3-6). The children meet on Fridays from 7-8.15pm. We have 14 children on role and Friday night attendance vary between 8 and 12 children. Sometimes the regular members bring along a friend or family member. The pattern of the evening varies, and we have free flow between sports, crafts, and games. Sometimes they pray and discuss the Bible in one large group and at other times they meet in smaller groups. Social action also forms part of our term.
- b. Legacy - meets on a Sunday morning and is for children between the ages of 11 to 14 years. This provides teaching and discussion on various Bible topics. There are games as well. The aim is to make Christ known to the young.
- c. Blaze - There is also Blaze on Tuesdays for ages 11 to 14 years and this group includes both children from the church and also some non-church going children.
- d. Children’s Sunday groups for those aged 0 -10 years consist of four groups: i. Creche ii. Rainbows iii. Mountaineers iv. Eagles
Currently approximately twenty-five children attend on a regular basis and with new families joining us we anticipate that this will increase in the coming months.
- e. Madness Events - We ran a 3-day summer event for children in reception to year 6 towards the end of July. We had up to sixty children registered for this event at the Bushey site and, there was also an event held at the Carpenders Park site for the first time. It was good to meet the children and their parents and get to know them better.
Other ‘Madness’ one-off events also took place during the year… Pancake party, Light Party (alternative to Halloween) and ‘Christmas Madness’. Invitations for these events were sent to children from both Carpenders Park and Bushey congregations. Although primarily aimed at the children, their parents were also included in some aspects of each of these programmes.
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- f. Carers Club. This club has been running for eight years now. The aim of this group is to provide a friendly place for those caring for someone with dementia to receive help, support, and information and to share the love of Christ with all who attend. The team is comprised of eleven volunteers. Without this fantastic Team it would have been difficult to run the Club. Two of these volunteers are from outside the Church which is very encouraging. All the volunteers have a deep sense of pride in the service provided and are assured of its value to the attendees.
We have between 6-18 regularly attending. Activities include a Quiz and Word Search on tables for people to chat over as they drink their tea/coffee and cake, the, later in the morning various games are available. We have, on occasion, had musical exercises run by outside providers. At Christmas and Easter, we have Carol Singing and a party with lunch and games. A gift and card is given to each member from the Club. Likewise at Easter, Easter eggs and cards are given.
- g. Coffee & Chat. This title speaks for itself! During the morning, drinks, biscuits, and cake are provided. Halfway through we have an activity, usually some form of quiz, which allows people the opportunity to work together in small groups or, if they prefer, on their own.
Numbers have varied over the year and most of those attending are regular attenders at Sunday morning service. There are 3 or 4 people who do not attend on Sunday, and they are given regular invitations to attend any service but particularly any special events or services when they occur.
There is a desire to open Coffee and Chat up to the wider community as well as those within the church. Discussion are in place to consider if, and how. we can attract new people from the Bushey community and whether this is a model we can work on for Carpenders Park area as well
- h. Carpenders Park. Since last year’s report things have progressed. At the church members meeting in April 2024, we voted unanimously to formally ‘adopt’ the congregation from Carpenders Park fellowship. The two congregations have now become one church with regular services taking place in both locations – weekly at the Bushey site and fortnightly at the Carpenders Park site.
- i. Charities Supported: Bushey Baptist Church also provides prayer and monetary support for those working in the Baptist Missionary Society, the Baptist Home Mission fund, Watford Schools Trust and Tear Fund, we also support other individual missionaries working outside the UK. Along with these we are, as a church, open to support other charitable causes as and when the need arises.
Looking forward we intend to spend time considering the future plans and vision for the church… In particular, looking at ways we can grow in our own faith as well as ways we can reach out, considering the needs of the communities where we are based.
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## **Financial review:**
Total income for the year was £287,979 while total expenditure was £243,072 which resulted in a surplus of £44,907.
This year we have joined with a group of Christians in Carpenders Park who had been operating as an independent church from a local school, but who where seeking to join with a local church to help manage the administrative aspects of running a charity. The decision was made by unanimous vote at a church meeting that as of the 1st April 2024 the church at Carpenders Park would be knowns as Bushey Baptist Church at Carpenders Park. This this occurred the reserves from the church at Carpenders Park were transferred to Bushey Baptist Church. Upon advice, this reserves transfer has been treated as income in these accounts, and so this took the income of Bushey Baptist Church over the maximum threshold for cash accounting. As a result the financial results have been prepared on an accrual basis for the first time, and this has also led to the restatement of last years accounts to an accruals basis. Given the one-off nature of the reserves transfer we may find that income levels drop back next year to levels where cash accounting is possible.
We are excited about the opportunity to now serve from two sites, and we are encouraged that the two communities are getting to know each and share skills and talents to the benefit of both sites.
We have been blessed over the years with some healthy Reserves – along with the transfer noted above - and so we have taken the decision to employ a Minister in Training (part time from September 2024), and we are also seeking how to grow the impact of the church through employment of other staff to grow the work of the church.
We continue to give thanks to the Lord for his faithfulness and provision.
## **Reserves policy**
The Trustees have reviewed the need for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission and have adopted a policy to work towards setting aside funds of approximately three months running costs (circa £30,000).
An additional three month’s reserve (circa £30,000) is set aside to guard against any unexpected downturns in financial position. At the end of the year the total unrestricted cash funds plus outstanding debtors less outstanding current liabilities was £146,355 (2024: £58,167).
The financial accounts are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
## **Key risks and uncertainties**
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
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## **Responsibilities of trustees under charity law**
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).
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
4. state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
5. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. 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.
## **Approval:**
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Signed (Ian Lloyd, Trustee): Ian Lloyd (Jan 30, 2026 17:48:56 GMT)Ian Lloyd Date: Jan 30, 2026
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## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH ('the Charity')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 on pages 11 to 22 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 13 to 14.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
Since the Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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.
## Sarah Crispin
Sarah Crispin (Jan 30, 2026 18:00:19 GMT)
Sarah Crispin ACA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: Jan 30, 2026
Page 10
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities
6
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
15
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
15|Unrestricted
Funds
£
264,354
495
5,502
270,351
192,768
192,768
77,583
877
78,460
84,514
162,974|Restricted
Funds
£
7,863
295
-
8,158
15,592
15,592
(7,435)
(877)
(8,311)
36,117
27,805|Endowment
Funds
£
9,470
-
-
9,470
34,712
34,712
(25,241)
-
(25,241)
1,651,642
1,626,401|Total
Funds
2025
£
281,687
790
5,502
287,979
243,072
243,072
44,907
-
44,907
1,772,273
1,817,181|Total
Funds
2024
£
168,285
632
4,986|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||173,902|
||||||185,411|
||||||185,411|
||||||(11,509)
-|
||||||(11,509)
1,783,782|
||||||1,772,273|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The notes on page 13-21 form part of these accounts.
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## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2025**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
8
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
10
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
11
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling due**
12
**after more than one year**
**Net assets / (liabilities) excluding**
**pension asset / (liability)**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**FUND BALANCES**
15
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds
Endowment Funds|Unrestricted
Funds
£
16,619
16,619
29,480
125,133
154,612
(8,257)
146,355
162,974
-
162,974
162,974
83,613
79,361
162,974
-
-
162,974|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
344
27,462
27,805
-
27,805
27,805
-
27,805
27,805
-
-
-
27,805
-
27,805|Endowment
Funds
£
1,457,891
1,457,891
1,038
167,473
168,511
-
168,511
1,626,401
-
1,626,401
1,626,401
-
-
-
-
1,626,401
1,626,401|Total
Funds
2025
£
1,474,510
1,474,510
30,861
320,067
350,928
(8,257)
342,671
1,817,181
-
1,817,181
1,817,181
83,613
79,361
162,974
27,805
1,626,401
1,817,181|Total
Funds
2024
£
1,518,920|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||1,518,920|
||||||27,524
327,570|
||||||355,094
(26,740)|
||||||328,354|
||||||1,847,273
(75,000)|
||||||1,772,273|
||||||1,772,273|
||||||84,014
500|
||||||84,514
36,117
1,651,642|
||||||1,772,273|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and were signed on its behalf by:
Ian Lloyd Ian Lloyd (Jan 30, 2026 17:48:56 GMT) Ian Lloyd, Trustee
---------------------------------------
Jan 30, 2026 Date: ___________________
Charity number: 1130634
The notes on page 13-21 form part of these accounts.
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## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **1 Statutory Information**
The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charity's registered number and principal address can be found on the Charity Information page.
## **2 Accounting Policies**
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention
These financial statements have been prepared 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) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the '2008 Regulations') requires charities to prepare their accounts in accordance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005' but this accounting standard has since been withdrawn and has been replaced by the Charities SORP mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The charity has prepared these financial statements in accordance with the new Charities SORP; this departure from the 2008 Regulations is believed to be necessary for these financial statements to give a 'true and fair view'.
The previous year's accounts were prepared using the receipts and payments basis but, this year as gross income is more than £250,000, the charity was obliged to prepare its accounts using the accruals basis. The results for 2024, which are comparatives quoted in these accounts, have been restated using the accruals basis (see note 16 for details).
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
## a) Going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
## b) Income
Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income from donations and legacies includes:
- i) Recoverable gift aid. This is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
The charity relies on volunteers to carry out many of its activities. However, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be reliably measured.
Income from charitable activities represents income receivable from goods, services and facilities supplied in furtherance of the charity's charitable objects. It includes income from church retreats and other events and courses.
Investment income represents income generated by the charity's assets and includes income from bank interest.
## c) Expenditure
Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
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## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **2 Accounting Policies (cont.)**
## c) Expenditure (cont.)
The cost of raising funds is not significant and has not been separately disclosed.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
## d) Fund accounting
- General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. Endowment funds are donations that are retained as capital in accordance with the donor's wishes. The nature of the restriction determines whether the endowments represent permanent endowments or expendable endowments.
## e) Tangible fixed assets
Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £2,000 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To achieve this objective the following rates of depreciation are charged:
Freehold buildings Over 50 years Freehold improvements Over 50 years Fixtures, fittings & equipment Over 5-10 years
Cost of historic properties, namely the church building and the hall known as 'The Lighthouse', have not been included as these are material.
- f) Pension scheme arrangements The charity operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the charity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the charity has no further payments obligations. The contributions are recognised as an expense when they are due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals in the
Prior to 2012 pension provision was made through multi-employer defined benefit pension plans. Where it is not possible for the charity to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for a plan as a defined benefit plan, it accounts for the plan as a defined contribution plan.
Where the plan is, or was in deficit and where the charity has agreed, with the plan, to participate in a deficit funding arrangement, the charity recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the contributions payable under the agreement that relate to the deficit. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost and any other change in the measurement of this liability is expensed to the Statement of Financial Activities
## g) Taxation
The charity has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's i
- h) Financial instruments The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Except for loans, creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). The charity recognises liabilities for the principal of those loans that remains outstanding at the year end (i.e. the liabilities exclude any interest chargeable on the loans in future years).
- i) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement
The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.
- j) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
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## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **3 Donations and legacies**
|Donations of cash and similar
Gift aid recoverable
**4**
**Income from charitable activities**
Church retreats and events
**5**
**Investment income**
Bank interest
**6**
**Charitable expenditure**
**a**
**Costs incurred directly on specific activities**
Salaries, travel and expenses
Manse costs
Premises costs
Youth & childrens' work expenses
Ministry and outreach
Grants payable (note 6c)
**b**
**Costs incurred on support & administration**
Governance costs
Independent examiner's fee
Office costs
Professional fees
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
**Total expenditure**|2025
£
250,826
30,861
281,687
2025
£
790
790
2025
£
5,502
5,502
2025
£
106,774
9,100
31,327
4,300
11,297
162,799
25,048
187,847
2,760
8,055
-
44,410
55,225
243,072|2024
£
140,761
27,524|
|---|---|---|
|||168,285|
|||2024
£
632|
|||632|
|||2024
£
4,986|
|||4,986|
|||2024
£
67,444
6,726
26,365
4,237
10,260|
|||115,032
18,055|
|||133,086|
|||1,740
4,684
1,491
44,410|
|||52,325|
|||185,411|
The fee payable to the independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts was £2,760 (2024: £1,740); in addition the charity paid £926 (2024: £895) to Stewardship for payroll bureau and consultancy services.
## **c Grants payable**
|Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for education & training
The comparatives for the previous year are as follows:
Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for education & training|Institutions
£
18,123
6,925
25,048
Institutions
£
16,055
2,000
18,055|Individuals
£
-
-
-
Individuals
£
-
-
-|2024
£
18,123
6,925|
|---|---|---|---|
||||25,048|
||||2024
£
16,055
2,000|
||||18,055|
Page 15
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **6c) Grants payable (cont.)**
The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised:
|charity's principal grants to institutions comprised:|||
|---|---|---|
|Baptist Union of Great Britain
France Mission Trust
BMS World Mission
Rogoja
Watford Schools Trust
Samara's Aid
Brazil Fund
Calvary Chapel Bible College, Tbilisi
Wang Daeng Church
Stewardship (for Missao Pescadores Brazil)
Grants to institutions for less than £1,000 each|2025
£
2,975
3,295
4,418
3,410
2,580
-
-
4,345
1,325
1,000
1,700
25,048|2024
£
2,590
2,830
3,530
4,005
2,000
1,425
1,126
-
-
-
549|
|||18,055|
## **7 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 4.6 (2024: 4). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
The charity's key management comprise the trustees and the key staff named on the Charity Information page. Total employment benefits payable to key management for the year were as follows:
|Other
Employer
Wages &
employment
pension
salaries
benefits
contributions
Trustees:
Rev Philip Amos
37,497
-
4,514
Mrs Melissa Ruparell
8,059
-
-
Jude King
9,014
-
802|2025
£
42,011
8,059
9,815|
|---|---|
||59,885|
The following amounts were payable in the previous year:
|following amounts were payable in the previous year:||
|---|---|
|Other
Employer
Wages &
employment
pension
salaries
benefits
contributions
Trustees:
Rev Philip Amos
35,132
-
4,239
Mrs Melissa Ruparell
7,551
-
-|2024
£
39,371
7,551|
||46,923|
Rev Philip Amos served as Senior Minister and Jude King as Minister-in-training and received the above payments for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
In addition the charity incurred expenditure totalling £9,100 (2024: £6,726) in respect of the provision of accommodation for Rev P Amos, and £9,000 for Jude King (which is customary for ministers) who are trustees so that they could better perform their duties.
Melissa Ruparell served as administrator and received the above payments for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
Page 16
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **8 Tangible fixed assets**
|Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
**9**
**Debtors**
**Falling due within one year:**
Gift aid recoverable
**Total debtors**
**10**
**Cash at Bank and in Hand**
Cash at bank with immediate access
**11**
**Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year**
Accruals
Loans
**12**
**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**
Loans|Freehold
Property
6,750
-
6,750
6,750
-
6,750
-
-|Freehold
Improvements
£
1,735,584
-
1,735,584
242,982
34,712
277,693
1,457,891
1,492,602|Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£
80,700
-
80,700
54,382
9,698
64,081
16,619
26,318
2025
£
30,861
30,861
2025
£
320,067
320,067
2025
£
8,257
-
8,257
2025
£
-
-|Total
2025
£
1,823,034
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,823,034|
|||||304,114
44,410|
|||||348,524|
|||||1,474,510|
|||||1,518,920|
|||||2024
£
27,524|
|||||27,524|
|||||2024
£
327,570|
|||||327,570|
|||||2024
£
1,740
25,000|
|||||26,740|
|||||2024
£
75,000|
|||||75,000|
Page 17
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **13 Loans and finance leases**
The liabilities for loans referred to in notes 11 and 12 fall due for repayment as follows:
|Repayable:
Within one year
Between one and five years
After five years|By
instalments
-
-
-
-|2025
2024
£
£
-
25,000
-
75,000
-
-
-
100,000
BU loan|2025
2024
£
£
-
25,000
-
75,000
-
-
-
100,000
BU loan|
|---|---|---|---|
||||100,000|
The Baptist Union loan is interest free and a restriction has been lodged against the church property.
The loan was received in 2017 and was repayable over 10 years, however it was repaid in full during the 2024/25 financial year.
## **14 Pension commitments**
## **The Baptist Union Pension Scheme**
The charity is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited).
The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers Pension Fund, started in 1925. At the beginning of the financial year, the scheme comprised of a defined benefits scheme which was closed to future accrual on 31 December 2011 and a defined contribution plan which was opened in January 2012.The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
For the current financial year, the pension provision for members of the Scheme is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to 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%
In October 2024, the insurance company Just Group completed a buy out of the liabilities of the closed defined benefit scheme. From that date any remaining liability of the participating scheme members to defined benefit scheme ceased and the £1 per month deficit contributions payable by the participating employers which were agreed in the recovery plan approved in August 2022 also ceased from that date. Administration of the closed defined benefit scheme transferred from the pension trustees to Just Group from that date.
The Minister and some members of the church staff are eligible to join the Scheme.
_Movement in Balance Sheet liability [ not applicable if no pension liability before the start of the comparator year]_
Section 28.11A of FRS 102 requires agreed deficit recovery payments to be recognised as a liability. The present value of the agreed deficit contributions were immaterial at the beginning of the financial year and were fully extinguished once buy out was completed by Just Group in October 2024.
The charity's pension contributions were as follows
|charity's pension contributions were as follows|||
|---|---|---|
|to defined contribution pension schemes|2025
£
10,846
10,846|2024
£
8,782|
|||8,782|
Page 18
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **15 Funds**
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_Designated Funds_
Short Term Project Workers Fund
Carpenders Park
OVEG
_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Social Care Fund
Special Gifts Fund
Staff Salary account
Mens Breakfast
Carers Club
Car Park Project Fund
Family Worker
Youth Worker
Youth & Children Fund
Limitless
Bushey & Oxey Care
_Endowment funds_
Building Project
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2025
£
500
-
-
500
84,014
84,514
1,447
6,427
-
100
1,523
18,156
1,000
1,845
4,962
-
656
36,117
1,651,642
1,772,273|Incoming
resources
2025
£
-
102,959
1,032
103,991
166,360
270,351
304
5,590
388
-
-
-
150
618
-
1,109
-
8,158
9,470
287,979|Outgoing
resources
2025
£
(500)
(23,676)
(953)
(25,130)
(167,638)
(192,768)
-
(8,203)
(748)
-
(476)
(1,222)
(1,463)
(2,903)
-
(579)
-
(15,592)
(34,712)
(243,072)|Transfers
in the year
2025
£
-
-
-
-
877
877
35
(2,147)
360
-
-
-
313
440
-
123
-
(877)
-
-|Closing
balance
2025
£
-
79,282
79|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||79,361
83,613|
||||||162,974|
||||||1,786
1,668
-
100
1,046
16,934
-
-
4,962
653
656|
||||||27,805|
||||||1,626,401|
||||||1,817,181|
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|Tangible fixed assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year||General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
16,619
-
29,480
-
45,772
79,361
(8,257)
-
83,613
79,361
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
-
344
27,462
-
27,805|Endowment
funds
£
1,457,891
1,038
167,473
-
1,626,401|2025
£
1,474,510
30,861
320,067
(8,257)|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
16,619
29,480
45,772
(8,257)
83,613||||
||||||1,817,181|
Page 19
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **15 Funds (cont.)**
In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_Designated Funds_
Short Term Project Workers Fund
_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Social Care Fund
Special Gifts Fund
Staff Salary account
Mens Breakfast
Carers Club
Car Park Project Fund
Family Worker
Youth Worker
Youth & Children Fund
Bushey & Oxey Care
_Endowment funds_
Building Project
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2024
£
500
500
81,414
81,914
1,074
5,859
-
100
3,086
18,156
-
445
4,962
656
34,338
1,667,530
1,783,782|Incoming
resources
2024
£
-
-
146,029
146,029
317
6,512
-
-
-
-
820
1,400
-
-
9,049
18,824
173,902|Outgoing
resources
2024
£
-
-
(143,634)
(143,634)
-
(5,502)
-
-
(1,563)
-
-
-
-
-
(7,066)
(34,712)
(185,411)|Transfers
in the year
2024
£
-
-
205
205
57
(442)
-
-
-
-
180
-
-
-
(205)
-
-|Closing
balance
2024
£
500|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||500
84,014|
||||||84,514|
||||||1,447
6,427
-
100
1,523
18,156
1,000
1,845
4,962
656|
||||||36,117|
||||||1,651,642|
||||||1,772,273|
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
## Unrestricted
||Unrestricted
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Tangible fixed assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year
Creditors falling due after one year|General
funds
£
26,318
24,317
35,120
(1,740)
-
84,014|Designated
funds
£
500
500|Restricted
funds
£
796
35,320
36,117|Endowment
funds
£
1,492,602
2,411
256,629
(25,000)
(75,000)
1,651,642|2024
£
1,518,920
27,524
327,570
(26,740)
(75,000)|
||||||1,772,273|
Page 20
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **15 Funds (cont.)**
## _Designated Funds_
Carpenders Park fund holds funds related to the congregation at Carpenders Park which joined with Bushey Baptist during the financial year.
OVEG fund holds funds for the Oxhey Village Enviromental Group.
## _Restricted Funds_
The Social Care fund is intended to support those in need as the need arises. The Special Gift Fund records restricted income received for third parties The Staff salary fund is intended to fund the salaries of additional staff The Mens' Breakfast fund is intended to cover the costs of providing the breakfast The Carers' Fund is intended to support carers.
The Car Park Fund was set up for the Church to purchase part of the neighbourhood garden, which was being offered by the
The Family Worker Fund & Youth Worker Funds are intended to contribute towards funding the salaries of the Family and Childrens' worker and Youth worker
The Warm Welcome fund was for Warm Welcome. The Church received a grant of £2000 from Watford Borough Council in 2023 and this was returned in 2024 as only a small amount was spent on Warm Welcome.
The Youth & Children Fund is restricted to expenditure on youth & children's work.
The Bushey & Oxey Care fund is intended to provide transport support for the benefit of those in need in Bushey and Oxhey
The Endowment Fund relates to a building project in the church
## **16 Transactions with related parties**
During the year the charity:
- a) received donations totalling £36,480 (2024: £11,650) from related parties (which includes trustees, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
- b) paid training costs of £3,540 for Jude King in his role as employee, not for serving as a trustee.
Except as disclosed in note 7 'Analysis of staff costs', there have been no other transactions with related parties during the year.
## **17 Reconciliation with previously reported funds**
During the year the charity changed its accounts to prepare them on an accruals basis in line with the Charities SORP rather than on a Receipts & Payments basis due to income being over the threshold of £250,000. The comparatives presented in these accounts have been re-stated on an accruals basis and a reconciliation with the reserves and results reported previously follows:
_Reconciliation of reserves_
|Previously reported reserves, at 31 March
Adjustments arising from accruals adjustments:
Inclusion of fixed assets
Inclusion of debtors
Inclusion of creditors <1 year
Inclusion of creditors >1 year
Re-stated reserves, at 31 March
Previously reported results
Adjustments arising from accruals adjustments:
Depreciation charge
Movement in debtors
Movement in creditors
Re-stated results
_Reconciliation of results_|2024
£
327,570
1,518,920
27,524
(26,740)
(75,000)
1,772,274
2024
£
9,683
(44,410)
(3,692)
26,910
(11,509)|2023
£
317,886
1,563,330
31,216
(28,650)
(100,000)|
|---|---|---|
|||1,783,782|
||||
Page 21
## **BUSHEY BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities:
6
**Total Expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
15
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
15||General
Designated
2025
2025
£
£
160,363
103,991
495
-
5,502
-
166,360
103,991
167,638
25,130
167,638
25,130
(1,278)
78,861
877
-
(401)
78,861
84,014
500
83,613
79,361
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2025
£
7,863
295
-
8,158
15,592
15,592
(7,435)
(877)
(8,311)
36,117
27,805|Endowment
2025
£
9,470
-
-
9,470
34,712
34,712
(25,241)
-
(25,241)
1,651,642
1,626,401|Total
2025
£
281,687
790
5,502
287,979
243,072
243,072
44,907
-
44,907
1,772,273
1,817,181|||General
Designated
2024
2024
£
£
140,728
-
315
-
4,986
-
146,029
-
143,634
-
143,634
-
2,395
-
205
-
2,600
-
81,414
500
84,014
500
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2024
£
8,732
317
-
9,049
7,066
7,066
1,984
(205)
1,778
34,338
36,117|Endowment
2024
£
18,824
-
-
18,824
34,712
34,712
(15,887)
-
(15,887)
1,667,530
1,651,642|Total
2024
£
168,285
632
4,986
173,902
185,411
185,411
(11,509)
-
(11,509)
1,783,782
1,772,273|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 22