**HODDESDON BAPTIST CHURCH CHARITY INFORMATION** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** **Trustees** Kathryn Edmonds (Secretary) Keith Woollgar (Treasurer) Edward Delasalle Rosanne Farrell Dave Gooderidge Janet Ince Simon Pateman **Key Staff** Dave Gooderidge Baptist Union Corporation, Baptist House, **Custodian trustee** PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8RT **Governing Document** Deed of Trust dated 5th November 1914 Constitution adopted 23rd June 2009, and amended on 29th June 2021 **Charity Registration Number** 1131809 **Principal Address** Hoddesdon Baptist Church Burford Street Hoddesdon EN11 8HX **Independent Examiner** Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb’s Passage London EC1Y 8AB ## **Bankers** Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8RT Barclays Bank plc, 51 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8TG NatWest 43 High Street, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 8HE CCLA Investment Management Ltd, One Angel Lane, London, EC4R 3AB ## **Contents** Charity Information Trustees' Annual Report Independent Examiner's Report Receipts and payments account Statement of assets and liabilities **Page** 1 2-5 6 7 8 1 **HODDESDON BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the receipts and payments account of Hoddesdon Baptist Church (HBC) for the year ended 31st March 2024. ## **Objects of the charity** The primary object of HBC is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. In addition HBC may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing HBC’s aims and objects and in planning future activities. The Church universal is not a building, but a collection of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed, or who are seeking to be changed, by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The churches described in the New Testament were communities of people, who in loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to bring blessing to the people around them. The individuals who constitute HBC are committed to the living out of those New Testament principles. HBC is not alone in this; it is one of many churches in the area, country and all over the world that is seeking to demonstrate that same love and service found in the New Testament so that friends, neighbours, family and colleagues may come to know Jesus as Lord, Saviour and friend. ## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements** To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows: HBC is a member of both the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and of the Central Baptist Association (CBA). HBC is a member of the Evangelical Alliance, and a member of Churches Together in Hoddesdon, Broxbourne and Wormley (CTHBW). It works closely with the other members of CTHBW on local initiatives. HBC supports and encourages individuals and organisations engaged in helping people to become disciples of Jesus, both in the UK and overseas. HBC assists All Nations Christian College by taking students on placement and providing appropriate experience and mentoring, when so requested by the College. Young Life in Hoddesdon, which works with 11 to 18 year old children, is supported in kind by HBC, in conjunction with the Mannamead Trust, by the free provision of the property adjoining the church’s Burford Street premises, as a base for its work amongst the young people of the area. 2 **HODDESDON BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** The fulfilment of HBC’s primary object is only possible through the intentional activity of every individual making Jesus known in their daily lives. The financial resources of HBC, to a very large extent, are given by the individuals; their private assets and equipment are regularly used in the work of HBC. Much of this work is done privately, without recognition; the hours and value of that time cannot be quantified. HBC demonstrates the love of Christ to the local community by organising groups, including a Toddler Group and a Walking Group, around particular interests and activities for the benefit of the wider community as well as individuals who are part of HBC. HBC allows its halls to be used as a community resource by local community groups, such as Childrens’ Integrated Playschemes and Carers in Hertford Support Hub, and small local businesses at reasonable rates. HBC organises community events from time to time to which neighbours of the church, and friends of church members can be invited. In particular HBC organised a quiz night and a Christmas carol service, both of which involved many local contacts and it hosted a fund-raising barn dance for Young Life. In conjunction with the local Churches Together HBC runs a Grief Encounter course, the local foodbank and work with asylum seekers. A programme of teaching for adults and children of all ages on Sundays and in groups that meet at other times during the week is implemented. During the past year this has been by meeting in person, with video conference for those people unable to attend in person. HBC also provides support to churches working elsewhere both in the United Kingdom and overseas. This support has primarily been through individuals working full time in mission either in the UK or overseas. During the year HBC has supported members working overseas, one with a church in Zimbabwe and another working for a pan-African organisation. Via other UK charities HBC has supported partners working in Sri Lanka, France and in a global translation ministry. ## **Grant making policy** Grants to external organisations and individuals are considered no less than annually by the Trustees on the basis of need and fulfilment of the charitable objects. There are no upper or lower limits of support. One grant supports the Baptist Home Mission Fund while the other grants are principally made to support individual mission partners, usually overseas, with whom the church has a longstanding connection and from whom it receives regular updates and routine visits. A trustee visit was made to a France-based mission partner during the year. 3 **HODDESDON BAPTIST CHURCH** **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Decisions relating to the charitable trust are made by the Deacons, who, as the Trustees of the charitable trust, are responsible for governing the life and teaching of the church. Day to day decisions on expenditure and activities are decided by staff and volunteers in charge of different areas of the church, with the budgets set and monitored by the Trustees. The powers of appointment or removal of Deacons rests with the general meeting of HBC. Deacons are selected from the membership of the church since this means that they are wholeheartedly involved in seeing the mission of the church worked out in practice. ## **Financial review** During the year receipts have satisfactorily covered the normal expenses of the church. Mission partner restricted income and mission partner grants were both reduced following a decrease in the number of mission partners supported by the church. Building expenditure was reduced following the completion of a refurbishment project in the prior year at a cost some £110,000. ## **Transactions with related parties** Reverend D A Gooderidge served as the minister of the church and was paid £28,319 [2023: £26,185] for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document. In addition the charity incurred expenditure totalling £6,387 (2023: £7,040) in respect of the provision of accommodation (which is customary for ministers) to Reverend D A Gooderidge, who is a trustee, so that he could better perform his duties. ## **The Baptist Pension Scheme** Previously the Baptist Pension Scheme’s now closed defined benefit scheme had been reporting a funding deficit and the charity had been making contributions to help make good the shortfall. The Baptist Pension Scheme provided estimates for the charity’s share of the funding deficit and the estimate at the year end was included as a monetary liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In July 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme reached an agreement with an insurance company, called Just, to secure the benefits payable under the now closed defined benefit pension scheme (‘DB Scheme’). The premium payable to Just was favourable and, after the transaction with Just, the DB Scheme no longer has a funding deficit. It will take some time to complete the process and, until it is complete, some risks remain. Based on current values the Baptist Pension Scheme believes it has sufficient assets to complete the process without requiring additional contributions from participating employers but, because some risks do remain, the charity has been asked to make a nominal monthly contribution of £1 to the DB Scheme from August 2022. ## **Restricted fund** The restricted fund relates to amounts given for the support of mission partners. 4 **HODDESDON BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **Reserves policy** The Trustees have set a policy of retaining reserves sufficient for the foreseeable needs of HBC. HBC has previously and continues to set aside money into designated funds to build up contingency funds for major expenditure on church properties and possible future staffing costs. These designated funds could, however, be added to the general reserves should this be required. The free reserves are available to meet the costs of normal running of HBC and to ensure HBC can meet the commitments that have been entered into. The level of free reserves required at 31 March 2024 has been set at £140,000, to cover at least one year’s expenses, compared to an actual amount of £146,468. Restricted reserves at 31 March 2024 stand at £6,250. ## **Trustees' responsibilities statement** The trustees are responsible for the preparation of receipts and payments accounts for each financial year and a statement of assets and liabilities at the end of each financial year. The trustees have responsibility for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with charity legislation. 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. ## **Investments** HBC has a significant investment holding which has generated income in the year as well as an appreciation in capital value. This reflects the decision of the Trustees to hold a mixture of ethical investments to generate both income and capital growth in the long term, to be available to cover any significant property expenditure. ## **Approval** This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: _K. R. Woollgar_ K R Woollgar 8[th] July 2024 5 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF** ## **HODDESDON BAPTIST CHURCH** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Hoddesdon Baptist Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024 on pages 7 to 8 following. ## **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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ## _J. Young_ Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB Date: 17 July 2024 Page 6 **Charity Name No (if any) Hoddesdon Baptist Church 1131809 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 ee a **Section A Receipts and payments** ||**Unrestricted**
**funds**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**|||**Restricted**
**funds**|||**Endowment**
**funds**|**Endowment**
**funds**|**Endowment**|||**Total funds**||**Last year**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**to the nearest**
**£**||**to the nearest**|**to the nearest**|**to the nearest £**|||**to the nearest £**|**to the nearest £**||||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**| |**A1 Receipts**|||||||||||||||| |Tax efficient donations|**85,814**|**85,814**|**85,814**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**85,814**||**80,829**| |Restricted mission partner donations|**-**|**-**|**-**||**7,748**|**7,748**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**7,748**||**15,638**| |Tax recovered|**23,258**|**23,258**|**23,258**||**1,738**|**1,738**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**24,996**||**24,079**| |Other donations|**5,782**|**5,782**|**5,782**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**5,782**||**15,644**| |Hall hires|**12,214**|**12,214**|**12,214**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**12,214**||**14,864**| |Investment, interest and other receipts|**5,340**|**5,340**|**5,340**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**5,340**||**7,258**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|**132,408**|**132,408**|**132,408**||**9,486**|**9,486**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**141,894**||**158,312**| |**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**_Total receipts_ 132,408**
**9,486**
**-**
**141,894**
**158,312**
—_——_~~—_~~—|||||||||||||||| |**A3 Payments**|||||||||||||||| |Personnel costs|**49,051**|**49,051**|**49,051**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**49,051**||**42,760**| |Sunday activities|**4,881**|**4,881**|**4,881**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**4,881**||**3,806**| |Mission partner grants|**30,184**|**30,184**|**30,184**||**9,486**|**9,486**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**39,670**||**50,934**| |Buildings, equipment & insurance|**22,795**|**22,795**|**22,795**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**22,795**||**136,666**| |Other costs|**8,315**|**8,315**|**8,315**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**8,315**||**11,125**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_ **|**115,226**|**115,226**|**115,226**||**9,486**|**9,486**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**124,712**||**245,291**| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**_Total payments_ 115,226**
**9,486**
**-**
**124,712**
**245,291**
———~~_—~~|||||||||||||||| |**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**|**17,182**|**17,182**||**17,182**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**- 17,182**|**- 17,182**|**- 17,182**|**- 17,182**|**- 17,182**|**- 17,182**|**- 17,182**|**- 86,979**| |**A5 Transfers between funds**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**- -**|**- -**|**- -**|**- -**|**- -**|**- -**|**- -**||**-**||**-**| |**A6 Cash funds last year end**|**120,418**|**120,418**||**120,418**|**6,250**||**6,250**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**126,668**||**213,646**| |**_Cash funds this year end_**|**137,600**|**137,600**||**137,600**|**6,250**||**6,250**|**- 143,850**|**- 143,850**|**- 143,850**|**- 143,850**|**- 143,850**|**- 143,850**||**126,667**| ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**|Hargreaves Lansdown cash balance
COIF Charities Deposit Fund
BU Corporation 7 day notice deposit
Signature
_K. R. Woollgar_
Independent Examiner's Fee
**Details**
**Details**
Church
Manse
Barclays current account
NatWest current account
BU Corporation 3 month notice deposit
**Details**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**
Hargreaves Lansdown|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**6,250**
**48,999**
**-**
**1,327**
**5,388**
**79,536**
**2,350**
**-**
**137,600**
**6,250**
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**Unrestricted**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
Endowment
**-**
Unrestricted
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
Unrestricted
1,290
**-**
Print Name
K R Woollgar|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**190,868**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**1,237,974**
**65,700**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**When due**
**(optional)**
Date of
approval
08/07/2024|