Garland Street Baptist Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2021
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE | ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE | Garland Street |
|---|---|---|
| Bury St Edmunds | ||
| Suffolk, IP33 1EZ | ||
| GOVERNING DOCUMENT | Constitution adopted 3 September 2009 | |
| CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER | 1131966 | |
| A registered charity affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain | ||
| TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR | Rev'd Robert Green - Minister - resigned August 21 | |
| MANAGING THE CHARITY | Rev'd Gavin Walter - Minister - appointed September 21 | |
| Rosemary Hills - resigned August 2020 | ||
| Ms Claire McMillan | ||
| Mr Adrian Mundell | ||
| Mr Thomas Mundell | ||
| Mr Paul Seymour - Church Treasurer - resigned April 21 | ||
| Dr Adrian Terry - Church Treasurer - appointed June 21 | ||
| Mrs Helene Terry | ||
| Mr Terry Tyrrell | ||
| Mrs Jane Jennison - appointed 8 July 2021 | ||
| CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES | The Baptist Union Corporation Limited | |
| Baptist House | ||
| 129 Broadway, Didcot | ||
| Oxfordshire, OX11 8RT | ||
| BANKERS | National Westminster Bank Plc | |
| 7 Cornhill | ||
| Bury St Edmunds | ||
| Suffolk, IP33 1BQ | ||
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Lisa Darby ACA | |
| Stewardship | ||
| 1 Lamb's Passage | ||
| London, EC1Y 8AB | ||
| INDEX | ||
| Page 1 | Legal & Administrative Details | |
| Pages 2-6 | Trustees' Report | |
| Page 7 | Independent Examiner's Report | |
| Page 8 | Receipts and Payments Account | |
| Page 9 | Statement of Assets & Liabilities | |
| Pages 10-12 | Notes to the Accounts |
Page 1
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2021.
Charitable objects
An Approved Governing Document (based on the model constitution provided by the Baptist Union), has been adopted by the charity. This document states that the principal purpose of the charity is: ‘the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world’.
The Church occupies premises, which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, on Trusts that are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisation Structure and Decision-making Process
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution, which normally requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or following other modes of baptism to renew their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
The Church Members' Meeting normally takes place six times per year (of which two will be open to the whole congregation, following a decision at the Church meeting of 15-3-12) Members, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Trustees, who include the Minister, Church Secretary, Treasurer, Deacons and Elders (if there are any). The Church Secretary and Treasurer are normally also elected Deacons, and the Minister and Deacons (collectively known as the Diaconate), are responsible for the overall day-to-day running of the Church’s work, 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.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance, or may be raised by members in Church meetings for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
Throughout the past year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it has not been possible to hold properly constituted Church meetings and accordingly the Diaconate have delayed decisions on major items until such time as a meeting can be properly held. Additionally it has not be possible to vote on the reappointment of trustees during this period and accordingly the trustees in place immediately prior to the pandemic restrictions being imposed, have continued to serve, in accordance with Baptist Union guidance, pending the ability to hold a properly constituted Church meeting to vote on their reappointment.
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Objectives and Activities
Our current Vision Statement is:
‘By 2023, in God's strength, we will be united by a vibrant faith and deepening knowledge of Christ. We will be a multigenerational church, committed to sharing the love and message of Jesus with our community.’
Our mission statement is:
‘To follow Jesus and to make Him known’
This sums up our objective to be a Missionary Congregation.
In order to achieve the principal objective set out above, the Church engages in a variety of activities (either on its own, or with others) 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. Our activities include local community work, evangelism and financial support of national and international evangelism, teaching and encouragement of existing and new Christians, pastoral care and supporting charitable social action locally and abroad.
Achievements and Performance
The Church does not measure its success only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship, encouragement, community outreach and being obedient to the will of God, and the Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure. The actual membership as at March 2021 is 67.
During the year four members of the church family sadly died plus five other people who were part of the wider Church family.
As with other Churches across the country, in March 2020 church activities were forced to cease due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although we couldn’t meet physically, the family of the church has continued as we have learned to sustain church in new ways. We have seen worship moved online along with some of the other church activities. We were able to hold Christmas and Easter services in person, albeit with a reduced capacity and complying with the government guidelines. During the time of the pandemic we have also conducted six funerals of members of our fellowship in a socially distanced way.
The church has learned a lot over the last year, having been thrust into using technology for worship, meetings, bible studies and prayer. We will doubtless continue using online platforms as part of church life alongside our physical meetings.
We have done our best to include all the church family – those who are online and those who are not – in worship, prayer and information. Messages have been posted in The Outlook, River of Prayer days have been accessible online and at home enabling us to pray together. Without personal visits, the phone has been a valuable tool in pastoral care. Boys’ Brigade and Aspire has been able to keep vital links with families with online activities for children and young people.
As we have tentatively resumed in-person worship we have started meeting in the afternoon as an interim plan so we can make the most of musical skills. As we move forward, we expect to meet weekly (by June).
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The deacons and church leadership team have continued to work, both in terms of the day to day running of church life and thinking ahead to the Vision, financial planning and resuming church life in more recognisable ways, including in-person worship, meeting for prayer and bible study and the mission/outreach of the church. It is inevitable that, as we resume using the buildings, things will be different to how they were a year ago. Some groups will cease, others will continue and we hope to develop new initiatives as opportunity and volunteers enable.
During 2020 Rev. Robert Green announced that he would step down as minister of GSBC at the end of August 2021. This led to the early search for a minister to continue leading the church family with the advice and guidance of the regional minister and National Settlement Team in starting the process of seeking a new minister. The due process was followed and on 5th May 2021 Rev. Gavin Walter was called by the church to be the next Minister of the Church, which he has accepted.
Work has been ongoing discussing the refurbishment of the Elven Centre and the quinquennial review maintenance work on all the buildings. During 2020 ‘Czechers’ and the stairs were redecorated and the sash windows refurbished.
A major challenge has been the inability to hold properly constituted Church Meetings during 2020/21. Some churches have had church meetings online but with around half the GSBC church family being contacted by post/phone, it would be very difficult to justify making decisions based on the views of half the church (or less?) being present at an online meeting.
The Charity Commission have encouraged charities to take a ‘flexible and pragmatic’ approach which enables us to continue in unprecedented circumstances. This has been why the current deacons have served beyond their period of office and deacons elections will be held in the coming months to confirm appointments.
Any big decisions that might have been made would have to be ratified at a later church meeting. Accordingly the deacons have avoided making big decisions outside a church meeting, and have reluctantly delayed those decisions until we can hold properly constituted church meetings. This has delayed the AGM, Deacons’ elections and crucial decisions about the Vision and building refurbishment and maintenance.
During 2020, Rosemary Hills stood down as Church Secretary (having served beyond her term of office) which is why the deacons agreed to Adrian Mundell serving as Church Secretary with other jobs being shared out. Christine Mundell has been fulfilling some administrative tasks which has been really helpful. This appointment will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
These are all necessary interim measures that have been taken to enable the work of the Church to continue and will be addressed by the church meeting in coming weeks. Throughout, we have consulted with the Regional Minister (Rev. Graeme Ross) to ensure that anything we have done (or not done!) has been appropriate in the less-than-ideal circumstances.
The last year or so has been very disruptive to church life and we have all experienced that disruption in different ways. For some it’s been fearful and lonely while for others it’s been very busy. For all of us it has been frustrating! As we look ahead, trusting in the grace of God, we will need to continue to be patient, understanding and forgiving of one another and most of all prayerful and watchful as to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
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Safeguarding
The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are appropriately equipped with regard to Safeguarding and checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service. A majority of volunteers received training on 13th October 2018. Level 1 training (BU Training video) was done on Sept 22nd 2019 with the whole congregation. Ongoing training is now being restarted now that the pandemic restrictions are being lifted.
GDPR
The church has implemented a GDPR policy with Adrian Terry as the GDPR Trustee. Appropriate permissions are now required for the distribution of emails (e.g. weekly newssheet by email and entries to the church directory)
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial review
The Church continues to raise the funds that 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. Work continues to seek grant support for the refurbishment of the Elven Centre.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted, are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy (equivalent to 6 months' direct running costs), and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the year-end, together with on-going income anticipated, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year.
Risk Statement
The Trustees have conducted a risk assessment on the current activities of the church. The child protection policy has been reaffirmed and those working with children and young people have received and signed for a copy. Courses have been held for Food Hygiene and First Aid for the relevant people.
Trustees' Responsibilities
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity and of its income and expenditure for the year.
We are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
-
State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the accounts
- Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that
the charity will continue in business.
Page 5
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the Trustees on 21 November 2021 and signed on their behalf by:
Dr A R Terry
Page 6
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Garland Street Baptist Church (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2021 on pages 10 to 12 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the 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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those 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.
Lisa Darby ACA
For and on behalf of: Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London, EC1Y 8AB
Date: 22 November 2021
Page 7
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| Notes Income receipts Voluntary income 2 Income from charitable activities Investment income Rental income Uniformed organisations Ladies' Fellowship Other Total Receipts Payments 3 4 Total payments Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers |
Unrestricted Funds £ 53,743 - 50 3,000 - - - 56,793 56,243 |
Restricted Funds £ 6,491 - 594 - 843 20 5,000 12,948 10,165 |
2021 £ 60,234 - 644 3,000 843 20 5,000 69,741 66,408 |
2020 £ 80,287 885 1,826 3,000 2,005 911 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88,913 | ||||
| 124,090 | ||||
| 6,318 62,561 |
80 10,245 |
6,398 72,807 |
10,560 | |
| 134,650 | ||||
| (5,768) - 53,096 |
2,703 - 261,250 |
(3,066) - 314,346 |
(45,737) - 360,083 |
|
| 47,328 | 263,953 | 311,281 | 314,346 |
The notes on pages 10 - 12 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds £ £ A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access 47,328 83,294 Notice deposits - 180,168 Petty cash - 491 47,328 263,953 B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity 7,651 106 Prepayments 3,864 - 11,515 106 C Liabilities Fee for Independent Examination 1,380 - Agency funds (see below) - 653 1,380 653 Agency funds relating to 'Who Cares' and the Farmers' Club Opening balance Additional amounts received Amounts paid over Closing balance D Assets retained for charity's own use Church Building Church Contents Hall Building Hall Contents Mission Hall Manse |
2021 £ 130,622 180,168 491 311,281 7,757 3,864 11,621 1,380 653 2,033 |
2020 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 134,255 179,575 416 |
||
| 314,246 | ||
| 10,915 3,623 |
||
| 14,538 | ||
| 1,500 567 |
||
| 2,067 | ||
| 567 187 (102) |
||
| 653 | ||
| Current value £ |
||
| 3,365,394 427,861 1,062,872 103,723 255,941 211,783 |
||
| 5,427,574 |
The trustees have used re-instatement insurance values as an approximation for current values.
E Long term liability
| E Long term liability |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Pension scheme deficit | Note 6 | 38,000 | 51,500 |
| The accounts were approved by the | trustees and signed on their behalf | ||
| by | date | ||
| Dr A R Terry | 21 November 2021 |
The notes on pages 10 - 12 form part of these accounts.
Page 9
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
1 Accounting Policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
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; currently no such funds have been set aside. 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.
| 2 Voluntary income General donations Tax recoverable 3 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly a Direct Charitable Costs Visiting speakers Youth work Uniformed organisations Gas, electricity and water Repairs & renewals Cleaning Subscriptions, fees and donations Publicity and outreach Other church costs Discipleship and training Manse - other costs Ministerial expenses Stipend Pension scheme Building works Ladies' Fellowship Support & Administration (see note 3(b)) b Support & Administration Printing, postage and stationery Insurance Accounts and examination 4 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for: Home and Overseas Mission The grants to institutions amounting to more than £1,000 in the year BUGB Home Mission BMS BCY - Bury St Edmunds and District Christian Youth |
Unrestricted Funds £ 43,005 10,738 53,743 £ - 358 - 2,120 2,741 553 1,425 70 - - 4,511 - 29,400 7,026 - - 8,039 56,243 1,507 5,152 1,380 8,039 6,318 were: 2,088 2,361 1,250 |
Restricted Funds £ 6,314 177 6,491 £ - - 299 - - - - - - - - - - - 9,847 20 - 10,165 - - - - 80 |
Total 2021 £ 49,319 10,915 60,234 £ - 358 299 2,120 2,741 553 1,425 70 - - 4,511 - 29,400 7,026 9,847 20 8,039 66,408 1,507 5,152 1,380 8,039 6,398 |
Total 2020 £ 67,485 12,802 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80,287 | ||||
| £ 735 358 2,777 4,494 1,554 618 1,329 376 1,493 95 4,129 180 28,895 8,021 60,910 955 7,171 |
||||
| 124,090 | ||||
| 1,017 4,831 1,324 |
||||
| 7,171 | ||||
| 10,560 | ||||
Page 10
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
4 Staff & Trustees
The charity has one full time equivalent employed staff. Its activities are generally carried out by volunteers. No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
Rev'd Robert Green was paid a stipend of £29,400 (2020: £28,894) in his capacity of Minister, not as a Trustee, as permitted by the governing document. The related pension costs that were paid are detailed in note 6. No other remuneration was paid to any trustee during the year nor to any person connected to them and no trustee received any expenses other than reimbursements of expenditure incurred on behalf of the church.
5 Funds
The restricted and designated funds represent amounts received for specific purposes. Movements in the year across all funds are as follows:
| Restricted Income Funds Building Fund - for repairs and renovations Vision 2024 Fellowship Fund - assistance for those in need Mission Appeals Uniformed Organisations Ladies' Fellowships Ministry & Training Fund for the new Youth & Family Worker (when appointed) Manse Insurance tenant deposit Toddler Group General Funds Total Funds |
Balance shown Receipts at 01.04.20 £ £ 236,172 3,495 7,460 - 326 - 10 90 16,693 843 - 20 - 3,500 - 5,000 589 - 261,249 12,948 53,096 56,793 314,346 69,741 |
Payments £ (9,847) - - (80) (299) (20) - - - (10,245) (62,561) (72,806) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Balance at 31.03.21 £ 229,820 7,460 326 20 17,238 0 3,500 5,000 589 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 263,953 | ||||
| 47,328 | ||||
| 311,281 |
The Mission Appeals Fund is in support of the Baptist Missionary Society.
6 Pensions
Background to the disclosure
The Church is an employer participating in a pension scheme known as the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The Scheme is a separate legal entity and the assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers. The Scheme comprises a Defined Contribution Plan and a Defined Benefit Plan.
The pension cost shown in the Receipts and Payments Statement comprises contributions to the Defined Contribution Plan and deficiency contributions to the Defined Benefit Plan (see below).
The Minister is eligible to join the Scheme.
The Defined Contribution Plan
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 Legal and General Life Assurance Society Limited. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income (or 3% if the employer is in the segregated DC section) to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members in the event that 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. Members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%.
The Defined Benefit Plan
Benefits in respect of service prior to 1 January 2012 are provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan within the Scheme. The main benefits for pre-2012 service were a defined benefit 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. 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.
Page 11
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Actuarial valuation as at 31 December 2016
A formal valuation of the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was performed at 31 December 2016 by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. The market value of the DB Plan assets at the valuation date was £219 million. The valuation of the DB Plan revealed a deficit of assets compared with the value of liabilities of £93 million (equivalent to a past service funding level of 70%). The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan is due to take place not later than as at 31 December 2019.
Recovery plan
A recovery plan has been agreed to make good the above deficit in assets. Therefore, in addition to the contributions to the DC Plan set out above, the Trustee and the Council agree to a rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan.
For the time being it has been agreed that the standard rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan will remain at previously agreed levels, increasing each year in line with increases in the Minimum Pensionable Income. The deficiency contributions are broadly based on 12% of Pensionable Income / Minimum Pensionable Income, reflecting each employer’s contributions in March 2015. Some employers that were involved in the DB Plan for a short period pay lower contributions. The Recovery Plan envisages deficiency contributions continuing until 31 December 2028.
As part of the recovery plan, the Baptist Union of Great Britain paid £33m towards the deficit in December 2018 and is expected to make further contributions totalling £0.5m by 31 December 2023.
| Key assumptions The key assumptions underlying the actuarial valuation of the DB Plan were as follows: Payments made in the year Defined Contribution Plan: Employee contributions Employer contributions Deficiency contributions to Defined Benefit Plan Minimum Pensionable Income increases (CPI plus 0.75% pa) Deferred pension increases Assumed investment returns RPI price inflation assumption - Pre-retirement CPI price inflation assumption Type of financial assumption Pension increases - Main Scheme pension Pre April 2006 - Main Scheme pension Post April 2006 - Post retirement - Pre April 2009 - Post April 2009 |
2021 £ 2,948 3,685 3,341 |
% pa 3.5 2.75 3.5 3.5 2.25 3.50 2.50 2.70 2.00 2020 £ 2,948 3,663 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,357 |
Basis for determining the DB plan pension liability
The pension liability disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in respect of the DB Plan is based on an estimate of the amount that
7 Opening Balance Adjustment
A small adjustment of £100 has been made to the 'Uniformed Organisations' opening balance to correct an error in the 2020 Accounts 'Uniformed Organisations' closing balance.
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