Garland Street Baptist Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2023
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| 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 Gavin Walter - Minister | |
| MANAGING THE CHARITY | Ms Claire McMillan | |
| Mr Adrian Mundell | ||
| Mr Thomas Mundell | ||
| Dr Adrian Terry - Church Treasurer | ||
| Mrs Helene Terry | ||
| Mrs Jane Jennison - resigned February 2023 | ||
| Mrs Joan Warnett - appointed May 22 | ||
| 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 FCA | |
| Stewardship | ||
| 1 Lamb's Passage | ||
| London, EC1Y 8AB | ||
| INDEX | ||
| Page 1 | Legal & Administrative Details | |
| Pages 2- 5 | Trustees' Report | |
| Page 6 | Independent Examiner's Report | |
| Page 7 | Receipts and Payments Account | |
| Page 8 | Statement of Assets & Liabilities | |
| Pages 9-11 | Notes to the Accounts |
Page 1
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2023.
One of the roles of church is to continually discern what God is saying to us and what he wants us to do. In this regard it has been another busy year; as we sold Fornham Chapel, appointed a Family and Young Adult worker and journeyed towards making a final decision about the Elven Centre redevelopment.
Our intention is to always show the love and grace of Jesus Christ in both word and deed inside and outside the church, so people are brought to a relationship, or closer relationship with Jesus. We continue to be a church which seeks to be friendly, welcoming and available to all.
Leadership
On the 19th of May 2022 Deacon elections were held at the Church meeting, with Joan Warnett joining the leadership team for a three-year term. Joan overviews the fabric team who help maintain our buildings. In February 2023, Jane Jennison stepped down as a deacon, feeling called by God to rest and have what she called a ‘fallow period’. We thank Jane for her service to the church.
Membership
During the year there were three resignations of membership, one couple transferred their membership to another Baptist church and Jane Jennison.
Membership as at 31st March 2023 stood at 61, however sadly one member passed away in April 2023. Membership ,of course, forms only a part of the total Garland Street Church family, and we see on average between 50 and 60 people regularly attending the morning service and circa 25 people at our evening service. In addition, there are several people who do not worship with us but enjoy being part of our activities which regularly meet during the week.
Prayer
Prayer remains a foundation stone for the church, as we listen to God and discern his will and way. Helene Terry continues to be the Deacon overviewing prayer.
Prayer points from Church and Deacon meetings are distributed through the prayer champions, a monthly prayer guide is produced, with people from the fellowship being asked to contribute each month, giving fresh and different viewpoints. The Sunday morning prayer team, prayer chain, Thursday prayer group and River of Prayer days continue to bring opportunities for everyone to pray for the life of the church.
Pastoral Care
Claire McMillan continues to be the deacon overviewing pastoral care, working closely with Rosemary Clare and the rest of the team. Members of the team had bereavement care training in the year. Homegroups continue to be a valuable pastoral care support for the fellowship, and we must pray that in the coming year more people will come forward to join the team.
Four members of the fellowship passed away in the past year and two further members also sadly passed away in April 2023 after the end of the reporting year. We give thanks to God for the life and witness of these faithful servants.
Page 2
Mission
Church activities
We give thanks that people enjoyed our church activities / groups which run during the week. All our activities bring opportunity to deepen relationships within the church and for invitations to be given to people in the community to join in.
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‘Carpet Bowls’ meet on Monday evening.
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‘Friendship Club’, meet on the first and third Tuesday afternoon each month.
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CAMEO a group for ladies who can bring their favoured craft to share skills and enjoy the company of other women, meet on the second and fourth Tuesday afternoon each month.
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Table Tennis’ meet on Wednesday morning.
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‘Thursday Prayer Group’ meet on a Thursday afternoon.
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‘Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association ’meet on Friday evenings.
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‘There are three homegroups, all meet on a Tuesday, two groups in person, the other via zoom.
Outreach
Children’s & Youth Ministry
Daniel Robson was employed as our Families and Young Adult Worker in June 2022. Through existing BCY and Open the Book connections, relationships were started with two local schools. In addition, activities for children were delivered in August and December 2022. The leadership team decided not to continue with Daniel’s employment beyond February 2023. Recognising that currently, GSBC needed someone who has more experience in working through the strategies for, planning and delivering of material, to families and children.
A young adult group met for lunch in February 2023, and we pray they will continue to meet. An Alpha course ran from September 2022, and was well received by the two people who attended.
Boys’ Brigade and Girls Association continued to deliver a wide-ranging programme of activities that encourage spiritual, emotional, and physical community development. The delayed Centenary Celebrations (1919-2019) took place over the weekend of 29th and 30th April 2023 with around 130 attending the Church service on the Sunday. A report will be given in next year’s annual report.
World Mission
We support several mission organisations including BMS with visits from missionaries where possible. We remember these in prayer (home groups and public worship) and several individual members maintain personal contacts with mission links.
Local Church links
Garland Street welcomed everyone on Tuesday 17th January 2022 for a service, part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with circa twenty people attending. The Walk of Witness was a wonderful opportunity to share our faith, as Bury Churches Together, with the community. This year through Look East filmed the event and we pray that people who saw the Walk of Witness reflect on its purpose and seek to know more about Jesus.
Fornham Chapel
At the Special Church Meeting held on 19th May 2022 the membership voted and accepted a bid of £190,000 for Fornham Chapel from Edward and Wendy Hepper, who are the current tenants at Fornham Chapel. On 24th March 2023 the sale was completed.
Page 3
Elven Centre
The proposed redevelopment tenders were sent out to four local building contractors in October 2022. Overview figures were sent to the fellowship and discussed at the January 16th, 2023, Open church meeting. The financial position of the church and the tender figures clearly showed a significant shortfall (which exceed current and projected available church funds). At the March 16th, 2023, church meeting after further discussion, it was agreed a decision would need to be taken, to proceed or not, as the project has been a focus for the church for over twenty years. The decision will be reported in next year’s report.
Fabric
Joan Warnett is the Deacon who overviews the day-to-day fabric upkeep of the Church and Elven Centre. Working as a team the church overviewed the installation a fire alarm system in the church and completed PAT testing. Several jobs were undertaken, and we are grateful for all who give their time and serve on the team, and we must pray that in the coming year more people will come forward to join the team.
Worship
Thomas Mundell continued to lead our morning service, usually accompanied by a singing group, and David Honeyball our evening service. We are grateful to both, and to the singers who lead our worship, for their commitment of time and service. A bi-monthly family service was introduced from October 2022, and this will continue as we seek to engage with families through our worship. God’s word through the bible which is heard in our services and the movement of the Holy Spirit must continue to shape our lives and actions, spiritual growth requires both a gathered and personal response.
Safeguarding and DBS
The Safeguarding Team reviewed the church policy in the Autumn of 2022, ensuring it was up to date with regards to its content. The Trustees approved the amendments to the policy on 5th September 2022 at the Deacons meeting, with the church adopting the policy on September 15th September 2022, at the Church meeting.
The Safeguarding team continue to keep records of everyone who is required to undertake level 2 and or level 3 safeguarding training from the Eastern Baptist Association. Several people were trained in 2022 and this will continue as new people join us and when renewed training is required, in line with our Safeguarding guidelines.
GDPR
Adrian Terry continued as the deacon overviewing our GDPR policies and procedures. Appropriate permission continues to be in place and are reviewed regularly.
Thank You
The Deacons wish to thank everyone who has served Garland Street Baptist Church with their hard work and gifts in the past year. We give thanks to God for blessing us for another year and look forward to serving him as he calls us into another financial year of the church.
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.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted, are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
Page 4
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 Balance Sheet date, together with on-going income anticipated, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year.
The church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and is satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
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:
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the accounts
- Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that
the charity will continue in business.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 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 6 November 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
A S Terry
______________ Dr A S Terry
Page 5
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 2023 on pages 7 to 11 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:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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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
Lisa Darby FCA
For and on behalf of: Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London, EC1Y 8AB
Date: 4 December 2023
Page 6
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Notes Income receipts Voluntary income 2 Income from charitable activities Investment income Rental income Uniformed organisations DCMS VAT Refund Fund raising for building Other Sub Total Capital and similar receipts Sale of fixed assets 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 Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others |
Unrestricted Funds £ 62,074 700 346 3,000 - - - - 66,120 - 66,120 89,287 7,572 96,859 (30,739) - 209,976 179,237 |
Restricted Funds £ 20,146 - 4,312 - 2,222 6,626 20,000 25 53,331 182,644 235,975 41,699 2,447 44,146 191,829 - 59,828 251,657 |
2023 £ 82,220 700 4,658 3,000 2,222 6,626 20,000 25 119,451 182,644 302,095 130,986 10,019 141,005 161,090 - 269,804 430,894 |
2022 £ 74,755 400 385 3,000 929 - - 2,608 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82,077 | ||||
| - | ||||
| 82,077 | ||||
| 112,884 10,670 |
||||
| 123,554 | ||||
| (41,477) - 311,281 |
||||
| 269,804 |
The notes on pages 9 - 11 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds £ £ A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access 47,470 16,682 Notice deposits 131,781 234,796 Petty cash 40 125 179,291 251,602 B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity 12,368 314 Prepayments 4,039 - 16,407 314 C Liabilities Fee for Independent Examination 1,500 - Balance due on new PA System 11,906 - Agency funds (see below) - 388 13,406 388 Opening balance Additional amounts received Amounts paid over Closing balance D Assets retained for charity's own use Church Building Hall Building Church & Hall Contents Manse Manse Contents Agency funds relating to 'Who Cares' and the Farmers' Club (not included i |
2023 £ 64,152 366,577 165 430,894 12,682 4,039 16,721 1,500 11,906 388 13,794 n cash balances) |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 47,385 180,542 399 |
||
| 228,326 | ||
| 13,268 3,656 |
||
| 16,924 | ||
| 1,380 - 62 |
||
| 1,442 | ||
| 62 1,842 (1,517) |
||
| 388 | ||
| Current value £ |
||
| 3,839,596 1,126,645 396,469 218,136 5,000 |
||
| 5,585,846 |
The trustees have used re-instatement insurance values as an approximation for current values.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by A S Terry
date: 6 November 2023
Dr A S Terry
The notes on pages 9 - 11 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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 including Youth & Family Worker salary 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)) Media Equipment b Support & Administration Administration Insurance Accounts and examination Manse Excess 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 £ 49,369 12,706 62,074 £ 965 20,208 - 5,016 1,727 821 2,222 1,604 729 898 5,466 - 25,187 4,015 - - 8,681 11,747 89,287 1,916 5,385 1,380 - 8,681 7,572 were: 2,570 3,478 1,000 |
Restricted Funds £ 19,581 565 20,146 £ - - 2,128 - - - - - - - - - - - 38,639 - - 932 41,699 - - - - - 2,447 |
Total 2023 £ 68,949 13,271 82,220 £ 965 20,208 2,128 5,016 1,727 821 2,222 1,604 729 898 5,466 - 25,187 4,015 38,639 - 8,681 12,679 130,986 1,916 5,385 1,380 - 8,681 10,019 |
Total 2022 £ 66,998 7,757 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74,755 | ||||
| £ 484 637 1,012 4,846 7,088 874 1,902 566 2,147 - 4,252 - 26,604 6,363 42,484 0 12,557 1,068 |
||||
| 112,884 | ||||
| 1,303 4,875 1,380 5,000 |
||||
| 12,557 | ||||
| 10,670 | ||||
Page 9
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
4 Staff & Trustees
The charity had two full time equivalent employed staff; a Minister for the whole year and a Youth & Family Worker for 9 months. 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, who resigned as Minister and Trustee in August 2021, was paid a stipend of £nil (2022: £11,759) 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.
Rev'd Gavin Walter was paid a stipend of £25,187 (2022: £14,354) and a pension contribution of £2,483 (2022: £1,021) 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.
In addition the charity provided accommodation (which is customary for ministers) to Robert Green and Gavin Walter, trustees, so that they could better perform their duties.
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 Ministry & Training Fund for the new Youth & Family Worker (when appointed) Toddler Group Wellbeing Group Youth Group Lunch Club Donations Media Equipment Building Sale Fund General Funds Designated Building Fund Total Funds |
Balance shown Receipts at 01.04.22 £ £ 17,372 37,423 15,500 10,901 326 - 43 1,168 17,154 2,222 5,971 1,591 589 - 1,460 25 42 - 440 - 932 - - 182,644 59,828 235,975 202,976 66,120 7,000 - 209,976 66,120 269,804 302,095 |
Payments £ (38,639) - - (1,201) (2,128) - - (297) - - (932) (950) (44,146) (96,859) - (96,859) (141,005) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Balance at 31.03.23 £ 16,156 26,401 326 10 17,248 7,562 589 1,188 42 440 - 181,694 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 251,657 | ||||
| 172,237 7,000 |
||||
| 179,237 | ||||
| 430,894 |
The Mission Appeals Fund is in support of the Baptist Missionary Society and other missionary organisations.
The Building Sale Fund is the capital from the sale proceeds of Fornham Chapel and is restricted to be used for building works unless another use is approved by the Baptist Union.
The Vision 2024 Fund is to support the costs of additional staff planned for the future.
Other Funds purposes are as described in their fund names.
Page 10
GARLAND STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
6 Pensions
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 assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925 but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income.
From January 2012, pension provision is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited.
The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. Because it is not possible to attribute the Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers, the scheme is accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme.
Actuarial valuation as at 31 December 2019
A formal valuation of the DB Plan as at 31 December 2019 was carried out by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets was £298 million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316m, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The charity and the other participating employers in the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit.
The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme will commence in 2023/24 to reflect the position as at 31 December 2022.
Recovery plan
In addition to the contributions to the DC Plan set out above, where a valuation of the DB Plan reveals a deficit the Trustee and the Council agree to a rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan. Following the 2019 valuation a Recovery Plan was signed in September 2020 under which deficiency contributions are payable until June 2026. These contributions were broadly based on each employer's membership at 31 December 2014 and increase annually in line with increases to Minimum Pensionable Income as defined in the Rules.
On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure DB Plan members’ pension benefits. Just are now providing financial backing for all pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan and following this transaction, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which recovery contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per month from August 2022.
| Payments made in the year Employer's contributions to Defined Contribution Plan Employer's deficiency contributions to Defined Benefit Plan Basis for determining the DB plan pension liability |
2023 £ 2,483 1,532 4,015 |
2022 £ 1,365 3,773 |
|---|---|---|
| 5,138 | ||
Following the agreement reached with Just during the year (see above), the pension liability at the year end is now considered to be negligible.
7 Sale of Fixed Assets
The Mission Hall was sold in March 2023 for £190,000 less fees of £7,356 and a donation of £950 given to the Baptist Union Corporation. The funds are held in a BU Trust Fund.
Page 11