Oadby Baptist Church
Statutory Information
Registered Address
OADBY BAPTIST CHURCH LEICESTER ROAD OADBY LEICESTER LE2 5BD
Charity Registration Number 1132009
Trustees
Name
Rev Tom Cox Mark Jones ACMA (Treasurer) Paul Neville (Secretary) Paula Jones Christine Swan (secretary) Andrew Brockbank Christopher Smith Gillian Mason Karen Hanson
Date appointed / resigned
August 2017 /resigned August 2025 March 2011 /reappointed March 2024 March 2019 /reappointed March 2024/resigned March 2025 September 2021/reappointed 2025 September 2021/appointed 2025 March 2022 March 2023 March 2024 March 2025
Property Trustees
East Midlands Baptist Trust Company EMBA Office West Bridgford Nottingham NG2 7NF
Bankers
HSBC
Independent Examiner -
Andrew Leeson
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| Oadby Baptist Church Financial Statements at 31st December 2024 | |
|---|---|
| CONTENTS | Page |
| Trustees Report | 3-6 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 10 -13 |
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Trustee report
Annual Report for 2024
The trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for 2024.
Charitable Object
The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document which states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.
The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisational Structure and Decision making processes
Oadby Baptist Church welcomes anyone who wants to meet together to worship, pray, explore their faith, and encourage each other to live their lives in close relationship with God. Members of the church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution.
The Church Members’ Meeting normally takes place five times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the Constitution, the Membership appoints up to six Trustees (plus Church Officers; Church Secretary. Admin Secretary and Treasurer), who together with the Minister (who is also appointed by the Membership), and collectively known as the Leadership Team, are responsible for the day to day running of the church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. All Members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.
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.
Objectives and Activities
In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed, and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as living Lord.
The Church’s main activities are held face to face although in many cases the Church offers online options. The Church has invested in IT equipment to enable it provide high quality online services and events and engaged the services of a local IT company (Black Owl) to support this activity.
Central to the work and witness of the church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. The Church’s Sunday morning worship services at 10.30am continue to be well attended with a diverse range of members from all sectors of the local community. The church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody is free to attend any of its activities whether online or face to face.
The church runs a series of house groups for the growth of faith and discipleship in the homes of some members, and further details of these can be obtained from the church office on request, or at Sunday worship services.
Youth work is a core part of the church’s work in the local community. In 2024 the Church relaunched its midweek youth organisations replacing its Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades with new unisex groups for children and young people – Elevate (12+) and Adventurers (reception – yr 6). On Sundays there is also all-age
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appropriate provision in the morning for babies, children and young people from age 0 to school year 13. Toddlers and their parents or carers are welcome to attend ‘Bulrushes,’ our weekly stay-and-play toddler group, which meets every Thursday morning during term-time. The Church also supports its teenagers to attend an annual young people’s Christian festival – Limitless.
The Church’s Tuesday Fellowship group provides an opportunity for the older members of the church and community to meet together.
The Church’s ‘A Place to Grow’ grow group meets on a Wednesday morning in the Church’s community garden for ‘Coffee, Cake, Chat’ as well as tending the plants in the raised beds and greenhouse. This group is providing an important link between the Church and the local community.
The church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted. All our adult volunteers undertake a disclosure (criminal records) check and are trained to provide a safe and caring environment for all children.
Achievements and Performance
The church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers of members or attendees, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship and encouragement. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure and whilst total Church Membership remains relative static at around 100, we are trying to create a wider number of connections in the local community which are not always measured in terms of membership.
The church’s main Sunday morning services continue to be well attended by a broad mix of the local community in terms of age, socio-economic group and nationality. We also see a good number of attendees watching services virtually. Supporting local young people across the whole 0- to 18-year-old age range is a key part of the Church’s youth organisations. The Church is very grateful to the support of its volunteer leaders in running these organisations.
The church aims to play a positive part in the life of the community of Oadby. This is achieved through the use of its premises for non-church-related activities such as a drama group and a table tennis group as well as by its Members serving the community in activities not formally linked to the church, for example working with local charities such as Street Pastors, Helping Hands, Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland and acting as school governors and local councillors.
The church is active in supporting local, national and overseas charities. The church’s largest charitable donations are made to the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) and the Baptist Union Home Mission Fund. In addition, each quarter a £400 donation is made to a charity chosen by the Mission and Social Action team. Our donations in 2024 included payments to MIND, ROCHA, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and Tek Ura - an Albanian Charity founded by British missionaries which aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised Albanian people. In total over £15,000 was donated via the church accounts, with further funds being donated directly by individuals to charities.
Pollard Estate
The Church was very grateful to receive the proceeds (over £300,000) from the estate of Mr. Norman Pollard in 2022. Mr Pollard and his late wife were married at OBC in February 1952 and although for the majority of their married life lived away from Leicester, the church remained in their lives resulting in them leaving their estate to the church following Mr. Pollard’s passing in 2021.
The cash proceeds from the estate have been invested in Baptist Union deposit accounts whilst the Church membership discuss and consider various initiatives in which to invest the funds. The funds are not subject to any restrictions.
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Financial Review
The church continues to raise the majority of the funds it needs to carry on its activities from within its own Membership and congregation.
The principal costs of the Church are employment related costs. These costs relate to the stipend of its Minister, Revd. Tom Cox, the Church Administrator and the Children’s and Family Worker.
The church expresses its part in the life of the wider Church by making donations to national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church’s own charitable purpose.
The church is heavily dependent on its Membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the church’s activities, many of which run with little or no impact on the church’s expenditure, but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the church’s objectives.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
The Church’s regular giving income was similar to 2023. Rental income was significantly higher reflecting both increased bookings but also the timing of payments.
The Church’s expenditure in 2024 was broadly in line with previous year. Increases in employment costs were offset with reductions in youth work costs as a result of the new group structures.
Investment policy
The Trustees, having regard for the liquidity requirements of the Church and to the reserves policy, have kept all available funds (excluding the Pollard estate) in either a bank current account or an interest bearing deposit account with all funds accessible within a 7 day period. The Pollard estate funds are currently invested in a range of Baptist Union accounts (until projects to spend these funds are agreed) with maturity periods of between 7 and 365 days.
The Church uses the Baptist Union to invest any of its deposit account reserves with its day to day finances held in accounts with HSBC. HSBC being a major worldwide bank and considered a ‘safe’ organisation in which to hold its funds.
Reserves policy
The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy, and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date (31 December 2024), together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year.
The reserves policy states that the charity aims to have sufficient unrestricted funds available to cover at least 3 months of normal operations. Any expenditure that would reduce the reserves below this level, even temporarily, is subject to agreement from the Trustees together with an agreed plan to address any deficit. Total bank balances at 31 December 2024 were £58,782 (Dec 23: £53,693) (excluding the Pollard estate).
Plans for the future
During 2024 the Church continued to grow and enhance the activities it offers its members and the local community.
The Church plans to continue to employ a Minister, Children’s and family worker and Office administrator. Following the Rev Tom Cox’s move to Lymm Baptist Church in September 2025 the Church is currently seeking a new minister. The process for calling and appointing a new minister is expected to take at least 6 months.
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The Church is a Silver Eco Church (ECO Church is an A Rocha UK project) and continues to look at all opportunities to reduce its impact on the environment either directly or through it members.
The Church has in 2024 continued to develop its ideas for the use of the Pollard estate funds and ensure that this bequest is used to maximise the benefit for both current and future generations of church members and the local community. It is expected that the Church will start to spend this fund during 2025.
In 2024 the Church completed its Living in Love and Faith Discernment Process as we reviewed our theology and church practice in terms of sexuality, gender, relationships and marriage.
In 2025 the Church expects to fit a new heating system within its Sanctuary. This will involve significant capital expenditure.
The Church is aware of the volatile economic outlook and the impacts this could have on its membership and local community.
Statement of risks
The trustees confirm that they have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and that systems have been designed and established to mitigate those risks.
Trustee’s responsibilities for the financial statements
Charity law requires the trustees of the charity to prepare statements of account for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees 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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Prepare the financial statements in accordance with the methods and principles set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities and to state whether or not the accounts have been prepared in accordance with that statement and applicable accounting standards;
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Prepare the financial statements on the 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 which are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and to disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity, and to enable them to ensure that any statements of account comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Mr Mark Jones (Treasurer) September 2025
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Oadby Baptist Church Financial Statements at 31st December 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF OADBY BAPTIST CHURCH
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 8 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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(b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Andrew Leeson
Dated:.26 October 2025...
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Statement of Financial Activities for year ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2023 funds funds funds funds funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Investments & Rental income |
96,729 4,500 101,229 106,480 8,938 305 9,243 11,842 26,057 — 26,057 18,118 |
| Total income Expenditure on: Expenditure on charitable activities Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Other gains - Manse revaluaation Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
131,724 4,805 136,529 136,440 131,925 4,785 136,710 127,912 |
| 131,925 4,785 136,710 127,912 |
|
-201 20 - -181 8,528 25,020 -20 -25,000 - 120,000 - - 120,000 |
|
| 2,052,459 0 25,000 2,077,459 2,068,930 2,197,278 0 0 2,197,278 2,077,459 |
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Balance sheet as at 31 December 2024
| 2024 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| Fixed assets The Church building Fixtures and fittings Musical equipment The Manse Total Fixed assets Current assets HSBC community account HSBC money manager account BU deposit account BU 3 mth notice acct Tuesday Fellowship bank account Cash in hand Girls Brigade bank account Accounts Receivable Total Current assets Liabilities Accounts Payable Total Liabilities Net Asset surplus(deficit) Reserves Excess / (deficit) to date Starting balances Other gains/(losses) Total Reserves Represented by funds Unrestricted Restricted Total |
1,504,564 1,504,564 4,791 5,989 8,642 10,803 300,000 180,000 |
| 1,817,998 1,701,357 3,223 6,388 23,209 24,893 234,470 229,130 109,983 105,415 1,192 1,551 105 30 — 861 8,551 9,301 |
|
| 380,735 377,573 1,456 1,470 |
|
| 1,456 1,470 |
|
| 2,197,278 2,077,459 |
|
| -181 8,528 2,077,459 2,068,930 120,000 — |
|
| 2,197,278 2,077,459 2,197,278 2,052,459 25,000 2,197,278 2,077,459 |
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Analysis of income and expenditure
Donations and legacies
The Church receives regular weekly/monthly donations from its members, some of which can be gift aided. Total income in 2024 was similar to 2023. Regular giving reduced slightly as a result of changes in church membership, although this was partially offset by higher cash collections on Sunday mornings. Sundry collections in 2023 included a number of one-off donations from previous members as well as £1,537 from Church’s Together in Oadby (CTO).
| Regular giving Sunday morning cash collection Sundry collections Gift aid recovered Grants received Weddings etc Charitable donations |
Unrestricted 70,626 8,203 713 16,136 - - 1051 |
Designated 2024 2023 70,626 72,439 8,203 6,262 713 5,387 16,136 17,320 4,500 4,500 3,750 - 595 1051 727 |
|---|---|---|
| Income from charitable activities Total 96,729 |
4,500 101,229 106,480 |
Within the Church there are a number of different organisations which generate income through subscriptions, donations and activities. The majority of this income is related to our work with young people.
| Youth camp income Youth organisation income Bulrushes income Home mission income Tuesday Fellowship BMS Birthday Performing Arts |
Unrestricted 2,634 3,905 750 75 1,186 — 388 |
Designated 305 |
2024 2,634 3,905 750 75 1,186 305 388 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,733 4,806 1,376 70 1,652 130 75 |
||||
| Total | 8,938 | 305 | 9,243 11,842 |
Investment and Rental income
The church receives interest income on its HSBC and Baptist Union bank accounts. Interest income has remained broadly stable, although this is expected to reduce in 2025 as bank base rate continues to reduce and existing fixed rate investments mature. The Church rents out its Hall for use by individuals and groups. Rental income is increasing as a result of increased demand for premises in which to hold children’s parties, local community events as well as use of the premises on a weekly basis by the Ratae Players organization.
| Interest received Letting Church Hall |
Unrestricted 10,488 15,569 |
Designated 2024 2023 10,488 9,540 15,569 8,578 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total |
26,057 | 0 26,057 18,118 |
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Maintenance and premises costs
The maintenance and premises costs in 2024 increased compared to 2023 reflecting higher costs of cleaning and heating the church as well as increased expenditure on maintenance.
| Insurance Cleaning Heating, light and water Maintenance - church Maintenance - manse Light, Heat, Rates - Manse |
Unrestricted 3,480 7,329 7,528 6,361 2,951 4,076 |
Designated | 2024 3,480 7,329 7,528 6,361 2,951 4,076 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,401 5,780 4,867 4,947 85 4,011 |
||||
| Total | 31,725 | 31,725 23,091 |
Employment and administration costs
The Church employed 3 individuals in 2024 – a full time minister, an office administrator, and a part-time Children and Families Worker (2023: 3). None of the Trustees other than the Minister, received any remuneration during the year. Administration costs include the cost of the Church’s leased photocopier, church web site, subscriptions and licence fees as well as external IT support for the live streaming of Sunday morning services.
The pension payments reflect payments made by the Church to the Baptist Union Pension Fund.
| Minister stipend Administration costs – salary Pension Payments Administration costs – photocopier, web site, licence fees Training Youth & Childrens & Family leader costs |
Unrestricted 27,173 7,944 7,720 12,953 1,137 9,277 |
Designated 2024 2023 27,173 26,006 7,944 6,520 7,720 7,234 12,953 12,451 1,137 1,064 4,500 13,777 11,896 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 66,204 | 4,500 70,704 65,171 |
Charitable donations
The Church makes a number of charitable donations each year. The two largest donations are made to BMS and the Baptist Home Mission fund. The church makes a quarterly donation of £400 to individual charities chosen by the Church members. Other Charitable donations includes a donation of £3,000 to Tek Ura an Albanian based charity.
| Other charitable donations BMS Home Mission Quarterly Focus BMS Birthday |
Unrestricted 3,801 5,100 4,275 1,600 0 |
Designated 285 |
2024 3,801 5,100 4,275 1,600 285 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,521 5,100 4,270 1,200 150 |
||||
| Total | 14,776 | 285 15,061 18,241 |
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Other activities
Youth work and camp costs reduced in 2024 as a result of the revised youth group structure in the church.
| Tuesday Fellowship Youth work and youth camp Worship costs Kitchen equip and maintenance Other costs Total |
Unrestricted 1,545 10,702 1,532 2,069 14 |
Designated 2024 2023 1,545 1,145 10,702 16,397 1,532 2,133 2,069 1,724 14 10 |
|---|---|---|
| 15,862 | 0 15,862 21,409 |
Debtors
As at 31 December 2024 the Church’s largest debtor related to gift aid due from HMRC.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| HMRC Gift aid | 8,551 | 7,718 |
| Otherpre-payments | - | 1,583 |
| Accounts Receivable | 8,551 | 9,301 |
Creditors
As at 31 December 2024 the Church was awaiting invoices and was expecting to make payments in respect of PAYE and employee pension contributions, the Church December cleaning costs as well as payments relating to the church photocopier and IT services. All creditors have been paid at the date of signing these accounts.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts Payable | 1,456 | 1470 |
Fund movement by type
| Opening | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | **Gains/losses ** | Closing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | 25,000 | -25,000 | ||||
| Sub-total for Youth | 25,000 |
-25,000 | ||||
| worker/Childrens & | ||||||
| family worker | ||||||
| General - General | ||||||
| fund | ||||||
| Unrestricted | 2,052,459 | 136,529 | 136,710 | 25,000 | 120,000 | 2,197,278 |
| Sub-total for | 2,052,459 |
136,529 | 136,710 | 25,000 | 120,000 | 2,197,278 |
| General | ||||||
| Grand total | 2,077,459 | 136,529 | 136,710 | 0 | 120,000 | 2,197,278 |
The Church maintains a policy of keeping at least 3 months normal expenditure in reserve in an instant access or 7 day notice bank account. The Church no longer considers it necessary to maintain a separate reserve for the Youth/Childrens & Family worker role.
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Statement of assets and liabilities
| Statement of assets and liabilities | |
|---|---|
| The Manse (Market value) General fund (Unrestricted) The Church building (book value) General fund (Unrestricted) The Church fixtures and fittings General fund (Unrestricted)) Fixture and fittings Musical equipment Total fixture and fittings Depreciation charged to the Income & Expeniture account in the year |
2024 2023 300,000 180,000 1,504,564 1,504,564 4,791 5,989 8,642 10,803 |
| 13,434 16,793 2024 2023 £3,358 - |
The valuation of the Church Building and the Manse are subject to market fluctuations. The Church building has been valued for insurance purposes at a higher value but the Church believe the valuations included in the accounts are appropriate (albeit prudent).
In preparation for the planned sale of the existing Manse in 2025 the church had a formal valuation completed. The report indicated a potential sale value of £300,00. This compares to the previously recorded £180,000. The increase of £120,000 has been recorded as an ‘Other gain’ within reserves.
The majority of the Church‘s fixtures and fittings had at the end of 2023 all been fully depreciated. During 2024 the Church began to depreciate its new sound system and digital piano purchased in 2023. These items are being depreciated over 5 years.
Pension Scheme Liabilities
The Church 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. Since 1 January 2012, benefits have been provided through a Defined Contribution (DC) Plan.
The Church has no outstanding pension liabilities.
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