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2024-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1132966

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

for

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 7
Independent Examiner's Report 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Statement of Financial Position 11
Notes to the Financial Statements 12 to 19

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

TRUSTEES

Rev D Threshie (Retired 21 July 2024) Rev R Hayward Rev D Hayward Rev R Street B O'Driscoll B Akioye D Threshie (Retired 21 July 2024) J Lewry S Chakkumkel T Khristi P Clark W Dodd

PRINCIPAL ADDRESS

12 Upper Grosvenor Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2EP

REGISTERED CHARITY 1132966 NUMBER

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Principal objectives

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church is established for the purposes of the advancement of religion and proclamation of the Christian gospel.

Activities

The charity operates from premises in Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells and undertakes a wide variety of activities in the furtherance of its objects. These include the provision and upkeep of the place of worship, the carrying on of services, running youth, children and families work, the training of ministers and the funding of outreach work both in the UK and overseas.

Mission, Vision & Values

We continue to learn from and support, through prayer, encouragement, and in some cases financially, our various mission partners, both locally in Tunbridge Wells, nationally and internationally. These include, but not exhaustively: Youth for Christ, Baptist Together, BMS World Mission, People International and Simon Fuller in Sri Lanka.

The vision of the Church is to be part of God's transforming work in our community, expressed through:

Where community applies to ourselves, our friends, our town and our world.

Our core values are summed up as:

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Report of the Trustees

Highlights of the past year

The Sunday Morning Service

During the year we have used resources from London Institutes of Contemporary Christianity for Lent On Purpose and the Bible Society Romans Course, both having small Group resources with the latter having well-produced Video partially filmed in Rome. We have welcomed a number of guest speakers from many different backgrounds reaching many parts of our rich and diverse community.

Thank you to all who facilitate Sundays being such a special morning as we come together to worship the Lord. From the worship team, sound and vision, service leaders, speakers, welcoming and hospitality team and all those unsung heroes in the children and youth.

Communities

Children and Families

Over the last year it has been very exciting to continue to see new families join us. Some have moved into the area, some from other churches, and some, more significantly, have come through Bikes and Slides and the Larder.

If all our children and young people attended church at the same time, we would have 50! What a privilege, honour, and challenge! Dividing the children into two groups (including creche age) due to the number of children, has worked well and thanks to our dedicated teams, the children enjoy a full programme each week. We give the children the opportunity to listen to Jesus and allow Him to communicate with us whether it’s through words, pictures, objects or Bible verses. We are praying that the embers of their faith will be fanned into flames in the power of the Spirit.

We have become increasingly mindful that we have a high proportion of neurodivergent children and young people in our church family. With the help of, and in discussion with, some of our parents we have implemented a ‘Sensory Space’ in the Sanctuary for those who find the first part of the service a challenge due to the noise and large number of people in one space. The tent provides a safe space for the children to go if needed. Please do be mindful of our families and pray for them where this can add extra challenges for them both at home and when in other contexts such as church.

The children’s team are working hard to get alongside all of our children and the challenges that they face, and are ensuring all feel welcomed, involved and safe. In terms of midweek activities, Bikes and Slides, our toddler group, continues to thrive. There is a real sense of community on both a Tuesday and a Friday, though these communities are very different from each other owing to the guests we have. There is a long waiting list for both days, so it is a popular group and a favourite among many who come along. We seek to serve the Mums, Dads, Carers and Grandparents with the love of Jesus, through what we say and do, including toddler-friendly God-songs which they all enjoy. We use the Christian festivals of Christmas, Easter, and other times in between to also share the message of Jesus.

Many of our Mums have joined with others to form a small group while several Dads went with their children to “Dangerous Camping” at Oak Hall. In addition, many of our 8 – 18 year olds worshipped together at HiT Camp at Carotty Wood in June and several young people also attended “Revive” at Ashburnham Place in August.

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Youth

The young people meet on Sunday mornings as either EPIC (ages 10-14) or Flare (ages 15-18). On Community Sundays most of them serve in the church in the mornings and are invited to join the youth gathering that takes place in the afternoon at 4:30 pm.

We continue to build on our good relationship with Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ and, as noted above, there have been opportunities for the youth to grow their faith at various camps and activities.

Seniors

CAMEO meets biweekly on a Wednesday offering friendship and interesting talk/activity followed by soup and homemade dessert. There are about 20 guests. A Traditional Service is held once a month supported by and there are also three small groups.

Community Larder

Thank you to the Church for its ongoing generosity in supporting the Community Larder. We currently have a team of 29, which includes 2 who collect from Asda.

On average we are feeding approximately 150 people a week and we continue to welcome new guests each week. The Pop-up Café continues to be a great blessing and we have opportunities to listen and sometimes pray for our guests.

We have been greatly blessed by several donations and, above all, the larder could not function without such generous support; for this we thank you.

Proverbs 11 v 26 “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed.”

Knit and Stitch

This thriving community has produced some wonderful knitted, sewn and crocheted items where they come with different skills and abilities and have a great time together. Apart from this monthly time together a small number meet at the Kitchen Table Café and a WhatsApp group – pray together.

Come and Meeple

Those participating in the board games have thoroughly enjoyed them. Recently both the key Leaders are no longer able to be present monthly on a Saturday morning; so the community is re-evaluating how, when and if the community is to go forward in the next academic year.

Prayer Warriors

This community is primarily there to welcome, integrate and do community together with people who come from India. This is a growing multi-generational community with its twice-a-month praise, worship, Bible study and food evening.

As a church we continue to seek to integrate prayer into all our activities as well as our weekly Thursday and Friday morning prayer meetings and before the service on a Sunday

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Mico Communities

Crosslight – the team have been busy helping many clients on financial matters as well as running a specific annual student finance course and being available each month at the community larder.

Cuppa and Cake – We are grateful for the team who have been tireless in their work in welcoming those who walk past the church once a month on a Saturday offering coffee, cakes and a friendly chat. This beautiful ministry ended in the year and we are grateful to the team who kept this running for so long.

Recovery course – continued to lead and pray for those across the country running this Christian course to help participants recover for addictions.

Welcoming new people to TWBC

We are grateful for the excellent welcoming team on a Sunday morning with many of the church family looking out for new people and welcoming them. New people are invited to integrate into an appropriate Community, small group and ministry when appropriate and appreciated. Thank you to the hospitality team especially on the first Sunday of the month with the extra work of serving and washing up from church breakfast.

Small groups

There are currently 12 adult groups involving 85 people who mostly meet alternate weeks. Most complement their Bible Studies with prayer and catching up with their respective WhatsApp group. 5 are generalist groups; 7 are related to their respective communities with their specific mission. All these groups are vital places for those in the church family to belong, grow with others in their faith and mutually enjoy and support one another. Increasingly they are not led by one person but more collaboratively and taking it in turns to lead. These small groups are vital for the healthy life of the church family, and we are so thankful for the many who make them happen in such a wonderful way.

Pastoral Care

We have 10 Church members in residential care homes. and several Church members who live on their own or with their spouses who are no longer able to come to Church at this time.

Thank you so much to so many of the Church family, who reach out to them, offering practical help, phoning, writing and visiting them. Thank you. Looking ahead, it has been a wonderful answer to prayer that those whom we have visited over the years will continue to be visited by members of TWBC. Thank you.

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Mission Partners

It has been a joy to see our ongoing relationship flourishing with Youth for Christ and its activities and our young people from the Unite cross church events to the Noise over Easter, as well as their drop-in Centre on Grosvenor Road after school on a Friday for the youth groups (Flare and Epic), as our young people engage with their Unite services. We are thankful to South-East Baptist Association for their support and encouragement. It is so good to see that People International are belatedly joining other thriving World Mission organisations in transitioning from exclusively a Western sending agency to internationalising their organisation with a significant number of personnel, in their case coming from Central Asia and South America.

Thanks and support

This last academic year has been, by the grace of God, a truly fruitful one. The church has grown numerically with more children and families, a thriving international community and those joining us from our various communities from Community Larder to Bikes and Slides as well as Alpha held in the Autumn term. We are truly a multi-generational church. It is with this confidence and dependence on the Lord that we are moving forward.

The church entered a time of transition with Duncan and Dilys Threshie retiring at the end of the summer and celebrating their last service with us on 25 August. The pastoral and leadership responsibilities passed to Rachel and David Hayward from September and we are grateful for the continued support of the leadership team during this time.

With practical matters, at the church centre, we are thankful that we have an excellent Church Centre Administrator, Rini Tandel, who ensures the Centre is well run with its bookings, cleaning, legal responsibilities as well as administering the weekly email and notices on a Sunday. We remain grateful for the maintenance that Paul Russell and Vince Cox do or organise professionals to come in and undertake the work which this year has included replacing internal doors and repainting.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

It is the objective of the trustees to operate within a balanced annual budget and achieve a position close to breakeven each year on the General Fund.

For the year ended 31 December 2024 the Unrestricted General Fund showed a deficit of £10,643 (2023 - surplus of £1,777). This change was driven by the additional repair and maintenance works referred to above and anticipate a return to a small surplus in 2025. The trustees are truly thankful to the church family for continuing to be the primary and almost sole provider of the finance for the church.

Income in the General Fund of £221,753 compared to £210,393 in 2023 while expenses of £226,396 increased from £208,562 driven by the additional repair costs and higher salaries as Rev David Hayeard completed his ministerial training.

Income for the restricted funds amounted to £55,976 (2023 - £54,007) and expenditure amounted to £47,790 (2023 - £45,550). The surplus on the restricted funds for the year amounted to £14,186 (2023 - £8,511) including a transfer of £6,000 from the General Fund to the Mission fund in the year.

The trustees will continue to monitor the finances closely through careful budgeting to ensure that the ministries and activities we undertake can continue to develop.

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Charity constitution

Until July 2009 the Church operated under its original constitution which was adopted on 17 August 1883 and varied under the declaration of trust dated 22 November 1988.

At a Special Church Meeting on 15 July 2009 a new constitution was adopted based on the Baptist Union of Great Britain's approved governing document. The new constitution replaced the previous Church Rules, Old Constitution and all items in the Trust Deed not relating to church property. The Church was registered as a charity on 25 November 2009, number 1132966.

Organisational Structure & Decision Making

The managing trustees are elected by the Church members' meeting and shall serve for three years so long as they have the support of that meeting and are then eligible for re-election. Those in ministerial office are managing trustees by virtue of their office. Upon appointment new trustees are given guidance as to their responsibilities.

The leadership team of pastors, elders and deacons functions as one team with three distinct roles. The elders are primarily responsible for the spiritual direction and prayer life of the Church together with the spiritual wellbeing and pastoral care of the members. The deacons are responsible for the administration, finances, premises, staff and legal requirements of the Church. The pastors are jointly responsible as a team for the development of ministries in the Church; they also oversee the programme of Sunday and mid-week services and the spiritual development of the Church family.

The managing trustees meet regularly to discuss all aspects of the running of the Church. The full team of trustees and the elders meet monthly and the deacons normally meet ten times a year. Decisions affecting the operation of the Church are made at these meetings subject to the approval of the membership in the Church Meeting.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 26 August 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Rev D Hayward - Trustee

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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 respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Grants receivable
Other income
Hall and room lettings
Investment income
2
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
3
Support & governance costs
4
Transfers between Funds
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
fund
£
213,308
-
6,726
1,719
221,753
208,057
18,339
226,396
(6,000)
(10,643)
96,705
86,062		 Restricted
funds
£
48,549
7,333
-
94
55,976
37,888
9,902
47,790
6,000
14,186
2,703,545
2,717,731		 2024
Total
funds
£
261,857
7,333
6,726
1,813
277,729
245,945
28,241
274,186
-
3,543
2,800,250
2,803,793		 2023
Total
funds
£
258,726
-
4,802
872
264,400
198,749
55,263
254,112
-
10,288
2,789,962
2,800,250

The notes form part of these financial statements

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Statement of Financial Position

31 December 2024

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
8
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
7
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
9
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year
9
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
11
Unrestricted funds:
General fund
Restricted funds:
Restricted Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted
fund
£
12,507
26,306
64,435
90,741
(17,186)
73,555
86,062
-
86,062		 Restricted
funds
£
2,832,886
3,895
3,400
7,295
(20,944)
(13,649)
2,819,237
(101,506)
2,717,731		 2024
Total
funds
£
2,845,393
30,201
67,835
98,036
(38,130)
59,906
2,905,299
(101,506)
2,803,793
86,062
2,717,731
2,803,793		 2023
Total
funds
£
2,857,901
18,137
85,289
103,426
(39,643)
64,783
2,922,684
(122,434)
2,800,250
96,705
2,703,545
2,800,250

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 28 August 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

P Clark - Trustee

D Hayward - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the trustees can be held responsible. They do not include the accounts of Church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

The Church constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Church's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income

All income is recognised once the Church has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty of receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the Church. Other donations are recognised when they have been communicated or received in writing with notification of both the amount and settlement date. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised.

Legacies are recognised on a case by case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator or executor of the estate has communicated in writing both the legal entitlement and the amount due.

Rental income from the letting of Church premises is accounted for when due. Interest is accounted for when receivable. Other income is accounted for when due.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Church to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses, including support costs and governance costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings in the statement of financial activities.

Grants and donations payable are payments made to third parties for the furtherance of the charitable objectives of the Church. In the case of an unconditional grant offer, this is accrued once approved. Grant awards that are subject to the recipient fulfilling performance conditions are only accrued for when the recipient has been notified of the grant and any remaining unfulfilled conditions attaching to that grant are outside of the control of the trustees.

Governance and support costs

Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the trustees and their compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to the independent examination. The allocation of support costs is shown in note 4.

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Tangible fixed assets

The freehold premises are included at valuations approved by the Trustees at 31 December 2010. As the market value exceeds the carrying value no depreciation charge has been provided as the estimated residual values are not less than the carrying amount of the assets.

Fixtures and equipment are depreciated on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives at rates between 12.5% and 25% per annum. The trustees consider the condition of the assets at the year end and make any necessary adjustments for impairment. If an asset is felt to be impaired the carrying value is written down to the recoverable amount, being the higher of the net realisable value and the value in use.

Expenditure on the refurbishment of the Sanctuary other than for equipment and furniture has been charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which it is incurred.

Assets with a value of less than £500 are not capitalised.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

The cost of pension contributions to the Baptist Union Pension Scheme and the National employment Savings Trust (NEST) are included within charitable activity costs and are accounted for on the basis of contributions payable in the year. The trustees have no liability beyond making contributions and paying across deductions for the employees' contributions.

The trustees have been notified of a deficit on the Baptist Union Pension Scheme which is a multi-employer defined benefit scheme. In accordance with FRS 102, provision has been made for the church's share of the actuarial losses accrued.

Payments in respect of other post-retirement benefits are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities so as to spread the cost over the service lives of employees to which the benefits relate.

Realised gains & losses

All gains and losses are taken to the statement of financial activities as they arise. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between fair value at the year end and their carrying value. Realised gains and losses are recognised when assets are disposed of.

Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments' and section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues' of FRS102 to all its financial instruments.

continued...

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Financial instruments

Financial instruments are recognised at fair value in the Statement of Financial Position when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are off set with the amounts presented net in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to readies the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets which include debtors and cash and bank balances are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets are classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at the market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at ammonites costs using the effective instrument method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If payment is due after one year they are presented as non current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at ammonites cost using the effective interest method.

Financial liabilities are de-recognised when the charities contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2. INVESTMENT INCOME

Deposit account interest Unrestricted
funds
£
1,719		 Restricted
funds
£
94		 2024
Total
funds
£
1,813		 2023
Total
funds
£
872

In the year ended 31 December 2023 £67 related to restricted funds and £805 was unrestricted.

continued...

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

3. EXPENDITURE – CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES


Wages and national insurance
Pension contributions
Church repairs and maintenance
Cleaning and waste
Church light, heat & water
Manse upkeep
Insurance
Grants and donations
Community larder
Church service costs
Ministers’ expenses
Office and IT expenses
Subscriptions
Other expenses
Total		 2024
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
£
£


100,490
16,454
25,460
10,415
19,292
9,667
7,508
-
-
6,028
4,160
2,700
2,687
3,196
21,762
16,126
100,490
16,454
25,460
10,415
19,292
9,667
7,508
21,762
16,126
6,028
4,160
2,700
2,687
3,196
80,337
16,647
9,964
3,298
16,382
8,527
6,399
27,588
7,188
5,438
3,482
3,804
2,805
6,890
208,057
37,888
245,945
198,749

During the year ended 31 December 2023 £34,776 of expenditure related to restricted funds and £163,973 was Unrestricted.

4. SUPPORT COSTS


Baptist Union loan interest
Staff costs
Depreciation
Accountancy
Bank charges
Total		 2024
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
£
-
3,060
12,508
2,675
96
9,857
-
-
-
45
9,857
3,060
12,508
2,675
141
10,665
26,400
12,508
5,640
150
18,331
9,902
28,241
55,363

During the year ended 31 December 2023 £10,720 related to restricted funds and £44,643 was unrestricted.

5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

One trustee who is also an employee was provided with accommodation which is wholly owned by the Church under the terms of his employment.

One of the other trustees provides administrative services for an hourly fee and another trustee is employed on a part time basis as a Pastoral Assistant.

Four trustees who are employed as ministers of the Church received remuneration during the year totalling £86,252 (2023: three trustees - £84,762) and expenses of £3,337 (2023: £3,482) were reimbursed to them.

The church has a trustees' indemnity insurance policy and the premium of £252 (2023: £252) has been charged in these financial statements.

continued...

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

6. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2024
£
100,094
3,456
16,454
120,009		 2023
£
105,014
1,723
16,647
123,384

No employee received remuneration in excess of £60,000 {2023: None).

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 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 longterm incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva plc. The further 4% contribution rate is reduced to 3% for Employer contributions made to the Segregated DC Arrangement.

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.

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Administration & management 2024
5		 2023
5

continued...

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

7.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
204,786
Other income
Hall hire and room lettings
4,802
Investment income
805
Total
210,393
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities 163,973
Support & governance costs
44,643
Net gains on investments
-
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
1,777
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
94,928
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
96,705
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Freehold
property
£
COST
At 1 January 2024
2,832,886
Additions
-
At 31 December 2024
2,832,886
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
-
Charge for year
-
At 31 December 2024
-
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
2,832,886
At 31 December 2023
2,832,886		 7.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
204,786
Other income
Hall hire and room lettings
4,802
Investment income
805
Total
210,393
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities 163,973
Support & governance costs
44,643
Net gains on investments
-
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
1,777
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
94,928
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
96,705
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Freehold
property
£
COST
At 1 January 2024
2,832,886
Additions
-
At 31 December 2024
2,832,886
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
-
Charge for year
-
At 31 December 2024
-
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
2,832,886
At 31 December 2023
2,832,886
Restricted
fund
£
53,940
-
67
54,007
34,776
10,720
-
8,511
2,695,034
2,703,545
Fixtures
and
fittings
£
120,208
-
120,208
95,193
12,508
107,701
12,507
25,015
Total
funds
£
258,726
4,802
872
264,400
198,749
55,363
-
10,288
2,789,962
2,800,250
Totals
£
2,953,094
-
2,953,094
95,193
12,508
107,701
2,845,393
2,870,409

continued...

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued

The freehold properties were brought into the accounts at market value at 31 December 1997 and were valued at £2,832,886 at 31 December 2010. The Trustees consider their market value to be significantly higher than the carrying value at the year-end. For this reason the properties have not been depreciated during the year.

9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024
£
Other debtors & prepayments
900
Gift aid receivable
29,301
30,201
10.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024
£
Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 12)
20,944
Creditors for goods & services
5,555
Social security and other taxes
1,255
Accruals and deferred income
10,376
38,130
11.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
2024
£
Bank loans (see note 12)
101,506
101,506
12.
LOANS
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
2024
£
Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Bank loans
20,944
Amounts falling due between two and five years:
Bank loans - 2-5 years
101,506

continued...

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted funds
Property fund
Mission Fund
Fellowship Fund
Building for God Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
221,753
55,976
277,729		 At 1.1.24
£
96,705
2,703,545
2,800,250
Resources
expended
£
(226,396)
(47,790)
(274,186)
At 1.1.24
£
2,832,886
4,806
3,500
(137,647)
2,703,545		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(10,643)
14,186
3,543
Transfers
£
(6,000)
6,000
-
Net
movement
in funds
£
-
(4,796)
3,638
15,344
14,186		 At
31.12.24
£
86,062
2,717,731
2,803,793
Movement
in funds
£
(10,643)
14,186
3,543
At
31.12.24
£
2,832,886
10
7,138
(122,303)
2,717,731

continued...

Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Restricted Funds:

Property Fund – this fund represents the book value of the church premises at their 1997 valuation.

Mission Fund – the fund represents giving direct to mission causes included Baptist Home and Overseas Mission and amounts donated from specific appeals held during the year.

Fellowship Fund – this represents gifts made to assist those in need in the fellowship together with running the Community Larder.

Building for God Fund – this represents giving towards the church building and the loan taken out with the Baptist Union Corporation to enable the modernisation of the church sanctuary.

Comparative net movement in funds are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
210,393
54,007
264,400		 Resources
expended
£
(208,616)
(45,496)
(254,112)
At 1.1.23
£
94,928
2,695,034
2,789,962		 Gains and
losses
£
-
-
-
Net
movement
in funds
£
1,777
8,511
10,288		 Movement
in funds
£
1,777
8,511
10,288
At
31.12.23
£
96,705
2,703,545
2,800,250