2024-12-31-accounts

South Street Baptist Church 4 Exeter and Brampford Speke

Annual Report

and Receipts and Payments Accounts

for the year to 31 December 2024

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

Section A

A; From

Period start date Period end date 1st January 2024 To 31st December 2024

Reference and administration details

Charity name| South Street Baptist Church Exeter and Brampford Speke

Registered charity number (if any) |1133068

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Charity's principal address |3, Palace Gate, Exeter.
of the the charity trustees who manage the charity
: Name of person (or body)
an
1| Revd Ross Maynard [Minister ||
2| Elizabeth Vizard | Church Secretary | |
4|HeatherParkinson [Deacon | |
5 | Lynn Bailey Deacon |
6| Joanna ingram [Deacon | |
7|David Bulkeley | Deacon |
8|David Stanley [Deacon | |
9 | Sally Wileox pDeacon
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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
[Name CSCS atte acted if not for whole year
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Names of the the charity trustees who manage the charity

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Type of Name Address ———— _ Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

T f ina d t The Church’s Constitution adopts the model Governing Document prepared by YPE GE GOVErINg GOCUMENE) te Baptist Union Corporation for use by the denomination. The Church’s propery assets are held in trust by the Baptist Union Corporation. How the charity is constituted |The Church is an unincorporated association, with Managing Trustees appointed by a meeting of its members. Trustee selection methods The Managing Trustees are appointed by a meeting of Church Members.

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

• e policies and procedures adopted for the induction and

• training of trustees;

• e the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;

• e relationship with any related parties;

• e trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

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Section C

Objectives and activities

PURPOSE

Our purpose is defined by our vision, which is......

“To be one church of diverse gatherings, where all feel safe, grow in wholeness, and express the unconditional love of God, revealed in Jesus’. We accomplish this in part, by fostering a culture defined by our values:

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• Hearts moulded by Jesus

• Voices sharing stories of God’s love Arms wide to include all Minds open to explore differences Hands working in the community Ears listening to each other's needs Shoulders bearing one another's burdens Feet treading lightly in the earth

BELIEFS

As previously mentioned, we are ‘one church of diverse gatherings...’ There are many different theological and political convictions amongst our membership. We are passionate about unity within this diversity, not uniformity.

Ss f the objects of th MiGitary oft Vd a JECsS OF charity set out in its governing document

• We believe the guiding principles/values of the Baptist’s Together, called the Declaration of Principle, articulates this well: 1. “That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the

• SNE flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.

• 1. That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day’.
• 1. That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world”.

ACTIVITIES

• e Regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching, experienced through diverse gatherings and in a multitude of ways.

• e Baptism, as defined in the paragraph above. e The Communion of the Lord’s Supper on a frequent and regular basis

• e Giving and encouraging pastoral care, e Nurture and growth of Christian disciples e Mission locally, regionally, nationally and internationally e Service to the local community, particularly through our work in our Palace Gate Centre

• e Encouraging and supporting charitable social action locally, in the UK and abroad

• e Encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christians.

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PUBLIC BENEFIT

In conducting the affairs of the Church, the Diaconate (the Trustees) consider the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in relation to the advancement of religion. In particular, we offer to all people with whom we come into contact: e Worship and prayer — through weekday activities as well as Sunday services.

• e Pastoral care — for members and many others, Christian or not, who participate in our many gatherings.

• e Provision of spaces — for the those who are lonely, isolated or struggling with their mental health.

• e Mission work — spreading the love of Jesus locally and abroad.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the The Managing Trustees have read the Charity Commission guidance and taken public benefit in relation to it into account in the running of the Church, and in preparing this Annual Report. these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

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You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

• e policy on grantmaking;

• e policy programme related investment;

• e contribution made by volunteers.

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Section D

Achievements and performance

Summary of the main . We have been blest by the leadership of our hard working Ministerial Team again achievements of the charity this year, and they have served our City Centre Church and village Chapel during the year congregations, and our Palace Gate Community Centre, faithfully and effectively. We have devoted considerable time and effort into reaching agreement on the implications underlying of our stated vision: “To be one Church of diverse gatherings where all feel safe, grow in wholeness and discover and express the unconditional love of God revealed in Jesus.’

This has included people in our worship services of diverse backgrounds, and encouraged them to share with us and learn together. We continued to offer YouTube-edited videos of our services each week, attracting an average of 60 people to watch them at some point in the week.

One of the part-time ministers leads our strong and highly-valued Pastoral Care Team work, not only to the congregation, but also to those who come to our community centre.

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We again provided opportunities for social and spiritual wellbeing in the Palace Gate Centre with our two cafes, which continued to be open to all: Dove Café and Renew-Refresh, the latter aiming to be a place where it is ‘OK not to be OK’ supporting those with mental health issues, or need a place of quieter social and creative activity. This was more successful in 2024, with a group of regulars and others who came at least once a month. Both these gatherings have widened our outreach of care and support through two of our ministers acting as Palace Gate Chaplains, hosts and volunteers who gave their time for these folk.

Our Dove Café continued to benefit by using volunteers from a local secure mental health facility, as part of their rehabilitation and return to a work environment. This has been so for many years and during 2023/2024 a short video was made with one of the volunteers expressing the huge benefit he has gained from this experience; he now has a good life in the local community.

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Our village Chapel in Brampford Speke continued to meet fortnightly in an informal style of worship, led by one ofour[ three][Ministers][-][this][proved][increasingly][popular] with worshippers from the village, and from the Exeter congregation, A term-time café associated with the Chapel provides a meeting place for village people, including parents and children from the school. We are increasingly aware of the value of this commitment to the village, so long associated with our Church. Several worshippers with health conditions involving limited cognitive ability find the style of worship there more accessible for them - an inclusive practice welcomed not only by them, but also by their relatives.

We continued to support medical work abroad by two Baptist Missionaries working in central Africa, and also a Church Member who works in social and evangelical mission in West Africa. We continued to donate to some local charities, including one supporting refugees, another involving street homeless people and those on the margins of society. A member of the Church serves as a Street Pastor.

We are still very much involved in cooperating with other City Centre Christian churches, and continued with our membership of Echo Church, working towards a Silver Award. We had regular Fairtrade stalls on Sundays and at Dove Café, both monthly, following our commitment to being a FairTrade Church.

Financial Performance

2024 was a pretty good year financially for the Church and Centre, and we are able to look back on another year in which our overall budgeted income was achieved, and expenditure kept within the total planned before the year began.

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Section D

Achievements and performance

The Church’s regular income from the congregation's monthly and weekly offerings exceeded its budget by £2,979, and the Gift Aid claimed was £1,155 over its budget. These facts are a reflection of the committed and caring nature of the South Street Church Family.

In recent years the Church has received a small number of legacies from the estates of long- serving former Church Members; in 2024 two legacies totalling over £15,000 helped to boost the Church’s cash flow, and were put on deposit, for the time being. Regular quarterly income from the Church's investments in specialist charity unit trusts was higher than in 2023, and their valuation at 31st December 2024 showed a small gain over the year before. The income from these investments is used each year to provide vital help in financing the cost of employing our Ministerial team.

The Palace Gate Centre, the Church’s community centre serving many City Centre mutual support and other voluntary groups and organisations since the 1970s, continued to offer its rooms and halls on a 7 day per week, 52 weeks year basis throughout 2024. Many of these groups have met in the Centre fur decades, finding its location and facilities (and very reasonable costs) suit their clients very well. Discreet and supportive Centre staff are available from early morning through to well into the evening — so, as in previous years, 2024 saw a number of new groups availing themselves of the Centre’s accommodation, resulting in a further growth in its income this year.

There has also been increased use of the Church’s sanctuary and associated facilities by the Exeter Chinese Church; some choral societies and the Devon Performing Arts Association are also amongst the regular hirers of these facilities. The Palace Gate Centre website provides information about room availability, and is a ready means for prospective users to contact the Centre.

During 2024, a local training charity occupied one of our office suites after the withdrawal of another such organisation, but another of the suites remained empty throughout the year. This meant that the budget for our 2024 income from office suites was not achieved.

In terms of outgoings, the budget for the Church’s very effective 3-strong ministerial team (one full time, 2 part-time) was almost exactly matched by tt 2024 expenditure incurred on paying them. ~

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Throughout 2024 a revised Centre staffing structure was agreed, and a start made on its introduction (completed and in place during 2025). Various changes and temporary arrangements had to be made during the year, but our new Church & Centre Administrator working in the evening was in post for several of its months; the two other staff and volunteers covered the remaining planned staff schedules. Overail, the 2024 Centre pay budget was marginally overspent.

3 year fixed price contracts for gas and electricity are used for the substantial energy expenses necessary for running the Palace Gate Centre on a daily basis. Zonal heating throughout our buildings enables a reasonable degree of control over gas expenditure; a programme of replacement LED lighting installations in the Church and Centre resulted in savings in both energy consumption and expenditure on electricity. Our village Chapel does not have gas, so programmable electric radiators are used to heat the small building — fine-tuning the timing of these in 2024 proved quite problematic, and attempts to avoid waste of energy and expenditure are ongoing.

The Balance Sheet continues to show the Church and Centre’s satisfactory financial position.

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Section D Achievements and performance
Section E Financial review
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ief fth Restricted Funds and Earmarked Reserves are held in trust to be spent in
Brie . statement of the accordance with their donors wishes — several of them cannot be used in the year
charity’s policy on reserves in which the funds have been received, and are retained until they can be used
for their intended purpose.
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The Ministry Fund is invested to generate income to help finance the Church's ministry.

Batails at any Tunds materially None are materially in deficit. in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include _“relevantditionalabout:information, where

• e the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);

• e how expenditure has

• | supported the key objectives of the charity;

• e investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F

Other optional information

Section G

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

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SOUTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH EXETER AND BRAMPFORD SPEKE

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT - YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Charity Number 1133068

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |SECTION|A| |A1|RECEIPTS|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|2024|2023| |Offerings|59,399|59,399|54|834| |Annual|Thankoffering|5,218|2,668|7,886|8,865| |Gift Aid|Tax|Rebates|12,180|12,180|11,852| |Miscellaneous|Donations|7,363|7,363|566| |Legacies|&|Gifts|In|Memoriam|15,192|15,192|6,987| |Investment|&|Deposit|Income|969|17,761|18,730|17,662| |Donations|for|External|Mission|2,008|2,008|3,372| |Donations|to|support|member working|abro|3314|3,314|2,477| |Miscellaneous|Receipts|1,711|62|1,773|2,680| |Office|Rents|14,090|14,090|21,912| |Chinese Church|Charges|8,353|8,353|6,189| |Charges|to|Centre|Users|33,624|33,624|28,107| |Dove|Café|Net Takings|1,463|1,463|1,960| |Manse|Rent|9,451|9,451|9,451| |Donations|to|Palace|Gate|Centre|1,986|1,986|78| |Free Church|Chaplaincy|contribution|24,264|24,264|22,488| |Refund|of 2023|Overcharge|for Gas|Supplie|5,678|5,678| |TOTAL|RECEIPTS| |TOTAL PAYMENTS|(below)|-217425|-191,796| |NET INFLOW (OUTFLOW)|9,329|—«*7,684.| |Net movement|in|cash|funds|in year (below)|9,329|7,684|

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SOUTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH EXETER AND BRAMPFORD SPEKE

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT - YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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A3 PAYMENTS	Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowmer	2024	2023
Ministerial Remuneration	55,716	17,761		73,477	67,049
Preaching Fees	607			607	754
Worship Materials/Flowers & Fees	1,204	172		1,376	1,727
Youth Services	406			406	0
Miscellaneous Ministry	1,943			1,943	1,515
Administration Expenses	4,546			4,546	2,897
New Equipment Purchases	2,084			2,084	0	~
Donations to Other Mission Organisations	13,560	8,963		22,523	16,436
Church Member in West Africa		3,794		3,794	2,808
Miscellaneous Expenses	428			428	2,272
Palace Gate Centre Staff Pay	35,558			35,558	29,674
Dove Café Running Costs	213			213	493
Miscellaneous Mission Expenses	241			241	371
Rents for the Manses	20,851			20,851	19,901
Council Tax	4,796			4,796	2,816
Repairs & Maintenance of Buildings	10,602			10,602	11,309
Service Contracts	2,067			2,067	2,114	7
Lighting, and Heating	14,079			14,079	13,041
Settlement of Disputed Gas Account	3,778			3,778	3,290
Water Charges	3,309			3,309	3,377
Cleaning Materials & Domestic Equipment	2,200			2,200	2,384
Insurance	5,504			5,504	5,438
Telephone, Internet and Postage	3,043			3,043	2,130
TOTALPAYMENTS

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SOUTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH EXETER AND BRAMPFORD SPEKE

LIST OF ASSETS AND LIABILITES at 31 December 2024

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	2024	2023
B1. CASH FUNDS
Cash	160	160
CAF Current Accounts	15,653	24,267
Baptist Union Corporation Deposit Accounts	39,898	21,955
Net movement in cash funds in year (inflow)	9,329	7,684
B2. OTHER MONETARY ASSETS
Debtors -Church (unrestricted) (restricted)	3,901 186	3,649 0
- Centre (unrestricted)	11,412	15,197
(restricted)	0	0
B3. INVESTMENT ASSETS
Charity Sector Unit Trusts at cost
Ministry Fund	348,894	348,894
Franklin M Sleeman Fund	17,000	17,000
B4. ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE CHARITY'S OWN USE
Church Property - Insured value at 24/6/2023	5,239,846	4,670,295
B5. LIABILITIES
Creditors due in the short term
Church (unrestricted)	581	4,596
(restricted)	131
Centre	5,443	7,246
ContingentLiabilities	0	0

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of South Street Baptist Church Exeter & Brampford Speke

Charity no. 1133068

| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of South Street Baptist Church Exeter & Brampford Speke (the Church) for the year ended 31°t December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of the report

As the charity trustees of the church you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).

| report in respect of my examination of the church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

| have completed my examination. | 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 charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. The accounts do not accord with those records.

: | 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.

lan Barrett FCA FCIE Barretts 22 Union Street

Newton Abbot TQ12 2JS

10 October 2025

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