Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2025 to 31[st] March 2026
Charity name: Leamington Spa Baptist Church
Charity registration number: 1134467
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Activities may include but are not restricted to: • regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching. • baptism, as defined in the Union’s Declaration of Principle. • the Communion of the Lord’s Supper which shall normally be observed at least once a month. • evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. • the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people. • nurture and growth of Christian disciples. • education and training for Christian and community service. • giving and encouraging pastoral care. • supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad. • encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christians. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | All Activities of the Church are designed for the public benefit, and Charity Trustees are mindful of this requirement in developing the program for the Church. |
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Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | This year we have continued to be blessed by the full-time ministry of Rev Neil Bywater Public worship has been conducted on Sunday mornings in the building and live online. The service is recorded and available via the church website, and live streaming over YouTube. We have had visitors join us from all over the world including India and Australia. We have continued to stream the service over Zoom for those unable to attend the church building in person. This is much appreciated by friends away from Leamington and those at home due to health or infirmity issues. Communion services have been managed monthly. We were able to continue our Open-Air outreach services in the summer. We continued a meeting for coffee, followed by a short informal service and light lunch on Thursday mornings in the church. At Christmas time we held an all-age visitor’s service in the building, which was attended by many of our pre-school families, and an outdoor carol service. We also held an all-age service with Little Stars Christian Pre-School on Palm Sunday. During Sunday worship a creche for pre-schoolers and a class for school aged children have been re-introduced as we have regular attenders in these age groups. |
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We have started regular meetings for those wishing to explore the claims of Christianity. Prayer activity is focussed on small groups, and now a twice monthly prayer workshop in the church on the 1[st] Friday evening and third Thursday of each month. The Prayer Chain continues to encourage prayer for urgent needs daily, and a private Facebook group also supports prayer and fellowship. Deacons have met weekly in person to pray for the needs of the fellowship. We support Baptist Home Mission and BMS World Mission activities financially and in prayer. We supported a missionary family in Peru. We support a couple in mission in Kolkata. Pastoral care is provided by the Church Minister, Leadership Team and through small groups in the Church. Church members are also encouraged to support one another, with concerns regularly being brought to the services and other meetings for prayer. Members have been regularly telephoning those in need of conversation and encouragement. The Little Stars Christian Pre-School has met on the premises on school days and is supported by the Church. We have continued an initiative to give out free hot drinks in the town on a fortnightly basis, and we have engaged in conversation with passers by from all walks of life through this work. We have plans to improve facilities and activities for younger children. Outside lets have been increasing during the year and several new community groups such as U3A are now using the building regularly for meetings. Two concerts have also been held in the building by Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra and the Village Voices choir. There is a very active Churches Together organisation in Leamington. We have worked with other churches on the Easter and Christmas programs in the town, and this year we supported the Street Pastors initiative and the Food Bank This year ended with our membership roll at 65 people. We have been blessed with several new regular worshippers in the last year, and we rejoice that we baptised 4 new believers during 3 baptismal services this year. Of these 2 have joined as members but sadly we remember that 2 members died over the same period. We also reviewed our roll and removed 7 people who have
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not been part of the fellowship for some years. We have continued the practice started during the period when we were without a minister of church members leading services. The church held its twenty first annual variety concert showcasing the musical talents of the church to which members of the public were invited. Donations given at the concert went to Christian Aid. This year over a £1,000 was raised. We have held “Stay and play” events during July and August where we invite parents to bring their children to the church and stay for two hours to play with them. The church provides the play activities and refreshments. This activity attracts over 120 children and adults and fulfils a need for this kind of event amongst local parents. We have held a service for all those who are carers.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
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Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Receipts for the year were £125,732 including a single donation of £15,000. Expenditure was £111.029 this giving a surplus of £14,703 At the end of the financial year the balance in the general fund was £34,838 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Church’s funds are divided between Unrestricted (which includes funds Designated by the deacons for a particular purpose) and Restricted funds which have been given for a specific purpose. The principal Unrestricted fund, known as the General fund, receives the normal giving to the church and pays the normal running expenditure. It is the Church’s policy to endeavour to keep a balance of at least 12 weeks’ expenditure in this fund. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | See above |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Our principal sources of funds are giving by members of the congregation on a regular basis; occasional individual donations and income from letting rooms in the church premises. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
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L•nIrYt Bapti Clvjrth. 1134465 Sel•#ed pwlod.. 01 W 2025kn 31 Morth 2026 Frtm 1-W.25 To 3141ar-26 1-W.24 314lw-25 014v23 31 Mw24 Totals sted forroundi Fw 1 Rouipts Cash Offering5 orrenng>GrfI Offerings- not gnl-ahj Tax iefurvjs 2,413 53.99) 2,448 49.382 5,016 12,918 6,140 7$, 11,874 87,776 62.784 3,362 21,598 25.524 11S.711 10,021 125.732 14,373 7,613 82.9S2 11,370 othef 2 rauwpts IAlnl*y 42.979 11.989 39.471 7,787 11,626 39,518 37,774 2.679 1CQ.643 114.3211 274 12,QLM) 3,709 111.029 14.703 25.135 17,330 26,126 I12,l)I Brought forward balance Transfers from Itol Assl Ministry Fund Tiansfers to Repaits and Renewals Fur TiansTet5 to Youth Work Fund 15,(KlOI 14,(X)01 27AS6 25.135
FI 1-Aw-2S To 31-Mar• 1-Aw.24 31-Mor-25 01W23 31 MBr 24 Totals ad usted forro£ff MIS (Reslrthl FWNI Trtsj 4A91 4N91 Inleiest on Dys 28 87 Thnve Yoth ministn.es EX55 of Incure over ExpeTrJrture Brght fixwat(J bala[e Transfe[5 Ill 10 Tdol rarled ftxwd t•lw 3.600 13.5131 2.374 4.0 1881 28 1.409 11.4521 2,E61 Rlts T(ty 227 2.197 12.1321 1,566 5.0 2.142 12.0441 3,630 EX$S of Inccrfne over Eypendrture Brwght f(xwatO balatKe Transfe[5 to 14,7681 8.398 1.25 To 314lar-26 14w.24 31-M¥-25 0123 31 Mw24 Totats ad(AStedforroundi 8F4d4 {DwbJrd) Fwxl Lryxwtknnatior Inleiest on Dy5lls 670 851 1.$21 1.382 1.239 1621 17,128 I14,7) 44.255 29.748 EX55 of Inc(xlle over ExpEr¥Jrture Brght fixwar(J balance 493 29.414 29.K17 13341 29,748 29A14 slart MirwotiYlD•w8tsdl Furnl Rik Inierest on Dwslls OonalK)ns Transfers tol(troml Brght fotwar(J balance 1038 12,OC I12.0) 40,633 41.671 916 12.( 27.717 41,671 42.451 18 TOTAL CURRENT ASSErs Changeyrtyr 113.087 13,8r2 128.193 114.321 99.215 15.1131 1LP3.027 114.140 104,328 {4,5411 Fffjm 1-Asx.25 To 31-Mar-26 1-AsY_24 31-M¥-25 014YZJ 31 Mw24 Totats ad(AStedforroundi
1-Apr.25 To 314Aor-28 1-Aw_24 31-Mgr-25 01 Apr23 31 Mor 24 Totals ad usted forro FIxEDA$ FUKIS Moneg (Restrkknl) Fj 14 Brought fOard balae AdiustNEnts 758,504 31,859 7KJ,363 591.426 167,078 758,5 564,876 26,5 591,426 {Rest} Fd 8roughl fOard balae Adiustrnents 15 5.678.628 182,161 J,789 5.222.817 455,811 5,6rn628 5.322.668 199 8511 S32217 Furthre & Eq1 IDeslgrnWI Fund 16 Brght fThward balance Adiustrnents 244.314 8,305 252,619 238.122 6,192 244,314 243.683 238,122 8.903.n1 222.325 6.681.446 629,C*1 6.rffj.365 178.862} Changeyrfyr
Notes to the Accounts l Ba51s of the accounts The5eaccounts have been prepared on a'recelptsand p8yThents' basls aTh Inaccoid*ithSection 133 Charitvéskt2011. 2 INCOME An irKrease in regular cor4Jregations resulted in an Increase in Voluntary InconE of £32,729. This induded a donation of £15,IX)O and associate(J grft aNJ Other Incorrt was ieduceil by lowei letbngs irKonr. Total incotne irKrea5ed by £31,410. 3 Mlnlst Ministry costs Increased by Inflation in rrynisterfs siperKI and fflanse uliltties costs, by £1,650. 4 Mlsslon Mission giwng to outside organisations has tEen maintained. Outreach costs wete £927 less than last year 5 PrnISes Costs increased compared to the previous year as a result ol inflation. Ub'lities costs were reduced by efficienoes and a milder wntef, and through lo¥%tr electicity usage by outside lets Total Premises costs were onty £47 more than last year 6 Administratlon ministratson costs were ccfflparat4e to last year. 7 Other Costs Other costs were increased by oulsHle training courses and events. re were also [re catering costs through more lunches. Costs increaseil by £984 8 &4LANCES GENERAL FUND Expenditure increased by £2,386 compared ¥th the prewous year. We were ae to tiansfer £5,iK)O to the Repairs and Renewals Fund. balan on the General Fund has increased to £34,838 which represents about 16 weeks expeNliture. 9 Mission Fund This tund is used for members to donate throwh Ihe church to missionaries such as Chadie and Jo Kennedy in IrKlia. Fund5 gNen in the year are all sent on to the various organisations.
10 Youth Work Fund The Youth Work Fund rerAaced earlier restric fuThl. The balance on the fund at yearend was £1,437, and wll te used for future Yth initsatives. 11 Re Irs and Renewa15 Fund This fund is used for iterns ol exFenditure cfi the wemises. Some minor repairs to the manse aThJ the church were pa from this fvnd. The balan on the fund at yearend was £4,454. 12 *cial Purposes Fund This fund contains legacie5 and other special donations. One donation was ieceived In the year Some work on the heabng was funded this year. The balall on the fund at yearend was £29,7. 13 Ministry Asslstsn¢e Fund This fund has tEen used to save towdrds sup[tr9 future tTrnistry. The balall on the fund was £42,451 at the yearend. 14 Manse Fund This represents the vdue of the rnanse foi Insuran purposes, which was updated by the Baptist Insuran Comparry. 15 Bulldlng Fund This lund holds the value of the church premises, exduding fitti1s_ The value is based on the Insuran valuats.on updated by the Baptsst Insuran Company. It also holds the land valuation of £320,000 from vknen the church purthased the land. 16 Fumlture and Equlpment Fund This fund holds the fixed assets of furntlure a[ equipment. value Is based on the Insuran valuation UFKlated try the Baptsst IrU[an Company. 17 Credltors The church has 1 liability ari%ng from leasehok1 agreements". BNP Panbas Leasing Solutions for the church photocopier Running for 5 Yea aThJ 3 months from 2911112022, al £150 per quarter. 18 Current Assets less Uabllllles balan of net currenl assets has Increased by £13.872. The balan on the General FU Is believed to adequate to suptM)rt the current level of expenditure. io
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Charitable unincorporated association. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Elected annually by Church Members for a three-year term. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Leamington Spa Baptist Church |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Leam Baptist, LSBC |
| Registered charity number | 1134467 |
| Charity’s principal address | Chandos Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4RN |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Neil Bywater | Minister | Church members | ||
| Mr Simon Archer | Secretary | Church members | ||
| Mr Malcolm Hayes | Treasurer | Church members | ||
| Miss Ruth Kelly | Deacon | Church members | ||
| Mrs Valerie Kennedy | Deacon | Church members | ||
| Mr Paul McVicar | Deacon | Church members | ||
| Mr RegOverton | Deacon | Church members | ||
| Mrs Fernanda Rezende | Deacon | Church members | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | **Dates acted if not for whole year ** | |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist Union Corporation Limited |
Property Trustees | |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
NA NA NA |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
|
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
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Addltlonal Inlomiatlon loptlonall N•m¥ and •ddr•wi• of •dvl•gr• IOptton•l InformatnI Typ• of Nam• Addr• •(fvl Indnd•nt •xarnlo)•r Orchard Hou88 H81L HartrJry CV33 9HG Nam• ol ¢hl•f •x•cutlv• or n*nM of MnSor •taff mwnbw• {Optlono1 InfOrnnI Exèmptlons from dlsclosur• NA other o tlonal Infomiatlon Doclaratlons Th• tru•tM• do¢l•r• that th•y hiv• 4pprov•d th• tru•tM•' r•port al)ov•. 8lqn•d on b•h•ff t chHrlty'• tru•t• 81gnatur•(•l Full Mmo(•1 Mdcdm J Hay8S SIMC Arch8r Pmltlon l•.g. S•(¥•twy, Chalr. •tcl ratsry 13
Independent Examlnerfs Report ReFx)rt to the trustees & member5 of Leamln8ton Spa Baptlst Churth On xcounts lor ihe year ended 31 March 2026. CharlDI ReBlstTatlon Number; 1134467. Set Qn Pa8e5 1-13. RespKtlve respMslbllltl•s of trurtees ind •umln The ¢h•rity's Injstèés ai* rÈsponsible for the Pfeparatlon of the accounts. The charws trustees consider that •n audit Is not required for thls y••r der sertion 144 of th• Charltle5 Act 2011 (the Charlties Act) an Independent exirnlnatk>n1s needed. It is my responsibllily to- eumine the accounts under sects'on 14S of the Charitses Aci to follow the procedur•s1oid d¢y•vn in the ienernl th'rectyons ibyen by the Chiritv Commission lunder Section 1451511bl} ol the Chafitie5 Art, and • to stat• wheth•r particulaf matters have come to my attènthon. sls of Indepdent ex4mlnerfs Statement My examinat was carrltd oul in accordance wrth general Directions gvien by the Ch4rlty Commisslon. An ex•mln•tk)n includes a review of the accounts.ng records kept bv the ch•rity and a compirison of the actounts piesented with tlN)se retd$. It also include5 consideration of any unusuol it•ms Of dlsclosures in thé accounts and steklry explan?tlon5 from the trustees concernin¢ any such mltters. The procedures undertaken do noi provide all the evidtnce thèt would be requlred In an audit. and consequently no opinion ts given as to whether the •ccounts prèseni a 'true and f•ir' view, Ind the report 15 limiled to those matter5 Set out in the statement below. In connectn with my examinat40n, no matter ha5 corne to my att?Dtion whKh rne c4use to believe that, in any material r•si)tcL ccounting records were not kept In accordance with so¢tion 130 01 the Charbtles Act or the •ccounts do not attord with the xcounttw record5. I have come across no other matters in ¢onnectbn wrth the etsmbtsation lo whkh attention Should be drawn In order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reach•l. D•te: . i ;JLskC Jc9b. P4Jme: Rose ary Blackbum Relevant professlonal quaUfiotlon(s) or bth: IC ill C'I£4 d iiig4 Addrtss: Ordiard House Hall Lane Harbury Warwlckshire CV33 9HS 14