## **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.| 1 ## **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.| 2 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 3 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||| 4 ## **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||| 5 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$, 11,874 87,776 62.784 3,362 21,598 25.524 11S.711 10,021 125.732 14,373 7,613 82.9S2 11,370 othef 2 rauwpts IAlnl*y 42.979 11.989 39.471 7,787 11,626 39,518 37,774 2.679 1CQ.643 114.3211 274 12,QLM) 3,709 111.029 14.703 25.135 17,330 26,126 I12,l￿)I Brought forward balance Transfers from Itol Assl Ministry Fund Tiansfers to Repaits and Renewals Fur TiansTet5 to Youth Work Fund 15,(KlOI 14,(X)01 27AS6 25.135 FI￿ 1-Aw-2S To 31-Mar• 1-Aw.24 31-Mor-25 01W23 31 MBr 24 Totals ad usted forro£ff MIS￿ (Reslrthl FWNI Trtsj 4A91 4N91 Inleiest on Dys 28 87 Thnve Yoth ministn.es EX￿55 of Incure over ExpeTrJrture Br￿ght fixwat(J bala[￿e Transfe[5 Ill 10 Tdol rarled ftx*wd t•lw 3.600 13.5131 2.374 4.￿0 1881 28 1.409 11.4521 2,E61 R￿l￿ts T(ty 227 2.197 12.1321 1,566 5.0 2.142 12.0441 3,630 EX￿$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 01*23 31 Mw24 Totats ad(AStedforroundi 8F4d4 {DwbJr*d) Fwxl Lryxwtknnatior Inleiest on Dy5lls 670 851 1.$21 1.382 1.239 1621 17,128 I14,￿7) 44.255 29.748 EX￿55 of Inc(xlle over ExpEr¥Jrture Br￿ght fixwar(J balance 493 29.414 29.K17 13341 29,748 29A14 slart MirwotiYlD•*w8tsdl Furnl R￿ik Inierest on Dwslls OonalK)ns Transfers tol(troml Br￿ght fotwar(J balance 1038 12,OC I12.0￿) 40,633 41.671 916 12.( 27.717 41,671 42.451 18 TOTAL CURRENT ASSErs Changeyrtyr 113.087 13,8r2 128.193 114.321 99.215 15.1131 1LP3.027 114.140 104,328 {4,5411 Fffjm 1-Asx.25 To 31-Mar-26 1-AsY_24 31-M¥-25 014YZJ 31 Mw24 Totats ad(AStedforroundi 1-Apr.25 To 314Aor-28 1-Aw_24 31-Mgr-25 01 Apr23 31 Mor 24 Totals ad usted forro FIxEDA$￿ FUKIS Moneg (Restrkknl) F￿j 14 Brought fO￿ard bala￿e AdiustNEnts 758,504 31,859 7KJ,363 591.426 167,078 758,5 564,876 26,5 591,426 {Rest￿} F￿d 8roughl fO￿ard bala￿e Adiustrnents 15 5.678.628 182,161 J,789 5.222.817 455,811 5,6rn628 5.322.668 199 8511 S322￿17 Furthre & Eq￿￿1 IDeslgrnWI Fund 16 Br￿ght 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 P￿rnISes 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 a￿e 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 Y￿th 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￿[tr￿9 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 fitti1￿s_ 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 Ir￿U[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| 11 **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|| 12 Addltlonal Inlomiatlon loptlonall N•m¥* and •ddr•wi• of •dvl•gr• IOptton•l Informat￿nI Typ• of Nam• Addr• •(fvl Ind￿nd•nt •xarnlo)•r Orchard Hou88 H81L Hartr*Jry CV33 9HG Nam• ol ¢hl•f •x•cutlv• or n*nM of MnSor •taff mwnbw• {Optlono1 InfOrn￿nI 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 Indep￿dent 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 ret￿d$. 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 connect￿n 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