# **ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** **REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1134790** Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadridge Business Centre Dolling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF 1 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **CONTENTS** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Page 3 Legal and Administrative Information
Page 4 Trustees' Report
Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees
Page 6 Statement of Financial Activities
Page 7 Balance Sheet
Pages 8 to 16 Notes to the Financial Statements
**----- End of picture text -----**
2 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER** 1134790 **DATE OF REGISTRATION** 10th March 2010 **START OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 1st January 2023 **END OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 31st December 2023 **ELDERS** John Cowley (Pastor) Mark Philpott (Assistant Pastor) Anthony John Sharpe John Hitchcock **DEACONS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023** Stephen Baldwin Robert Hook Peter Turner Malcolm Cassam (Retired 31/3/23) Roger Dickinson Peter Dinnage (Appointed May 2023) David Bishop Timothy David (Appointed May 2023) **TRUSTEES AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023** John Cowley (Chairman) Anthony John Sharpe ( Treasurer) Robert Hook John Hitchcock Roger Dickinson Mark Philpott Stephen Baldwin Malcolm Cassam (Retired 31/3/23) Peter Turner Peter Dinnage (Appointed May 2023) David Bishop Timothy David (Appointed May 2023) The existing trustees appoint any new trustees following the provisions laid out in the Charity's Constitution adopted 10th March 2010. **LEGAL STATUS** Registered Charity **GOVERNING INSTRUMENT** Constitution Adopted on 10th March 2010 ## **OBJECTS** The principle activity is to advance the Christian Faith according to Baptist principles and in accordance with the Basis of Faith. The Charity may also carry out other Charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and or other parts of the World. **CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS** 28 Southridge Road Crowborough East Sussex TN6 1LT **PRIMARY BANKERS** Barclays Bank Plc CAF Bank Ltd 1High Street 25 Kings Hill Avenue Crowborough West Malling East Sussex Kent TN6 2PX ME19 4JQ **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** K Gomes Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadridge Business Centre Dolling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF 3 TRllStEES REPORT FOR THE YL4R ENDED 31STDECEMBER21123 BIUEF S - FitSt TLwd8y- f¢x L￿￿￿1￿)iN. Th m(JDthly ALILS FOR FORTHcDhll￿￿ Ba￿15t C1yl Tn TRI'S se1cctsultsble￿￿￿th￿v￿1c*￿ 4ytythcrnC￿￿sfC Appxoved ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS** Report to the trustees/ members of Forest Fold Baptist Church on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 set out on pages 6 to 15. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention ## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act ## have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. K Gomes FCIE MAAT Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadridge Business Centre Signed : Dolling Lane Bosham 25.3.24 PO18 8NF Dated: 5 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** |**Notes**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Incoming Resources from Generated Funds**
Donations & Legacies
**3a**
Investment Income
**3b**
Charitable Activities
**3c**
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Costs of Generating Funds**
Charitable Activities
**4a**
Governance Costs
**4b**
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**NET INCOMING/ (OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
Total Funds Brought Forward
Funds Transfer
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2023**
**2022**
£
£
£
£
£
110,648
-
149,407
260,055
158,226
2,135
-
-
2,135
459
-
-
23,639
23,639
25,753| |---|---| ||**112,783**
**-**
**173,046**
**285,829**
**184,438**| ||114,799
-
171,939
286,739
183,536
4,091
-
-
4,091
3,905| ||**118,890**
**-**
**171,939**
**290,830**
**187,441**| ||**(6,107)**
**-**
**1,107**
**(5,000)**
**(3,002)**
18,910
102,000
27,026
147,936
150,939
26,000
26,000
-
-
-
-| ||**38,804**
**76,000**
**28,133**
**142,937**
**147,936**| Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing. The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements. 6 BALANCE SHF.Er FOR THE EP41)ED 315f DECEMBER 2023 Totsl 31-1)ee-22 Ji.Det-23 Tan￿bicA$S￿s 39295 39295 14,767 1975 25.158 24133 L975 101.987 104S6Z 829 133,504 131,429 TotsiCurren* Ass¢ts l J20 12( y<¥t 491 28.133 I03.642 131169 74MO 133 141937 147,936 2&133 IW37 147936 Finds ofthe CbzTity 38A04 18,910 2&133 28.133 27.026 TtstslFuds 7AONJ 142JYI 147J36 Ton9 4kn ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Basis of Preparation & Assessment of Going Concern** ## **Basis of Preparation** The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP - FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011. The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. ## **Assessment of Going Concern** Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ## **Incoming Resources** ## _**Recognition of Incoming Resources**_ These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when: ▪ the charity becomes entitled to the resources; ▪ the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and ▪ the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability ## _**Incoming Resources with Related Expenditure**_ Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resource and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. ## _**Grants and Donations**_ Grants and Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. ## _**Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts**_ Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate. ## _**Gifts in Kind**_ Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable. ## _**Donated Services and Facilities**_ These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received. ## _**Volunteer Help**_ The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees' annual report. ## _**Investment Income**_ This is included in the accounts when receivable. ## _**Investment Gains and Losses**_ This included any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year. 8 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)** ## **Expenditure and Liabilities** ## _**Liability Recognition**_ Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. ## _**Governance Costs**_ Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees meetings and cost of any legal advise to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. ## _**Grants with Performance Conditions**_ Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output. ## _**Grants Payable without Performance Conditions**_ These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity. ## _**Support Costs**_ Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of the resources, e.g. allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage. ## _**Fixed Assets**_ These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt. ## _**Investments**_ Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at trustees' best estimate of market value. ## _**Depreciation Expense**_ Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets on an appropriate basis over their estimated useful lives. The rates applied per annum are as follows: |Fixtures & Fittings
Equipment
Motor Vehicles
**2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
Cost
01-Jan-23
Additions
Disposals
Cost at
31-Dec-23
Depreciation
01-Jan-23
Charge
Depreciation at
31-Dec-23
Net Book Value
31-Dec-23
Net Book Value
31-Dec-22|10% Reducing balance
10% Reducing balance
25% Straight line
Fixtures &
General
Motor
**Total**
Fittings
Equipment
Vehicles
**2023**
£
£
£
£
13,177
18,820
10,674
42,671
12,934
13,070
-
26,004
-
-
-| |---|---| ||26,111
31,890
10,674
68,675| ||3,583
13,646
10,674
27,903
959
517
-
1,477| ||4,542
14,163
10,674
29,380| ||**21,569**
**17,727**
**-**
**39,295**| ||**9,593**
**5,173**
**-**
**14,766**| The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st December 2023: None and 31st December 2022: None 9 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **3. INCOMING RESOURCES** |||Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|**TOTAL**|**TOTAL**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Notes**|Funds|Funds|Funds|**2023**|**2022**| |||£|£|£|£|£| |**a) Donations & Legacies**||||||| |Charity of the Month Collections|**6**|-|-|20,561|20,561|10,050| |Gift Aid Tax Recovered||17,074|-|-|17,074|17,181| |Gifts & Donations|**6**|17,566|-|128,846|146,412|53,951| |Standing Orders||76,008|-|-|76,008|77,044| |||**110,648**|**-**|**149,407**|**260,055**|**158,226**| |**b) Investment Income**||||||| |CAF Cash Interest||2,135|-|-|2,135|459| |||**2,135**|**-**|**-**|**2,135**|**459**| |**c) Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities**||||||| |Crowborough Camps|**6**|-|-|3,971|3,971|3,931| |First Steps|**6**|-|-|608|608|690| |First Tuesday|**6**|-|-|2,855|2,855|2,374| |Help Fund|**6**|-|-|6,064|6,064|10,931| |Young Peoples Group|**6**|-|-|10,141|10,141|7,827| |||**-**|**-**|**23,639**|**23,639**|**25,753**| 10 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **4. RESOURCES EXPENDED** |**Note**
**a) Charitable Activities**
Charity of the Month Collections
**6**
Crowborough Camps
**6**
Cyprus Fund
**6**
Depreciation Expense
**2**
Easter Camp
**6**
First Steps
**6**
First Tuesday
**6**
General Maintenance
Help Fund
**6**
Licenses & Subscriptions
Ministry & Outreach
Motor Vehicle Costs
Office Costs
Renovations & Improvements
Staff Costs
**10**
Utility Costs
Website & Computers
Young Peoples Group
**6**
Youth Work
**b) Governance Costs**
Independent Examiners Fees
Insurance Costs|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2023**
**2022**
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
20,561
20,561
10,050
-
-
3,957
3,957
2,821
-
-
126,965
126,965
41,324
1,477
-
-
1,477
697
-
-
-
-
419
-
-
757
757
1,245
-
-
2,740
2,740
2,483
13,922
-
-
13,922
11,814
-
-
5,813
5,813
10,546
953
-
-
953
790
6,603
-
-
6,603
10,030
1,858
-
-
1,858
1,690
955
-
-
955
581
4,081
-
-
4,081
9,913
71,817
-
-
71,817
60,003
8,813
-
-
8,813
8,759
1,387
-
-
1,387
-
-
-
11,146
11,146
8,955
2,934
-
-
2,934
1,416| |---|---| ||**114,799**
**-**
**171,939**
**286,739**
**183,536**| ||1,320
-
-
1,320
1,260
2,771
-
-
2,771
2,645| ||**4,091**
**-**
**-**
**4,091**
**3,905**| 11 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **5. DESIGNATED FUNDS** |**5. DESIGNATED FUNDS**|| |---|---| |**CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
General Fund Reserve
**PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
General Fund Reserve|Balance
Balance
01-Jan-23
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31-Dec-23
£
£
£
£
£
102,000
-
-
26,000
-
76,000| ||**102,000**
**-**
**-**
**26,000**
**-**
**76,000**| ||Balance
Balance
01-Jan-22
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31-Dec-22
£
£
£
£
£
102,000
-
-
-
102,000| ||**102,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**102,000**| **General Fund Reserve –** This is a General Reserve fund into which surplus funds have been placed in the past and is available as the Reserve Policy of the Church. The designated funds are wholly represented by the Charity's cash reserves. ## **6. RESTRICTED FUNDS** |**CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
Charity of the Month
Camp Fund
Cyprus Fund
First Step
First Tuesday
Help Fund
Loan Fund
Young Peoples Group
**PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
Charity of the Month
Camp Fund
Cyprus Fund
Easter Camp
First Step
First Tuesday
Help Fund
Loan Fund
Young Peoples Group|Balance
Balance
01-Jan-23
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31-Dec-23
£
£
£
£
£
-
20,561
20,561
-
-
2,782
3,971
3,957
-
2,796
12,867
128,846
126,965
-
14,748
552
608
757
-
403
264
2,855
2,740
-
379
2,859
6,064
5,813
-
3,110
6,560
-
-
-
6,560
1,142
10,141
11,146
-
137| |---|---| ||**27,026**
**173,046**
**171,939**
**-**
**28,133**| ||Balance
Balance
01-Jan-22
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31-Dec-22
£
£
£
£
£
-
10,050
10,050
-
-
1,672
3,931
2,821
-
2,782
8,763
45,428
41,324
-
12,867
419
-
419
-
-
1,107
690
1,245
-
552
373
2,374
2,483
-
264
2,474
10,931
10,546
-
2,859
6,560
-
-
-
6,560
2,270
7,827
8,955
-
1,142| ||**23,638**
**81,231**
**77,843**
**-**
**27,026**| 12 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **6. RESTRICTED FUNDS (Continued)** **Charity of the Month –** Each month the Church holds collections for specific causes and funds received during the month are placed in this fund for distribution monthly. **Camp Fund -** This is for Summer Camps on the grounds of the Church and is self funding. ## **Cyprus Fund** UK Donations to support Mr & Mrs James Swanson and the Church they now lead in Cyprus are processed through this fund. The donations given to this Fund from the Church, its members and other supporting Churches and individuals around the UK are used to cover the Swansons’ living expenses in Cyprus, their Church’s expenses such as Rent, and associated education and training costs. During 2023 we were able to support the humanitarian relief effort in response to the Turkish earthquake. This appeal raised £83,424 and was used in providing temporary accommodation under the guidance of the church in Cyprus. **First Tuesday** – This is a group aimed at the over 60’s which meets on a monthly basis on the 1[st] Tuesday of each month for a mid day meal and fellowship. This group is self funding. **Help Fund -** relates to a fund contributed to via specific giving, some as part of their standing orders that are received into the main account and some via collections every first Sunday. **Loan Fund -** is a fund set up to assist church members with loans repayable without interest over an agreed period of time. **The First Steps Fund** - is a mother and toddler group - administered outside the general fund and mainly self sufficient. Occasional top ups from General Fund. **Young Peoples Group –** Monies placed in this fund are received towards the cost of an Annual Holiday for the group of young people from within the Church. The restricted funds are wholly represented by the Charity's cash reserves. 13 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **7. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND** |Cash at Bank and in Hand
**8. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS**
Loans to Members|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Fund
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-23**
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
£
**£**
**£**
829
76,000
25,158
101,987
133,504| |---|---| ||**829**
**76,000**
**25,158**
**101,987**
**133,504**| ||Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Fund
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-23**
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
£
**£**
**£**
-
-
2,975
2,975
925| ||**-**
**-**
**2,975**
**2,975**
**925**| ## **9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** |Independent Examiner's Fees|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Fund
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-23**
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
£
**£**
**£**
1,320
-
-
1,320
1,260| |---|---| ||**1,320**
**-**
**-**
**1,320**
**1,260**| ## **10. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS** |**2023**
**£**
Gross Wages and Salaries
65,123
Employer's National Insurance Costs
-
Pension Contributions
6,693
**71,816**
Employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
**2023**
Activities in furtherance of organisation's objects
3|**2022**
**£**
54,434
-
5,568| |---|---| ||**60,002**| ||**2022**
3| The organisation operates a PAYE scheme to pay all employed members of staff and no employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. (2022:None) 14 ## **FOREST FOLD BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **11. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES** |Number of reimbursed trustees & related parties
Total amount paid|**2023**
16
**£8,393**|**2022**
17| |---|---|---| |||**£7,694**| The payments were made to : 6 Trustees; 8 Trustees Wives; 1 connected trust by reason of some same Trustees ;1 connected company by reason it is owned by a Trustee . The payments made to trustees and related parties consisted of reimbursement for materials purchased on behalf of the church in connection with improvements and maintenance to the church. During the financial year Trustee Mr J. Cowley & Spouse Mrs E. Cowley received £21,446 & £9,191 (2022:£21,446 & £9,191) respectively in salary related payments in furtherance of the Charity's objects. Trustee Mr M Philpott received £29,985 in salary related payments in furtherance of the Charity’s objects (2022 £23,796) The payments made to trustees and related parties consisted of reimbursements for materials purchased on behalf of the charity in connection with improvements and maintenance to the church, and the activities of the various groups. ## **14. PUBLIC BENEFIT** The charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake. 15