## **Tilehouse Street Baptist Church Annual Report 2023**
## Charity Registration Number 1135132
The charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document which states that the Church engages in a range of activities for the purpose of 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.
Trustees (Deacons) Rev. Jane Robson (Minister) Mrs Joyce Bleasby Mr Paul Chamberlain (Designated Person for Safeguarding) Mrs Margaret Granger (Safeguarding Trustee) Mrs Sheila Hallas (Secretary) Mr John Maguire Miss Anne Moody Rev. Ian Stears Handscomb Mr Martin Stears Handscomb (Treasurer)
Motto Text Isaiah 30 verse 21
And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ’This is the way, walk in it’.
## Aims
The Church’s primary aim is to worship God, make known his love, share the good news of the gospel and to care for all people, locally and globally regardless of ethnicity, gender or religious beliefs.
## Governance
The diaconate has met regularly to prayerfully consider both practical and spiritual matters relating to church life. In addition to the monthly meetings, on a beautiful spring day in March, the deacons gathered in the lovely surroundings of Barton – le- Clay to consider the future for THS and other matters. The morning was graciously and skilfully facilitated by Mary Moody, one of the Regional Ministers.
From September, the church meetings, to which all regular members of the congregation, as well as those whose names appear on the church roll, are invited were reduced to bimonthly. During the winter months they were held after the Sunday morning service and in the summer months they will revert to Thursday evenings. This change was instituted for a trial period of a year and will be reviewed in July 2024.
The Baptist Union of Great Britain has undertaken a consultation process across all the member churches. In brief, Baptist ministers who enter a same-sex marriage would lose his or her accreditation. The churches were asked to consider whether this regulation should be removed and same sex marriages be permitted. Much time was spent at both deacons and church meetings discussing this sensitive issue. The majority, but by no means all, felt that the regulation should be changed to allow ministers to marry a partner of the same sex. This was communicated to the Baptist Union.
## Safeguarding
The Baptist Union has updated its policies and procedures. The safeguarding team is in the process of amending the church’s policies and procedures to be in line with these. The team has also ensured that all necessary Disclosure and Barring Service checks have been done and that volunteers have undertaken the correct training.
## Membership
There were 49 persons named on the Tilehouse Street roll in January. Sadly, a much loved married couple who had been members since 1967 died within seven weeks of each other in the late summer. Another lady who will be fondly remembered for her wonderful character passed away in October. Our daughter church in Stondon has a membership of eight so there was a total membership of 54 at the end of the year.
## Worship
Rev. Jane has led our worship on Sunday mornings. Themes for the sermons have included the Minor Prophets and John’s Letters. In October, she introduced the congregation to the Lectio Divina – a different way of studying the Bible for many but well received. Naturally, the Christian festivals were also celebrated and during Advent and Christmas we looked at the roles of angels in the nativity story.
Communion is a central part of our worship and the service on the first Sunday of every month includes the sharing of bread and wine. At 4.30pm on the third Sunday, we again share in Communion. This is a quiet, reflective service with a small congregation but a treasured time of worship.
When Jane has been absent, the church has been ably served by a number of visiting preachers. It was a particular joy to have the Rev. Geoff Colmer, former B.U. President and Regional Minster, preach at the Church Anniversary in March.
For a while practical problems hindered the monthly services at Foxholes Care Home but with a change of day from Tuesdays to Wednesdays they are running regularly and are appreciated by the residents and the faithful friends from Tilehouse Street who go to help.
## Prayer Meetings
Both the monthly Saturday morning meeting in the church and the weekly Wednesday evening one held via Zoom have continued. On Wednesdays, a book of Daily Celtic Prayer is used to help lead folk into a calm frame of mind at the end of the day.
## Bible Study
Two groups have met throughout the year, one in a home and the other on the church premises. Although small in number both have loyal and regular attendees.
## Open Church
Open Church has flourished this year. The decision was taken to offer the church as a ‘Warm Space’ on Thursday mornings during the winter months and a small number of people attended regularly. More members of the fellowship began to come most weeks and it was good to welcome occasional visitors who either go to other churches or none.
## Pastoral Care
Rev. Jane, Val the pastoral care co-ordinator and others have demonstrated their faith in many practical ways, offering spiritual comfort and practical assistance to those in need.
## Outlook Magazine
In-house production of the church’s bi-monthly magazine has continued thanks to the hard work of Anne Moody and others. This small, but informative, publication is valued by the fellowship and many around the world either as a hard copy on online.
## Use of the Buildings
Janet Ireson, the Church Administrator, has worked tirelessly arranging the letting of the premises which continue to be used almost to their full capacity. Some tenants such as Scouts, Pre-school and Nursery and The Hitchin School of Dance have met there for many years. Others are newer arrivals.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God and The Church of God of Prophecy meet for worship in the Memorial Hall on Sunday mornings. The Father’s House gather in the sanctuary on Sunday afternoons.
Several events have been held to raise funds for various good causes. The Rock Choir Concert and the Canada Evening were particularly memorable.
Three fairs have been held, in springtime, harvest and Advent. These have proved to be popular opportunities to share refreshments with friends, enjoy music and inspect the various stalls.
Although it wasn’t a fund raising event, in May, we shared in the national celebrations of the King’s coronation with a Big Lunch.
## Building Maintenance
The brick wall on the eastern boundary has been rebuilt. Investigations into the cause of a damp area on the north eastern corner of the Church have commenced and are ongoing. An electrical survey has been conducted and the necessary remedial work done. Security at the manse has been improved by replacing the front door and the side gate.
We thank God for his provision and trust him for his continuing guidance as we step into our 356[th] year of worship and witness at Tilehouse Street.
Sheila Hallas February 2024
## Minister’s Reflection
Without doubt, the text for the year has been very timely. Few would disagree that we are in sight of a significant turning point in the life of the church. And it is my belief that over the past two years we have already been turning both ‘right’ and ‘left’ but that we have not yet heard that word behind us, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ But that has not meant that we have lost hope or given up. The annual accounts show that despite all the challenges of maintaining our premises and sustaining paid ministry we are still able financially to carry out our aim. The annual report also shows that the smaller and ageing fellowship continues to resource gatherings for both worship and outreach.
And so we will continue to turn ‘right’ and ‘left’ and listen for the word of God as we move on into 2024. We will continue to listen for God’s voice. We will continue to listen for the voice that says, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ And I am confident not only that those words will be heard in God’s good time but at that time we will then have all that we need to respond in obedience. Thanks be to God.
## **Tilehouse Street Baptist Church**
## Registered Charity no. 1135132
Income and Expenditure Account for the year
1st January to 31st December 2023
Page 1
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
## **Trustees**
Rev J Robson Minister Mrs S Hallas Secretary Mr M Stears-Handscomb Treasurer Mrs M Granger Deacon Mrs J Bleasby Deacon Rev I Stears-Handscomb Deacon Mr J Maguire Deacon Mr P Chamberlain Deacon Mrs A Moody Deacon
## **Address**
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church Upper Tilehouse Street Hitchin, Herts SG5 2EE
## **Property Trustees**
Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT
## **Main Bankers**
CAF Bank Ltd PO Box 289 West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA
Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT
Santander Uk Plc 2 Triton Square Regents Place London NW1 3AN
Page 2
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
## Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31st December 2023
|INCOME
Voluntary income
Fundraising activities
Interest
Charitable activities
Total Receipts
EXPENDITURE
Charitable expenses
Governance costs
Total Payments
Deficit/Surplus of income over expenditure
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
78,968.56
-
4,624.85
36,581.32
120,174.73
17,281.82
87,990.98
105,272.80
14,901.93
195,470.17
210,372.10|2022
Unrestricted
Funds
£
89,148.19
-
2,152.97
30,681.51|
|---|---|---|
|||121,982.67|
|||14,625.95
89,859.73|
|||104,485.68|
||||
|||17,496.99|
|||177,973.18|
|||195,470.17|
Page 3
## Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for year ending 31st December 2023
|**GENERAL FUND**
Offerings
Donations and fees
Parking Income
Gift Aid - Income tax recovered
Lettings
Outlook contributions
Photocopying
Interest received
Expenditure
Ministerial (including stipend, expenses
pension & pulpit supply)
BU pension deficit payment
Manse expenses
Standing charges -
Heat & light
6,949.34
Water
757.14
Insurance
5,611.93
Domestic -
Cleaning
10,103.39
Grounds
6,253.80
Refreshments
97.88
Organist, licences & piano tuning
Outreach & Publicity - General
147.80
Events
320.45
Office -
Administrator
6,500.04
Stationery & stamps
181.34
Computer supplies
433.92
Telephone & broadban
521.57
Photocopier
626.64
Equipment
Subcriptions & gifts
Bank Charges
Conferences & Training
Donations
Sundries
Less transfer to Pastoral Care fund
Less transfer to Building maintenance fund
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR YEAR
BALANCE 1st JANUARY
BALANCE 31st DECEMBER
Income|6,949.34
757.14
5,611.93|2023
£
40,640.80
2,807.50
370.00
11,438.07
34,247.95
165.00
14.15
889.55
90,573.02
34,818.18
12.00
3,374.91
5,306.79
658.24
5,067.48
13,318.41
9,170.50
5,982.60
123.35
16,455.07
1,064.30
179.40
-
468.25
5,980.08
84.79
573.97
412.20
511.70
8,263.51
339.00
508.55
66.00
101.06
2,500.00
70.75
81,359.99
127.07
10,000.00
(914.04)
36,857.65
35,943.61|2022
£
38,931.10
14,847.40
-
12,085.67
28,879.51
55.00
-
378.73|
|---|---|---|---|
||||95,177.41
31,336.27
2,828.52
3,012.67
11,032.51
15,276.45
793.89
179.40
7,562.74
366.92
1,119.40
-
50.00
2,000.00
63.38|
||10,103.39
6,253.80
97.88|||
||147.80
320.45|||
||||75,622.15
-
8,000.00|
||||11,555.26|
||||25,302.39|
||||36,857.65|
Page 4
## Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for year ending 31st December 2023
|2023
£
**PASTORAL CARE FUND**
Balance 1st January
898.80
Transfer from General fund
127.07
Interest
24.13
1,050.00
Gifts & Loans
50.00
Balance 31st December
1,000.00
**BUILDING MAINTENANCE FUND**
Balance 1st January
123.63
Transfer from General fund
10,000.00
Insurance claim - wall repairs
28,208.80
Interest
-
38,332.43
Expenditure - General
790.18
Church & Halls boiler maintenance
805.00
Fire safety inspection
416.50
Roofing repairs
820.58
Electrical reports & repairs
2,869.39
Quinquenial inspection
-
Wall collapse repairs
21,921.00
Manse front door & gate
2,038.00
Balance 31st December
8,671.78
**ORGAN FUND**
Balance 1st January
12,183.58
Donations
-
Interest
294.05
12,477.63
Expenditure - tuning
325.00
blower maintenance
228.96
Balance 31st December
11,923.67
**LEGACIES FUND**
Balance 1st January
69,165.40
Legacies
3,000.00
Interest
1,669.22
73,834.62
Reserves (transfer to General fund)
-
Balance 31st December
73,834.62|2022
£
1,035.93
-
11.87|
|---|---|
||1,047.80
149.00|
||898.80|
||754.17
8,000.00
2,280.00
-|
||11,034.17
1,368.14
1,447.60
-
-
-
1,440.00
6,654.80
-|
||123.63|
||13,062.87
-
154.87|
||13,217.74
-
1,034.16|
||12,183.58|
||68,322.01
-
843.39|
||69,165.40
-|
||69,165.40|
Page 5
## Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for the year ending 31st December 2023
|**BADMINTON CLUB**
Balance 1st January
Income - Subscriptions
Expenditure - shuttles & sundries
Donation to General fund
Balance 31st December
**DONATIONS FUND**(see notes on page 8)
Balance 1st January (2022 donations)
Donations received
Gift Aid claimed
Pension deficit donation
General fund donations
Donations 2022 (Paid in 2023)
Donations Paid 2023
Anniversary Offering (windows & painting)
Balance 31st December
**OUTREACH & MINISTRY FUND**
Balance 1st January
Interest
Transfer to General fund
Balance 31st December
**FLOWER FUND**
Balance 1st January
Contributions
Interest
Expenditure
Balance 31st December|2023
£
597.73
558.10
1,155.83
50.07
500.00
605.76
1,457.44
8,106.80
1,485.96
-
2,500.00
13,550.20
1,457.44
12,092.76
-
-
14,436.56
344.17
14,780.73
-
14,780.73
467.07
768.09
-
1,235.16
885.23
349.93|2022
£
258.06
552.00|
|---|---|---|
|||810.06
12.33
200.00|
|||597.73|
|||1,818.42
8,423.26
1,588.48
420.00
2,000.00|
|||14,250.16
1,818.42
8,694.30
2,280.00|
|||1,457.44|
|||14,260.52
176.04|
|||14,436.56
-|
|||14,436.56|
|||339.87
590.00
-|
|||929.87
462.80|
|||467.07|
Page 6
## Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
## FUND ACTIVITIES for the year ending 31st December 2023
|**STONDON CHAPEL FUND**
Income
Offerings
Income tax recovered
Donations
Grants
Coffee mornings & fund raising
Lettings
Other income (Harvest & Christmas appeals)
Interest
Expenditure
Preaching fees
Standing charges - Heat & light
1,107.02
Water
153.66
Building - Maintenance
845.20
Cleaning
800.04
Projects
-
Insurance, fire extinguishers
1,062.91
Music licence
Outreach & publicity
Training
Equipment
Donations -
Home Mission
500.00
BMS
500.00
Baptist Twinning Israel
800.00
MAF
650.00
Appeals
173.00
Sundries
DEFICIT/SURPLUS FOR YEAR
BALANCE 1st JANUARY
BALANCE 31st DECEMBER|**STONDON CHAPEL FUND**
Income
Offerings
Income tax recovered
Donations
Grants
Coffee mornings & fund raising
Lettings
Other income (Harvest & Christmas appeals)
Interest
Expenditure
Preaching fees
Standing charges - Heat & light
1,107.02
Water
153.66
Building - Maintenance
845.20
Cleaning
800.04
Projects
-
Insurance, fire extinguishers
1,062.91
Music licence
Outreach & publicity
Training
Equipment
Donations -
Home Mission
500.00
BMS
500.00
Baptist Twinning Israel
800.00
MAF
650.00
Appeals
173.00
Sundries
DEFICIT/SURPLUS FOR YEAR
BALANCE 1st JANUARY
BALANCE 31st DECEMBER|2023
£
8,616.10
955.00
-
-
-
1,775.27
601.09
1,403.73
13,351.19
2,074.40
304.79
868.63
1,260.68
411.00
736.08
-
1,017.55
2,708.15
223.44
10.00
-
471.83
500.00
500.00
800.00
-
832.50
2,623.00
-
9,371.50
3,979.69
59,282.31
63,262.00|2022
£
9,120.53
1,603.75
738.00
-
-
1,250.00
745.00
588.07|
|---|---|---|---|
||||14,045.35
1,208.50
1,173.42
2,164.63
209.05
-
-
143.88
2,632.50
50.00|
||845.20
800.04
-
1,062.91|||
||500.00
500.00
800.00
650.00
173.00|||
|||||
||||7,581.98|
||||6,463.37|
||||52,818.94|
||||59,282.31|
Page 7
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
|**DONATIONS FUND**
Home Mission
BMS
Birthday Scheme
Operation Agri
CTH PHASE
Regents Park Baptist College
European Baptist Fed - Ukraine
Stand-by-me
CTH PHASE
Christian Aid Gaza Appeal
Medical Aid for Palestine
Spurgeons Child Care
Garden House Hospice
versus Arthritis
Christian Aid
Other Donations 2022
Total:|2023
2022
Notes (for 2023)
£
£
2,431.25
2,624.38
see note 1
2,146.22
2,284.63
see note 2
225.00
217.50
1,236.07
1,148.56
Harvest offerings
1,800.00
1,700.00
donation from General Fund
400.00
300.00
donation from General Fund
1,130.00
-
Church Anniversary
512.11
-
Rock Choir Concert
110.00
-
Canada Evening
480.00
-
Orpheus Choir Concert
454.70
-
Advent Fair
570.00
619.41
Appeal (and Card sorting 2022)
236.45
86.40
Carol service
219.65
-
Christmas Card sorting
141.31
138.25
Christmas Day Service
734.86
No Direct Comparisons
12,092.76
9,853.99
Note 4|
|---|---|
Notes (for 2023):
1. includes £300.00 Church Donation; £1,720.00 Gift Day; £411.25 gift aid
2. includes £14.97 BMS Globes £1,720.00 Gift Day; £411.25 gift aid
3. gift aid is claimed wherever possible; Total claimed on donations £1,485.96
4. the total donations are equivalent to approximately 13% of the church income
Other notes:
- i) 2023 Mission Gift Day total was £4,262.50 (including £822.50 gift aid)
- ii) 2022 Mission Gift Day total was £4,408.75 (including £858.75 gift aid)
Page 8
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
## **Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31st December 2023**
|Current assets
CAF bank -
Cash account
CAF bank -
Gold account
Baptist Union -
Deposit account
Nat West bank -
Badminton Club
Santander UK Plc - Stondon Chapel
Baptist Union -
Deposit account
Total at bank and in hand
Prepaid insurance
Lettings
Total assets
Current liabilities
Payroll Liabilities
Sundry Creditors
Net assets over liabilities
Unrestricted Funds
General fund
Pastoral care fund
Flower fund
Building maintenance fund
Organ maintenance fund
Badminton Club
Donations fund
Legacies fund
Outreach & Ministry fund
Stondon chapel fund
Total funds
Sundry debtors|2023
£
14,364.29
27,870.86
100,845.21
605.76
13,285.29
49,976.71
206,948.12
4,794.00
250.00
211,992.12
1,587.52
32.50
1,620.02
210,372.10
35,943.61
1,000.00
349.93
8,671.78
11,923.67
605.76
-
73,834.62
14,780.73
63,262.00
210,372.10|2022
£
19,705.44
12,604.46
97,933.73
597.73
20,709.33
38,572.98|
|---|---|---|
|||190,123.67
4,463.50
883.00|
|||195,470.17
-|
|||195,470.17|
|||36,857.65
898.80
467.07
123.63
12,183.58
597.73
1,457.44
69,165.40
14,436.56
59,282.31|
|||195,470.17|
Page 9
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
Notes to the Accounts
ReseNes Poli
Ttlehouse Street Baptist Church has a reseNes p)licy which is to retain a minimum of
three months expenditure in the General Fund.
These accounts have been prepared on a'receSpts and payments, basis and accord
with Section 133 Charities Act 2011
Insured Value of A55ets held for Ch rch,
Property - The Church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following, the
legal title to which Is held by the Baptist Union Corporation..
Church premises
Manse
ston¢knn premises
5,130,560
291,841
550,471
5,972,872
Other -
Organ, Pianos, Fixtures, FittSngs and Equlpment
Manse fixtures & fittings
Stondon, Pianos, etc.
151,440
28,256
91,746
6 244,314
The Accounts arKI Statement of Assets and Liabilities set out on Pages I to 10 relating to the
year endlng 31 December 2023 are as approved by the Trust$
Treasurer
Date
Page 10
Ind6nd&t examinee5 reportto the tTUStees of Tilehouse stet Baplist Church
I report on the acc4)unts ofthe Charty forthe year ended 31 Decembar 2023. which are set out
on pages 1 to 10.
Respective responsibilibes of trustees and examiner
Th6 chaty's bwstees are responsible forthe preparaknn ofthe accounts. The ¢hailS tNst&es
COn5Klerthat an audit ts not required for this yaar undersection 144 of the Chaithes Act 2011 (the
Charities Act) and that an independent exatTunation is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 ofthe Chafities ACL
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Dlrectlons given by the Charity
Commlssion under section 14515)Ib) ofthe Chaiibes Act and
to state whether particular mattets have come to my attention.
Basls of Independent examiners r8POrt
My examination was canied out in accordan¢e with the general OiTections gwen by the Char
Commission. An examination includes a review ofthe accounting records kept by the charity and
comparison of tt)e accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of
unusual items or dlsclosures In the accounts, arKI seektng explanations from you as trustses
conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that
would ts required in an audti and consequendy no opinion is gtven as to whether the accounts
present a 'true and fair view, and the report Is litntted to those matters set out in the statement
below.
Independent examin8Vs ststemè#t
In connaction with my examination, no matter has come to my attenlion..
(1) which gsves me reasonable cause to believe that In any matetial Spec1th8 requirements..
to keep 8ccounting reconfjs in accordance section 130 ofthe Charittes Act and
trj prepare accounts which acco with the accounting records and compty wllh the
accouriting requirements of the Chaiities Acl
have not been met. or
(2) to whlch. in my oplnion, attention should be drawrt in order to enable a proper undending
of the accounts to be reachad.
Name:
eLS I
Address:
Signwj:
Tilehouse Street Ba
tist Church
Accounts for the Year 1. Janua
TSBC
Inde
endent Examinatlon of
2023 to 31° December 2023
The examination followed the directions as per the Charity Commission's
recommendations for accounts maintained on a 'receipt and payment. basis.
Direction 1 Eli
ibilit for Inde
ent examination.
I checked the www.gov.uk website section on charity accounts independent
examination to ensure that l am eligible to cary out an examination.
Accounts show total receipts for the year of £120,175, and net assets of
£210,372. This puts TSBC abov8 the £25,000 threshold where ex8mination is
required, but below the £250,000 incomel £3,260,000 assets threshold where an
examination by a professionally qualrfied person, or full audit is required.
Receipt amount includes Stondon Chapel receipts, a subsidiary of TSBC.
Direction 2 - Dixumentation
I have a letter of appointment from Janet Impey (former treasurer) dated 17
September 2009 stating that I have been unanimously appointed by the
members of TSBC. I have confimied that the minutes ofthe AGM on 16 March
2023 show that it was agreed that I be appointed for year 2023.
I have copied and will keep for 6 years the financial statement, balance sheet
and general account P&L. I will keep a copy of both this wotl(ing report 8nd the
summary report.
Direction 3 - Understandin
TSBC
I have a copy of the Constitutbjn for TSBC dated November 2CQ9. 1 have looked
through this and in particular sectlon 26 wnich relate¢J to Record Keeping and
Accounting. I have not seen anything that goes against the directions in the
constitution.
I have talked generally with the current and fomier treasurer and one of the
Church Deacons. This is now the fourteenth year I have been doing the
independent examination, and I feel I have an understanding of the organisation
and finances of TSBC.
Direction 4 - Accountin
Records
The accounts Sre kept in a clear, organised and detailed manner. The financial
statement is presented in summary fonn with supporting documentation showing
individual transaction details. Proc8dures in Direction 5 wll verify whether or not
the accounts are reasonably complete.
Direction 5 -
om
arison of Accounts with Accountin
Records
I first checked the statement of assets and liabilit18s in the financial report with
the 31 DeTrmber balance shee¢ these are in agreement.
I looked for independent supporting documentation of the major assets in the
balance sheet. End of year bank statements show these figures to be 8ccurate.
The smsller funds (Friday club, badminton club and sunshine committee) we
accepted wthout detailed verification.
I checked that the opening balances for all accounts are the same as the closing
balances of the same accounts in the copy for the 2022 financial report that I
r8tained for my records.
S checked the movement of funds during the year, and that the balance sheet
value for th8 end of 2022 plus receipts for 2023 less payments and current
liabilities for 2023 equalled the balance sheet Value for end of 2023.
Direction 6- Anal tical Procedures
Examination of the income shows a very similar level of income beeen 2023
and 2022. There were some variations in lettings income (up) and donations
income (down). Expenditure was slightly more than 2022 made up of small
diff8r8nces in most of the expenditure headings.
l also checked random payments to ensure there were invoices to support them.
Direction 10- Examinerfs Re
ort
I have signe(l a copy of the summary examiners repon as I r)elieve the
accounting requirements have been met. Dated 4 March 2024.
Matters of Material Si
nificance
I have not found any matters of m8terial significants that need to have attention
drawn to them.
Ind6nd&t examinee5 reportto the tTUStees of Tilehouse stet Baplist Church
I report on the acc4)unts ofthe Charty forthe year ended 31 Decembar 2023. which are set out
on pages 1 to 10.
Respective responsibilibes of trustees and examiner
Th6 chaty's bwstees are responsible forthe preparaknn ofthe accounts. The ¢hailS tNst&es
COn5Klerthat an audit ts not required for this yaar undersection 144 of the Chaithes Act 2011 (the
Charities Act) and that an independent exatTunation is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 ofthe Chafities ACL
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Dlrectlons given by the Charity
Commlssion under section 14515)Ib) ofthe Chaiibes Act and
to state whether particular mattets have come to my attention.
Basls of Independent examiners r8POrt
My examination was canied out in accordan¢e with the general OiTections gwen by the Char
Commission. An examination includes a review ofthe accounting records kept by the charity and
comparison of tt)e accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of
unusual items or dlsclosures In the accounts, arKI seektng explanations from you as trustses
conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that
would ts required in an audti and consequendy no opinion is gtven as to whether the accounts
present a 'true and fair view, and the report Is litntted to those matters set out in the statement
below.
Independent examin8Vs ststemè#t
In connaction with my examination, no matter has come to my attenlion..
(1) which gsves me reasonable cause to believe that In any matetial Spec1th8 requirements..
to keep 8ccounting reconfjs in accordance section 130 ofthe Charittes Act and
trj prepare accounts which acco with the accounting records and compty wllh the
accouriting requirements of the Chaiities Acl
have not been met. or
(2) to whlch. in my oplnion, attention should be drawrt in order to enable a proper undending
of the accounts to be reachad.
Name:
eLS I
Address:
Signwj:
Tilehouse Street Ba
tist Church
Accounts for the Year 1. Janua
TSBC
Inde
endent Examinatlon of
2023 to 31° December 2023
The examination followed the directions as per the Charity Commission's
recommendations for accounts maintained on a 'receipt and payment. basis.
Direction 1 Eli
ibilit for Inde
ent examination.
I checked the www.gov.uk website section on charity accounts independent
examination to ensure that l am eligible to cary out an examination.
Accounts show total receipts for the year of £120,175, and net assets of
£210,372. This puts TSBC abov8 the £25,000 threshold where ex8mination is
required, but below the £250,000 incomel £3,260,000 assets threshold where an
examination by a professionally qualrfied person, or full audit is required.
Receipt amount includes Stondon Chapel receipts, a subsidiary of TSBC.
Direction 2 - Dixumentation
I have a letter of appointment from Janet Impey (former treasurer) dated 17
September 2009 stating that I have been unanimously appointed by the
members of TSBC. I have confimied that the minutes ofthe AGM on 16 March
2023 show that it was agreed that I be appointed for year 2023.
I have copied and will keep for 6 years the financial statement, balance sheet
and general account P&L. I will keep a copy of both this wotl(ing report 8nd the
summary report.
Direction 3 - Understandin
TSBC
I have a copy of the Constitutbjn for TSBC dated November 2CQ9. 1 have looked
through this and in particular sectlon 26 wnich relate¢J to Record Keeping and
Accounting. I have not seen anything that goes against the directions in the
constitution.
I have talked generally with the current and fomier treasurer and one of the
Church Deacons. This is now the fourteenth year I have been doing the
independent examination, and I feel I have an understanding of the organisation
and finances of TSBC.
Direction 4 - Accountin
Records
The accounts Sre kept in a clear, organised and detailed manner. The financial
statement is presented in summary fonn with supporting documentation showing
individual transaction details. Proc8dures in Direction 5 wll verify whether or not
the accounts are reasonably complete.
Direction 5 -
om
arison of Accounts with Accountin
Records
I first checked the statement of assets and liabilit18s in the financial report with
the 31 DeTrmber balance shee¢ these are in agreement.
I looked for independent supporting documentation of the major assets in the
balance sheet. End of year bank statements show these figures to be 8ccurate.
The smsller funds (Friday club, badminton club and sunshine committee) we
accepted wthout detailed verification.
I checked that the opening balances for all accounts are the same as the closing
balances of the same accounts in the copy for the 2022 financial report that I
r8tained for my records.
S checked the movement of funds during the year, and that the balance sheet
value for th8 end of 2022 plus receipts for 2023 less payments and current
liabilities for 2023 equalled the balance sheet Value for end of 2023.
Direction 6- Anal tical Procedures
Examination of the income shows a very similar level of income beeen 2023
and 2022. There were some variations in lettings income (up) and donations
income (down). Expenditure was slightly more than 2022 made up of small
diff8r8nces in most of the expenditure headings.
l also checked random payments to ensure there were invoices to support them.
Direction 10- Examinerfs Re
ort
I have signe(l a copy of the summary examiners repon as I r)elieve the
accounting requirements have been met. Dated 4 March 2024.
Matters of Material Si
nificance
I have not found any matters of m8terial significants that need to have attention
drawn to them.