**Three Counties Baptist Church - TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31[st] December 2022** The Trustees are pleased to submit this Annual Report. Constitution - Three Counties Baptist Church (Camberley in Surrey, Alton and Sherfield on Loddon in Hampshire) was constituted as a charity in its own right in 2008. The three congregations share a constitution and were configured to operate as one church, one membership and share one purse. This is a ‘voluntary partnership’. This partnership has become more problematic to maintain as there are more demands on a dwindling income. ## The charity number is **1142851** The ‘Three Counties’ constitution sets out the principles by which the Church is organised and managed and is based on the Baptist Union’s model constitution available at the time of the charity’s creation. Separate trust deeds contain provisions governing the church buildings and property. These are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd. At the time of writing Three Counties Baptist church consists of three church buildings and two houses. The two houses belong to Camberley Baptist Church. The Church is managed by the Minister(s) and Deacons who are also the Trustees. Deacons are appointed by the members of the Church for a three-year term which is renewable. As from 2016 - after two three year terms candidates must take at least one year out of office before seeking re-election. The election of Deacons and Officers are carried out locally and then affirmed at the AGM. ## **Leadership Team -** Minister(s) and Deacons (Trustees) + Treasurer *Minister - Rev Richard Lane (2014) *Deacon - Mr Geoff Belsham (2021) - Sherfield on Loddon *Deacon - Mr Graham Locke (2022) - Alton *Deacon - Mrs Dorothy Franklin (2022) - Camberley *Deacon - Mr Wreford Buttle (2023) - Camberley In 2016 it was decided to form a ‘Treasury Team’. This was agreed by the Church and the Treasury Team consists of: Mrs Anne Lane – Computer / online banking Mr Wreford Buttle – Leadership contact / Counting and Banking Minister(s) - Rev Richard Lane (appointed in 2014) *The church is led by the Minister and Deacons = ‘Leadership Team’. Objectives and activities of the Church: The church has continued its ministry of ‘Making Jesus known’ to the local area. The church runs, or hosts, activities covering a full range of ages. The church commits to give a minimum of 10% of unrestricted income to activities outside of Three Counties Baptist Church. This money is used to support local, national and international needs. **Public Benefit -** The Trustees have considered the guidance provided by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit and the work of the charity. Training of Deacons - On appointment Trustees are given an induction pack to explain the duties and responsibilities of Trustees. Where a Deacon's role carries specific responsibilities, training is provided as necessary. All Deacons must undertake Child Protection training and Vulnerable Adults training carried out by SCBA. All Deacons are required to have a DBS check. (other members of the three congregations, where necessary, will also undertake this training and DBS checking) Decision making process within the Charity - The decision of the church meeting is final. Proposals for action are brought to the church meeting for discussion, prayer and progression. An informal budget is agreed by the church meeting. **Finance -** The Trustees give thanks to God for the financial provision through His people to enable the work of the church to continue. The church reviews the major risks to which the church is exposed on an annual basis. The church has general funds of about £130,000 to be able to continue its ministry. The church always aims to retain about £30000 from these general funds as reserves to fulfil its obligations as an employer and to cover any unforeseen costs. Income for 2022 was **£78,636.00** Expenditure for 2022 was **£65,743.00** The total ‘surplus’ for 2022 was in the region of **£13,000** Any additional funds above the reserves level are retained for future spending and will be used to enhance the mission of the church, upgrade the facilities or develop the church's premises. Reserves are held to ensure we meet all of our obligations. ## **Year highlights:** Each of the fellowships have provided a resume and these are attached. These reports are very much of a reduced nature due to the knock-on effects of Covid! ## Accounts: The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Charity regulations and in particular the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2015 FRSSE version). Organisations, Bankers, Independent Examiners - Banks - Nat West and HSBC Baptist Union Corporation (Investment Account) Accountant - Mr Philip Nixon of Edwin Smith Chartered Accountants, 32 Queens Road. Reading. RG1 4AU Approved on behalf of the Trustees on October 31[st] 2023 Signed on behalf of the Trustees Richard Lane (Rev) Fellowship News 2022: ## **~ ALTON BAPTIST CHURCH Report for 2022** The work of the church, is witnessing to Jesus Christ, holding worship services and small group meetings for fellowship and teaching. Service attendees vary from 9 to 3, average about 6. Membership remains at seven. We have continued to send e-Services each week via email to about 30 people and publish them on the ABC website making them available to a wider audience. We receive a couple of prayer requests a month via the website, most from overseas. Since the first lockdown in March 2020 other activities such as evening services and small group meetings have been suspended. Alcoholics Anonymous use our building for their weekly Alton meeting. We also have two ukulele groups and a guitar group run by church members. Alton United Charities (Gill Thorne) rent the room for their board meetings. The church was open on September 10[th] to welcome visitors taking part in Ride & Stride, a fund raising activity of Hampshire & the Islands Historic Churches Trust. We used this time to give the church a good clean and a few maintenance jobs. We had a couple of events before Christmas, with a musical evening with the Stringalongs ukulele group and a Songs of Christian Praise evening service. We have had several visitors, but none have come more than a couple of times. We had a couple – Lynne & Ollie Footit start attending regularly from October 2021, but unfortunately Ollie had a second stroke in March and they have not been able to come since. They have just moved to sheltered housing in Aldershot so we do not expect to have them attend again. Peter Wallace moved to a Dementia ward in March 2021, realistically we do not expect him to attend again. Graham Locke was admitted to hospital after a fall at home in mid-August. He has been in and out of hospital since then and unable to attend church. The Alton Town Mayor – Ginny Boxall – is a regular attendee and Robin is her official Mayor’s chaplain. We are still managing to run our services, with a preaching team reduced to Robin Hamilton-Jones, Stuart Hunter and John Honeybourne, and do our own maintenance of the building and garden. Jane Tucker has been looking after the garden. **- Camberley Baptist Church Report for 2022** CBC’s Sunday numbers, like most other churches, fluctuate. CBC has had a number of people ‘come to have a look’. Some of the renters of the premises have not returned and some have re-negotiated their terms! Thursday Chess Club – have moved to more appropriate / flexible premises HomeStart continue to have their offices here as does Robin Joyner finance. And while their rents are under review there is one thing that is certain and that is that the ‘energy’ dimension of their rent will have to increase substantially. We wait to see the outcome of that rise. During 2022 we managed to keep their rent at the same levels We sadly report the following deaths: **Colin Phillips** – 16/ 1 /2022 **Sheila Simmonds** – 14 / 5 / 2022 For 2022 - Betty Blackall is in a home in Woking Mary Rigby is home; Ernie is in home; Sylvia Phillips is unwell **SHERFIELD on LODDON BAPTIST CHAPEL – 2022** For Breach Lane Chapel, this year has been a time of maintaining existing services in challenging times. As with the pervious year, the following has taken place: - - Morning services every Sunday. - Candlelight Christmas carol service - Attendance at the village fete with our own stall. - Three fellowship meals - The chapel has been open 6 days a week for quiet prayer and contemplation. Sadly, in 2022, we were impacted by several of our fellowship choosing to leave us as a group without prior notice or warning. Amidst the sadness of such an event, we know that the Lord is with us always and in so doing requires us to be steadfast and faithful, to wait upon the Lord and see what happens next. In 2023, we have seen the Lord working within our fellowship with positive results. We continue to be supported financially by Three Counties Baptist Church for which we give thanks. Without this support, we would face significant challenges. February 2024 will be the centenary of the current building and we plan to celebrate this occasion. **THREE COUNTIES BAPTIST CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022** Charity registration number: 1142851 ## **THREE COUNTIES BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** ## **Report of the independent examiner to the trustees and members of Three Counties Baptist Church** I report on the receipts and payments accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2022. ## _Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner_ As the Church's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of s144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under s145 of the Act and to state, on the basis of the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under s145(5)(b) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## _Basis of independent examiner's report_ My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Church and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as deacons 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 s130 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 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. Philip J Nixon, FCA of Edwin Smith Chartered Accountants 32 Queens Road Reading Berks. RG1 4AU Date: October 2023 Charity registration number: 1142851 **THREE COUNTIES BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022** |RECEIPTS
Offerings
Donations
Other income
Income tax reclaimed
Interest
Rental income and use of premises
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Charitable expenditure
Ministry
Expenses
Accommodation
General expenses
Building maintenance
Grants to other causes
Management and administration
Accountancy
Independent Examiner's fee
Office, print and postage
Equipment and maintenance
TOTAL PAYMENTS
NET OF RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS)
CASH FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
CASH FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD|Unrestricted
Funds
£
36,733
0
855
9,055
1,294
30,512
78,449
35,698
3,372
12,699
4,167
6,480
62,416
270
918
226
2,440
3,854
66,270
12,179
118,873
131,052|Restricted
Funds
£
10
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
120
130|2022
Total
£
36,743
0
855
9,055
1,294
30,512
78,459
35,698
3,372
12,699
4,167
6,480
62,416
270
918
226
2,440
3,854
66,270
12,189
118,993
131,182|2021
Total
£
33,131
0
0
9,262
1,048
23,727| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||67,168| |||||33,149
3,352
10,365
4,147
9,435| |||||60,448| |||||0
0
343
769| |||||1,112| |||||61,560| |||||5,608
113,385| |||||118,993| Charity registration number: 1142851 - 1 - **THREE COUNTIES BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2022** |Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
CASH FUNDS
131,182
OTHER MONETARY ASSETS
Income tax refunds due
16,130
Prepayment
5,851
21,981
ASSETS retained for the charity's own use
at insured values
Church premises - Camberley
4,352,342
Church premises - Alton
335,232
Church premises - Sherfield
763,699
Church manse - Camberley
418,917
Church manse - H.W.
247,097
6,117,287
LIABILITIES
Creditor
2,078
2,078
**2022**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
118,993
15,943
5,314
21,257
4,352,342
335,232
763,699
418,917
247,097
6,117,287
2,088
2,088
**2021**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
118,993
15,943
5,314
21,257
4,352,342
335,232
763,699
418,917
247,097
6,117,287
2,088
2,088
**2021**| |---|---|---| |||6,117,287| |||| Signed on behalf of all the trustees Name ## Rev Richard Lane Signature Richard J Lane Date of approval: **31st October 2023** Charity registration number: 1142851 - 2 - **THREE COUNTIES BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022** ## **1) Basis of Accounts** These accounts have been prepared on the cash basis The tangible fixed assets are shown at insurance values. ## **2) Trustee and employee emoluments and expenses** Emoluments are included under ministry expenses. No remuneration or expenses were paid to trustees during the two years. ## **3) Grants to other Causes** |BMS World Mission
BU Home Mission
Besom Camberley
British Red Cross
Donations of £500 or less to 1 (2020 - 8) charities|2022
2021
2,540
4,080
2,540
4,080
650
1,200
750
0
0
75| |---|---| ||6,480
9,435| ## **4) General Expenses** |Preaching Fees
Water, gas and electricity
Cleaning etc.
Insurance
Telephones
Subscriptions
Other Expenses|2022
2021
Camberley
Alton
Sherfield
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
£
100
300
325
725
830
2,388
495
639
3,522
2,817
62
0
0
62
20
5,851
0
0
5,851
5,314
963
0
0
963
978
35
0
0
35
35
1,151
280
110
1,541
371| |---|---| ||10,550
1,075
1,074
12,699
10,365| ## **5) Building Maintenance** |Camberley - church and manse
Hartley Wintney manse
Alton
Sherfield|2022
2021
£
£
2,510
1,495
1,434
2,489
103
115
120
48| |---|---| ||4,167
4,147| Charity registration number: 1142851 - 3 -