COWES BAPTIST CHURCH
Registsred Address
Vlctoria Road
Cowes
Isle ofwight.
P0317JJ
Registered Charity No 1143075
Trustees
Mrs Judith Compton
Mrs Elaine Cherry
Mrs Tra￿Y Dancy
Mrs Carol Jennings
Mr Hamish Wilson
Mr Graham Cherry
Mrs Jacqui Spalding
Minister
Treasurer
Secretary
Deacon
Deacon
Deacon
Deacon
Property Trustees
The Baptist Union Corporation Llmited
Baptist House
129 Broadway
Didcot
Oxfordshire OX118RT
Bankers
Barclays Bank
St. James Square, Newport, l.W. P030 1 UP
CCLA Investment Management Ltd.
Independent Examinor
AHCross&Co

Annual Report for 2024
The trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for the year ended
December 312024.
Charltable Obj8Ct
The Charity is govemed by an Approved Goveming Document which states that the principal
purpose of the Church is the advanGemenl 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 lfjngdom andlor other parts of the world. The Church
occupies premises which are hekl by the Baptist Union Corporats'on Ltd as holding trustees, on
Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above objecL
Organisational Structure and Declslon maklng processas
Baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the
membership of the church. Persons seeking membership who have not been baptised in the
manner described may at the discretion of the Church Members. Meeting be ac￿pted for fijll
membership based on their own public profession of faith.
The Members. Meeting normally takes pla￿ at least quarterly and has responsibility for the
overall policy of the church. In accordan￿ with the Constitution, the members appoint
deacons, who together with the Minister. Church Secretary (if there is one) and Treasurer (who
ar8 also appointed by the Members), are the Charity Trustees. and are responsible for the day
to day running of the chU￿h'S work and witness. and the financial and legal aspects of the
charity.
Charity Trustees serve so long as they have the support of the Church Members. Meeting and
(except for those in ministerial officgs) are actively appointed and ￿appoInted at least once
every three years.
Training for Trustees is provided by both the Southem Counties Baptist Associats'on and the
Baptist Union of Great Britain, who regularfy arrange training days on financial management,
safeguarding, legal matters and other aspects of interest to the Trustees. Detailed Guidan
notes are also available from the Baptist Union vRbsite.
All members are encouraged to tske an appropriate part in the spirttual and practical tasks
involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective. Relevant matters may be submitted to
the Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance, or may be raised by members in Church
meeting for further consideration by Ihe Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to
be made at Church meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by
Gonsensus wherever possible.
Affiliations
The church is in membership with
The Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Southern Counties Baptist Association
The Evangelical Alliance
. Churches Together in Cowes

Annual Report for 2024 continued
Objectlve5 and Actlvities
In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above. the Church prowdes a variety
of activtlies both to its membership and to the ¢ommunty generally. The church's focus is set out
as follows..
"Cowes B8Ptist Church exists to honour Jesus, bringing people together, sharing facilities and
resou￿8$, growing. worshipping, praw'ng. seNlng, seeking to be the best we can. seeklng the best
for those w8 seNe°.
The Church usualty holds public serVI￿S of ChrFStian worship on Sunday momings supported by
varied music group. When necessary there are activities for babies, toddlers and children and a
thriving parent and toddler group which m*ts on Tuesday mornings. There are also various small
groups which m￿t on a regular basis.
Details of all church activities are available through the church website at
www.cowesba
tistchurch.o
Th8 church works alongside other churches in Cowes and is also active in supporting joint
initiatives such as IOW Street Pastors and School Pastors and the Isle of Wight Foodbank which
seNe vulnerable people in the wider communty.
The Church has a Safeguarding policy which is fulty compliant with the Baptist Union policies and
best pradice guidelines to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adutts are
interviewed and appropriately vetted through the Disclosure and Baring Servi￿.
The church has read the CharFty Commission guidance on public benefft, and is satlsfi•d that the
activities outlined al)ove clearfy demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
Achlevements and Perf0m￿nCe
During the last year, our core activities have been maintained, with regular Sunday moming
services. zoom prayer meetings and the establishment of several small groups. The Renew Cafa
continues to operate and is Con￿Med with people's wellbeing. In addition several groups
supporting those in need in our ¢ommunty are now using the premises on a regular basis. along
with fitness, music and dan￿ classes for chlldren and adults.
During the year membership ha5 inGreased to 36.However there are also numerous other
members of the congregation who are active in the work of the church but have not yet become
church members.

Annual Report for 2024 continued
ResenFs Pollcy
General Fund: Regular income supports the day to day activities of the church. however it has
been determined by the tnjstees that a policy of maintaining a general cash reseNe fund of
£10.000 should be adopted. This reserve will be available to cover short term reductions in income
or unexpected expenditure.
Building Fund: Funds are held for any major works on the church buildings and the manse. No
reserve figure has been set as any work needed will be carrted out as necessary.
Church I Community Worker: No reserves are required for this account. Currently this account is
not being used.
Financial Revlew
General Fund.
Income for 2024 (excluding fijnds re￿[Ved for outside causes) was £70,999 a slight decrease on
2023. However income in 2023 was inflated due to a change in the method of payment of a grant
that we receÉve from monthly to annually. so that an amount of £5879 relating to 2024 was actually
received in 2023. Taking this into account the actual increase in income was approximately 80
more modest 5Q/o. Income from hire of the premises also increased during the year.
Overall expenditure decreased by 40/0 on the previous year. This was mainly due utility bills
reducing significantly.
Taking the above into consideration, we ended the year with a surplus on the general fijnd of
£15474.14. From this £9,500 has been temporarily transferred to the Building Fund to cover the
deficit on that fund. The balance brought forward from the previous year was £65.853.04 so the
balance carried fomard at the end of 2024 was £69.827.18.
Building Fund. During 2024 our original manse continued to be rented out. The rent reoived
covered the rent payable to the Minister and made a contrtbution towards the building fund.
There was a balance of £ 5.557.96 as of 31 December 2023. During 2024 the work on the
wlndows and the damp proofing was completed, and the kitchen completely refurt)ished. The total
cost of the work was in the region of £27,300 with some minor works still to be carried out.
Donations from members and friends of the church plus other income has not completely covered
the costs. however it is anticipated that income in 2025 will cover the deficrt. A sum of £9.500 has
been temporarily transferred from the General fund to cover the deficit until the fund is back in
credit. The balance as at 31 December 2024 stands at £344.32.
Funds for the Churchlcommunlty Worker were restricted funds for the employTnent of a
Churchlcommunity Worker. The post is now vacant, and there was no income or expenditure
during 2024 The balance at the end of 2024 remains at was £15.942.40
There were no unforeseen expenses in 2024.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
.Elaine Cherry..................
On (date).-........................

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT T
THE TRUSTEES
COWES BAPTIST CHURCH
I report on the accounts of Cowes Baptist Church for the year ended
31 December 2024, whith are set out on the following 6 pages.
iveR
nsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
As the Charitys Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. YOU
consider that the audit requirement of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 I'mhe Act"} does
not apply. I report in respect of my examination of the Church accounts Garrted out under
sertion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the
appltcable Dire¢tions given by the Charty Commission under section 14515){b) of thè Act.
Basis of Inde
minerfs Re
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the
Chartty Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the a¢wunting records kept by
the Truslees and a comparison of the accounls presented with those records. 11 also
includes consideratlon of any unusual items or disclosures in the a¢￿unts. and seeking
explanations frorn you as TnFstees concerning any such matters.
The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audlt, and
onsequently I do not express an audit opinion on the vlew given by the accounts.
Inde
ndent Examinerfs Statement
I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come lo my
attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any
material respect..
1) the accounting record$ were not kept in a￿Ordance with se￿10n 130 of the Charrties
2) the accounts dld not accord with the accountlng records.. or
3} the accounts did not comply with the appIl￿ble requirements conceming the form and
content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulattons 2008
other than any requirement that the a¢¢ounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a
matter considered as part of an independerrt examination.
I have no cOn￿rnS and have come across no other matters in Connection wfth the
examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
ISHe
Chartered Accountant
A H Cross & Co Limited
16 Quay Street
Newport
Isle of Wight
P030 5BG
11 /l?."1 2)2<

COWES BAPTIST CHURCH
FINANCIAL STATEME￿ FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER2024
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVnlES 2024
General Building Toddlcts
Fund
Fund
Chur¢h
Community
Worker
Totsl
2024
I'othl
2023
Receipts
DoftatiOllS
lllvestment Income
Other Sources of Income
62,513.62 7.830.50
i.?21.51
5.687.75 19.277.70 1.448.46
70J44.12
3321.51
26,413.91
69.378
2.28)
24.439
71522.88 27 108.20 1.448.46
0.00 079.54
Payments
Church Activities
Given to other
auses
46,IYJ9.51
1.182.71
47,282.22
48,613
113.34
3.8J5.89
6.113.34
).835.89
41,821,84
7205
3,536
17.906
Manag¢m¢nt & Administration
R¢nVmaintenance
41,821.84
56.048.74 41821.84 1 182.71
0.00 99.053.29
Surplus for the
15.474.14 -14,713.64
265.75
0.00
1.026.25
18,840
Balance blf 111124
Transfer from
General fund to
BLsilding fund
Balance c/f 31112124
63.853.04 5.557.96 1,233.42 15.942.40 86.586.82
67,747
-9 500.00 9.500.(xI
69827.18
344.32 1.499.17 15.942.40 87.613.07
86,587

COWES BAPTIST CHURCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
GENERAL FUND RECEIvfs AIYD PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
Note
2024
2023
Recelpts
Offerings
Donations and other incom¢
Income tax recovered on gifts
Bank Intcrcst
Contributions for us¢ of premises
Sub Total
44.104.17
8,969.19
&916.34
3.321.51
5 687.75
70.998.96
41,041
15,687
8246
2,284
4.019
71,277
Raised for other causes
523.92
71.522.88
2,143
Payments
Ministy
Upkeep of church premises
Given to other causes
Administration
Outreach
37.234.82
8,521.56
6.113.34
3,835.89
343.L3
56.048.74
33.955
12.315
7.205
3,536
1.206
Surplusl Deficit for tbe y¢ar
Trallsfer to Building Fund
Balance brought foThard Iiir24
Balance carried forward 31112r24
15874.14
-9JOO.(KI
63.853.04
15203

COWES BApfIsT CHURCH: NOTES TO THE ACCOiJNTS
l. Basis of aecounts: Th¢5e accounts have been prepared on a'receipts and payments, b&sis and
accord with S.42(3) charities act 1993 { Amended by section 28 of the Charities Act 2006)
2024
2023
2.Donation$ and other ineome
Donations
176.05
7410.84
343.00
423
13,718
200
500
306
450
90
15.687
HIWCF 202412025
Funeral Donations
SCBA Hcating Grant
Church Meal
Christmas Tree (2 year5)
Other
377.50
650.00
11.80
8 969.19
3. Raised for other causes
Baptist Missionary Society
Op Agri (BMS Harvest )
Curins ( Latin Link)
Toilet Twinning
R Wcst
Compassion FirsrfAndrew & Dira)
Christma5 Hampers
Youth Club { in tncrnory of A Leigh)
Sireet Pastors
Frontline
11.33
376.75
780
200
98
35
10
205
290
200
320
20.00
115.84
523.92
4. Ministry
Ministers Stipend
Pension
Trdvel
Visiting Speakers
Manse Upkeep - Council Tax
Insurance
Water
28,599.96
3,631.24
459.50
300.00
2.842.24
592.88
809.00
37,234.82
26,500
3.375
135
300
2,712
531
402

COWES BAPTIST CHURCH: PIOTES TO THE
ACCOUNTS
2024
5. Upkeep of Church Premises
Lighting & Healing
Cleaning
Irtsurance
Water
Repair & Maintcnance
Equipment
2023
3,584.3J
829.91
2,222.93
538.34
1.346.07
7.897
130
2,173
456
1,61l
48
11315
8,521.56
6. Given To Other Caus&s
Home Mission
Baptist Missionary Society
Op Agri ( BMS 2023) Harvest
Toilet Twinning
Latin Link ( R Gardner)
Compassion First l Andrew & Dira)
Youth For Christ
Frontline
OMF
Street P&stors (￿1Z
Benevolent
1,776.00
1.926.00
376.75
1.680
1,680
780
124
800
609
180
400
600
21K)
152
7.205
640.00
614.59
180.00
600.00
6.113.34
7. Adminlstration
Printing & Stationery, B¢)oks et¢.
Telephone
Subscriptions & Conference Fees
Payroll Fees
Independent Examin¢r
Zoom Feeslwebsite
CCLI
Mobile Phone
Catering
Church Meal
Other
732.28
156.00
986.38
210.00
150.00
278.01
384.72
243.18
198.79
377.00
119.53
3835.89
834
876
192
150
183
366
253
217
306
15
3.536
8. Outreach
Christm&8 BookietslGifts
Hampers
ChTiStmas Tree ILigbts
W¢star Worship
82.29
115.84
145.00
45
203
623
335
343.13

BUILDING FUND RECEIVTS AND PAViklENTS AccOu￿r
2024
Receipts
Donations
Manse Rent ( Baring Rd)
2023
7,830.50
19,200.00
77.70
27,108.20
2,260
19.21XJ
Payments
Architects Fees ( Church)
Rent ( Crossfield Ave)
Rental ExpenseslRepairs
Church Windows
Damp proofing
Kitchcn plasterintydttorating
Kitchen Floor
PlumbinyJBoiler
Kit¢hen units/applian¢¢s
Electrics
Lounge Kitchen / Roott2023)
Other
21.460
204
12.000
1,842
2,814
12.000.00
2,525.79
6.565.00
4.680.1)0
1,430.00
2,116.10
3216.00
8,520.45
421.36
49.88
297.26
1.000
46
41,821.84
-14,713.64
5,557.96
9,500.00
344.32
17.906
3,554
Balance brought fonvard Iiir24
Transfcr from Gencral Fund
Balanc¢ Carried fonvard 31112r24
5.558
CHURCH I COMfvtUNITY WORKER RECEIvfs AND PAYMENfs AccouNr
Balan¢e bywd Iiir2024
15,942.40
15.942
Balance c/fwd 3111212024
15,942.40
15.942
TODDLERS RECEivfs AND PA YMENTS ACCOUNT
2024
2023
Receipts
Fees
1448.46
1.448.46
1,219
Payments
Running Expenses
1.182.71
82
1.151
Balance brought forward i/ir24
BaEance carried forward 31112r24
1233.42
1.499.17

COWES BAPTIST CHURCH
STATEEVIENf OF ASSETS AND LIABILrriES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
ASSETS
2024
2023
Barclays Cu￿ent account
Barclays Deposit Account
COIF Deposit Account
Petty cash
ToddI￿S petty cash
6,465.01
18.171.99
62.808.08
27.97
140.02
87.613.07
4.456
22,091
59,747
37
255
86.586
Representing balances ort the following
accounts
General Fund
Building Fund
Church / Community Worker
Toddlers
69.827.18
344.32
15.942.40
1,499.17
87.613.07
63.853
5.558
15,942
1.233
86.586
Non-monetary Assets
The church is the beneficial owner ( subject to tbe relevant trusts) of the following assets. tbe
legal title to which is held by the church's custodian trusfre [the Baptist Union co￿oration Ltd].
chU￿h Premises [Insured value]
Church Manse [In5ured value]
The church also owns fiX￿r¢s, ￿mIt￿re and
equipment with an insured value of
2.208.123
379.249
132,930
2,720.302
The accounts and statemcnt of assets and liabilities set out on pages I to 6 r¢lating to the year
endin8 31 December 2024 are approved by the tntstees.
Judith Compton tMinister]
lainc Chery [Treasurer]