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2024-12-31-accounts

Whaddon Way Church Annual Report 2024

Contents

Trustees’ Report .................................................................................................................... 3 Administrator’s report ............................................................................................................ 4 Outreach Ministries ............................................................................................................... 5 Children’s and Young People’s Church ................................................................................... 6 Maintenance and Infrastructure Group ................................................................................... 7 Pastoral Ministry Group ........................................................................................................ 8 Healing Prayer Ministry Group .............................................................................................. 8 Home Groups ...................................................................................................................... 8 Missions Supported ............................................................................................................. 8 Financial Review .................................................................................................................. 9 Reference and Administrative Details ................................................................................... 11 Charity Structure, Governance and Management .................................................................. 12 Accounts ............................................................................................................................. 14 Independent Examiner’s Report ........................................................................................... 16

Trustees’ Report

The year started by learning that the church had been unsuccessful in a grant application to the Oxford Diocese that had been made to ensure the continued funding of the minister’s post and the creation of a youth worker. Although the church finances would have been sufficient to continue to fund the minister for a further two or three years, sadly, after much thought and prayer, Rev. Peter Landry felt called to look elsewhere and in February 2024 he advised the church that he would be leaving to take up a post in Australia. Peter and his family left in mid-August 2024. During his two and a half years as our Minister, Peter and Megan Landry had made a huge contribution to the life of Whaddon Way church. We wish him and his family every blessing in their new life.

Peter continued his ministry until the end of July 2024 with his special evening teaching series for those who were interested in a deeper understanding of aspects of faith. These were enjoyed by those who attended. Peter also ensured that rotas were in place up until Christmas to give church members some time to adjust to the period of inter-regnum.

WWC’s relationship with St Mary’s continued throughout this time with the Chair of Trustees, sitting on the St Mary’s PCC and a member of St Mary’s, Chris Hayter, sitting as a nonvoting member on the WWC trustees. Chris’s has bought her insight and encouragement to WWC Trustees’ meetings and her contribution has been very welcome.

After Peter Landry and his family left for his new position in Australia, our Maintenance and Infrastructure Group continued to carry out much needed refurbishment of the manse to ensure that it is fit for use by the next incumbent.

Following Peter’s departure, a discernment group was set up to focus on what the church needs in a new minister and to draw up the church profile which will be used to attract applicants. This group contained a mix of members who had been through the appointment process before and new members who had not. The results of the group’s deliberations were shared with the wider church at consultation meetings and further work was done to refine the text.

During this period of inter-regnum church members have stepped up to ensure that all of the vital functions of the church can proceed as usual. With strong teaching, leading and support teams, services have been able to continue. The church was able to host Christmas Cracked and welcome children from four schools in the local area as well as to host a school Christmas service. Other events, aimed at the wider community included a repeat of the charity brass band concert first held in 2023 and a Tearfund quiz. However, some other activities were pared back, most notably the difficult decision was taken not to host Winter Night Shelter this year to avoid overloading those who would normally volunteer.

We are indebted to our administrator Ruth Cooling who has kept the church on track administratively and fielded many calls and emails that might otherwise have been dealt with by the minister.

Throughout this year the Lord has been with us, helping members to find strength, resourcefulness and creativity. We are thankful to him for his faithfulness. Although there was sadness around Peter’s departure, we are grateful to him and his family for all that they brought to the church and we look forward to what the Lord has for us in the coming year.

Georgy Holden on behalf of the Trustees.

Administrator’s report

Membership

Whaddon Way church has seen attendance fluctuate over the past 12 months. We welcomed Marie Macey as our newest member.

Some members of church had moved away from Milton Keynes and the Bletchley area, during the later half of 2024.

At the end of 2024, there were 63 members.

Outreach Ministries

Noah’s Ark

This mum and toddlers group has been and is still enjoyed by people who live in the neighbourhood. It has been run by volunteers from among church members. There is no charge for this weekly service that runs on a Thursday morning. It gives busy mums a break and an opportunity to meet with other adults whilst also enjoying safe activities for children under school age.

Café on the Way

This gathering for pre-and teenagers is a safe space for local school children / students to enjoy activities immediately after school. It provides a safe stopping point for those whose parents may be travelling home from work when the schools finish their day. These sessions are managed by qualified youth leaders and vetted volunteers who are members of our church. All are DBS checked and have up to date training in safeguarding that complies with both the Baptist Union and Church of England standards.

Pebblestones

A qualified teacher of reading and writing for dyslexics runs classes for any school aged student on Saturday mornings. Parents may sit in class with their sons and daughters if they wish. Many choose to take their child into the lesson and then collect them afterwards. Our teacher has enabled many to gain in confidence and ability.

Time for You

This is part of the community engagement group’s activities. A friendly space for those who are lonely at home and an occasion to participate in craft or cultural activities, this happens every Tuesday morning. There is a nominal charge of £1.00. Light refreshments are provided. Talks and outings are arranged. This is run by a some kind hearted volunteers who are qualified and safeguarding trained. It is run for the benefit of the local community.

Winter Night Shelter

For 2024, due to lack of sufficient numbers of volunteers from the membership and attendees at Whaddon Way Church, we decided not to host Winter Night Shelter this winter. However, it was open to anyone who was keen to support this work, to contact the leaders of MK Winter Night Shelter to support as a volunteer to assist at other venues. It is hoped that, if the Lord wills, we may grow in number and perhaps resume activities and hosting in the future.

Children’s and Young People’s Church

One of our trustees leads a listening and study group when there are a sufficient number of children in church on a Sunday morning. The children participate in making things that contribute to the service and the congregation have the opportunity see and encourage their completed creations. It is a good method of helping children to understand the basics of our faith.

Maintenance and Infrastructure Group

There has been a lot of maintenance work carried out in the past 12 months. Here is the list of items:

Pastoral Ministry Group

We have a small group of Safeguarding qualified volunteers who provide a listening ear and a helping hand to those in the neighbourhood and in our congregation who need assistance or friendship.

Healing Prayer Ministry Group

Every Monday evening a small group of church members gather to pray for healing for those who are sick. We regularly keep in touch with the Christian Healing Mission and have had faith and prayer training from them in past years. We still maintain contact with them and enjoy online prayer times also with those who cannot travel to see us.

Home Groups

There are four main home groups, who usually meet on either Tuesday evening, Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday afternoon or just recently, last year, an online group was started for those who find it difficult to travel in the evening or during the day time.

Home groups are a very good way to get to know each other and support one another as Christians. We learn more deeply about our faith and enjoy worshipping and praying together at these times. They provide an opportunity to re-examine what we heard on Sunday or to prepare for a future event.

Missions Supported

We are a congregation who are keen to share our blessings in the wider world and therefore, we support a number of world missions:

Financial Review

Unrestricted funds

Although we currently have no ministerial stipend to pay, we still maintain a fund in readiness for a new minister, when the Lord allows. We have saved £100,000 in a fund specifically for his purpose and hope to maintain and add to it from time to time.

Restricted Funds

Restricted funds consisted mainly of club subscriptions and running expenses.

Fixed Assets

We have laptops that are over ten years old that were donated to us for the purpose of helping with children’s education. It is necessary to review to what extent these are still in use and how useful they are, bearing in mind that software has enhanced over the years.

We have an upgraded audio visual tech desk for services on Sunday that is used to amplify music and present words or scripture during services that can be recorded and up streamed for viewing by those who may not be able to attend services at the time they occur. This relies on our broadband which is currently provided by Daisy.

Liabilities: Baptist Pension Scheme

We regularly get messages from the Baptist Pension Scheme to advise when any changes are planned by government. We also receive information about how the funds are performing. To date we have received the February 2025 Regulatory Roundup giving news of (amongst other things) the changing landscape of pensions.

Risk Management

Towards the end of 2024 and at the start 2025 we reviewed our list of risks and how to manage them or prevent them altogether. Our administrator keeps this document filed and everyone has access to it upon request. Trustees and hirers are kept aware of health and safety regulations and actions needed to remain compliant to our policy and the policy of the Anglican and Baptist churches.

Quality and accuracy of financial information

We review our funds regularly to ensure that resources are managed effectively and efficiently without waste but with care and attention to the needs of those who use the building. Our trustees review the finances at every Trustee meeting and a finance report is present to each church meeting for members to enquire about proposed financial undertakings and to offer suggestions for improvements.

Adequacy of reserves:

Whilst giving has dropped slightly, our income from hiring out the meeting rooms has maintained a healthy balance and has increased slightly over the course of 2024.

Adequacy of insurance cover

We have maintained our insurance for the church building and up to the 25[th] March, also the Manse. The Manse has been occupied by a tenant for a few months during November 2024 up to the end of March 2025. Our insurers are assessing the premium for the building that has recently been vacated. Our insurance policy covers all of the usual risks and our policy documents are filed both on paper and e-format. We renew policies in the spring of each year.

Dependency on sources of income:

We rely on our regular givers and those who hire rooms for their functions. This pays our bills, maintains the building and keeps our employee safe.

Financial controls

We keep track of payments received or paid out. Our administrator communicates daily with the treasurer and finance team to advise when payments are expected or when outgoings are made using the payment card. Approval of payments are made promptly when appropriate or stopped if any amendments are needed.

Reference and Administrative Details

Name of Charity: Whaddon Way Church Address: Beaverbrook Court, Whaddon Way, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 7JS Charity Reference number: 1144502 Minister: vacant Trustees: Georgy Holden (Chair of Trustees) Christ Hayter (PCC rep., St Mary’s, Bletchley) (from here, alpha order of surname) Adey Daniel-Ogunnaike (Hospitality) Sheraya Fourie (Communications) Rita James (Treasurer) Sue North (Children’s ministry) Paul Ormrod (Maintenance & Infrastructure) Rebekah Taylor (PCC rep and Pastoral) Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Independent Examiner: Louise Tunley, Monico Tunley Ltd 19 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK40 3JY Insurers: Baptist Insurance Company plc Beaufort House, Brunswick Road Gloucester, GL1 1JZ

Charity Structure, Governance and Management

Structure

Whaddon Way Church is a single congregational Anglican/Baptist LEP. Its area of ministry is primarily within the parish of St Mary’s, Bletchley.

Governance and Management

A constitution was adopted in October 2011 and entered in the Register of Charities with the Charity Commission on 2[nd] November 2011. Subsequently, small revisions were made to provide for additional trustees and methods of appointment of a Minister and Trustees. The constitution provides for two Trustees to be appointed from St Mary’s Church, to reflect the fact that Whaddon Way Church is an LEP.

The constitution articulates how the church will ensure that the Trustees carry the ultimate legal responsibilities for decision-making whilst the church meeting continues to provide a vehicle for all members to vote on matters that require decision making by the membership.

Whaddon Way Church – officers from May 2024 Statutory Office Holders

Minister Peter Landry – up to August 2024 Treasurer Rita James Accounts Examiner Louise Tunley Church Warden vacant DBS Verifier Kathy Scarborough Safeguarding Officers Rita James Health and Safety Officer Fiona Davis

Group Leaders

Sunday Service Overseas and Home Missions Support Jane Entwistle Maintenance & Infrastructure (building) Paul Ormrod Children & Youth Sue North Communications Sheraya Fourie Community Engagement Sue Gibbs Pastoral & Prayer Sue Gibbs / Kathy Scarborough Finance Rita James, David Miller, John Heycock Mercy Adai-Dufie Lettings Kathy Scarborough Grant Applications Pat Thomas Environment Group Kathy Scarborough

Post Holders

Administrator Copyright Recorder Care Line Co-ordinator Technical Manager Catering Music Co-ordinator Deanery Synod Rep Mission Partnership Rep Authorised registrar for Marriages Deputy authorised registrar.

Ruth Cooling Mike Fourie Joy Arnold Mike Fourie Edith Adebiyi Les Smith Mike Fourie Linda Winstanley Joy Arnold Jane Entwistle

----- Start of picture text -----
Whaddon Way Church 1144502
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period
01-Jan-24 To 31-Dec-24
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Fundraising - 65.00 - 65.00 3.59
Standing orders 46,466.00 - - 46,466.00 47,479.00
Donations 9,252.88 240.64 - 9,493.52 10,021.83
Legacies - - - - -
Grants - - - - 4,250.00
Gift Aid and GASDS 12,416.51 36.25 - 12,452.76 12,475.19
Venue hire 11,051.67 - 11,051.67 8,151.82
Collections for other causes - - 1,224.88
Other income 8,798.52 3,608.60 - 12,407.12 8,609.90
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 87,985.58 3,950.49 - 91,936.07 92,216.21
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 87,985.58 3,950.49 - 91,936.07 92,216.21
A3 Payments
Salaries and employment costs 11,285.79 - - 11,285.79 10,810.01
Ministry costs 8,821.24 2,241.80 - 11,063.04 15,194.79
Grants 9,524.00 375.00 - 9,899.00 11,265.66
Admin and office costs 3,692.55 - - 3,692.55 5,446.11
Insurance 2,612.23 - - 2,612.23 2,251.63
Energy and water costs 8,644.54 - - 8,644.54 6,876.31
Major projects - - - 3,157.04
Other premises costs 13,934.65 - - 13,934.65 22,106.05
Fundraising expenses - - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total 58,515.00 2,616.80 - 61,131.80 77,107.60
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
Loan repayments - capital - - - -
Loans converted to gifts - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 58,515.00 2,616.80 - 61,131.80 77,107.60
Net of receipts/(payments) 29,470.58 1,333.69 - 30,804.27 15,108.61
A5 Transfers between funds - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 165,376.93 6,688.26 - 172,065.19 156,956.58
Cash funds this year end 194,847.51 8,021.95 - 202,869.46 172,065.19
----- End of picture text -----

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

25/03/2025

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B1 Cash funds
 Signature
Details
Details
Church Building (Insurance value)
Manse (Insurance value)
Church furniture
Office equipment
Kitchen equipment
Musical instruments
Sound and projection equipment
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
CAF Main Account
CAF General Account
BU 3-month notice Account
Petty Cash
Details
 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
8,240.07
8,021.95
53,160.56
133,401.68
45.20
194,847.51
8,021.95
OK
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
General
-
General
-
General
-
General
-
General
-
General
-
General
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
Print Name
Rita James		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
1,620,365
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval

4th April 2025

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

25/03/2025

2

Whaddon Way Church

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Whaddon Way Church

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 202 4 .

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Louise Tunley FCA CTA DChA Chartered Accountant

Monico Tunley Limited 19 Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3JY

Date: 4 April 2025