CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2023/24
Page 1
## **CHRISTCHURCH CLARENDON PARK (BAPTIST/METHODIST)**
## **ANNUAL REPORT, YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
## **Administrative information**
Christchurch Clarendon Park is a Baptist/Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP), formed in 1992 by the former Clarendon Park Baptist and Clarendon Park Methodist Churches. The church meets in the premises of the former Methodist Church, which were extensively remodelled and refurbished in 1996/7.
We are members of the Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit (23/7), the East Midland Baptist Association and the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
The address is Christchurch Clarendon Park
105a Clarendon Park Road LEICESTER LE2 3AH
Tel. (0116) 270 5369
Website: www.christchurchcp.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/christchurchcp Twitter: www.twitter.com/christchurch_cp Email: enquiries@christchurchcp.org.uk
General correspondence should be addressed to the Church Secretary:
Mr Chris Whitford, 23 Brinsmead Road, Leicester LE2 3WD
Correspondence concerning the accounts should be addressed to the Church Treasurer:
Miss Jennifer Whillis, 90 St Leonard’s Road, Leicester LE2 1WR
## Christchurch is **Registered Charity No.1148934.**
Risk Assessment and review is carried out by the Finance and Property Team (in respect of buildings and health and safety) and by the Executive concerning the future viability of the Church.
The number of church members at the beginning and end of this period was
||31|August|2023|31|August|2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Baptist||13|||11||
|Methodist||29|||27||
|Joint||37|||31||
|||79|||69||
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2023/24
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In addition, there are approximately a further 50 people on the community roll and a considerable number of contacts through groups which use the church premises on a regular basis.
The Managing Trustees are the members of the Executive. Ordained ministers in pastoral charge are _ex officio_ members of the Executive. The other members are elected by the Annual Church Meeting. The Trustees have the power to co-opt up to a further four Trustees.
The current Trustees and those who served during the year ended 31 August 2024 are
|Mr Mark Asher|Mr Alan Stead|
|---|---|
|Miss Alison Charlesworth|Mr Chris Whitford (Secretary)|
|Rev Kate Cook (until 31 Aug 2024)|Miss Jennifer Whillis (Treasurer)|
|Mr David Eyre|Dr Lawrence Whittaker|
|Rev Andrew Farrington (from 1 Sep 2024)||
## **Independent Examiner**
Alison Murray, 184 Howard Road, Leicester LE2 1XL
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank, 1–3 Haymarket Towers, Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WA National Westminster Bank, 1 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6EJ
## **Aims and organisation**
The purpose of Christchurch is to advance the Christian faith primarily in Clarendon Park, Knighton, Knighton Fields and Stoneygate, in the city of Leicester. In achieving its purpose, the Church engages in a range of activities both on its own and with others, as described later in this document. The agreed aims and objectives are the responsibilities of a number of Teams and Committees, especially the Executive, the Mission & Ministry Team and the Resources Team.
During the year, pastoral oversight was provided by Rev Kate Cook, a Methodist supernumerary Presbyter. A Baptist input was maintained by our Associate Baptist Minister Rev John Rackley, who conducted services and gave other input when requested. (From September 2024 pastoral oversight has been provided by Rev Andrew Farrington.)
## **Public benefit**
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in “The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit” and have regard to it in their administration of the Church. The Trustees believe that, by fulfilling their responsibility to work together with the ministers and co-operate in all matters of concern and importance for the promotion of the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, they provide benefit to the public by:
- Providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for the Church members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers;
- Promoting Christian values and service by members of the Church to the community, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole;
- Providing attractive meeting facilities to a wide range of community groups.
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2023/24
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## **Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults**
There were no _serious incidents_ or other matters relating to Christchurch during the year ended 31 August 2024 which the Trustees should have brought to the attention of the Charity Commission.
## **Review of significant events, progress and achievements**
The number of members has gone down again this year, although the size of the congregation at services remains steady at about 45. Several new people are worshipping regularly with us, who may become members.
Rev Kate Cook left us at the end of this connexional year, and we are very grateful for her leadership over the last 2½ years. In September we welcomed Rev Andrew Farrington as our minister, also serving as the Methodist Circuit superintendent. Revd John Rackley continues to provide valuable service as an Associate Baptist Minister. However there has been no response to the call for a part-time Baptist minister and we are looking for further ways to strengthen our links with the Baptist family.
The pattern of Sunday services is unchanged, with two services a month in the hall and the remainder in the Worship Centre, with a mid-week service fortnightly on Wednesday mornings. Streaming of services on Zoom has come to an end as there’s no longer any demand for it.
Monthly church lunches resumed in January, with four “hosts” (providing the meal) and eight “guests”. Limiting the number to twelve keeps it manageable and provides a space for relaxed conversation, particularly for those who find socialising more difficult.
The Bible study group and the contemporary theology group continue to meet; monthly ‘Prayer Breakfasts’ are held on Saturdays. A series of interfaith dialogues, “A Taste of Faith” was held during the winter. We continue to look for ways to engage with the local community; in Advent the visit by Avenue Road Primary School and the Community Carol Service have become regular events, and the weekly “Christchurch Crafting” is increasing its membership. The church is open to visitors during the twice-yearly Queens Road Fairs and the annual “Ride and Stride”.
## **Financial review**
Following a surplus in 2022/23, we have this year recorded an annual loss. There was a significant increase in expenditure on maintaining the property, with repairs to the heating system making up a large part of this. More expensive fuel contracts increased the amount we spent on gas and electricity.
Thanks to the work of our Lettings Officer, Jean Baxter, we again saw an increase in lettings income which meant that the deficit was much smaller than it might have been given the higher cost of maintaining the building this year.
## _Reserves Policy_
Christchurch seeks to expand its membership amongst all age groups and makes provision for the expected expenditure in maintaining its witness. In common with most UK churches, however, its membership has declined in recent decades.
##
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CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24
## **CHRISTCHURCH, CLARENDON PARK**
## **RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31 August 2024**
|**_Notes_**
**_Receipts_**
Planned Giving
Loose Cash
Donations
Legacies
Interest
Tax recovered
Sundry
Lettings
Benevolence
Collections, etc, for external orgs
_3_
**_Sub total_**
Asset & Investment sales, etc
**_Total Receipts_**
**_Payments_**
Methodist Circuit
Baptist Ministry, etc
_4_
Charities
Benevolence
Communication
Utilities
_5_
Repairs & Maintenance
Sundry
Passed to external organisations
_3_
**_Sub total_**
Asset & Investment purchases
**_Total Payments_**
_Net of receipts/(payments)_
Transfers between funds
Cash funds last year end
**Cash funds this year end**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds, £**
**Restricted**
**Funds, £**
**Total**
**Funds, £**
**£**
34,793
**34,793**
2,844
**2,844**
5,027
**5,027**
-
-
**-**
3,056
**3,056**
10,823
**10,823**
2,396
5,825
**8,221**
28,575
**28,575**
-
-
**-**
719
**719**
**87,515**
**6,544**
**94,059**
-
-
-
**87,515**
**6,544**
**94,059**
35,554
**35,554**
1,593
**1,593**
4,196
**4,196**
63
**63**
1,686
**1,686**
13,722
**13,722**
26,091
**26,091**
6,727
5,468
**12,195**
719
**719**
**89,570**
**6,250**
**95,820**
-
-
-
**89,570**
**6,250**
**95,820**
_2,055_
_-_
294
_1,761_
_-_
63
-
63
85,072
614
**85,686**
**82,954**
**971**
**83,925**|**Last Year, £**
**£**
39,268
2,956
4,731
-
2,214
12,204
4,227
21,832
-
1,889|
|---|---|---|
|||**89,322**
-|
|||**89,322**|
|||41,214
2,232
4,070
58
2,072
10,578
9,596
7,503
1,889|
|||**79,211**
-|
|||**79,211**
_10,111_
-
75,575|
|||**85,686**|
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CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2023/24
## **ASSETS and LIABILITIES as at 31 August 2024**
|**ASSETS**
**Cash Funds**
Barclays Bank
National Westminster Bank
CFB Deposit Account
Deposits with Baptist Union Corporation
Cash in Hand
**Investment Assets**
**Land and Church Buildings**
_Note 1.2_
**Tangible Fixed Assets**
Church contents, including furniture, fixtures,
_Note 1.3_
fittings, computers and other equipment
**LIABILITIES**
**Current Liabilities**
**Pension Scheme Liability**
_Note 7_|£
18,900
3,307
33,790
27,928
-
**83,925**
None
606,381
258,100
None
-|£
11,115
1,081
36,928
36,447
115|
|---|---|---|
|||**85,686**
None
606,381
218,428
None
42,800|
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2023/24
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## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 August 2024**
## **1 GENERAL**
- 1.1 The basis of preparation is in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, on a Receipts and Payments basis.
- 1.2 The Church Land and Buildings are valued at cost, as follows: Land and original buildings (1900) 9,822 Refurbishment and new buildings (1996/97) 596,559
- 1.3 The Church Contents are valued as for insurance.
- 1.4 The current Restricted Funds which had a balance at 31st August 2024 are the _Key Deposits Fund_ (£325), the Event _Deposits Fund_ (£599) and the WarmSpace Fund (£47.02). There is one Designated Fund, a _Renovation Fund_ (£11,694) for major maintenance of the fabric.
## **2 INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS**
The following organisations come within the control of the Church Meeting and operate their own independent accounts. Their transactions for the year, which have been independently examined, are summarised below:
||**Balance**|||**Balance**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**31.8.2023**|**Receipts**|**Payments**|**31.8.2024**|
|Junior Church|830|-|-|830|
|Luncheon Club|1,425|2,139|2,492|1,072|
|Parent & Toddler Group|1,500|410|1,900|10|
|**TOTALS**|**3,755**|**2,549**|**4,392**|**1,912**|
|**3 COLLECTIONS, ETC,**
**4 BAPTIST MINISTRY, etc**
**FOR EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS**
Baptist Pension Scheme
Christian Aid
445
Rev John Rackley
Action for Children
79
Spurgeon's Children's Charity
79
Methodist World Mission
35
**5 UTILITIES**
BMS World Mission
35
Gas
Methodist Women In Britain
46
Electricity
**719**
Water
Insurance|66
1,527|
|---|---|
||**1,593**|
||5,831
3,847
241
3,803|
||**13,722**|
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2023/24
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## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 August 2024**
## **6 BAPTIST FUNDS**
Various Baptist monies are held for the benefit of the church by the East Midland Baptist Trust Company (EMBTC) as Custodian Trustee, and these are set out below:-.
|Balances as at 1 September 2023
Interest received
Balances as at 31 August 2024
The figures exclude accrued interest.|**Capital**
**Income**
**Total**
103,789
75,648
179,437
7,197
7,197|
|---|---|
||103,789
82,845
186,634|
The amount held on Income Account can be used for any purpose agreed by the Church Meeting. Capital Account represents the proceeds of sale of the Baptist manse in 1999 for £99,620 plus surplus on disposal of investments in which the proceeds were originally held. Income Account represents the accumulated interest, etc, since received on the Capital Account.
## **7 BAPTIST PENSION SCHEME**
At 31st August 2023 Christchurch had a potential liability, estimated at £42,800, to the Defined Benefit Section of the Baptist Pension Sheme (BPS).
This liability was not triggered because Rev John Rackley, our Associate Baptist Minister, was an interim member of the BPS.
In early 2024 there were two significant developments:
1) Rev John Rackley attained the age of 75 and was then no longer eligible as an interim member of the BPS. Soundings were made to recruit another interim member, but the developments under 2) below made this unnecessary.
2) Negotiations were concluded whereby the assets and liabilities of the BPS Defined Benefit scheme were acquired by an insurance company and the Trustees of the BPS confirmed that Christchurch Clarendon Park had no future financial obligation to the scheme. Christchurch successfully applied to be discharged from the Defined Benefit section of the BPS.
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2023124
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Narne of Church CHRISTCHURCH CLARENDON PARK LEP
Independent Exarninevs Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention
in connection with the examination {other than that disclosed below") which give me cause to
believe that in. any material respect".
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act: or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting 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.
I htIhave not" obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for
Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central
Finan Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 {ten thousand
pounds) at the balance sheet date.
Signature of independent examiner
Name of independent examiner
Relevant professional qualrfication of independent examiner
Name of fim) (where appropriate)
Address
Postcode ts2 iy
Date I
delete or circle as appropriate