Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney
Registered Charity Number: 1151773
Annual Report and Accounts
For the year ended 31st December 2023
Sutcliff Baptist Church, Market Place, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EA www.olneybaptist.org.uk
Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023
Mission Statement
Sutcliff is a Baptist Church family that seeks to look up to God, and out to the world, to make effective disciples for Jesus Christ.
Statutory Information
Charity Name: Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney Registered Address: Market Place, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EA Charity Registration Number: 1151773 Property Trustees: The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd. Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 8RT Charity Trustees: Rev. Stuart Macdonald (Minister) Mrs. Sue Griffiths (Secretary) Mr. James Wharpshire (Treasurer) Mr. Sydney Bond
Mr. Jonathan Billingsley (from 15[th] March 2023, our 2023 AGM) Mr. David Greaves (until 15[th] March 2023, our 2023 AGM)
Mr. Michael Hailes (from 15[th] March 2023, our 2023 AGM)
Mr. Christopher Hanson (until 15[th] March 2023, our 2023 AGM) Mrs. Susan Lynch Mrs. Angela Richardson
Ms. Carrie Walker (from 15[th] March 2023, our 2023 AGM) Bankers: Barclays Bank Leicester, LE87 2BB
Independent Examiner: Mr. Timothy Davies 8, Shepherd Lane, Biddenham, Bedford, MK40 4XG
No. of Paid Employees: 2 (Minister and Cleaner)
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The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023
Charitable Object
The charity is an unincorporated body and is governed by its Constitution which was originally agreed and dated 28[th] November 2012, which states that “The principal purpose of the Church is 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”.
Following the AGM in March 2022 the Trustees and Membership undertook a review of the voting process. This led to a small amendment to the Constitution which was approved by Members in November 2022. A further change to the Constitution, concerning the length of term Trustees should stand for, was agreed and adopted by Trustees and Membership at a Special Church Meeting held on the 25[th] January 2023.
The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd., on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisational Structure and Decision Making Processes
Baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the membership of a Baptist church. The church applies an open Baptismal qualification for Church Membership, so that persons seeking membership who have not been baptised in the manner described in the Union’s Declaration of Principle may at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting be accepted for full membership based on their own public profession of faith. Church Membership is open to those who:
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Accept the Beliefs of the Church.
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Meet the Church’s qualification on Baptism.
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Commit themselves to serving Christ within the Church and beyond.
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Abide by the decisions of the Church Members’ Meeting.
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Acknowledge their responsibilities as Church Members.
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Have their membership application accepted by the Church Members’ Meeting.
In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Elders and Deacons, who together with the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by members), are collectively known as the Leadership Team and are the Charity Trustees. The Leadership Team, as appointed Trustees, are responsible for the day to day running of the Church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity.
Church Members’ Meetings are held at regular intervals on not less than six occasions in any calendar year and are an opportunity to consider and review routine matters associated with the life of the Church including issues related to church membership, the appointment of the Charity Trustees, the approval of the budget, with opportunities for considering proposals from the Charity Trustees or other Church Members for the development of the Church and the advancement of its Purpose through its Activities. One Ordinary Church Members’ Meeting each year includes the Annual Church Members’ Meeting for the Church Members to receive annual accounts and reports, to appoint Auditors or Independent Examiners, and to consider proposals for the strategy and vision of the church in the coming year, with other appropriate matters.
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Objectives and Activities
In fulfilling the Purpose of the Church as set out above, it engages in a range of Activities either on its own or with others that will vary from time to time, with Activities being initiated, expanded, or closed, as appropriate.
The Activities may include but are not restricted to:
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Regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching.
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Baptism, as defined in the Union’s Declaration of Principle.
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The Communion of the Lord’s Supper which shall normally be observed at least once a month.
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Evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
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The teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people.
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Nurture and growth of Christian disciples.
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Education and training for Christian and community service.
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Giving and encouraging pastoral care.
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Supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad.
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Encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christians.
Notwithstanding the appointment of persons to accept responsibility for any of the Activities all individuals, organisations, groups, and committees operating within the life of the Church, and their leaders, shall be accountable to the Charity Trustees and also through any specific direction of the Church Members’ Meeting.
The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children, young people or adults at risk are appropriately trained (in line with Baptist Union guidance) and vetted with regards to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
When planning our activities for the year the trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and in particular specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion and are satisfied that the activities outlined clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing benefit to the public.
Church Attendance
As at 31[st] December 2023 the Church Membership totalled 92, an increase of 1 over the previous year. During 2023, as a Church, we reviewed maintaining a weekly evening service – in July the membership voted for its continuation. This quieter service has proved to be a ‘gateway’ to Church attendance for a few people over the last year. Encouragingly attendance at the evening service has increased following the decision to retain this.
Achievements and Performance Review for the Year
2023 felt much more like a normal year as the impact to previous years due to the pandemic was put behind us. Attendance at our services and activities continued to improve as people returned to their usual pre-Covid routines.
The new technology and online streaming services adopted in 2022 have proved successful with several people watching the services live and a steady number of views over the following days.
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The move to have a service leader conduct the first half of the service has been well received and continued throughout the year. The monthly all-age service launched in 2022 has also continued and we continue to explore new ways to attract more families to attend.
With Stuart comfortably settled in Olney, he undertook the vast majority of the preaching at the Sunday services. This was supplemented by preaching from Elders when Stuart was on holiday and we hosted one visiting preacher from one of our mission partners.
Encouragingly there has been an increased interest in meeting in smaller fellowship ‘House Groups’ and we now have approximately 50 people meeting in five different groups across the week.
Importantly we have also been able to maintain our outreach groups and we are grateful for the new volunteers coming forward as some decide to step down. We have also been able to re-start two groups. Firstly, the Art Group was restarted with a new group coordinator in a position to lead this. Secondly, a Men’s Breakfast group which meets in alternate months. The meeting provides an opportunity for the men within the church and any friends they wish to invite to get together in an informal context over breakfast held in the church café.
The Church also formed a new Outreach Group to help increase the number and variety of evangelistic activities that the church organises. A number of people signed up to join, and they first met in June and then on a couple of times during the rest of the year. Various initiatives have been discussed which they intend to start up in 2024.
Church Activity Annual Reports
These reports, by the two Church Officers (Secretary and Treasurer), our Minister and all leaders of organisations / groups / committees etc. that have operated throughout the year have been produced for circulation to members as an electronic booklet and as a paper copy where requested. This document was presented to the membership at the AGM in March 2024 for adoption by them. A copy is available on request.
Main Church Activities
Church Members were able to meet face to face for our usual pattern of six Members’ meetings including the March AGM. The Church Trustees were also able to meet face to face throughout the year.
We also trialled a new meeting aimed at the broader fellowship who attend church regularly but are not Church members to incorporate a broader view on certain topics.
Our activities throughout 2023 included: Sunday services:
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A morning and evening service every week.
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An act of communion held on the 1[st] Sunday evening and 3[rd] Sunday morning of each month.
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An all-age, family service held on the 1[st] Sunday of each month.
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Our morning service is followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments.
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During most Sunday morning services we provide a creche, our Sunday Club group for primary school aged children and our GIGG group for secondary school aged young people.
Regular outreach activities during the week:
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Five Home Groups providing fellowship and bible study within small groups.
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An art group for adults.
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CAMEO, a social group aimed at older people.
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A craft group for adults.
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First Steps, a baby and toddler group
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A Men’s Breakfast group for informal fellowship.
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- Saturday coffee morning for local people which also helped to raise money for several local charities.
Annual events aimed at young people:
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Christmas Cracked held in December and Easter Cracked held in March/April where children from the local middle school learn about the appropriate historical event in the life of Jesus Christ.
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A week-long Holiday Bible Club for children aged 5-12, held in August. This is organised and run jointly by the four churches in Olney.
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Lifepath, held in May where local schools bring children to learn about the life of John Newton or John Bunyan. This event is run in conjunction with Scripture Union.
Other notable events aimed at our local community:
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Carols by Lamplight, a Christmas carol event, open to all which is held on Christmas Eve at the local Infant Academy.
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Dickens of a Christmas, an annual event organised by the town in early December. We support the event by opening our church to provide somewhere warm and quiet to relax, activities for children as well as providing free refreshments and the use of our toilets.
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Milton Keynes Food Bank for which we are a local collection centre.
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Olney-Newton Link, a charitable organisation based in Olney that provides financial and other help to individuals and the town of Newton in Sierra Leone.
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Outdoor Nativity, repeated after the success in 2022, which sees a small group of adults from the local churches together with a real donkey and sheep, retell the Christmas story of The Nativity. The event is held in a local public space providing the performance across different outdoor settings ending with refreshments.
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The Coronation of King Charles on May 6th gave us the opportunity to open our Church for the screening of the coronation service on our big screens. We served coffee and cakes and were joined by members of the other Churches in the town and people from the wider Olney community.
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The Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal helps provide a Christmas gift for children across the world who may not otherwise receive a Christmas present. In addition to participating ourselves we also publicise this across the town and act as a local collection point for Samaritans Purse.
Financial Review
The Church has only one main source of income, namely from the personal giving of the membership and congregation. This being through the cash offerings made at our Sunday Services, a weekly envelope scheme and by standing order.
Additional income is derived from the General Public through appeals and regular events, such as a fortnightly Coffee Morning, and the hiring of rooms in the church’s premises.
This income is separately directed to the Church’s General Fund, to a Building Development Fund (for the development of the church premises), and to our Fellowship Fund (for those suffering difficulties amongst the church family). The loan from the Baptist Union Corporation taken out for our building extension a number of years ago was repaid in full during 2023. Therefore a decision was taken to close the Development Fund.
Special Appeals
In addition to our regular giving to the Baptist Missionary Society (for overseas mission) and Home Mission Fund (for UK mission), we also gave to thirteen other mission organisations.
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Income and Expenditure
The attached Financial Statement (below), prepared by the Church Treasurer, for the year ended 31[st] December 2023, along with the independent examiner’s report, form part of this report.
Reserves
The Trustees are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the end of the financial year, together with anticipated ongoing income, to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year.
Safeguarding
The Church and Trustees continue to take Safeguarding seriously and we ensured that all of our activities were operated according to our Safeguarding Policies.
The Future
We thank God for his love and support throughout the year providing a full and wonderful church life and allowing us to serve our fellowship and the community that we are part of. We also thank our minister, our leadership team and the many people in our Church who give much of their time in Church related service.
We are grateful for the ongoing financial resources that help support our church, the services and activities we offer and the repayment of the loan that was taken out for the redevelopment of our premises.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney:
James Wharpshire Church Treasurer 6[th] September 2024
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SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
GENERAL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| Receipts Note Regular Offerings Donations and other income 2 Income tax recovered on gifts Investment Income 3 Rent and contributions for use of premises 4 Raised for other causes 5 Payments Ministry 7 Mission 8 Upkeep of church premises 9 Administration 10 Transferred to Development Fund 11 Surplus for the year Plus Transfer from AJ Wiffen & Furnace Funds Following Closure Balance brought forward Balance carried forward* |
2023 65,071 5,760 12,978 880 6,115 1,972 £92,775 33,333 24,937 19,128 9,075 9,465 £95,938 (3,163) 2,161 41,281 £40,280* |
2022 66,359 2,739 15,815 363 5,999 4,157 |
|---|---|---|
| £95,432 | ||
| 32,723 27,549 17,562 16,229 21,999 |
||
| £116,061 | ||
| (20,630) 61,911 |
||
| **£41,281 ** |
RESTRICTED FUNDS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| Balance | Receipts | Payments | Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 23 | 2023 | 2023 | 31 Dec 23 | |
| Development Fund (Note 11) | 14,783 | 19,197 | 33,980 | - |
| Fellowship Fund | 8,516 | 1,915 | 650 | 9,781 |
| Furnace Fund* | 604 | 18 | *622 | - |
| Graveyard & A. J. Wiffen* | 1,495 | 44 | *1,539 | - |
| Godly Play** | 1,200 | - | **1,200 | - |
| Sunday Club** | 600 | **1,205 | 263 | 1,543 |
| CAMEO | 320 | 1,800 | 1,300 | 820 |
| £27,519 | £24,180 | £39,554 | £12,145 | |
| Balance | Receipts | Payments | Balance | |
| 1 Jan 22 | 2022 | 2022 | 31 Dec 22 | |
| Development Fund (Note 11) | 16,843 | 55,940 | 58,000 | 14,783 |
| Fellowship Fund | 10,448 | 2,088 | 4,020 | 8,516 |
| Furnace Fund | 594 | 10 | - | 604 |
| Graveyard & A. J. Wiffen | 1,472 | 23 | - | 1,495 |
| Godly Play | 1,200 | - | - | 1,200 |
| Sunday Club | 600 | - | - | 600 |
| CAMEO | 146 | 1,423 | 1,249 | 320 |
| £31,304 | £59,484 | £63,269 | £27,519 |
- Funds closed and transferred to General Fund due to inactivity for many years
** Fund closed and transferred to Sunday Club fund due to inactivity for many years
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SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
| Note ASSETS Bank and other cash balances REPRESENTING BALANCES ON THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS General Fund Restricted Funds Non monetary assets 13 LIABILITIES Loan from Baptist Union Corporation (LC501) 12 |
2023 £52,425 40,280 12,145 £52,425 £3,266,000 £0 |
2022 |
|---|---|---|
| £68,800 | ||
41,281 27,519 |
||
| £68,800 | ||
| £3,107,618 | ||
| (£29,694) |
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
(Notes 2 to 10 refer solely to the General Fund)
1. Basis of accounts
These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and accord with Section 133 Charities Act 2011
2. Donations and other income
| Cash Offerings Sundry Gifts and Receipts 3. Investment Income General Fund – Interest on Deposit Account 4. Rent & contributions for use of premises Room bookings |
2023 1,742 4,018 £5,760 2023 880 £880 2023 6,115 £6,115 |
2022 1,417 1,322 |
|---|---|---|
| £2,739 | ||
| 2022 363 |
||
| £363 | ||
| 2022 5,999 |
||
| £5,999 |
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SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
| 5. Other Causes Coffee Mornings Jubilee Tent Carol Singing Ukraine Aid Olney-Newton Link Harvest Appeal 6. Church Events Holiday Bible Club Christmas/Easter Cracked Outdoor Nativity Halloween Light Party Mothering Sunday Super Saturday Men’s Breakfast Net Difference ¶ 7. Ministry Minister’s Stipend Pension Contributions Employer’s National Insurance Travel/Removal Expenses Book Allowance Manse Light & Heat Visiting Speakers Sundry Gifts |
2023 Receipts 1,472 500 £1,972 2023 Receipts 1,240 - - - 37 £1,276 |
2023 Receipts 1,472 500 |
2023 Payments 1,472 500 £1,972 2023 Payments 1,428 140 99 - 50 514 10 £2,241 -965 |
2023 Payments 1,472 500 |
2023 Payments 1,472 500 |
2022 Receipts 1,379 289 384 2,105 - - £4,157 2022 Receipts 1,223 - - - - £1,223 2023 29,160 3,262 - - - 658 90 164 £33,333 |
2022 Receipts 1,379 289 384 2,105 - - |
2022 Payments 1,394 289 412 2,105 400 - £4,600 2022 Payments 1,561 149 216 45 - £1,971 -748 2022 26,508 2,989 - 1,808 219 652 300 248 £32,724 |
2022 Payments 1,394 289 412 2,105 400 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,972 | £1,972 | **£4,157 ** | £4,600 | ||||||
| £2,241 | |||||||||
| -965 | |||||||||
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SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
| 8. Mission Baptist World Mission Baptist Home Mission Milton Keynes Bridgebuilder Trust Scripture Union TearFund Mission Aviation Fellowship Barnabas Fund Advantage Africa Mercy Ships Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons UK) World Vision Cry in the Dark FEBA Radio Langham Partnership Sovereign World Trust BMS Ukraine Appeal Other Causes (see Note 5) Church Events (see Note 6) 9. Upkeep of church premises (a) Church Light and Heat Water Repairs & Renovation Insurance Church Cleaner (employed) and materials (b) Manse Water General Repairs & Renovation Insurance Council Tax |
2023 6,700 6,700 2,600 600 600 600 600 300 1,500 300 300 300 300 300 300 - 1,972 965 £24,937 2023 5,878 644 1,966 2,732 4,805 £16,025 332 846 435 1,490 £3,103 £19,128 |
2022 6,800 6,800 2,600 600 600 600 600 300 900 300 300 300 300 300 300 600 4,600 748 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| £27,548 | |||
| 2022 2,733 240 3,811 2,744 4,338 |
|||
| £13,866 | |||
| 428 1,083 401 1,783 |
|||
| £3,695 | |||
| £17,562 |
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SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
10. Administration
| Telephone Photocopier, Computer & Software Coffee machines & Supplies Training Printing & Stationery CCLI Copyright Licences TV Licence Subscriptions Sundry Expenses Website Piano |
2023 2022 731 595 1,087 11,451 754 547 120 245 299 1.019 1,079 1,191 159 159 544 580 266 183 187 259 3,849 - |
|---|---|
| £9,075 £16,229 |
11. Church Development Project
| Regular Gifts Gift Aid on Development Fund Interest Room Hire (from General Fund) Transferred from General Fund Events & Gift Day Rental of Manse Repayment of BUC Loan Repayment of Personal Loan To Member Provided for Building Project |
2023 Receipts 2023 Payments 3,780 5,935 17 0 9,465 0 29,980 4,000 |
2022 Receipts 2022 Payments 14,837 3,416 31 5,999 16,000 15,657 58,000 |
|---|---|---|
| £19,197 £33,980 |
£55,940 £58,000 |
12. Development Loan from Baptist Union Corporation
Loan number LC501, for an initial value of £344,929 drawn down in 2015 and repayable over 10 years, for redevelopment of the church premises
| Balance at 1st January Interest Monthly Loan Repayments Additional Payment Balance at 31st December |
2023 29,694 286 (29,980) £0 |
2022 85,543 2,151 (42,000) (16,000) |
|---|---|---|
| £29,694 |
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SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
13. Non-monetary assets Held for the Church’s own use
The Church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following assets, shown at insured value, the legal title to which is held by the Church’s custodian trustee, Baptist Union Corporation Ltd.
| Sutcliff Baptist Church Market Place, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EA The Manse 9 Wellingborough Road, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4BJ The Church also owns fixtures, furniture and equipment with an insured value of: |
2023 2,845,646 263,452 156,902 £3,266,000 |
2022 2,715,315 242,587 149,716 |
|---|---|---|
| £3,107,618 |
The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities and its notes set out in pages 8 to 13 relating to the year ending 31[st] December 2023 are as approved by the trustees.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney
James Wharpshire Church Treasurer 6[th] September 2024
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Ind¢pendeni Examiner'5 Report R•port to the trugte•s On accounts for the y•ar •nded 31 &- Z02 3 Charlty no 111 anyl Iifi717 Set out on pag98 I reFX)rt lo the InJstee5 ¢M my examination of the accounts of the at)¥¢ hanty Ilhe TfusI'I lorthe year ended R•¥ponsibilitig• •nd basls of report As the charbtys trte88. you are responsible lor the preparation of the account5 in accwd3 with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I Act'i. I rèport in resFect of rny examination ol the Trnst's accounts carried out under sedn 145 of the 2011 Act aThJ in carrying out my examinon, I have follcttd all the applicabb chrec1i0 by Charty Crynmis8i urtrr secon 14515llbl ol the Ao. Independent trhts charrty's gross inc¢me exceeded £250.(JXJ and l am qualffied to examiner's slatoment undertake the examination by tiThJ a quaIrf rrmbèr of linsert nam• of ICae lisied t)dy]] Delde I l rfn ap18. I have wnpldeo my 8xamination. I cKJnfinn thal no rnatenal matters ha¥9 ¢ome to rny attention in ¢onnedK)n %wth the examination (other than that disdosed telcw'l whKh gwes me cause Its belve Ihot in, any matla1 resFect.' ihe acuJUrlvj fecords ncl ke0 in accordartt ith sectM 1 ofthe Chant Acl". or th8 account5 dNJ nol accord with the accounb'ng records.. or the accounts nol comply wrth the applicable wuirements concemiThJ the fomi aTrJ conient of a¢rounts set ¢>Jl In the Chants (Accounts and RerMNtsI Regulkn"ons 2(Q8 other Ihan any that Ihe acxounts give a Iruè arKI faiff ¥&hith a m¥tter consm1ed a8 part of an irthwndent examina I have no concerns ar#J haw come aL¥OS8 no other matters ffi crlIK with Ihe examination to thi¢h attentKJn shoukl be drawn in thi8 PCt 01 ordlf to *fiab • wopor understandirvj ofthe aCtnts to te rea¢thd. Slgn•d: Js Nam•'. Rèlevant profe••ional qu•lificationl81 or body IER Oct 2018 Page 14
{11 •nyl: Addrw: Ibl Section B Disclosure Only wmpl&l8 If the examiner needs to higttlighl rnalerial matter5 of concern Isee CC32. Independent examinabon of tharily accounts. thr?GI)nS and guidance for •xamin•r81. Glw• h•r• brf•f d•tsll• ol any Ittrm8 th•t th• •x*mln•r WISh to dl•cloM. IER Oct 2018 Page 15