Blackhorse Road Baptist Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2023
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1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
BLACKHORSE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 65 Blackhorse Road Walthamstow E17 7AS GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated October 2013 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1154906 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Malcolm Patten (Senior Pastor) MANAGING THE CHARITY Christine South (Treasurer) Veronica Neblett (Church Administrator) David Arkell Timothy Barker Andrew Brown (resigned July 2023) James Brown (appointed as Associate Pastor Sep 20 Veronica Hanson-Allen James Hutchinson (appointed July 2023) Jackie Mouhon (resigned July 2023) Clarisse Tchatchou (appointed September 2024) CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES London Baptist Property Board Ltd. BANKERS Barclays Bank plc INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-4 Trustees' Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 8-9 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
BLACKHORSE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed and is constituted as a trust. The charity's principal object, as set out in its governing document, is the advancement of the Christian faith. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the UK and/or other parts of the world.
Aims and purposes
The Trustees of Blackhorse Road Baptist Church, with the support of the Covenant Members’ Meeting, have responsibility to ensure that the church fulfils its objectives and also oversee the activities of the church. In particular they seek to ensure that the church’s legal responsibilities with regard to Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and Public Liability are fulfilled. They also seek to steer the church to ensure it continues to develop and grow and serve both its members and the local community well.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Review of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
We have experienced much change in 2023 which presented challenges and opportunities. Some members moved on to pastures new, and we began to see new members coming to the church and settling in.
Our Junior Church numbers began to rise again though we had fewer volunteer teachers. However new people coming into the church enabled us to recruit and train to ensure we could maintain a good level of support for our children. Similarly the numbers of youth has been steadily rising and we have been encouraged by their involvement in wider church life such as the multimedia and the music group. We were particularly encouraged by witnessing the baptism of six of our young people.
We recruited a new full-time Associate Pastor for Young People. James Brown, who had just completed a theology degree at the University of Oxford, joined us in September. He has settled in well, focussing on discipling young people and developing our outreach with students. The students work is particularly timely as new accommodation locally has brought around 1,500 students living within 500 metres of the church building and also in 2024, the new University of Portsmouth, London Campus.
We recruited a part-time Administrator (three mornings per week) who has particularly helped to support our Pastors but also has been able to supervise the maintenance of the building and cleaning.
The preaching team have built on their initial series of sermons in Hebrews by preaching through 1 Corinthians, in particular picking up on contemporary issues around sexuality and integrity. Their preparation, prayer, support for one another and feedback has increased the effectiveness of our volunteer preachers.
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We continued with the Emmaus Project, a pilot project with Share Jesus International. This involved us being mentored as a church to help us strengthen our outreach. We focused on young families which have been increasing locally. We ran three Saturday morning Crafts and Activities mornings which proved very popular, bringing families connected to our church through the Toddler Group and the Brownies. We have also trained our members in personal evangelism and reached out at Christmas with carol singing in the High Street.
Our discipleship activities continued with our Grow Groups (bible study groups) meeting and studying various themes including ‘Living and Telling’ as part of the Emmaus Project. We have a women’s group on Monday mornings, two groups on Monday evening, one on Tuesday evening and an online ‘zoom’ group. These discipleship groups are supported by WhatsApp groups for sharing news and needs for prayer. They are the primary means of offering pastoral care.
As part of our commitment to our local community the church runs a Toddler Group and continues to host ‘Migrant Action’, a ‘Community Kitchen’ and local residents’ groups. We have a Pilates group, a theatre school and Guides company using our church building. We also rent out the hall at a reasonable cost on Saturdays for children’s parties.
Structure, governance and management
The Trustees provide the overall governance of the church and meet quarterly. We held our AGM in July when Andrew Brown stepped down as an Elder after coming to the end of two terms, and Jim Hutchinson was appointed. Our new Safeguarding Team continued to monitor compliance with our policy, deal with any concerns and ensure DBS checks and training is up to date. We have also updated our general health and safety policy and annual risk assessment.
Financial review
During the year income increased by £10,900, to £134,100, and expenditure increased by £25,700, to £122,700. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £11,300, to £166,600, of which £160,700 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Our most significant outgoings are the Ministers’ stipends and building maintenance and we have plans for improvements which will require significant funding over the next few years. We have re-engaged the architect who drew up plans and have applied for planning permission. We remain thankful that God continues to provide through the generous giving of his people.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £25,000 (which equates to about 3 months of overheads) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £160,700 and the charity is excess funds for the purpose of planned improvements (mentioned above). See also note 5 to the accounts.
The Trustees regularly review our income and spending to ensure that donations and assets are used to meet our objectives.
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Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
MPatten
MPatten (Oct 24, 2024 13:03 GMT+1) ____ Revd Malcolm Patten
Date:_____ Oct 24, 2024
Page 4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
BLACKHORSE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Blackhorse Road Baptist Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2023 on pages 6 to 9 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 2011 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
J. Young
J. Young (Oct 25, 2024 09:02 GMT+1)
Jaimée Young
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Oct 25, 2024
Page 5
BLACKHORSE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted | Funds | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |||||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| Income receipts | |||||||||||
| Donations | 87,694 | - | 1,098 | 88,792 | 88,140 | ||||||
| Gift aid receipts | 20,161 | - | - | 20,161 | 16,474 | ||||||
| Other grants | - | - | 4,700 | 4,700 | 4,240 | ||||||
| Income from charitable activities | 581 | - | - | 581 | 1,526 | ||||||
| Income from letting of facilities | 15,865 | - | - | 15,865 | 11,653 | ||||||
| Interest | 3,960 | - | - | 3,960 | 1,100 | ||||||
| 128,261 | - | 5,798 | 134,060 | 123,132 | |||||||
| Capital and similar receipts | |||||||||||
| Loan repayments | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| Total receipts | 128,261 | - | 5,798 | 134,060 | 123,132 | ||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Payments in relation to activities undertaken directly |
charitable | 2 | 75,413 | 33,642 | 3,912 | 112,967 | 86,340 | ||||
| Grants paid in relation to activities undertaken by others |
charitable | 3 | - | 8,513 | 232 | 8,745 | 10,644 | ||||
| 75,413 | 42,155 | 4,144 | 121,712 | 96,984 | |||||||
| Loans made | - | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | - | ||||||
| - | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | - | |||||||
| Total payments | 75,413 | 43,155 | 4,144 | 122,712 | 96,984 | ||||||
| Net of receipts / (payments) transfers |
before | 52,848 | (43,155) | 1,654 | 11,348 | 26,148 | |||||
| Transfers between funds | 5 | (32,280) | 32,280 | - | - | - | |||||
| Net movement in funds | 20,569 | (10,875) | 1,654 | 11,348 | 26,148 | ||||||
| Cash funds as at | last year | end | 56,250 | 94,744 | 4,220 | 155,214 | 129,065 | ||||
| Cash funds at this year end | A | 76,818 | 83,869 | 5,874 | 166,561 | 155,214 |
The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
BLACKHORSE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits Petty cash B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Other debtors C Liabilities Falling due within one year: Fee for Independent Examination |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 12,399 - 64,372 83,869 48 - 76,818 83,869 16,967 - 500 1,000 17,467 1,000 1,020 - 1,020 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 5,874 - - 5,874 - - - - - |
Total 2023 £ 18,273 148,240 48 166,561 16,967 1,500 18,467 1,020 1,020 |
Total 2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40,886 114,280 48 |
||||
| 155,214 | ||||
| 18,970 - |
||||
| 18,970 | ||||
| 1,020 | ||||
| 1,020 |
| D Assets retained for charity's own use Church property Manse 1 (purchased 1995) Manse 2 (purchased 2009) Church contents |
Fund to which asset belongs Endowment General General General |
Purchase Cost £ 31,100 150,000 272,460 453,560 |
Value 2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72,834 | |||
| 72,834 |
The properties are shown at original cost.
The church property is held as endowment so that the proceeds of sale can only be used for the purchase of another building.
The trustees have used insurance values for church contents as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by MPatten (Oct 24, 2024 13:03 GMT+1)MPatten date Oct 24, 2024 _____Revd Malcolm Patten _____
The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
BLACKHORSE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs Note 4 Manse expenses, including insurance Note 4 Manse renovation Note 4 Maintenance of buildings & equipment Utilities Church insurance and licences Church activities including outreach Youth and Children's work Governance Administration and support Other costs 3 Grants and gifts paid to others Organisations: Organisations < £1,000 Individuals |
Unrestricte | Designated funds £ - - 31,455 2,159 - - - - - - 28 33,642 7,200 1,313 8,513 d Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - 3,912 - - - - 3,912 - 232 232 |
Total 2023 £ 47,146 6,602 31,455 6,702 6,516 5,560 5,515 228 972 2,244 28 112,967 7,200 1,545 8,745 |
Total 2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ 47,146 6,602 - 4,543 6,516 5,560 1,603 228 972 2,244 - 75,413 - - - |
||||||
| 54,642 5,283 - 8,272 3,409 6,441 2,121 3,356 960 1,828 28 |
||||||
| 86,340 | ||||||
| 10,045 599 |
||||||
| 10,644 |
4 Transactions with related parties
Trustees M. Patten and J Brown served as Pastors [ministers] and were paid £28,700 and £8,832 [2022: £26,770 and £nil] respectively for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
In addition the charity incurred expenditure totalling £38,057 [2022: £5,283] in respect of the provision of accommodation (which is customary for ministers) so that they could better perform their duties.
No payments were made to any other trustees or persons related to them, except for reimbursement of expenses paid out on behalf of the charity.
Page 8
BLACKHORSE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 5 Movement of funds General funds Designated funds Tithe Fellowship Folkard Building Other designated Reserve Sizewell Hall Restricted funds Women's Bible Study Fellowship Warm Spaces Project / Food and Friends Tearfund Total funds |
Opening balance £ 56,250 8,740 3,495 5,468 55,737 1,145 20,000 160 150,993 49 - 4,171 - 4,220 155,214 |
Receipts £ 128,261 - - - - - - - 128,261 - 232 4,700 866 5,798 134,060 |
Payments £ (75,413) (7,228) (2,313) - (33,614) - - - (118,568) - (232) (3,912) - (4,144) (122,712) |
Transfers £ (32,280) 12,372 1,754 - 13,154 - 5,000 - - - - - - - - |
Closing balance £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76,818 13,884 2,935 5,468 35,277 1,145 25,000 160 |
|||||
| 160,687 | |||||
| 49 - 4,959 866 |
|||||
| 5,874 | |||||
| 166,561 |
The Tithe Fund was established by the church members and is administered by them. Income is derived from a tithe of all general funds offerings plus a tithe of any gifts of legacies to the general funds.
The Fellowship Fund was created by the Church in 1986. It is to be administered for the benefit of the members of the fellowship in confidence by the Deacons / trustees. New donations to this fund are treated as restricted.
The Folkard Fund is anticipated to be used for future building development works.
The Building Fund was created with the objective of identifying the money we have separated to help with maintenance work in the church building and manses.
Other designated includes funds to be used for Women's and Men's ministries in the church and community.
The reserve is shown as designated and can be transferred using the trustees' discretion.
Warm Spaces Project – BRBC collaboration with the Women's Faith Network to run a Community Kitchen from our church hall. This is funded by LB Waltham Forest's Warm Spaces funding. The project is now called 'Food and Friends' but is essentially the same activity.
Tearfund - A quarterly special collection is taken in the church service in support of Tearfund charity.
6 The Baptist Pension Scheme
Previously the Baptist Pension Scheme’s now closed defined benefit scheme had been reporting a funding deficit and the charity had been making contributions to help make good the shortfall. The Baptist Pension Scheme provided estimates for the charity’s share of the funding deficit and the estimate at the year end was included as a monetary liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
In July 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme reached an agreement with an insurance company, called Just, to secure the benefits payable under the now closed defined benefit pension scheme (‘DB Scheme’). The premium payable to Just was favourable and, after the transaction with Just, the DB Scheme no longer has a funding deficit. It will take some time to complete the process and, until it is complete, some risks remain. Based on current values the Baptist Pension Scheme believes it has sufficient assets to complete the process without requiring additional contributions from participating employers but, because some risks do remain, the charity has been asked to make a nominal monthly contribution of £1 to the DB Scheme from August 2022.
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