Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
Charity No. 1155892
Trustees' Report and Unaudited Accounts
31 December 2023
Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
CONTENTS
| Pages | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2 | |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 8 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 9 | |
| Balance Sheet | 10 | |
| Notes to the Accounts | 11 |
Page 1
Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees, present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - Charities SORP (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and Aims
The principal objective of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of t h e Baptist denomination. In furtherance of this the Church may arrange public and other meetings of worship, praise, evangelism, teaching, study, encouragement and prayer. In adherence to its objectives, the Church may also carry out other charitable activities in United Kingdom and overseas.
Public Benefit
The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives of the Charity.
Charitable Activities
The Leadership, wanted to reach out to you to review our year so far and to see where we are now as a church family and share future plans as we continue to seek GOD’s face for the way forward for our communities, our families, and our church.
Our Pastors
2023 began full of hope in GOD for Westbury and our community.
With our Pastors now settled into their roles, the church family now feels more settled and secure. With an open door policy, the congregation are encouraged to approach the Pastors personally for prayer, comfort, and guidance.
Behind the scenes our Pastors continue their life of ministry officiating weddings, funerals and baby blessings and doing home visits.
Bible Study
Bible study and Prayer Meeting will continue in person and online we continue to have a wonderful time in fellowship and build each other up in the Word of GOD as we grow in the kingdom of GOD.
The Prayer meetings has been going steadily, providing an essential fellowship, support & comfort to the church and community .
Media Department
Daniel continues to do an amazing job in the media department alongside Sian (who took over from Aneesa when she went to university). However, due to technical issues the online service is no longer aired and so from August Sian has been unable to assist in the department.
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
Tenants in Dunford House and Manse
The three studio flats and the Manse continues to bring in an income for the church. Each tenancy agreement has a 6- month break clause written in so if we feel after that period that things are not working out with a particular tenant then we have the right to say that we will not be continuing with that rental.
Repairs
We still need quite a bit of funding for repairs. The Westbury building needs major pointing, jet washing and repairing of brickwork. We are hoping that our application to the Heritage Fund will be granted as this will help towards the building repairs. Our application is still ongoing, and we hope to have news soon.
Finances
We are trying to build up our savings and so a standing order has been set up to deposit £500 from the main account into the savings account on the 30[th] of each month. The savings account balance as of the 8[th] of December 2023 is £3800.97.
What we have coming in includes Dunford House/Manse rentals, tithes/offerings and hiring (hall etc).
Volunteers
There is a saying that many hands make light work. As usual please be encouraged to volunteer wherever you feel GOD is leading you. An area that could use some volunteers is in cleaning the church. Also, if there is something that you would like to start up, for example, an over 50’s club, fund raising etc, please come and see the leadership team.
Chosen Conference
The CHOSEN Women’s Day has continued to go from strength to strength and is now in its 12[th] year.
The CHOSEN Luncheon took place in October with a CHOSEN breakfast in February and a beautiful, inspiring time was had by all those who attended.
CHOSEN is a growing ministry for women of all ages and life experiences finding their way home back to their first love. CHOSEN has become a place where women can feel safe sharing their stories without fear of being judged. CHOSEN exists to champion women to engage in their purpose and be an influence, a light within her sphere as GOD intended. CHOSEN Women’s Day programmes now take place twice a year, which includes a Prayer Breakfast, an Afternoon Tea/Luncheon which includes A CHOSEN conversation. All three programmes encourage women from all walks of life to discover who they are in CHRIST and walk in that truth, an uplifting and inspiring day filled with such love and friendships, where women of all ages and nations unite to support and encourage each other in their journey of faith and are inspired to shake off the garments of false identity, rejection, abuse, depression, hurt, brokenness, low self-esteem and their past. And put on the garments of Beauty, Freedom, Change, Transformation and Love, the garment of JESUS and no matter where she has come from or where she is on life’s journey we pray that she will come to the realisation that she was created to be a Light , a Mirror of the Most High GOD , fearfully and wonderfully made, and Chosen – For Such A Time As This!
New Hires
We had a few short-term hires over the year. Bible Way fellowship continues to hire Westbury every Sunday evening. They have now moved from the hall to the foyer space at the front of the building.
In October we said farewell to The Fountain of Life Apostolic fellowship who has hired from Westbury for quite a few years. They have found a new place to worship, and we send them off with our prayers and blessings
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
London City Mission (LCM)
Earlier this year we partnered with London City Mission, an organisation that “Shares the Gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.” Pastor Theresa and Pastor Sharon, along with a few members have attended the training alongside a few other church fellowships who have also partnered with LCM. The purpose: to prepare them to then go out and knock on the doors of the neighbours in each fellowship’s community and share that ‘hope in Christ’. We will be working with LCM for a year to help us with our goal to evangelise more.
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The charity regular sources of income are donations from church members and general public and rental income earned from hire of premises.
During the period, income of £35,695 was received as donations. The charity had £11,859 of cash and Fixed Asset of £2,106,934 (Net book value) held at the year end. The net movement in funds for the period, as shown in the statement of financial activities, for the unrestricted fund balance was a deficit of £54,976 and deficit of £33,754 in the endowment fund. The value of the Westbury Avenue Baptist Church net assets at 31 December 2023 was £2,116,229.
Specific Investment Powers
The trustees have the authority to deposit or invest funds in any legal manner and to invest only after obtaining advice from a financial expert with regard to the suitability of the investment but the Charity currently has no investments other than cash balance held in a deposit account.
Grant-Making Policies
Grants are made in the form of cash gifts to needy members on the recommendation of the Pastor in-charge, full members and the Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for the final approval and authorisation. A full statement of the policies is available on request.
Reserve policy
The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to respond to ongoing charitable activities and ensure that support and governance costs are covered.
Plans for the future
In 2024 we will work to continue to grow the ministry in every area so that we become a church without walls within the community at large and be prepared as much as possible for when visitors and newcomers walk through our church doors, to find a place of safety, no judgement, a place of love, which is available to all through JESUS CHRIST.
We are planning to start new initiatives that will help us to grow and share the changing Word of GOD as GOD leads, utilising all our gifts and talents and the gift and talents of others. we will continue to develop programmes that will include our neighbours, and impact lives as we strive to be a more inclusive church
As we move forward into 2024, we will continue to exercise wisdom in keeping ourselves and loved ones safe, and continue to recognise that our faith and security is in JESUS CHRIST for now and the future. We pray HIS promise of protection over you and your family. Let’s also pray for those around the world, and especially for our brothers and sisters in CHRIST that face daily persecution.
As the year ends, we remain as hopeful in CHRIST as we did at the beginning of the year. We must continue to believe through these troubled times that GOD is still on the throne, and HE is doing a new thing in all our lives.
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The charity is governed by the constitution adopted on 20 March 2008 and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Appointment and Removal of Trustees
The Church Members’ appoint Charity Trustees to be responsible for the governance of the Church and where there is a Minister that person is a Charity Trustee because of their role and responsibilities. Subject to any specific or general directions of the Church Members’ Meeting and the provisions of the Constitution the control, management and administration of the Church is carried out by the Charity Trustees, save that the Charity Trustees are not required to do anything that would cause them to be in breach of the Constitution or any trustee duty placed upon them as a result of this role.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity No. 1155892
Registered Office
Westbury Avenue, London, N22 6SA
Trustees
The following Trustees, served during the year:
Mrs Icilda Wilson Ms Sarah Kershaw-Landy Mr Philip Atta-Antwi
Accountants
Vicom Accountancy Services Ltd 128 City Road London EC1V 2NX
Bankers
HSBC Bank Plc 176 Camden High Street London, NW1 8QL
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the trustees on 28[th] October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs Icilda Wilson Trustee
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
We have examined the financial statements, which comprise the financial activities, the balance sheet, the related notes and the accounting policies for the Year Ended 31st December 2023 on pages 10 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner
The Church's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Charities Act),
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts presents a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s statement with exception reporting
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- which give me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements
a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act; have not been met; or
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which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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However, the reserve policy to maintain free reserve in unrestricted fund has not been fully satisfied in this financial year. This is in reference to the reserve policy statement discussed on page 4 of the financial statement.
Independent Examiner:
Date: 31st October 2024
Victoria Onayemi {BA (Hons), FMAAT} Vicom Accountancy Services Ltd 128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX.
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| for the year ended 31 December 2023 Note Income from: Donations 2 Other income 3 Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities and outreach 4 Total Net income Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 35,695 80 35,775 90,751 90,751 (54,976) 15,722 (39,254) |
Endowment funds Total funds Total funds 2023 £ 2023 £ 2022 £ - 35,695 29,365 61,013 61,093 60,747 61,013 96,788 90,112 94,766 185,517 181,544 94,766 185,517 181,544 (33,753) (88,729) (91,432) 2,189,236 2,204,958 2,296,390 2,155,483 2,116,229 2,204,958 |
|
| 90,112 181,544 |
|||
| 181,544 | |||
| (91,432) 2,296,390 |
|||
| 2,204,958 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 9
Westbury Avenue Baptist Church
BALANCE SHEET
at 31 December 2023
| Charity No. 1155892 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Loan to members Creditors:Amount falling due within one year 7 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets Funds Unrestricted funds 8 Endowment funds 8 |
2023 £ 2,106,934 11,859 - 11,859 (2,564) 9,295 2,116,229 2,116,229 (39,254) 2,155,483 2,116,229 |
2022 £ 2,195,125 11,533 - 11,533 (1,720) 9,833 2,204,958 2,204,958 69,970 2,226,420 2,296,390 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees 28[th] October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Mrs Icilda Wilson Trustee 28[th] October 2024
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 10
Westbury Avenue Baptist Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31 December 2023
- 1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - Charities SORP (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year-end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:
Building 4% Straight line
Fixtures, fittings 20% Straight line
and Equipment
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
Trade and other creditors
Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for nay trade discounts due.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2 Income from donations
| Donation 3 Other income Rental income Other income – deposit interest 4 Expenditure on charitable activities Expenditure on charitable activities Church activities & outreach Governance costs |
Unrestricted Total Total funds 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ 35,695 35,695 29,365 35,695 35,695 29,365 Unrestricted Endowment funds funds Total funds Total funds 2023 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ - 61,013 61,013 60,741 80 - 80 6 80 61,013 61,093 60,747 Unrestricted Endowment funds funds Total funds Total funds 2023 £ 2023 £ 2023 £ 2022 £ 83,138 94,766 177,904 175,388 7,613 - 7,613 6,156 90,751 94,766 185,517 181,544 |
Unrestricted Total Total funds 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ 35,695 35,695 29,365 35,695 35,695 29,365 Unrestricted Endowment funds funds Total funds Total funds 2023 2023 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ - 61,013 61,013 60,741 80 - 80 6 80 61,013 61,093 60,747 Unrestricted Endowment funds funds Total funds Total funds 2023 £ 2023 £ 2023 £ 2022 £ 83,138 94,766 177,904 175,388 7,613 - 7,613 6,156 90,751 94,766 185,517 181,544 |
|---|---|---|
| 181,544 |
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
5 Staff costs
| 5Staff costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Salaries and wages | 18,826 | 20,508 | |
| Pastors’ Allowance | 18,000 | 15,600 | |
| 36,826 | 36,108 | ||
| The average number of employees during the year was 2 (2022: 2). No | employee received emoluments in | ||
| excess of £60,000. | |||
| 6 Tangible fixed assets |
Land and buildings |
Fixtures, fittings and equipment |
Total |
| £ | £ |
£ | |
| Cost or revaluation | |||
| At 1 January 2023 | 2,182,956 | 12,169 | 2,195,125 |
| Additions | - | 1,951 |
1,951 |
| At 31 December 2023 | 2,182,956 | 14,120 | 2,197,076 |
| Depreciation and | |||
| impairment | |||
| Depreciation charge for the year |
87,318 | 2,824 | 90,142 |
| At 31 December 2023 | 87,318 | 2,824 |
90,142 |
| Net book values | |||
| At 31 December 2023 | 2,095,638 |
11,296 |
2,106,934 |
| At 31 December 2022 | 2,182,956 |
12,169 |
2,195,125 |
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Westbury Avenue Baptist Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
7 Creditors:
amounts falling due within one year
| Accruals and other creditors | 2023 £ 2,564 2,564 |
2022 £ 1,720 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,720 |
8 Movement in Funds
| Unrestricted funds Endowment funds |
Balance at 01.01.2023 £ 15,722 2,189,236 2,204,958 |
Income Expenditure Balance at 31.12.2023 £ £ £ 35,775 90,751 (39,254) 61,013 94,766 2,155,483 |
|---|---|---|
| 96,788 185,517 2,116,229 |
9 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds
As at 31 Dec 2023
| s at 31 Dec 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| As at 31 Dec 2022 Fixed Assets Current Assets Current liabilities Fixed Assets Current Assets Current liabilities |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 11,533 (1,720) 9,833 Unrestricted Funds £ - 11,859 (2,564) 9,295 |
Endowment Total at Funds 31.12.2023 £ £ 2,106,9342,195,125 - 11,859 - (2,565) |
|
| 2,106,934 2,116,229 |
|||
| Endowment Funds £ 2,195,125 - - 2,195,125 |
Total at 31.12.2022 £ 2,195,125 11,533 (1,720) 2,204,958 |
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Westbury Avenue Baptist Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
10 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions during this financial year.
.
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