## Sidley Baptist Church
## **Annual Report for 2023**
## **References and administrative details**
Registered Address: Claremont Road, Bexhill on Sea, TN39 5BX
Charity Registration Number: 1158651
## **Trustees**
The Revd D Cooke, Minister in Training, (until June)
Phil Asselin (Treasurer)
Barry Chaseley
Rev Guy Partridge (stepped down September)
Jenny Hall (Chair and Safeguarding Trustee stepped down September)
Heidi Belton (Secretary stepped down September)
Peter Goldsmith (Secretary from October)
Karina Davis (Chair from October)
Liz Daniels
## **Property Trustees**
The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd., Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 8RT
## **Bankers**
HSBC Hastings, 4 Robertson Street, Hastings East Sussex, TN34 1HW
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, Baptist House, PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8RT
## **Independent Examiner**
Leslie John Tasker
Page **1** of **5**
## **Annual Report for 2023**
The trustees present their Annual Report for 2023
## **Governance, Structure and Management**
## **Governance**
The Charity is governed by a constitution based on the Approved Governing Document for Baptist Churches.
The principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education, community service and other such general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.
## **Membership and Trustees**
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution wherein baptism by immersion upon a personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry but persons seeking membership who have not been baptised may be accepted at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting on their own public profession of faith.
The members Meeting normally takes place 4 times a year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church.
In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint up to 12 Trustees including the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer. They are responsible for the day to day running of the church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in Church meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
## **Public Benefit**
The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that there is clear benefit to the public through the activities it carries out in meeting its purpose and objectives.
This is particularly shown by:
- Public opportunity to attend Worship events on Sundays
- Open access to outreach activities
- Public access to Little Seeds (Parent and Toddler group)
- Public access to Market Place (a community food larder and café)
- Accommodating other publicly accessible activities eg. Community & Church lunches, Theatre workshops, Jugglers, Dance groups, Slimming classes, Cookery Classes, Art Classes, Older Peoples groups, Family Parties. Partnering with Local Charities for special events.
## **Objectives and Activities**
Page **2** of **5**
## **Core Activities**
In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the Church seeks to provide a variety of activities both for its membership and the wider community of Sidley and beyond. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with him as living Lord.
Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. The main service take place each Sunday at 10.30 am, this service is live streamed. This enables those who cannot get to the building to continue to engage. There is a quieter worship and prayer service on zoom at 6pm on Sundays, with a face to face meeting called ‘The Well’, on the last Sunday of the month in the church sanctuary.
Other occasional services are advertised on the church notice board, the website and using the weekly newsletter.
There is a full children’s programme during the morning services.
The Church runs a number of Explore groups for the growth of faith and discipleship in the homes of some members and in the church, and further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services of worship.
The Church is responsible for a Toddler Group which meets in the Church premises on Wednesday mornings, with the purpose of assisting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ, whilst helping in the development of learning and social skills in those under 5.
The Market place is a community Food Larder which seeks to serve the local Sidley community as the impact of economic hardship has had a considerable effect on those living in the area. By providing very cheap food, much of which is donated by local supermarkets etc the work brings some needed relief and support. This project allows the church to work in partnership with many local agencies and local businesses. In 2023 1833 people were served providing food for 3 meals, so 5499 meals in total.
Through the provision of a café staffed by volunteers, this work also provides a place for those isolated, seeking friendship as well as a safe place for parents and their pre-school children to play.
The church is the lead church for Bexhill and Hastings for CAP (Christians Against Poverty), hosting the office of CAP in the building. Rev Guy Partridge, a member of the church, is now the centre manager having moved from being a Minister and Trustee of the church. This work sees many helped to escape overwhelming debt as well as introducing them where possible to Jesus.
From time to time the Church runs courses for people interested in discovering more about Christianity.
## **Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults**
The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service. The policy is reviewed annually. Access to suitable and appropriate training is provided to all those in roles which require it.
## **Achievements and Performance**
The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship and encouragement. The
Page **3** of **5**
Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure but believe that 2023 was a positive year in the life of the church, despite the loss of their minister-in -training as he was called to another church following his ordination.
Other staff changes were:-
In July 2023 the decision was made by the church members to call a new Full Time Minister, Rev Sally Sago who will take up her role in Feb of next year. With that in mind, the church is looking to be able to continue to pursue its mission purposes and outreach in 2024 with renewed enthusiasm.
3 people were baptised and received into church membership.
18 other people became members of the church.
- 12 members died during or moved away/left
At 31 December 2023 the membership stood at 52 compared to 43 a year earlier.
Average attendance at worship services decreased during the year.
The Toddler Group continued to be oversubscribed with a waiting list of people wishing to attend regularly.
Carried out Safeguarding Training, level 2 and 3
## **Financial Review**
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation **together with grants from a number of sympathetic** charities.
Financial systems are in place, as are policies for accountability and management, which are reviewed regularly.
Income in 2023 increased to £112,858 from £89,283 in the previous year.
The most significant expense related to Salaries - £41,157
Total expenditure increased from £108,241 to £113,531.
## **Accounts**
The accounts have been prepared on a ‘receipts and payments’ basis in accordance with Section 133 Charities Act 2011.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
The church is a participating employer within the Defined Benefit section of the Baptist Pension scheme and has been making ongoing deficit payments of £1 per month to cover the costs of past service of its staff within the scheme.
## **Charitable Giving**
The church gave a proportion of its income to other Christian charities. These include: The Baptist Home Mission, Baptist World Mission and Jews for Jesus
Page **4** of **5**
The Church is heavily dependent on its membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the church’s activities, many of which run with little or no impact on the church’s expenditure, but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the church’s objectives.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy to enable the church to function effectively and meet its obligations in the event of a decline in our income or a major cost.
## **Statement from policy**
Freedom Church Reserves Policy is as follows:
_“To hold three months of all expenditure plus a further three months staff costs to adapt to any changes in the income or expenditure of the church. The policy will be reviewed annually.”_
**This Report was accepted by the Trustees**
**Date: 4[th] September 2024**
**Signed: Church Secretary**
## **Treasurer**
Attached Accounts
Page **5** of **5**
## **Sidley Baptist Church Known as Freedom Church Bexhill**
**Report and Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
**Charity number: 1158651**
## **Freedom Church Bexhill**
## **Year Ended 31 December 2023**
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Legal and Administrative Details|1|
|Report of the Trustees|2 - 6|
|Report of the Independent Examiners|7|
|Receipts and Payments Accounts|8|
|Notes to the Accounts|9 - 10|
## **Freedom Church Bexhill Year Ended 31 December 2023 Legal and Administrative Details**
|Charity Name|Freedom Church Bexhill|
|---|---|
|Charity Registration Number|1158651|
|Mailing Address|Claremont Road|
||Bexhill On Sea|
||East Sussex|
||TN39 5BX|
|Trustees|Rev G Partridge (Resigned Sept 2023)|
||Rev D Cooke (Resigned June 2023)|
||J Hall (Resigned Sept 2023)|
||P Asselin ( Resigned 12/06/24)|
||H Belton (Resigned Sept 2023)|
||B Chaseley (Resigned Apr 2024)|
||P Goldsmith (Appointed Oct 2023)|
||K Davis (Appointed Oct 2023 Resigned Apr 2024)|
||L Daniels (Appointed Oct 2023 Resigned Apr 2024)|
||M Scarlett (Appointed 12/06/24)|
||S Briton (Appointed 12/06/24)|
||P Mullens (Appointed 12/06/24)|
||T Purfield (Appointed 12/06/24)|
||I Costley (Appointed 12/06/24)|
||H Belton (Appointed 12/06/24)|
|Independent Examiner|Mr L J Tasker FCCA|
||Ryefields Ltd|
||Unit 139 Airport House|
||Purley Way|
||Croydon|
||Surrey|
||CR0 0XZ|
1
## **Freedom Church Bexhill**
## **Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 7 to 10.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 the 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Name: Leslie John Tasker FCCA**
Relevant professional qualification or body: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Address: Ryefields Ltd. Unit 139 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon. Surrey CR0 0XZ.
Date: 21 October 2024
## **Freedom Church Bexhill**
## **Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023**
|**Notes**
**Incoming resources**
Charitable giving:
Giving to the church
2
Other income:
2
Grants received
Bank interest
2
**Total incoming resources**
**Resources expended**
Charitable activities
3
**Total resources expended**
Transfers between funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
**Represented by:**
Petty cash
Bank
**Net incoming/ (outgoing)**
**resources for the year**|**Total funds**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
59,171
-
-
59,171
15,761
13,104
-
28,865
-
19,491
-
19,491
787
4,544
-
5,331
75,719
37,139
-
112,858
79,302
34,230
-
113,532
79,302
34,230
-
113,532
(3,583)
2,909
-
(674)
-
52,345
179,719
-
232,064
48,762
182,628
-
231,390
178
-
-
178
48,587
182,625
-
231,212
48,765
182,625
-
231,390
**Unrestrticted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Designated**
**funds**|**2022**
**£**
52,050
26,733
10,500
-|
|---|---|---|
|||89,283|
|||108,241|
|||108,241|
|||(18,958)
-
251,022|
|||232,064|
|||819
231,245|
|||232,064|
Approved by the Trustees on 4th September 2024
## **M Scarlett (Treasurer)**
The notes on pages 9 and 10 form part of these accounts.
8
## **Freedom Church Bexhill**
## **Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.
- **(a)** The accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis.
- **(b)** • Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
- Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.
- Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
- **(c)** Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts.
- **(d)** • Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
- Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
- **e)** Capital expenditure is written off on purchase.
## **2 Giving to the church**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Designated**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Gifts and donations
51,827
-
-
Interest
787
4,544
-
Property letting
14,333
-
-
Other Income
999
-
-
Income from Market Place
-
13,054
-
BMS - Birthday Scheme
-
50
-
Coffee Morning
-
-
-
Little Seeds/Messy Church
429
-
-
Grants - New Garden
-
9,971
-
Grants - Other
-
9,520
-
Tax recovered
7,344
-
-
75,719
37,139
-|**2023**
**Total**
**£**
51,827
5,331
14,333
999
13,054
50
-
429
9,971
9,520
7,344|
|---|---|
||112,858|
## **3 Total resources expended**
|**Total resources expended**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Designated**|**2023**|
|||||**Total**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Charitable activities**|||||
|Church activities|4,866|10,377|-|15,243|
|Church Mission|6,888|-|-|6,888|
|Gifts|-|-|-|-|
|Training and resources|315|-|-|315|
|Bank Charges|222|-|-|222|
|Premises costs|19,317|3,651|-|22,968|
|New Garden|-|14,873|-|14,873|
|Professional Fees|5,740|-|-|5,740|
|Administration costs|6,126|-|-|6,126|
|Employment costs|35,828|5,329|-|41,157|
79,302 34,230 - 113,532
9
## **Freedom Church Bexhill**
## **Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023**
|**4 Movement of funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**Restricted funds**
**Designated funds**|**Balance at**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Transfers**
**Balance at**
**1 Dec 2022**
**resources**
**expended**
**31 Dec 2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
52,345
75,719
(79,302)
-
48,762|
|---|---|
|||
||179,719
37,139
(34,230)
182,628|
||-
-
-
-
-|
||232,064
112,858
(113,532)
-
231,390|
## **5 Assets**
At 31 December 2023 the Charity had the following assets:
|**Assets**
At 31 December 2023 the Charity had the following assets:||
|---|---|
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Designated**
Current Account
22,812
Savings Accounts
25,775
25,219
Manse Trust fund
157,406
Cash held
178|**£**
22,812
50,994
157,406
178|
||231,390|
8
**Freedom Church Bexhill Year Ended 31 December 2023 Report of the Trustees**
The Trustees presents their report and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022
A copy of the report is below:
## **Freedom Church Bexhill**
## **Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pag
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees conside under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is n
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under sec
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commis the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those reco unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opi present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- **●** to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with t
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandin
## **Name: Leslie John Tasker FCCA**
Relevant professional qualification or body: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Address: Ryefields Ltd. Unit 139 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon. Surrey CR0 0XZ.
Date: 21 October 2024
es 7 to 10.
er that an audit is not required for this year needed.
ction 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
ssion. An examination includes a review of ords. It also includes consideration of any g any such matters. The procedures inion is given as to whether the accounts
the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
ng of the accounts to be reached.