## **Ashby Baptist Church 2021 Trustees’ Report** ## **Ashby Baptist Church 2021 Report** ## Statutory Information ## **Registered Address** Brook Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. LE65 1HA Charity Registration Number 1159600 ## **Trustees** Rev G Heath (Pastor Appointed 31 January 2009) Mrs W Becker (Treasurer) (Appointed as Deacon 28 June 2016) Mr Richard Craggs (Appointed 23 February 2021) Mr J Greening (Appointed 23 February 2016) Mrs J Earnshaw (Appointed 26 February 2019) Mr Graeme Robinson (Appointed 25 February 2020) Mrs Lesley Salter (Appointed 23 February 2021) Mr Duncan Scott (Appointed 27 February 2018) Mrs Sue Treasure (Secretary) (Appointed 23 February 2021) Rev I Hunter (Retired 23 Feb 2021) Mr Tom Beavin (Retired 23 Feb 2021) ## **Property Trustees** The Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT ## **Bankers** National Westminster Bank Ashby-de-la-Zouch Kingdom Bank Ruddington ## **Independent Examiners** Mr Keith Malin Mrs S Shaw Page |1 ## **Ashby Baptist Church 2021 Trustees’ Report** ## **Annual Report for 2021** The Trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for 2021. ## **Charitable Object** The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document which states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the declaration of principle of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education and other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. 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** Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be baptised by immersion upon personal profession of faith or, at the discretion of the Church, upon an alternative personal profession of faith. The members’ Meeting normally takes place five times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the Church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint a minimum of six Trustees (including the Secretary and Treasurer), who together with the Minister (who is also appointed by the Members), and collectively known as the Diaconate, 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 the Church meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Although the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church Meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible. ## **Objectives and Activities** In order to achieve the Charitable Object, which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the community generally. 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. Anybody is free to attend these services, when government regulations permit, which take place each Sunday morning at 10.30am; there are also occasional services at other times, as advertised from time to time. There is a children’s programme linked to the morning services. The Church runs a series of mid-week home groups for the growth of faith and discipleship, both in the homes of members and on the Church premises, when government regulations allow. The Church runs various activities specifically for the wider community, some of which are recommended by the local Council’s social services department, including a lunch club. Subject to government restrictions: Rainbows and Guides meet regularly in the Church building and a number of activities for young people are held on a regular basis, some in conjunction with Ashby Youth for Christ; the Women’s Institute meets monthly on the premises, and many other organisations use the facilities on an occasional basis. Page |2 ## **Ashby Baptist Church 2021 Trustees’ Report** Valued links with the other Churches in Ashby and in to the community find particular expression through involvement with Ashby Youth for Christ, Christians Against Poverty, and Street Pastors, as well as through town-wide gatherings for prayer. Many members are involved individually in the life of the community, in Ashby and further afield. The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Trustees are satisfied that the Church’s activities, which can be seen in more detail on the Church’s website, clearly demonstrate that it is providing a benefit to the public. ## **Achievements and Performance** The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, whether financial or otherwise, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship, encouragement and spiritual growth. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure, but the wide range of successful activities indicate that, even during a very difficult year, the Charitable objective has been met and will continue to be met in 2022. As the church sought to look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, it took as its theme for 2021, “Beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3); and, as restrictions were gradually eased through the year, a variety of activities were able to recommence, with new ones being introduced. In-person Sunday services resumed as permitted, with increasing numbers participating; a portion of each service was also streamed online for the benefit of those who were unable or not yet ready to attend. By the end of the year, the provision for children and young people had moved largely from online to in-person, the monthly Saturday morning group for fathers and their pre-schoolers, ‘Who let the dads out?’, had restarted, and preparations were being made for a new weekly baby and toddler group, ‘Play and Pray.’ The mid-week small groups for adult Bible study, prayer and support also began to return from online to in-person, with seniors especially benefitting from the Friday ‘Why Jesus?’ and ‘Lunch Club’, and the regular reflective Sunday afternoon service, ‘Prime Time.’ There are also plans for a church weekend away in 2022, giving an opportunity for the renewal and deepening of relationships following the pandemic. Recognising the impact of the pandemic on mental health in the community, ‘ Renew 139’ was launched as a weekly Wednesday group where it is ‘OK to not be OK,’ with craft and other activities, and an opportunity to gather for quiet prayer; this has proved very popular. A Sunday evening event, ‘Pause and Reflect,’ was also provided as an opportunity to process the trauma of the pandemic. During the past year, two members died and seven others ceased to be members, including three who had moved away, while three people were received into membership. At the February AGM, two Deacons retired, while three others were appointed, one for a second consecutive term; and at a Special Church Meeting in June it was agreed to update the constitution so that, instead of having to take a vacant year after two terms, Deacons may be appointed for a third consecutive three-year term but only in exceptional circumstances and to fulfil specified roles. As regulations permitted, Ashby Youth for Christ ran activities from our premises for young people, as did the Guides. The monthly Women’s Institute meeting also restarted, and a monthly Saturday morning ‘Make do, mend and create’ group was launched in partnership with another local church, while Statutes, the annual fair, provided an opportunity to work with other churches in the town on the ‘Try Praying’ initiative. Page |3 ## **Ashby Baptist Church 2021 Trustees’ Report** As a member of the local East Midlands Baptist Association, we continued to support the ministry of Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Kingsgate Project at Greenhill Baptist Church, both in Coalville, while the annual toy service brought generous contributions for the Marlene Reid Centre. The church also provides ongoing financial and prayer support to a number of ministries, both in this country and overseas, offering assistance to church workers, young people, students, victims of abuse, and those in need of development aid or emergency assistance. Although income did not fully match expenditure, because of reduced cash offerings and rental income due to the pandemic, currently reserves remain adequate. The Pastor and Deacons are grateful to everyone who contributed to all that was achieved in 2021, and look forward to 2022, when the theme will be “Prepare the way for the Lord.” (Matthew 3:3) ## **Financial Review** The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. The most significant regular expense is the cost of the Minister who leads and co-ordinates the Church’s activities including the Sunday Services, together with the parttime Pastoral Worker, who assists the Minister in providing pastoral care for the congregation and others, and in equipping and encouraging the membership in their life, Christian witness and service. The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to local, national and international Christian organisations with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the Church’s own charitable purpose. 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. The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements. The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year. The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the Church, and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks. Page |4 ASHBY BAvrisr CHURCH FINANCE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2022 AGM "Glve thanks to the God of hth7ven. His l¢)ve endures forever.- Psolm 136."26 Independent Examinatlon The Independent Examiners have completed their work and signed off the accounts. A copy of their Report and the Accounts in the forniat for the Charity Commission is attached. 2. Receipt5 The Church continues to raise the funds that it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. Income for 2021 was down by E14,CKKJ on that for the previous year which is reflected in the General Fund being much reduced. Claim5 continued to be made under the Job Retention Scheme while it was runnin8. All paid staff have now returned to working their contracted hours in full. 3. Payments The Church is heavily dependent on its membership working as volunteers in all aspects of Church activities, many of which nJn with little or no impact on Church expenditure but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the Church's objectives. Expenditure for the year was approaching £5.C((I less than in 2020. a. Ministry The main Sunday moming service continued to be livestreamed for the benefit of those not able to attend in person. The numbers attending in person have fluttuated but with a general trend towards increasing congregations. b. Misslort The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making dOnat￿Tr5 to local, national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian airns and objectives compatible with the Church's own charitable purpose, summarised in Note 5 to the Accounts and detailed at Note 3. IO% of the church's income was tithed equalty between BMS World Missitin and EMBA Home Mission Fund. Financial support was also given out of Church funds to Ashby Youth for Christ, Oasis Intemational (to support the work of Phil Lane). British Youth for Christ (supporting Nigel Roberts) and Christians Against Poverty ICAP-MNF in Ashbyl. Upkeep of church prernises These costs are detailed in Note 6 to the Accounts and show that our expenditure was signFficantly lower than forecast in the budget. At the end of 2021 a quinquennial report was commissK*ned and the leadership team will be exploring its recomrnendations in 2022. 4. Deficit for the year and bank balances The Trustees are satisfied that they have sufficient reseryes at the Balan￿ Sheet date. together with ongoing anticipated income. to enable the church to fvncth)n effectivety in the coming year. There wa5 0 defictt of £1,544 in the general accounts in 2021 against a surplus of £7,519 in 2020. The main reason being that income was around £14.LXX) lower in 2021. whereas total payment5 were nearty £5,CKK) less than in the previous year. As at 31 December 2021 total bank and cash balan￿5 stood at £46.645. Page | I ASHBY BAPTIST CHURCH ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 GENERAL RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOU 2021 2020 Receipts Regular offerings Donations and other income Income tax reCOve￿d on gift aided re￿Ipts to general funds Job Retention Scheme grants Bank interest Rents and contributions for use of premises Ministry & Manse Fund Monies raised and receNed for other causes 83,168.76 555.68 18.706.59 1.370.20 277.79 543.35 2,358.69 1.4(X).(K) £108,381.06 86.727 4.306 18,378 8.922 312 2.238 742 £122.225 Ministry Mission Administration Upkeep of Church premises 63,837.52 23.894.73 9.128.05 13.064.31 £109,924.61 62.623 25,134 8,984 17.965 £114.706 Surplusl(DefK•tl for the year Balance brought forward * 1st January Unpre5ented Cheque No 5264 00siTrg Balance at 3tst December -1,543.55 48.338.50 .150. 7,519 40.669 150 £46.644.95 £48.338 Page 12 srATEMENT OF BANK & CASH BALANCES AT 31 DECEMBER 2021 Plote 2021 2020 40.669 7,669 £48.338 General Funds- balance brought forward at l January Total General Funds Surplus/lDeficitl for the Year Balance carried forward at 31 December represented by: Natwest Current & Business ReSe￿e Accounts Kingdom Bank Savings Accounts Petty Cash Total Cash and Bank balances at 31 December allocated to: General Fund Building & maintenan￿ Fund Missirjn Fund Ministry & Manse Deposit Fund Benevolen￿ Fund 48,338.50 -1,693.55 £46,644.95 9,329. 37,279.84 36.11 26,314 22,004 20 £46,644.95 £48.338 19,488.13 4.051.99 30,231 2.692 186 13.837 1,392 £ 48.338 21,252.70 1,852.13 £46,644.95 Total STATEMEKf OF ASS￿5 AND LIABIL￿E5 AT 31 DECEMBER 2021 2021 2020 Assets Bank and other cash balances representing Balances in the followin8 Funds Total Funds £46,644.95 £48.338 46,644.95 £46,644.95 48,338 £48.338 Other monetary assets £7.609.33 £ 7,590 Non-monetary assets £1,808.018 £1.685.CiXI Page13 ADOPTION BY THE MEMBERS OF ASHBY BAPTisf CHURCH The Accounts. including the Notes. were adopted at the Annual General Meeting of Ashby Baptist Church on 22 February 2022. ez Doted.. Signed: Chaimian Re¥ Dr Nick Ashton Secretary Sue Treasure Page14 NOTES TO THE Accoupirs l. Basls of attounts: These accounts have been prepared on a 'receipts and payments, basis and accord with Sertion 133 of the Charities Act 2011 2. Donations and other irtome: General donations Saturday coffee morning5 Donations towards upkeep of Church premises 2021 117.45 30.87 407.36 2020 3,561 581 £555.68 £4,306 3. Other causes 2021 2020 Ralsed 275 Glven 5,726 5,451 4,751 1.032 2,762 2.262 Ratsed Given 5,889 5,889 4.560 1.008 2.381 2,214 75 133 BMS Worfd Mission EMBA Home Mission Fund Ashby Youth for Christ Christians Against Poverty Imidlands National Forest} Oasis International {P & R Lane) British Youth For Christ IN Roberts) Tearfund Christian Aid 95 167 75 Latin Link Agape IL Mclntoshl Other Cause5 500 51)) £1.4(M) £22.514 £742 £22,649 Mlnlstry Ministerfs Stipend. on-costs and expenses Minister's housing costs Minister-in-Training Pastoral worker and costs Family Ministries Worship resources Fellowship 5UPPOrt and events Benevolence 2021 2020 38,863.92 12.245.13 37,340 12.087 18 12.303.36 12.437 iio ISYl.89 194.22 414 17 200 63.837.52 £62,623 Page15 NOTES TO THE Accoumfs (continued) 5. M•ssion Given to other causes Other local outreach Note 2021 22.514.(K) 1.380.73 23,894.73 2020 22,649 2.485 £25.134 6. Upkeep of Church Premises and General Ruftni￿ Costs 2021 2020 Insurance 2,558.74 2.064.03 2,199.43 4.135.13 2,418 2,880 2,679 4,125 443 Gas and electricity Other running costs Cleaning Catering General repairs & maintenance 2,106.98 13.064.31 5,420 £17.965 7. Other monetary a55ets Current debtors: HMRC- tax recoverable on Gfft Aid Q3 Insurance prepaid Note 2021 2020 4.821.70 2,558.74 £7.380.44 228.89 5,034 2,417 £7,451 139 sh balances of Church ovganisatlons £7,609.33 £7,590 8. Non-monetary assets Church premises situate Brook Street, Ashby-de-la-zouch, built in 1862 and held by The 8aptist Union Corporation Ltd. as Custodian Trustees. The building is currently insured for Contents of the Church premises are currently insured for 2021 2020 1.657,797 150,221 £1,808,018 1,545,OLK) 140,L £1.685,(KX) 9. Cash balances of Churth organisations Opening Balance aosing Balance Receipts Payments Lunch Club Acoms IToddler Group) 59.52 79.10 283.71 114.34 79.10 228.89 £138.62 £283.71 £193.44 £228.89 In 2021 there were no donatio￿ made by the Church orzanlsatlons al>ove to charitable tauses. Page 16 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS, REPORT ON THE AccouNrs REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ASHBY BApnst CHURCH ON ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 Respective responsibilitie5 of the Trustees and the IndeperKlent Examiners The Chartty's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts. The Charl￿S Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Sett￿n 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to: examine the Accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act- • follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under Section 14515llbl of the Charitie5 Acl); and state whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of Independent Examine￿. Statement Our examination was carrled out in accordance with general direction5 gNen by the Charity Commission. An examinètFon includes a review of the accounting record5 kept by the Charty and a comparison of the Accounts p￿sented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning 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 fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiners, Ststement In connection with our examination. no matter has come to our attention-. . which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements lal to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Chartties Act- and Ibl to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act: have not been met- or 2. to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached Dated.. Signed: Keith Malin Sèndrd Shaw 64A The Crest Linton Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 6QE 41 Ashby Road Moira Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 6DJ Page17 INDEPENDEKf EXAMINERS. REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ASHBY BAPTIST CHURCH ON ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 Respective respoTrsitiilities of the Trustees and the Irbdependent Examiners The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts. The Charl￿$ 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 our res￿n51b1lity to= examine the Accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act- • follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity CommissTron lunder Section 145151{bl of the Charities Act)- and state whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of Independent Examiners. Statement Our examination was carried out in accordance with general dirertions gNen by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a rewew of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the Account5 presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion Is gNen as to whether the Accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiners. Staternent In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention: - which gNes us reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect. the requirements (al to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act: and (bl to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and compty with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act . have not been met; or 2. to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached Dated: Signed: Keith Malin 64A The Crest Sandra Shaw 41 Ashby Road Moira Linton Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 6QE Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 6DJ Page17