## **Report of the Trustees**
# **and**
## **Financial Statement**
**For the year ending 31[st] December 2023**
**for**
**Fressingfield Baptist Church**
## **Trustee Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] December 2023**
## **Reference and Administration details**
**Charity Name – FRESSINGFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH**
**Registered Charity Number – 1166572 (as of 18[th] April 2016)**
**Charity’s Public Address** – **Fressingfield Baptist Chapel School Lane Fressingfield Eye Suffolk IP21 5RU**
## **Names of Charity Trustees (Office Bearers) who manage the charity**
**These Trustees were appointed at a members meeting**
**Stuart Balmer Pastor Richard Walsh Member Martin Aylett Deacon Peter Davidson Deacon Trevor Thompson Deacon**
## **Church Office**
**Church Office stuart.fressingfieldbaptist@gmail.com Church Website www.fressingfieldbaptist.church**
## **Church Trustees - Property**
**Mr Peter Davidson (Chairman) Mr Colin Grimwood Mr Darren Noller Mr Gordon Leggett Mr Mark Newcombe Mr Owen Le-Roy Mr Robert Powell Mr Charles Davidson**
## **Independent Examiner of Accounts**
**Jamie Pretty Offices 6 Rickinghall Business Centre Willow Farm Allwood Green Rickinghall Diss, Norfolk IP22 1LQ**
**info@jamiepretty.co.uk**
## **Bankers**
**Barclays Bank plc 6 Market Place Harleston Norfolk IP20 9AE**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
Fressingfield Baptist Church is a charity that operates under the governance of a Constitution adopted at a meeting of their members on 28[th] July 2015
The constitution governs the charitable assets of the Church from a legal perspective in accordance with the requirements of Charity Law. Regulations affecting the spiritual governance of the Church are contained in a separate document entitled ‘Rules and Regulations’
FBC (Fressingfield Baptist Church) owns various buildings as listed below.
## **The Chapel**
This building is subject to a Trust Deed dated 1835 which is managed by the Trustees listed above. A maximum of 50% of the Trustees are members of FBC and the balance are members of other local churches of the same faith and order **.**
The original chapel had an adjacent graveyard which was retained by FBC for the use of the membership and others by agreement. It is held in trust by the chapel trustees.
## **Dwellings – 1 to 5 Chapel Close**
These five dwellings consist of a two bedroomed bungalow, three two bedroomed houses and a three bedroomed house. These were built from the proceeds of a legacy given to the church and are held in Trust by the same group but on behalf of FBC. These continue to still be in the ownership of the church and are held in trust by the Chapel Trustees.
## **Membership**
The Church members would be those who have been baptised in the traditional Baptist way, and the numbers attending are consistent and we have had believer’s baptism and transfers, with a faithful wider congregation meeting regularly for worship services.
## **Objectives and Activities**
These remain as previous but the fellowship has taken a major step in improving both its spiritual and social outreach and having now moved into a new purpose built chapel, in September 2021, we continually look for opportunities to support the local community.
The principle objective of FBC is the advancement of the Christian Faith according to Baptist principles and in accordance with the Church’s Rules and Regulations.
The charity does also carry out and supports other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world – see mission giving below.
## **Chapel Building**
It consists of a 250 seat worship space, a sports hall, a kitchen capable of serving hot food as a means of fellowship and encouragement to the less fortunate, in whatever situation they find themselves. The foyer is a separate larger space with a café for use daily, both by young and old and those in-between. There is a dedicated Sunday School area with open classrooms to reflect our determination to provide safe and secure facilities for young people, both in the church and in the local community. There was considerable overspend on building the new chapel These overspends have been covered by a loan from the Baptist Building CIO and personal loans from church members.
It is hoped to reduce the overall debt by the sale of land owned by the Church for residential plots – planning permission has been gained and the marketing is ongoing.
## **Our main activities include**
Sunday meetings, in person and on Zoom.
Mid-week bible studies and prayer meeting with regular Home Groups. Evangelistic activities to all age ranges in the community. Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved. Young Peoples Groups – mid week, weekends. Parent and Toddler Group – Friday mornings. Ladies meeting – both fellowship and evangelistic. Men’s Groups – both fellowship and evangelistic.
Promotion and support of Missions. (see mission giving below) Local school assemblies
Hope Explored and Discipleship are run as a means of presenting the bible and Gospel message to those seeking.
Coffee Shop – opened to provide a safe, warm, friendly environment for any who wish to attend.
## **Achievements and performance**
Through the preaching of God’s word, the Bible, we have seen our regular congregation continue to grow, both numerically and spiritually. The church is blessed and pleased to have Stuart Balmer as their resident Minister and under Shepherd.
## **Brief description of the various works the Church is involved in:**
As a precursor to the following we take children’s health, care and safety as paramount. All those working with children will have been through DBS checks and we have a strict policy to maintain and monitor this programme. The policy was reviewed and enhanced through 2023 in addition a general safeguarding event was held.
Toddler Group called Friday Fun Time provides a weekly, Friday morning time where parents can bring their pre-school children and meet with other parents/carers: mostly ladies but men do attend.
KLIC, Keep Living in Christ, is an opportunity for teenagers to meet together for bible study and discipleship, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
EPIC is for 5 to 11 year olds to meet, to play games, and interact after a week of school with their friends and incorporating an age appropriate bible talk.
Lighthouse, meets Sunday mornings and is well attended – 3-11 year olds.
Holiday Bible Club, was held in August. A bible club for 3 to 12 year olds and it was very well attended. It is run by volunteers who prepare through the year to keep the whole morning bright and attractive to the children. It has been running at least 40 years and obviously parents/grandparents who attended are now bringing their children.
All of the above events are financed through FBC and no charges are made.
## **Teaching and building up God’s people**
We are blessed by the eldership who have filled this role within the church preaching Sunday by Sunday and additional works as required to meet the need of members and other attendees.
## **Property – maintenance and equipment**
The Church is blessed to have five properties as listed previously which are rented at no more than local council rents for the same size dwellings and often below. We do support those who cannot always find the full deposits etc. that commercial landlords would expect. It is often difficult to enforce payments of rent but we have tried to be good social landlords.
We do have expenses such as repairs and refurbishments, which can all be clearly seen in the presented accounts.
## **Financial Report and Review**
Financial statement for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
We have supported various Missions, and individuals in Missionary work.
During previous years, we have been singularly blessed financially and have not had to formally budget however with the cost of the new chapel and increase in paid ministry, we have to budget. We can meet all and any financial demands placed upon us. We do feel we have been prudent and discerning with what God has given to us.
As a sign of national fellowship with other like-minded evangelical churches we are members of the FIEC (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) which allows us to recognise the needs of other fellowships and for us to have the support of legal, financial, pastoral, support etc.
## **Health and Safety**
We have an internal Health and Safety officer who maintains our policy and monitors other commitments on Health and Safety.
## **Income & Expenditure Account**
For the year ended 31st December 2023
|**Notes**
**INCOME**
Donations
Legacies received
Interest received
Rent received
Property Sales
Other income
**Total Income**
**EXPENDITURE**
Staff costs
Chapel costs
Housing costs
Other ministry costs
Mission Giving
**1**
Capital items
Loan Repayments
Legal expenses
**Total Expenditure**
**Net Income**|**2023**
**2022**
**General**
**Housing**
**Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**Fund**
**Fund**
**fund**
**fund**
**fund**
£
£
£
£
£
131,664
0
131,664
131,664
156,724
0
0
0
83
166
249
249
17
33,951
33,951
33,951
33,904
0
0
0
0
19,964
0
19,964
19,964
363,153
**151,711**
**34,117**
**185,827**
**185,827**
**553,798**
54,773
54,773
54,773
74,466
27,245
27,245
27,245
15,628
2,124
2,124
2,124
3,552
24,528
24,528
24,528
3,874
3,363
3,363
3,363
7,100
32,876
32,876
32,876
365,436
25,000
25,000
25,000
75,000
768
768
768
744
**135,677**
**35,000**
**170,677**
**170,677**
**545,800**
**16,034**
**-884**
**15,151**
**15,151**
**7,999**|
|---|---|
## **Balance Sheet**
For the year ended 31st December 2023
|**Tangible Fixed Assets**
**Current Assets**
Cash at Bank
Prepayments
Other current assets
**Total current assets**
**Current Liabilities**
Sundry creditors
**Total current liabilities**
**Net Current Assets**
**Total non current liabilities**
**Net Assets**
**Funds**
Unresricted fund
Capital fund
**Total Funds**|**2,400,325**
**2,367,449**
37,335
20,664
2,259
3,186
319
**39,913**
**23,850**
210,000
210,000
**210,000**
**210,000**
**-170,087**
**-186,149**
**225,000**
**250,000**
**2,005,238**
**1,931,299**
64,913
23,851
1,940,325
1,907,449
**2,005,238**
**1,931,299**|
|---|---|
## **Notes**
## **1. Mission Giving**
|**Special Offerings**
Royal British Legion
Tear Fund
Tear Fund - Christmas Appeal
Tear Fund - Gaza
**Individual Missionaries & Workers**
Person A
Person B
**Missions**
Asia Link
Caring for Life
Open Doors
Reach Across
Samaritans Purse
**Other Organisations**
Affinity
All Saints School Fressingfield
Christian Institute
FIEC
Grace Baptist Trust Corporation
Grace Directory
Radio Bible Class
Sixth Sense Magazine
United Christian Broadcasting
Sizewell Hall
**Total Mission Giving**|**2023**
**2022**
£
£
175
200
0
3,900
747
700
371
0
1,293
4,800
500
500
350
0
850
500
0
0
750
750
0
400
0
350
150
0
900
1,500
50
0
0
0
0
0
250
250
20
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
320
300
**3,363**
**5,025**|
|---|---|
Inde
endent Examiner's Re
ort
I report on the financial statements of Fressingfi¢ld Baptist ChUh for the year ended 31 December 2023 set
out otk pages three to six.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examKner
The charity's trnstees are responsible for the preparation of thc a¢count5. The trustees consider that au audit
is not required for this year undei S¢¢lion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 {the Charities Act} and that an
independent ¢xaminalion is required.
It is my r¢sponsibility to..
examtne the fillancial staiemenls under Section 145 the Charities Act
to follow thc proc¢durt5 laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission
(under Se¢lion 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act): and
to state whether particular matters have Come to our att¢nlion.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was catried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commission. An examination includes a r¢vicw of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of th¢ accounts pr¢s¢nted with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual itCm5
or disclosures in the a¢counts, and 5ccking explanation5 from you as trustees concerning any matters.
The procedures Undertaken do uol PTovid¢ all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and
consequently uo opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'trne and fair, vi¢w.
Independent examiner'5 Statement
ID cowicction with our examination, no matter has con)e to my attention..
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
o to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act,. and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting COrdS and to comply with the
accounting requirements of th¢ Charities Act hav¢ not b¢cn tn¢t,' or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be r¢ach¢d.
Jamie Pretty FCCA
Jamie Pretty Chartered Certified Accountants
Office 6, Rickinghall Business Centre
Willow Fami, Allwood Green
Rickinghall. Diss
Norfolk
IP22 ILQ