# **Report of the Trustees** # **and** ## **Financial Statement** # **For the year ending 31[st] December 2024** # **for** ## **Fressingfield Baptist Church** **Trustee Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] December 2024** ## **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 Martin Aylett Deacon Graham Browne Deacon Willem Grobler Deacon William Horrex Deacon Adrian Marfleet Deacon** **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** Note: In October 2024 the church unanimously agreed to the appointment of Mr Ben Smith, Mr Daniel Treen and Mr Callum Le-Roy as additional Property Trustees ## **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** 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. The personal loans that helped cover the cost of the building have now been repaid, following the sale of two residential building plots owned by the Church. Marketing of one other plot 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 Christianity Explored & Hope Explored courses are run as a means of presenting the bible and Gospel message to those seeking. Coffee Shop – continues to provide a safe, warm, friendly environment for customers. ## **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, and 8 people joined in membership. 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 older teenagers to meet together for bible study and discipleship, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Rock solid is new group for young people in school years 7-9 that we have added this year. 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, (our Sunday children’s discipleship group) continued to meet before the service on Sunday mornings. Holiday Bible Club, was held in August and attended by over 80 different primary school aged children over 5 days. 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 those who have filled this roll 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 2024. 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 Atcount For the year ended 31st December 2024 2024 Total fund 2023 Total fund General Fund Housing Fund Unrestrictèd fund Notes INCOME Donations Legacies received Interest received Rent received Property Sales Other income 137,551 137.551 137,551 131,664 374 191 36,294 205,000 565 36,294 205.000 27,183 565 249 33,951 36,294 205,000 27,183 27,183 19,964 Total Income 165,108 241,485 406.593 406,593 185,827 EXPENDITURE staff costs Chapel costs Housing costs Other ministry costs Mission Giving Capital items Loan Repayrnent% Legal expenses 47,870 28,173 47,870 28,173 68,741 26,100 13,728 10,435 25,000 810 47,870 28,173 68,741 26,100 13,728 10,435 25,000 810 54,773 27,245 2,124 24,528 3,363 32,876 25,000 768 68,741 26,100 13,728 10,435 25,000 810 Total Expenditure 141,682 79,175 220,857 220,857 170,677 Net Income 23.427 162,309 185.736 185,736 15.151 Balance Sheet For the year ended 31st December 2024 Tangible Fixed A55ets 2,268,717 2,400,325 Current Assets Cash at Bank Prepayments Other current assets Total current assets 8,400 3,012 648 12,060 37,335 2,259 319 39.913 Current Liabilitles Sundry creditors Total current liabilitie5 210,000 210,000 Net Current Assets 12.060 -170.087 Total non current liabilities 200,000 225,000 Net Assets 2,080,777 2,005.238 Funds Unresricted fund Capital fund 40,015 2,040,762 64,913 1,940,325 Total Funds 2.080,777 2.005.238 Notes l. Mission Givin8 2024 2023 Speclal Offerlngs Royal British Legion Teal Fund Tear Fund Quiz Tear Fund Christmas Appeal Tear Fund Gaza 122 175 530 613 747 371 1,293 1,265 Individual Missionaries & Workers Person A 2,000 500 350 850 Person 8 2,000 Mlsslons Asia Link Caring for Life Open Doors Reach Across Samaritans Purse 2,340 2,700 2,000 750 265 7,305 150 900 Other Organisations Affinity All Sèints School Fressingfield Breadline Christian Institute FIEC Grace Baptist Mission Grace Baptist Trust Corporation Grace Dirertory Radio Bible Class Norwich Homeless Sixth Sense Magazine United Christian Broadcasting Sizewell Hall 50 50 415 500 2.000 20 250 20 173 3,158 320 Total Mlsslon Glvlng 13.728 3,363 Inde endent Examiner's Re ort I report on the financial statements of Frcssingfield Baptist Church for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages three to six. Respective re5ponsibilitie$ of trllstees Ind examiner The charity's ttusttts are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consid¢r that an audit is not required for this ycar under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (th¢ Charitics Act) and that an independent examination is r¢quired. It is my responsibility to-. examine the finan¢ial stal¢ments under Section 145 the Charities Act to follow the procedures laid down in the General Dircctions givcn by thc Charity Commission (undcr Section 145{5)(b) of the Chariti¢s A¢t): and to state whether particular matters have corne to our attention. Basis of the independent esaminer's report My examtnation wa5 ¢aThicd out ill accordance with the General Directions given by th¢ Charity Comini55ion. An examination includes a review of the a¢rounling records kept by the charity and a Comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also in¢ludes consideration of any unusual items or dis¢losurcs in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trust¢cs conccrning any matters. Th¢ proccdurcs undcrtaken do not provide all the evidence that would b¢ rcquired in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a'trne and fair, view. Independent examiner's statement In connection with our examination, no matt¢r has come lo my attention.. whicb gives m¢ r¢asonabl¢ cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requiremellts o to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Aci,. 2nd o to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting re¢ords and to comply with the accounting Tequirements of the Charities Aot hav¢ not bccn mct: or to which. in my opinion, attention should b¢ drdwn in ordcr to cnable a proper understanding of th¢ a¢counts to be reached. Jamie Prety FCCA Jamie Pretty Chartered Certified Accountants Office 6, Rickinghall Busincss Centre Willow Fann. Allwood Green RL'ckinghall, Diss Norfolk IP22 ILQ