SOMERSHAM
WTfsT
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31st December 2020
Charity No: 1173623

SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
For the Year Ending 31st December 2020
Annual Report for 2020
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The trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2020.
Charitvs principle address
Somersham Baptist Church, High Street, Somersham, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3JB
Trustees
The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of the signing of this report were:
Name
Mr. R Blackhurst
Mr. P Driscoll
Office (if any)
Chair
Deacon for
Administration
Treasurer
Date of appointment
Date of resignation
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30 November 2020
Mrs. M Davies
Mr. A Ralph
Mr. S Anker
Mrs. K Downes
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Reappointed l November 2020
Deacon for
Administration
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30 November 2020
Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term by the members of the Church.
Property Trustees
The Baptist Union Corporation Limited, Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OXII 8RT.
Independent Examiner
Vincent Lynch
Structure, Governance and Management
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The Charity was constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 29 June 2017.
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The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document (Baptist Union Model Constitution adopted on 26
March 2017). Membership of the Church is open to those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and wish to
become members, and who, by applying for membership have indicated acceptance of the Beliefs, a willingness to
participate in the activities, have indicated their agreement to become a member and acceptance of the duty of
members set out in the Constitution. Persons seeking membership who have not been baptised in the manner
described in the Baptist Union's Declaration of Principle may at the discretion of the Church Members, Meeting be
accepted for full membership based on their own public profession of faith.
The Ordinary Church Members, meetings shall be held at regular intervals on not less than three occasions in a
calendar year. One ordinary Church Members meeting shall include the AGM (Annual General Meeting).
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
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For the Year Ending 31 December 2020
Structure, Governance and Management continued...
In accordance with the constitution, the Church Members, Meeting shall appoint Charity Trustees, including a
Church Secretary (or equivalent) and a Church Treasurer (or equivalent), who 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.
Objectives and Activities
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 such other general
charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.
In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to
its membership and the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed
and to bring people in to 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. These
services take place each Sunday at 10.30am. There are also occasional Se￿iceS at other times which are advertised
on the Church Notice Board and on the website at www.somershamba
tist.or
There is a full children's
programme during the morning services. The church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody
is free to attend any of these services.
The Church runs a series of house groups in the homes of some members, open to both members and non-
members, for the growth of faith and discipleship.
The Church runs a group or under 5's and parents or carers (Little Sparrows) which meets in the Church premises
on Wednesday mornings, with the purpose of assisting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ.
The church aims to restart various events for Young People - Explorers for reception age to year 6 and Dynamite
for year 7 to 13 in the coming year.
Occasionally, as needs arise, the Church runs courses for people interested in discovering more about Christianity.
The Church also runs the Christians Against Poverty Money course- a course designed to teach skills in building a
budget, managing money and preventing debt.
The Church is also used by local community groups on a regular basis: The Mothers Union, Somersham Town Band
and The Somersham History Society and a local school who have a summer production and a Christmas Nativity.
The Church is also available to hire on an ad-hoc basis as well as for weddings and funerals
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 and attend required Safeguarding training.
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
For the Year Ending 31st December 2020
Public Benefit Statement
The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and is satisfied that the activities outlined
above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
Achievements and Performance
The Church does not measure its success purely in numerical terms i.e., attendance and financial, but also in less
tangible areas like fellowship and encouragement. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure.
In March 2020 the whole world changed for what we all initially thought would be a short period of time due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. As with all other areas of life, church did not escape the drastic measures needed to be put in
place to protect the population from infection. Unfortunately, this meant any planned evangelical outreach work
had to be on hold, however one to one discussion sharing the gospel still took place.
The Church managed very early on in the pandemic to offer Sunday services broadcast "live" using the Zoom
platform. Guest preachers continued to preach the word 'live'. The fact that the services were, and continue to be
at the time of this report 'live' on Zoom, has created great congregational cohesion. Enabling congregational
participation in prayer and worship. Church family unity has been retained by being able to see one anotherfs faces,
communicate during the service and afterwards meeting in small break out rooms to catch up.
In terms of being fully inclusive of the whole congregation, the live broadcast only goes part way. Despite regularly
seeing 15 to 18 screens of different households open at a Sunday zoom service, there is still a proportion of the
church family we have been unable to reach, notably older members who do not use the technology. During the
last year when there were times when we were allowed to reopen the church; we did so, and this went part way
to allowing some of these members to join in.
The congregation continue to find the visiting preachers interesting and varied. Visiting preachers follow our in-
house program and last year we worked through the book of Genesis and latterly John's gospel. Having different
preachers brings good variety and freshness to Sunday morning worship
However, the Church is actively looking for a full time Minister and a team meet once a month in order to seek
God's will in this appointment. The process is not an easy task and with a pandemic it is proving challenging.
However, the church remains steadfast in the knowledge that God has prepared someone in advance to be the
Minister of Somersham Baptist Church.
Despite the problems of Covid-19 we averaged 22 attendees at Sunday worship during the year. Joyfully we can
also report that membership has increased by 2 during 2020 to 25 as at 31" December 2020 {23 as at 31 December
2019). We had 3 new membersjoin and I leave during the year.
Two mid-week House Groups continued during 2020- again using Zoom. Even post Covid-19, it is possible that this
form of meeting may continue in order to better steward the planet's resources and not use the car as much.
During the pandemic a midweek prayer meeting has also been launched on the zoom platform and is well attended.
During this difficult year we are pleased with the way such a small church has dug deep and made things happen,
with continued worship in every way legally possible. As I write this report with tears in my eyes, I cannot help but
mention that we have undoubtedly had an inordinate amount of supernatural help in order to continue to worship
the triune God. Heavenly Father; Thankyou.
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
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For the Year Ending 31 December 2020
Financial Review
The church raises funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation.
No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year.
The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by giving to national and international Christian
organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church's own charitable
purpose. The main recipients of this giving during the period of these accounts were: Baptist Home Mission, Baptist
World Mission and UFM (to support Church members who are missionaries in South East Asia).
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 Ending 31 December 2020, together with a summary of the accounting policies
adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
The church is a participant within the Defined Benefit section of the Baptist Pension scheme and has been making
ongoing deficit payments to cover the costs of past service of its employees within the scheme under a recovery
plan. The church understands that if it had left the scheme at the year-end, it would have to have made a one-off
payment estimated to be £24,200 (2019 - £38,000) to meet its statutory obligations of the scheme. The church has
no plans to leave the scheme and expects to continue to make payments to the scheme in line with the recovery
plan. During 2020 the Baptist Pension Scheme gave all churches paying into the deficit scheme a 50Yo holiday on
payments for six months
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy for its unrestricted funds to enable the church to function
effectively and meet its obligations in the event of a decline in our income or a major cost.
Having considered the relevant risks of changes in income and expenditure, the trustees have determined that the
appropriate level of reserves is in the range of £20,000 to £25,000. As at 31 December 2020 the church held total
reserves of £121.127 (2019 - £103,549), of which £25.80012019 - £25.552) were Restricted and £70.000 (2019 -
£53,000) Designated. The Trustees agreed that £70,000 has been designated for future Ministry costs at
Somersham Baptist Church. Reserves that were neither restricted nor designated amounted to £25,327 (2019 -
£24,997). (Please see Note 7 on page 8).
Approved by the order of the Trustees of Somersham Baptist Church on 17th June 2021 and signed on its behalf
by:
Mr. Richard Blackhurst
Chair
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
For the Year Ending 31st December 2020
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2020
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
Total
2020
Total
2019
Unrestrirted Restrirted Designated
Notes
Receipts
Regular and Gift Aid Giving
Gift Aid recovered
24,620
24,620
27,593
5,328
5,328
12,170
Donations and other Income
109
109
578
Rent and Contributions for church use
264
264
1,215
Bank Interest
248
248
246
Other
310
310
2,500
Total Receipts
30,321
248
30,879
44,302
Payments
Ministry
Mission
5,281
5,281
5,913
3,254
3,254
6,281
Upkeep of church premises
Administration
3,199
3,199
3,193
1,257
1,257
1,580
Other Payments
310
310
8,177
Total Payments
12,991
13,301
25,144
Nett Receipts/(Payments) for the year
17,330
17,578
19,158
Transfers between funds
(17,000)
17,000
Net Movement in funds
330
248
17,000
17,578
19,158
Cash balance brought forward
24,997
25,552
53,000
103,549
84,391
Cash balance carried forward
25,327
25,800
70,000
121,127
103,549
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
For the Year Ending 31st December 2020
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2020
Total
2020
Total
2019
Unrestricted Restricted Designated
Notes
Assets:
Bank and other cash balances
Petty Cash
19
19
46
Lloyds Bank Account
25,308
64,340
89,648
72,291
CAF Bank Account
340
340
339
Shawbrook 60 Day notice Account
25,800
5,320
31,120
30,873
25,327
25,800
70,000
121,127
103,549
Assets Held for the Church's own use
910,619 859,785
Total Assets
1,031,746 963,334
Liabilities:
Pension Scheme Liability
20,985
32,683
Total Liabilities
20,985
32,683
The accounts were approved by the Trustees of Somersham Baptist Church on 17th June 2021 and signed on
their behalf by:
Mr. Richard Blackhurst
Chair
Mrs Maureen Davies
Treasurer
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
For the Year Ending 31st December 2020
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
Basis of accounts:
These accounts have been prepared on a 'receipts and payments, basis and in accordance with
Section 133 Charities Act 2011.
2020
2019
Donations and other income:
Donations
Little Sparrows
Passover Meal tickets
57
21
52
252
305
Total Donations and other income
109
578
Ministry:
Moderators Salary
Pension
Ministers Travel
Pulpit Supplies
Discipleship
Other Ministry
250
2,784
216
1,635
50
346
3,553
129
1,918
156
157
Total Ministry
5,281
5,913
Mission:
Home Mission
BMS
UFM
Youth Work
Little Sparrows
Outreach - Easter Weekend
Outreach - Other
1,011
1,011
1,011
1,368
1,368
1,368
24
27
102
59
135
1,699
352
Total Mission
3.254
6,281
Upkeep of church premises:
Lighting and Heating
Water charges
Insurances
Repairs & Maintenance
Furniture & Equipment
Other Premises
1,164
339
1,122
448
1,017
231
388
60
961
214
428
20
Total Upkeep of church premises
3,199
3,193
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
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For the Year Ending 31 December 2020
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Continued...
2020
2019
Administration
Subscriptions
Photocopying, Printing & Stationery
Other Administration
788
29
440
745
392
443
Total Administration
1,257
1,580
Funds- Movement in Restricted and Designated Funds
a) Restricted Funds
The restricted Significant Building Fund is money raised for major building work on the church
premises, particularly renovation or extension projects.
2020
2019
Receipts
Interest
248
246
Payments
Planning Application
Architect Fees
Other
Total Payments
984
3,713
480
5,177
Nett Receipts/(Payments) for the year
248
(4,931)
Cash Balance brought forward
Cash Balance carried forward
25,552
25,800
30.483
25,552
b) Designated Funds
2020
2019
i) Future Ministry Costs
The Trustees agreed to set aside a futher £17,000 to a designated Future Ministry costs fund as
when a Minister is employed it will produce a significant deficit annual budget. Somersham Baptist
Church is in the process to fill the Pastoral vacancy.
Transfer from General Fund
17,000
53,000
Cash Balance brought forward
Cash Balance carried forward
53,000
70,000
53,000
ii) Gift to retiring Church Secretary
Receipt from Donations
310
Payment for Gift
310
Nett Receipts/(Payments) for the year
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SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
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For the Year Ending 31 December 2020
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Continued...
8 Assets Held for the Church's own use
The Church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal
title to which is held by the church's custodian trustee (the Baptist Union Corporation):
Church Premises at High Street, Somersham, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3JB valued in the
accounts at £831,392 (2019 - £784,332) based on insured value.
The Church also owns fixtures, furniture and equipment with an insured value of £79,227 (2019 -
£75,453)
9 Pension Scheme Liabilities
The Church is a participating employer in the Baptist Pension Scheme ("the Scheme"), which is a
separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension trust Limited). The assets
of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers, Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed
to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided
through the Defined Benefit {DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable
income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums
paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income. Since January 2012, benefits
have been provided through a Defined Contribution (DC) Plan.
A formal valuation of the DB Plan was done as at 31 December 2019 by a professionally qualified
Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets
was £298million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316million, giving a deficit of
£18million (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94Y.). The Church and the other participating
employers in the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit. the next actuarial
valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme is due to take place not later than as at 31 December 2022.
Under the Schedule of Contributions, the Church makes a monthly payment in respect of the DB
Scheme deficit, currently £317.95, which will increase in line with increases in Minimum Pensionable
Income. The Schedule of Contributions foresees these contributions continuing until June 2026. The
pension scheme liability shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is calculated at the current
rate per month multiplied by the number of months remaining in the current Schedule of
Contributions, which amounted to £20,985 as at 31" December 2020 (£32,683 as at 31st December
2019).
The Church has been advised that the estimated cost for the Church to buyout their Pension Scheme
liabilities at 31 December 2020 was £24,200 {31 December 2019 was £38,000).
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Template for Independent Examiners report (where independent examiner does not wish to highlight
any issues)
Report of the Independent Examiner(s) to the TNstees of
On the accounts for the year ended
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and 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 Att) and that an
independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Att,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section
145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examinerfs statement
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 church 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 the 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 fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's ststement
li
isted in section
"s one of th
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe
that in, any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in accordance with sertion 130 of the Charities Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set
out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts
give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. (fr
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order
to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached.
*De/ete the words in the brackets if they do not apply
Signed by or on behalf of the Examiner
Date
Name
Relevant Prefessional Qualification(s) or body (if any)
Address
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