ROSS BAPTIST
-LJcHURCH
Inspiring Ilves wlth thè message of Jesus
Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Annual Report andAccounts forthe year ended
31st December 2023
Charity registered number: 1175785
Ro55-on.Wye Baptist Church, B￿)Jd SL R0$5-on.Wye HR9 7EA
thurch Offi￿. The vefi￿, Hill Street. R055-on.Wye, Heref0rdshi￿, Hft9 7AD
Tel: 01989 %A966. Em3il'. adnNn@f055baprisLorg
￿Ste￿I CharrtaE4e InttsTFQTrted Or8anisat¥Jn Nc*". 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report for the year ended 3tst Decembèr 2023
Annual Report and Accounts
Table of Contents
Annual Report andAccounts........-.........-........................-...................................................
Report of the Trustee5............-.-...........-..........-.........-.-...........-...............-..........................
Objertives and activlties..............................................................................................................
Our aims .........................................................................................................................................................
Our objecbves.................................................................................................................................................
Our communicatÈons......................................................................................................................................
Stsff ................................................................................................................................................................
Strategies.................................................................................................................................-............-.........
Use of volunteers...........................................................................................................................................
ActS¥ities and achlevernents........................................................................................................
How our activities deliver public benefrt........................................................................................................
Religious acttvrties....................-........-..........................................................................................................
Stru(￿re, governance and management.......................-.......................................................... Iz
Organi5ational Structure...........................................................................................................
Recruitment and appointment of trustees......... ......................................................................................... 13
Induction and training of tnjstees................................................................................................................ 13
RFsk Management....................................-....................................................................................................13
Financial review..............................-........................................................................................
Reserves policv..................................................-.................................................-........................................
General Fund................................................................................................................................................
14
14
Investment pdicy and objeLtNes................................................................................................................. 14
Trustees ond Administratson...............-.............................................................................15
Trustees during theyear""........................................-................................................................................... 15
Safeguarding................................................................................._..............................................................
Statement of Trustee< responsibilitles in relation to the Financial 5tatements......................... 15
Reference and Administr3ts"ve Details...........................-.............................................................................. 16
Independent examiner........-....................................................................................................................... 16
Name of the bankers.................................................................................................................................... 16
Independent Exominer'5 Report to the trustees oARos5-on-Wye Boptist Church................17
Responslbilities and basis of report.......................................................-.................................. 17
Independent examinerfs ststement...-.............._..................................................................... 17
Statement of financial acti¥ittes....................-........................................................................... 18
Balance sheet...........................................................................................................................
19
Cash flow Ststsment ................................................................................................................. 20
14otes to the accounts.....-........................................................................................................ Zl
12
14
RBC Annual rep￿ for tt*YearEnthng31.IL23J
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Ch*ity ￿ste￿d fiumber.. 1175785

R0$5-on-Wye Baptist Church
Report frK the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Report of theTrustees
for the year ended 31st December 2023
Objectwes and activities
Our alms
The objects of the charity are set out in the charitys Approved Goveming Document
and are summarised as follows-.
The principal purpose of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith
according to the principles of the Baptist Denomination. The church may also
advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdorn
andlor other parts of the world.
Our 'Mission' statement is:
o be a people inspired by Jesus who share lrfe together and who are empowered
to make a drfference in all aspects of lrfe."
Our objectives
Our objectives are set to reflect our faith and community aims. In carrying out this
review, the trustees have considered the Charity Commissioners general guidance on
public benefit and in particular its supplementary public guidan￿ on the advancement
of religion for the public benefiL
Our aims continue to be the provision of a facility where the community in Ross-on-
Wye and the surrounding district can worship, and also a facility that can be used by
the general public as a safe pla￿ to meet and provide activities. We also wish to cast
a wider vision of transforming our town. county, and country and beyond to help make
a world-wide community that is pea￿fiJl. vibrant. and hamionious. healed through
God's love.
Our 'Vision' statement still states that at Ross Baptist Church:
We will be a Church that seThes our communty and where people of all ages and
abilities can develop a relationship kvith Jesus..
Our communications
In our publicity. letterhead. and literature Our 'Mission' statement and 'Vision'
ststement are combined and shortened to:
°Inspiring lives with the message of Jesus."
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Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Rewt for the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Staff
Following the resignation of our prewous Minister, as outtined in last year's Annual
Report, 2023 saw the church begin the search for a new minister. Following
engagement with church members and regular worshipers a 'Church Profile, was
developed and then advertised on the Baptist Union Website. Applications recetved
for the position were considered by the 'search team. composed of a cross section of
church members. A potential candidate was subsequently interviewed and considered
by the wider church membership. Itwas decided at a church meeting thatthe individual
was not the right person for the position and so the 'Church Profile. was set to be
readvertised in January 2024. Thanks go to the members of the 'search team, for their
faithful, diligent and prayerful counsel during this process.
Desptte not having a minister the following staff were employed.
Youth worker
Pete Martin
Children and family's worker
Karen Be
Children's worker
Jane Griffiths
Church administrator
CAP Centre Manager
Steph Ray
Elaine Loe
Pastoral worker (Volunteer)
Dave Bery
Strategies
We continue to want to make Ross-on-wye Baptist Church an accessible and
welcoming venue where the community in general. or those who wish to know more
about our faith, can gather to leam about God's love and grace and to worship. The
church building and the community centre (The Venue) are open for activities most
days each week arKI support and guidance are available from the Church offi￿ in
The Venue when the church building is dosed.
Regular teaching remains a feature of church life and the church community by way
of Sunday services and weekday events. induding communion and house groups.
The church's focus is not only inwards to Fts members. and an important part of its
strategy is to provide help and support to the community at the point of need. For
example, a Christians Against Poverty debt counselling Servi￿ is operational. regular
mentoring visits are made to the lown's secondary school, pastoral help and support
is available to all. and support and help to those on the margins of our society feature
heavily on its agenda.
The church's finances are self-supporting through the gifts and donations of its
members. As part of its strategy the church is also mindful of giving to those nationally
and worldwide who have insufficient money to cover their basic needs for shelter. food.
clothing, and who are destitute with no means of support.
An important part of our strategy is community welfare and education. All our
community activities are advertised. and we welcome the participation of all in our local
community. Most of our activities. such as Kingdom Club and Family Fun Week
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Ross-on-wye Baptist Churth
Rewt for the year ended 31st December 2023
(Holiday Club). are free and supported by donations or granl funding. Where a charge
is made. concessions or bursaries are available in order to minimise exdusion of those
in need.
Use of volunteers
Volunteers are an important resour￿ in both our faith and community work.
Volunteers are involved in most of our faith and community work and number
approximately 60. All the church trustees give of their time freely. We encourage
every church member to be involved in voluntary activities and to share their faith and
skills with others.
All those volunteers working with children and other vulnerable persons are DBS
checked.
Actlvitles and achievements
How our activities deliver public benefit
The charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuan￿ of its charitable aims.
The trustees consider that these activities, summarised below, provide public benefit
both to those who worship at Ross-on-wye Baptist Church and the wider community
of Ross on Wye and its locality. All these meetings are open to the public.
Though convenient. the separation befvieen "religious" and .￿Mmuni￿ used below
is entirely artFficial - with a great deal of cross-over betsveen the two areas.
Religious acttvities
The church provides a c£ntre for our worship. prayers. teaching. and other activities
associated with our Chrislian faith.
Sunday Worship
The church gathered for public worship every Sunday in 2023 and held addtti'onal services at
Easter and Christmas.
The Sunday morning service at 10.30am is an opportunity forthe whole church family to join
together. This begins by worshipping together. the children and youth then leave for their
separate groups whilst further worship continues with scriptural teaching and ministy.
servI￿s are live streamed via YouTube so that those who are unable to come to church in
person for health or other reasons can still feel part of the communal worship and teaching.
The streamed services are also available later on demand, a podcast of the teaching rs availabie
from our website. and CD'S of the service are posted to church family who are unable lo attend the
service and donl have access to the intemet. Many members of the church family contribuled to
organizing and leading Sunday services. The church is gratefijl to all those who offered help
and support
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Report for the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Acts 435
We are involved in this national initiative which enables demonstrable need to be met quickty
by targeted giving. We have two advocates within the church who offer this support to the local
community.
Believerfs Baptism
We baptise people to help them bear witness to their Christian faith. There was 1
baptism in January 2023.
Christians against Poverty
The Wye Valley Debt Centre has two debl o)aches. Irene Rothwell. and Elaine Loe {Centre
manager). We see 33 new clients each year and the debt ￿ntre was fully booked in 2023.
This year 12 clients became debt free. One debt free client was baptised after coming to faith
through our cenlre. Every client we support is prayed for and given devotional material and
offered a Bible.
Helen Shipton heads the prayer team. We have monthly prayer meetings online and prayer
and fellowship time throughout the year at RBC. Emergency emails are sent out for client
needs and requests.
Clients and supporters attend our social events. This year we held a community afternoon with
live music, food and activities and a Christmas party. We also invite clienls to social events al
the church and encourage befrienders to accompany them. Clients with children are invited lo
RBC Family Fun events and Youth group activities. We issue vouchers for local food banks
and larders and top ups for gas and electricity from CAP Head office. At Easter time clients
received an Easter book for their children, Easter eggs and a meat voucher. At Christmas,
each client received a present for every family member, a Chiistmas book sharing the gospel
and food vouchers for various supermarket chains.
The Centre Manager (CM) gives church talks at local churches about CAP. Etther a sermon or
a CAP update. In addition to local talks. the CM is on CAP'S Nats'onal Speaker Team giving
sermons in Abergavenny. Caedeon and Cardiff and speaking at CAP events.
We work closely with many referral agencies in Herefordshire, Glouceslershire, and
Monmouthshire. The CM attends events promoting our services at Job Centres, Food Banks,
Community days, FVAF. Talk Herefordshire, Monmouthshire Charity services and one-off
events such as Monmouthshire Show and Raglan Bapb'st Church Community Day.
CAP supports our professional development with ongoing training and assessment tests. Debt
coaches attend Iwo Regional Training days a year and an annual conference.
CAP head Offi￿ has strnggled financially following Covid 19 resulting in staff redundancies.
Paula Stringer CAP'S CEO has moved back to the BBC. Nationally, fijnd raising is a priority to
mainlain our debt service. Locally, we held a fundraising event in May to support CAPUK.
RBC has several CAP Money Coaches. This year the course has been updated and
relaunched as Money Coaching. All coaches are required to retrain to deliver the updated
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Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Reportfor the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
course. Irene and Elspeth Metcalfe visit Prescoed and Usk prison each month to help people
with money related matters and tun the Money Course.
Chlldren and Families Work
In March of 2023, Jane Griffiths joined the Children and Families team as our Children and
Families worker. She is a wonderfijl addition to the team and is growing in confidence. making
us laugh on a daily basis and is loved by all she comes into coniacl with. We give thanks for
Jane and can't wail to see all that God will be doing through her work with us.
Kingdom Crew is in its fifth year and the children meet every Sunday in The
011 Venue whilst the church seprfice in taking place in the church itself. We have
babies through to year 6 who make a bubbly, enthusiastic crowd.
We explore the Bible and consider Bible truths in a fun and interactive way
which always indudes a Craft. Details of Kingdom Crew are updated to the
church webpage and Facebook page every week. There are 9 volunteer
helpers on the rota in addition to the Children and Families Team Lead and
Children and Families worker. There are currently 20 regular children on the
register and extra who attend on more of a visitor basis.
Every fourth week of each month the children retum to church at the end of the
service for Sharing Sunday.
The third Sunday of each monlh is Famity Fun on Sunday. On these
occasions, parents and carers stay with the children for the session and we
explore a Bible theme together in The Venue in a relaxed and fun way. The
sessions include lots of crafts. stories, games and songs and always end with a
shared light lunch. We are just beginning year three of our Family Fun
activities.
SWY
Also, as part of our Family Fun programme we have run fun sessions for
families during each school holiday and a Family Fun Week during the summer
for the past three years. These are opportunities for local families to be shown
God's love in a safe and welcoming environment
Im Kingdom Club is a group for year 1- year 6 who meet on Mondays duting
Cllb
term time in The Venue from 3.30pm- 4.45pm. Each session starts with
snack and chat and includes games and activities based around a Bible story
or Bible twth. Children from six local schools are represented and we are
enjoying an influx of new members which we thank God for. There are currently
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Report for the year ended 31st t>ecember 2023
16 members in the group. WeekFy meeting are updated to our Facebook page
every week.
Toddlers continues to meet every Friday during temi time at The Venue from
9.30-11.30 am.
As you can imagine, these sessions can be quite INety and noisy and are so
much fun.
Children enjoy a whole host of activities and sessions always end with singing
and sometimes even musical instrument accompaniment!
The Open the Book leam has been taking assemblies in a local primary
school fof seven years now and over recent years has been delivering a Bible
story to the children every week. complete with costumes and singing. The
team is currently made up of ten people. mostly from our church with two
members from St Mary's church.
In April. a second group. wtth six members, began presenling Open the Book
assemblies to another local primary school. This group provides assemblies
fortnightly.
translorminil
Ilvès for good
Transfomiing Lives for Good: Now in its fourth year, the coaching team from
TLG are going into a local primary school working with children in KS2. Each
coached child receives an hourfs coaching time every week for a school year.
In the past three years, nineteen children have been coached in this way, with
greater potential to help more children this year as we welcomed a new coach
to our team. This year an additional six children will be coached.
Lgl¥b IIXIS
Loaves and Fishes: Now entering its frfth year, the Loaves and Fishes
programme is still going strong.
Bags of store cupboard essentials are available to vulnerydble families in our
town during each school holiday. This helps feed their families at a time when
the children are not receiving their main meal from school. There are currently
20 families registered.
Christian Marriage
The church provides a venue for Christian marriage services. Furthermore, the church
encourages Marriage Preparation and Marriage enrichment by conducting, as required.
courses on these subjects. We celebrated two weddings at Ross Baptist Church in 2023.
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Report forthe year ended 31st l)ecember 2023
Christian Mission
The church conlinues to support communication ofthe Christian faith beyond Ross. The
Church gave a proportion of its income to support Alan and Pauline Jordan. who are
missionaries in Nanyuki, Kenya with Africa Inland Mission and Maddie Purcell who is in
training with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). The church has a policy of ensuring that a tithe of
our income is made available to support activity in mission and missional community benefit.
Communion
Communion is shared once a month as part of the Sunday moming servi￿. A short
communion Servi￿ is held twice a week. with one being both on zoom and in person.
Community Food Larder
The church is a participant in a community food larder scheme to provide practical
help for the needy and those marginalised by society.
Courses to Explore Christian Faith
From time to time these courses (generally Alpha or Christianity Explored) are held
for those who wish to explore the Chrisb'an faith.
Festivals
The church recognises and celebrates the major Christian festivals of Easter,
Pentecost. Harvest and Christmas. Atl services are open to the public.
Freecycle
The church usually organises a quarterly event at The Venue Whe￿ surplus goods
are offered free to those in need.
Funeral facilities
The church is made available for those who wish for a Christian funeral.
Halls and rooms
The Church owns a building (rhe Venue) with a large hall and medium sized meeting room
which it uses for its own events: the facilities are available for rent by the community and are
used for various activities. The main extemal user is a youth group that operates three
evenings a week.
The Church building is made up of the Sanctuary and hall, both spaces are available for rent
by the community.
This year, in addition to occasional use by community-based groups for meetings, the facilities
have been used by art groups, community interest•orientated groups. coffee mornings,
concerts, children's and youth clubs, and family liaison meetings supervised by local social
workers.
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Ros5-on-Wye Baptist Church
Report for the year ended 31st December 2023
Infant dedicalion
From time-to-time requests for infant dedication are agreed and these normally take
pla￿ as part of Sunday moming seri1￿s.
Inter￿enOMInational and faith dialogue
Ross-on-wye Baptist Church is a member of Churches Together ROsS￿n-Wye (CTRD) and is
open to promote inter-faith dialogue and social cohesion.
During the year we met with other churches in Ross for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,
Easter Sunrise Servi￿. World Day of Prayer, Servi￿ to ￿lebrate the Coronation of King
Charles, and the introduction of occasional prayer meetings.
Membership
This has grown slighuy through 2023 - It started with 88 Members and at the close of the year
there were 94 Members.
Men's Ministy
A monthly men's breakfast is held in the church hall and is attended by men from the church
and the community.
Mentoring
We currently have in the order of 80 students on our list at John Kyrle High School,
where the school asks us lo engage on a 1.1 basis to encourage young people who
are having difficulties.
Pastoral care
The pastoral care team provided signfficant amounts of help and support to the church as well
as to the wider community. The church is grateful to the whole team for their contribution to
this aspect of the church's life.
Prayer Life of the Church
There are prayer meetings 5 days of the week. All meetings are held on zoom to make them
more inclusive. Three of the meetings are hybrid, in-person and on zoom.
Seniors Lunch Club (Horizons)
2023 has been a year where numbers of guests who attend the Wednesday Lunch club have
become more estsblished, as eldedy folks became more confident of being out and about
again.
The average number of guests for lunch was 20. People really enjoyed rebuilding friendships,
and there was also a steady number of new people who joined us.
Activities that took pla￿ were - chair exercises. dominoes and other board games, poetry
reading and lots of conversation.
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Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report forthe year ended 31st December 2023
A light lunch including homemade soup was served and there was a talk or Quiz after lunch,
the time ending with a short devotion. A consistent and comrnitted team of helpers has really
made folks feel al home.
Small groups
A number of small groups operate from within the church and together have served more than
100 members and friends. These meetings are held in a variety of locations, at peoples.
homes or the church, at various times and days in the week, one group continues to use
zoom. These groups develop friendship and mulual support through shared Bible study and
prayer.
The study topics are chosen by the groups to rneet their needs and have ranged from thematic
to book based and from deeply doctrinal to practical application.
All small group leaders are either trained in safeguarding or have group members so trained.
Weekly Coffee Morning
A weekly coffee moming tskes pla￿ in the church hall and has a steady 'regularf dientele
who welcome the quiel, friendly atrnosphere. During the winter of 2023 it was part of the Ross
Wami Space scheme offering a light lunch to those who needed it.
Youth Work
Thank you for all the youth leaders who have gFven so much of their time and energy to the
work.
We continued in 2023 with groups on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and most
weekends:
Sunday- We have recently seen a few more join who are not linked to Church through their
parents. We have continued with a varied programme usually involving games, film clips and
always looking al God's word. We have looked at 1 Timothy, Apocalyptic literature, Creation,
Dangerous animals. Joshua.
Monday- We are a small group. always l¢J)king for new members. We continue to see new
faces from time to time and enjoy snacks, games and looking at God's word in imaginative
ways. We have looked at 1 Samuel. how do we know Jesus is the Messiah? Jeremiah,
Miracles, one week on....
Wednesday- The young people walk down from sch¢x)l. and we have a time to chat usualty
with food kindly donated by Greggs. We then k)ok at God's word and end with a game. We
have great fun and meet with several young people from pre-chrislian homes. We have
looked at celebrities, food in the Bible, individuals in the Bible. us in the Bible (e.g. Peter,
Miriam, Michael...etc).
Thursday- We start with a meal and look at God's word befo￿ ending with a game. Almost all
of Ihe group are currently not Christians, but we have a good time and l arn convinced they
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Ross-on-wye BaptÉst Church
Report fr)rthe year ended 3tst December 2023
are moving closer to God. We have Icrf)ked at Jesus, miracles, jobs in the Bible and
unfortunate deaths in the Bible.
FridaylSaturday- The first Saturday of the month is the Branch area youth worship event. It is
always a good time. One Friday night and one Saturday we meet for diverse fun activities.11 is
great to see new members join.
Summer- We took 12 young people to Satellites and 10 young people to Youth Week in
Norfolk. Satellites was a time to draw us closer to God, Youth Week was hard work but a good
time for team building and hearing God's word.
John Kyrfe High School - There are currenty 4 Christian mentors in JKHS from 3 different
Churches who work hard mentoring students who are struggling in one way or another.
Structure. governance and management
Organisational Structure
The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the
charity.
The trustees give their tirne freely and receive no remuneration or other financial
benefits, apart from:
the Pastor, when in post. who is a managing trustee and paid employee of the
church. and.
the manager of The Venue who. with the agreement of the members, is paid
for his time undertaking that work.
The trustees meet together as a corporate body bi-monthly and comprise:
Elder trustees whose prime responsibilities are to focus on the spiritual well-
being, pastoral direction, vision casting and care of the leaders, church
members and congregation.
Church member (managing) trustees whose prime responsibilities are the
supervision of the day-to-day management of the church, including finance.
premises. health and safety. staffing. child protection and insurance.
The Elder trustees generally meet monthly in addition to meeting with the
managing trustees.
To assist in the smooth running of the charty the trustees have set up a number of
sub-groups that help them oversee ￿rtain aspects of the charity's work. Sub-groups
are currently established for finance. pastoral work, welcominglhosting. ladies,
breakfast, and AV team. Each group reFK)rts back with their recommendations to a
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Report for the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
full meeting of the trustees and to the church members, meeting. Sub-groups meet at
appropriate intervals.
The chair of trustees chairs the church trustees, meetings. The chair of trustees is a
managing trustee. who also attends meetings of the elder trustees, thus achieving a
fully informed 'cross-overf with both charity trustee c£)mmittees.
The church managing trustees are accountable fully to the members, church meeting
which is ultimately the decision-making body in accordance with the Approved
Goveming Document.
Day to day management of the church. community facilities and projects is delegated
to staff, assisted from time to time by volunteer workers.
Recrultment and appointrnent of trustees
The existing trustees are responsible for the appointment of new trustees in
accordan￿ with the Approved Goveming Document of the church. Nominations are
sought from members of the church and a process of election in accordan￿ with the
Approved Goveming Docurnent subsequently takes place.
In selecting new trustees, the church seeks to identify people who are church
members, are actively engaged in the activities of the church, have apostolic gifts as
outlined in the Bible and ￿ssess. when necessary. personal cornpeten￿, specialist
knowledge and skills.
Induction and trainlng of trustees
Following SUC￿ssful election and appointment. new trustees are intrOdU￿d to their
new role and given copies of the Approved Goveming Document and the Baptist Union
Corporation Limited publication C15 - Help I'm a Charity Trustee. Direction towards
looking at a number of publications from the Charity Commission is also given.
Included in this is the guidance on churthes and public benefit and on the
advancement of religion for the public benefjt.
All trustees are required to participate in. and be certified as having completed.
safeguarding training.
These procedures ensure that new trustees are aware of the scope of their
responsibilities under The Charities Act.
Risk Management
The trustees have assessed the risks the charity fa￿S and have drawn up a number
of policies to address the major risks associated with our estate and activities. These
deal with the nature of the risks. the likelihood of the risks happening. and the
measures taken to manage them.
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Report for the year ended 3tst December 2023
The policies are reviewed regularfy by the trustees. The chair of trustees reports on a
regular basis any changes in risk factors to the relevant trUSt￿s, meeting and to the
church members, meeting.
The trustees are satisfied that policies and systems are in Pla￿ to manage the risks
that have been identified. In particular that Insuran￿ cover is in place. Health and
Safety issues are identffied. Safeguarding poli￿S are documented and followed,
Significant Risk Areas are reported and the fInan￿S of the church are kept under
regular review.
Appropriate Disclosure Barring servi￿ (DBS) checks. supported by regularly
reviewed policies, are made for all those who work wtth children. young people and
vulnerable adults.
All leaders of activities at which children andlor vulnerable adults could be present are
required to participate in. and be ￿rtffied as having completed. safeguarding training.
The systems ne￿SSary to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation UK
are in pla￿.
Financial review
Reserves policy
We believe that the needs of the church will be met by God at the proper time, but we
recognise also that pruden￿ and recommended charity practi￿ both require there should be
a formal policy on reserves. It is important that a sufficient balance of funds should be held
within the General fijnd to enable rt to meet all its financial obligations as they fall due. and to
that end the Trustees consider we should maintsin a working balance in the General fund
equivalent to three months expenditure - approximately £50,000.
On 31 December 2023 the balance of £198,122 in General Funds exceeded that figure by a
comfortable margin, subject to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the pensions liability.
although the risk there appears to have been mits'gated significantly.
General Fund
The church continues to raise the funds which tt needs to cary on ts activities from within its
own membership. The church is heavily dependent on its COng￿gatIon 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 and to the public benefft.
Investment pollcy and objectives
The charity has no long-tenn investments. Cash reserves are held in deposit
accounts.
RBC knnual repcrt for theYearEn¢fin831.1123.du
p¥e14￿26
Charfty remre(I num￿r.. 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Reportfor the year ended 31st December 2023
Trustee5 and Administration
Trustees during the year
rrtle Forenarne Surname
Mr.
Michael
Agyeman
Blake
Role
Note5
Re-Appointed 301071202112 years)
Re-appointed 16107/201815 Year51
Mènaging Trustee
Appointed 171071202313 Years)
ManaEing Trustee
Appointed 301071202112 Years)
Chair & Managing Trustee Appointed 3010712021 {3 years)
Managing Trustee
Appointed 171071202313 Years)
Ekler Trustee
Appointed 2611012020 (7 years)
Treasurer & Elder Tft￿ee
Re-appointed 161071201816 years)
Managing Trustee
Appointed 30107/202113 years)
Managing Trustee
Re-Appointed 30107/202112 years)
Managing Trustee
Resigned 17/0712023
Elder Trustee
Appointed 261101202017 years)
Elder Trustee
Re-appointed 161071201816 years)
Chair & Managing Trustee Resigned 3110312023
Managing Trustee
Elder Trustee
Mrs. Liz
Mr.
Pete
Brown
Mr.
Cliff
Clarke
Mr.
Andrew
Downing
Moore
Mrs. Philippa
Mrs.
Irene
Rothwell
Martin
Skirrow
Mr.
Mike
Spen￿r
Miss Rosemary Sutton
Mr.
Vincent
Tweed
Rev.
Peter
Wade
Mr.
Nick
Wardale
Dr.
John
Wilson
We would like to take this opportunty of thanking both John and Vin￿nt for their
wisdom. discernment and Servi￿ as Trustees of the Church. Their contribution will
be gready missed.
Safeguarding
Designated Perg)n for Safegjarding:
Deputy Designated Person for SafeguardirvJ:
Safeguarding Trustee:
Sue Wardale (resigned 20111123)
Position currently empty.
Michale Agyeman
Irene Rothwdl
Statement of Trustees, responslbilities in relatlon to the Financial Statements
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial
Reporting Standard 102.. The Financial Reporbng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic
of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounb'ng Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial
statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the
charity and of the income and expenditure of the charty for that period. In preparing these
financial statements, the trustees are required to:
RBC*Mnual reportfortheYearEndin831.12.23
15 of26
tharityregistered nu¢nbÈr.' 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report for the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.,
Make judgmenls and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and
Prepare the financial stalements on the going concern basis unless ti is inappropriate
lo presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disdose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial posib'on of the charity and enable them to
ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts
and Reports} Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible
for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Reference and Administrative Details
Ross on Wye Baptist Church is a charity registered with the Chartty Commission in
November 2017 (No. 1175785).
Administrative Offi￿.
Ross Baptist Church
The Venue
Ross-on-wye
Herefordshire
HR97AD
Independent examiner
PJC Metcalfe. Chartered AccountanL Hildersley Cottage. Ross-on-wye. HR9 7NJ
Name of the bankers
CAF Bank Limited (CBL). 25 Kings Hill Avenue. Kings Hill, West Malling. Kent ME19
4JQ.
Registered under number 1837656.
This report was approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by..
Andrew Downing
25UI October 2024
Chair of Trustees. Ross4Jn-Wye Baptist Church.
RBCAnnval rewtforthe Year Endiw31.1123Ao
Page16of 26
owrirYT*er￿d nUm￿r.. 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Reportfor the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Independent Examinevs Report to the trustees of Ross-on-wye
Baptist Church
I report to the trustees on my examinab'on of the accounts of the above charitable
incorporated organisation (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the requirements of the Chartties Act 2011 (°the Acr).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trusys accounts carried out under section
145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the
applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the
Act.
Independent examlnerfs statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to
my attention in connection with the exarnination which give me cause to believe that.
in any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the
Charities Act. or
the accounts did not ac￿rd with the accounting reLX)rds' or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the
fomi 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
fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent
examination.
I have no COn￿M5 and have come across no other matters in connection with the
examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a
proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 9th July 2024
Peter J C Metcalfe
Ross-on-wye Chartered Accountant
¥tec Annual reprrtfr*thÈYear Endttr)g31.IZZ3th
Page 17d26
th*ity rwstered number.. 11757

R055-on-Wye Baptist Church
Report forthe year ended 31st December 2023
Statement of financlal actlvltses
Vnrestrltted fund5 RÈ5tricted Endowment Total
General Deslgnated funds
funds
Total
2022
Donations and legacies
Charitable artivtbe5
Investment incomè
Total income
155,632
9,Tr34
2.873
167599
751
19.620
I76,￿3 187,572
27.876
29,645
2.889
695
206,768 217.912
18.782
16
19,549
19.620
ExPendI￿re on:
Charitable activitie5
135,833
19,971
26.
182.412
178,771
Totsl expenditure
135.833
19.971
182,412 178,771
r4et Incomè
31.766
422
24.356
39,141
Transfer re children's worker
Transfer re kitchen project
Net mo¥emerrt in funds
7.435
10,381
49,582
-7.435
-5.382
-13.239
-11,988
24.356
39,141
Total fund5 brought forward
148.530
59,943
52.025
50.{X￿ 310.498 271,358
Total funds carried forwayd
198.112
46.705
40,037
50.(KI) 334.854 310.499
RBCAnnual rewrrforthe Year Endlw 31.12.23knc<
Pate 18of 26
(harityregi5tered number". 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report for the year ended 31st Deomber 2023
Balance sheet
2022
F￿ed assets
Tanglble fixed assets
124.387
114.164
Current assets
Debtors
Cash in hand and at bank
io
7.293
214,982
222,275
7.254
192.788
2(D,042
li
Currffit liabilitles
Creditors.. amounts frdlling due within one year
11,808
3.677
210,467
196.365
Total assets less current liabilitles
334
310,529
Nonvcurrent liabil1t￿#s
Creditors= amounts falling due after one year
30
334.854
310,499
Charftable furKIs
Unrestrirted funds
Re5trirted funds
Endowment fiJnds
14
244.817
40,037
208.474
52,025
15
334,854
310,499
The accounts were approved by the trustees on * July 2024 and signed on their behalf by..
Andrew Downing
Chair of Trustees
RBCAmnual rewtfc*thEYearEnthJw31.IU3J*)
Page￿￿26
Chkn registered Nmben. 117S785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Rem for the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Cash flow statement
2023
2022
Cash flows frnm operatlng attibities:
Net income forthe year per the ststement of financlal
Activities
21,466
Adjustments for=
Depreciation charge
IDecrea5el increase in debtors
IDecreasel Increase in treditors
2,645
-39
8,101
2.645
-24,613
Net cash (usedv provided byoperallNdattivft
32,173
16.292
Cash flows from In¥estir¥ arti¥ltles
Investment interest
Capttal expenditu￿ on property
2.889
.12
695
Net cash In Investlng ac1kntr￿1capital eX￿￿11t￿re
-9.979
16.987
Change In cash and cash equivalents lfi the year
22.194
16,987
Cash and cash equr¥alents at the beÈinn5ng oftheyear
192,788
175,801
Cash arrfl cash equiwalents at the end of the year
li
214,982
192,788
The notes on pages 21 to 26 form part of these accounts.
RBCAnnual feporrf¢rtheYe3r EtyjI￿ 31.1123Jlct<
P4e 20ot26
tharityreBi5tered nvmber.. 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Rep￿t forthe year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Notes to the accounts
l. Accounting policies
1.1 Accounting convention
The charrty is a public benefit entty wrthin the meaning of FRS 102. The actounts have been
prepared under the Chartbes Act 2011 and the 2015 version of the Ststement of Recommended
Practi￿. Accounling and Rep￿lIng by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).
The accounts have been Fwar&J under the historical cost c(Mwerikn and on a going cOn￿M
basis.
1.2 Income
Donations are recognised when received, inu)me tax on Gift Aid donations when the related income is
recognised, legacies when their receipt is reasonably ￿rtain and can be properly ouantlfied, and
investment income in the accounts in the year in whith it is receivable.
1.3 Expenditure
l expenditure is included on an accnFals basis and is ￿CogniSed where there is a legal or constructive
obligation to pay. The charity is not registered for VAT and accordÈngly expenditure is shown gross of
irrecoverable VAT.
The Church makes grants to other organisations tharitable objects complement its wort to pÈople
working in complementsry Cl)ri5tian ministry. and knthe reliefof the FKJor in the local community. Grants
and donations are accounted for when paid over.
Support costs a￿ considered to be wholly attributsble to the estsblishment activity.
1.4 Funds accounting
Ftsnd5 held are either:
Unrestricted - general fund to be used in accordan￿ with the dwritable objects at the discretion of the
tnjstees
- designated funds- set aside bythe church ortrusteÈ5 ¢>Jt ofthe unrestiitted general fund
for specific future purposes, or
Re5tri¢ted - held under charty law under spectfic trusts. declared by the donor when making the glft or
resulting from an appeal for fijnds for a swafic purpose.
1.5 Fixed assets
The church premises in Broad Street. Ross-on-wye. are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd charity
no. 249635 as Custodian trnstee and are considered to be the pemianent endowment of the tharity. The
historical cost is not known, and they are not shown at market value or depreciated.
The ¢hurch is also the beneficral owner of The Venue. Hrll StreeL Ross-on-wyè. sijbjett to the relevant
trusts of which the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd is the CL￿lan trustee. This building is used for the
children and youth activities of the church. and by the l(Kal communtty, and houses the church offros.
Freehold land and buildings are included in the accounts at cost where that is known. less depreciation
provided on the straight-line method.
Depreciation on the buildin85 is (alLiJlated to write off the c05t on a straight-line basis over the expected
usefvl lrfe of the asseL at the followng rate:
Buildings
2%pa
The cost of fumtture. fittiw and equipment is written off at pur(hase and not capitalised.
RBCAnnual rewtfortheyear Endv*31.IU3AIoc4
Page21rf26
Chwtty re815tered tTrumbeT.' 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report forthe year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
1.6 Penslons
The Church participates in a number of defined tx)ntribution arrangements and in addition is a participating
employer in 3 multi*mployer defined benefft sthemewhith is al￿ accounted for as a defined contrib￿10￿
scheme as It Is not possible to identify the Church's share of the undedying assets and liabilities.
Contributions tothe sthemes are char8ed to the at￿nts In the period to which they relate.
The Church is obliged to make further contributions to the defined benefit 5d)erne in re5pe¢t of
employment service before 31 De￿Inber 2011. This scheme closed to further accrual on 31 t)ecember
2011 at which point it was replaced by a defined contribution plan.
Further importsnt inforniation aboutthe defined ber￿fit scheme is given in note 16.
1.7 Financial instruments
The charity only ha5 financial assèts and financial liabllities of a kind that qLtalify as basic financlal
instruments. 8asic financial instruments are initially reco8nized at trar￿actIon value and subsequently
measured at their settlementvalue.
1.8 Going concern
The trustees have Teviewed the on80ing fuwre of the thartty and are satisfied th* the￿ are no mateTial
uncertainties that may cast signffKant dwbt on the thariWs abilty to continue as a goin8 con￿rn.
R8C rep(wt INtheYearEnthr*31.12.23.1*x
P4eZZd26
Chailty WiStÈrednumbw'. 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report for the year ended 31st De￿mber 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
Unrestricted funds
Generdl DesI￿ated f￿)d$
2022
Total
2 Donations and1È8a(ie5
Total
Offerings and gifts
Income tax recoverable
131.540
751
18.235
150,526
162,996
751
187 572
3 Income-tharftable athibe5
Use of premises
Outreach
Youth wo
835
2.738
18.782
19.617
2,738
5.521
19,180
5.962
4 Investment income
Bank interest
1873
16
2.889
695
Totsl Sntome
167,599
19.549
19.620
2￿,768
217.912
S Expendltur￿har1ttb1e actI￿￿e5
Ministry & mlsgon
Unrestricted fund5
General L)esiEnated
Restrfcted
Funds
2023
Total
2022
Total
Salaries & national insurance
Pension costs
Ministry support costs
Gtfts to speakers
Miscellaneous ministry costs
Children and young people
OLrtreach
Catering
Office costs including salary
Publitity
Sundries
Mission and othergiFts Inote 71
49.229
2,362
2,136
11,686
60.915
2,362
2.136
862
3.182
11,576
13.021
1,190
17.358
173
825
65,097
3,287
1,481
875
3.340
11,150
15,347
I,￿7
15,838
3.182
11,245
630
1.1
17.358
173
331
12390
219
I,Ic
259
138 433
137 478
Establishment
Building repairs & maintenan
Equipment replacement & repairs
ght and heat
Water
Insurance
Cleaning & management
4,886
139
8.721
517
1.814
6.7(Kl
9,025
10,352
1.057
6.463
30.458
1,989
10,158
402
5,974
1.630
541
133.188
19.971
26,fA)8
179.767
194.843
Net Income before provislons
34,411
422
27.CMX)
23.069
Provlslons Inon-¢ashl
Depreciation
Finan￿ cost of discount Un￿nd
Redurtion in pension liabiltty
Total proVI￿on$
Total expendÈture & provisions
2,645
2.645
2.645
261
135 833
6 Net Intome
31,766
422
24,356
39.141
RecAnnual rewt ftytheyear EndNw3LlI￿JthJ
23rf26
Chmity wstered nymEer'. 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report for the year ended 31st December 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
Charltsble donations and grnnts U￿re$trk￿ Restricted
Total 2023
Total 2022
Baptist Home Mission
BMS Worfd Mission
AIM I￿an & Pauline Jordan)
Stew3rd5hip Fund IDe5ignatedl
Acts 435
M. Purcdl
Others
6.600
6,6(K)
416
2.705
22(KJ
12Crf)
4.631
4.258
24.833
4.631
4,258
22,633
1,485
18.310
2.2(Kl
Employees
The average number of person5 employed during the year was:
2022
Employment costs
Salarie5
Social security costs
Pension ¢05ts
74.619
75,537
1,771
3.059
77.678
81.212
No employee ￿ceiVed emoluments in excess oF£60.IXKlduringthe year {2022.' none).
One trustee received emoluments totslling £463 during the year.
A total of £2.￿7(2022: £3.31917was reimbursed to trustees ￿tatIng to disbursements proper￿ made
on behalf of the charity.
Donations received from the Charivs trustees in the year amounted to £39.51612022.'£37.2241.
rarylbl¢frAed assets
The Venue
At l January 2023
Additions in the year
At 31 December 2023
132,230
Depreclation
At l January 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2023
18.C66
P4et book Ydlue
At l January 2023
At 31 Decembe[ 2023
114,164
124 387
RECAnn￿l ¥w(futheYear Ethdiry31.IZ23JJo
e24of26
Charityre8igered ntsmber. 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Churth
Report forthe year ended 31st December 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
2022
Gift Aid tsx reclaim
Other debtors
6,617
676
6.689
565
11 Cash at bank and in hand
2022
Current accounts
Swn8s accounts
17.293
197 689
214 982
19.944
12 Creditors: amountsfal￿nÉ due Ythhin >Tar
Accruals
Other creditor5
225
13 Analysis olnet assets be￿￿
General De558r4ated Funds
Total
Balan￿5 at 31 December 2021
represented by:
Tèn84ble fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
74,387
130.151
-11,808
192,730
50,COJ 124,387
222,275
-11,
334,854
52.086
40,037
52,086
40.037
50,1)XI
14 unrestrIrt￿ funds
At LL13
Income
Trdn5fer5 Expendlthre At 31.1123
General fvnd
148.530
167.599
17.816
135,833
198.112
Designated funds
D￿elopmeNt
Stewardship
Stairlift
Venue kFtchen
TheVenL
40.325
-7.435
32,890
2,776
5,852
5.852
-5.381
6,320
59,943
208.473
18,798
19.549
187,148
19,931
19.971
155,8Chl
5.186
46.705
244,817
-12,816
Total unrestricted funds
Relates to a legacy r￿1ved rn 2rx)5 design*ed forthe spirthal or physical development of the church.
b. Set asidèfor future distribution
G For specrfic maintenance projec
d. Designate(I for the future maintenance. upkeep. and deveFopment of the centre.
RBC Annual report ￿they￿arEn￿n831.1z23.thxx
Page 251rf26
Charsty wstered rlumter.. 1175785

Ross-on-wye Baptist Church
Report forthe year ended 31st December 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
IS ReStrk￿ funds
At LL23 I￿oMe Transfers Expen(Iture At 31.12.23
Christians 38ainst Poverty
Youth & Children
Acts435
Kfitchen project
46.694 17.420
331
24.077
331
40,037
2.2
52.025 19,620
26.608
40.037
16 Defined benefrt pension scheme
Detai15 are given in note 1.6 of thè dosed defined benefft scheme administered by the Bap￿St Penslon
Scheme which is a separate legal entity.
The Church and other eM￿0ver5 supp￿ting this DB plan are collectNely responsible for fvnding the
deficit and the Church could be liable if other participating employers a￿ unableto meettheir obligations
unfler the plan. The Scheme has been in defiat for the last two decades years and as 3 result the church
along wtth all other contributing churche5 has l)een paying deficiency contributions since 2012. under
recovery plans the most recent of t*4hith aimed to dear the deficit by 2026.
However. the funding of the scheme had so improved to the point where Fn June 2022 3 buy4n could be
carried out an insurance company ljust Gmup}. Th￿ means that Just Group is now providing the
financial backing for all pensions prowded through the Stheme's DB Plan. It ensures the Scheme is no
longer in a shortfall position and pensions will continue to be paid whilst removing risk from the Baptist
family. AlthotsBh some other risks remain the B3ptyst Union and the Trustees agreed that deficit
contrlbutions from ead) participating employer in this DB plan should be redU￿d to £1 per month from
August 2023
RBCAnnval repwtfcrtheyew End1￿31.11234jrt%
26uf26
Cbarityregistered nvmber.. 1175785