## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
## **Registered Charity Number 1178422**
## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
|**CONTENTS**|**PAGE**|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|1 - 5|
|Report of the Independent Examiner|6|
|Receipts and Payments Account|7|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|8|
|Receipts and Payments accounts for 2022 for comparatives 9-10||
**BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
**Charity Number:** 1178422
## **Trustees and Principal Officers:**
Gordon David Warnes (Elder) Priscilla Emily Perkins (Independent Trustee) Ivor Calvin Greer (Elder until November 2023) Secretary to the Trustees Jonathan Redden (Independent Trustee) Chairman of the Trustees Andrew Perkins (Charity Treasurer) Vacant (Church Secretary)
## **Secretary and Principal Address:**
Ivor Calvin Greer 2-3 Pinders Court High Street Bawtry DN10 6JA **Treasurer:** Dr. Andrew Perkins 2-3 Pinders Court High Street Bawtry DN10 6JA **Independent Examiner:** Catherine Gillian Walker 24 Woodsett Walk Conisbrough Doncaster DN12 3BH **Bankers:** National Westminster 21 the Square Retford DN22 6DL **Solicitors:** Jones & Company High Street Bawtry DN10 6JB
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## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
## **(continued)**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Constitution:**
A new Constitution was agreed and approved at a meeting of church members on 13[th] May 2018. This was duly submitted to the Charity Commission and approved as our Governing Document. Bawtry Community Church was given charitable status on 18[th] May 2018.
## **Recruitment and appointment of trustees**
The charity is constituted as an Association Charitable Incorporated Organisation consisting of 30 members. Trustees are chosen from among the church members, with a maximum number being agreed from time to time by the membership. They may serve for as long as they have the support of the membership and are appointed for an initial period of three years. At the end of a three-year term, they may be nominated for reappointment. Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or benefits save the Pastor. The Trustees met four times throughout 2023.
## **Organisational Structure and Management:**
The control, management and administration of the Church is by the Charity Trustees. The Pastor leads the activities of the Church with an emphasis on the leading of worship and prayer, the teaching of the Christian faith, the pastoral care of individuals and outreach into the community. During 2023, we were advertising to find a new pastor and Scott Seivewright was appointed from the beginning of October 2023.
The Elders are responsible to God for the spiritual life of the Church, for prayer, teaching God’s word and pastoral care for members. Deacons assist with the business and practical affairs of the Church. Collectively these individuals form the Leadership Team. Church Members have reserved authority in the appointment and removal of a Pastor, the Charity Trustees, the Elders and Deacons and the appointment of the Treasurer and Secretary. This also applies to matters relating to church property and the closure of the church. They may also be consulted on other matters.
Bawtry Community Church is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches and of Rural Ministries. Both organisations provide support and helpful advice.
## **Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy:**
Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy was reviewed in September 2022 and brought to the attention of the whole church at a “Safeguarding Sunday”. The Leadership Team recognises the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Leadership Team is committed to building constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding, endorses all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures and provides ongoing training for all its workers.
A Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Deputy make up the Safeguarding Team. Details of who they are and how they can be contacted are on the website. Their photographs and contact details are also displayed on a notice in each venue where church activities are held. Also, there is a register of all persons working with children and vulnerable adults. This is kept up to date by a lead recruiter ensuring DBS clearance through Thirty-one-Eight, our professional safeguarding advisers.
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## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 (continued)**
## **Objectives and Activities:**
## **Objectives**
The key objectives of the charity are to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of all, primarily but not exclusively, within Bawtry, the surrounding neighbourhood and through overseas mission. We pursue charitable objectives which will, in the opinion of the trustees, put into practice the Christian faith and be of benefit to all without distinction. These objectives may include the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness, the advancement of education, the provision of services furthering social welfare with the objective of improving conditions for residents.
## **Activities**
In order to fulfil these objectives, the charity engages in a range of activities, either unilaterally or with others in order to provide public benefit. Our activities include regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching, dedication of infants and the baptism of believers, regular services of Holy Communion, evangelism and mission, teaching, encouragement and inclusion of young people, the nurture and growth of Christian disciples, the education and training for Christian and community service, giving of pastoral care, encouraging charitable social action in the UK and abroad, encouraging and supporting other churches, the joining of a man and woman in Christian marriage and the service of Christian burial.
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Events in 2023**
During 2023 we have been meeting on Sundays in The New Hall. At the beginning of the year we observed covid guidelines using masks & sanitisers, having an attendance register, sitting around tables and serving drinks at tables after the service.
Sunday attendances have been growing with as many as 60 on some weeks. Several new people have begun to attend regularly, while others have committed to join the church on a more formal basis.
We continued our monthly afternoon tea event for the over 60s. During 2023 we used an programme called “Brain and Soul Boosting”. This was appreciated by participants and numbers of those attending increased during the year. We, again, had a special “Teatime Treats” in the New Hall in December followed by our Candlelit Carol Service.
We also repeated our popular “Bawtry by the Sea” event for the over 60s in August. This was open to all seniors and arranged in The New Hall with a Biblical focus, activities, crafts, and a traditional lunch of fish & chips.
The contract for our Family and Community worker (FCW), Chrissy Hadley, was further extended to October 2024. During the year our FCW continued to organise support for parents and families through weekly activities. These included “Kingdom Kids” for primary school aged children on Sunday mornings; MadJam (Make a difference Jesus and me) for young people in their teens on Monday and Tuesday evenings. During term-times, we reach into local Primary Schools: an “ASK” (after school club) at Bawtry Mayflower; and a fortnightly assembly visit to Misson Primary School. We also take RE lessons at Misson School for Easter and Christmas and a “Moving On” event for year 6 as they prepare for “big school” after the summer term.
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## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022**
## **(continued)**
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Events in 2023**
We also started “a warm space” in 2023 when light lunches were available aimed especially for those living on their own. This has continued with up to six “regulars” meeting for a hot drink and snack and a chat. Our Families & Community Worker also organised a parenting group for parents of children with special needs.
In late September we arrange our third “annual” visit to the seaside at Cleethorpes. This was much appreciated by families and older folk alike.
During school holidays we have holiday clubs and family activities for many families with whom we have developed links during the year.
In these various ways, we have continued to reach out and helping the local community – families, young and older folk. This is one of our key objectives.
Looking beyond Bawtry (and overseas), our “Away Team” encouraged prayer and practical support for mission organisations: Pioneers UK (for work in India); ReachAcross (for a family in Mali); Doncaster Schools Workers Trust and Caring for Life (based in Leeds).
## **Financial Review:**
Continued committed giving by members of Bawtry Community Church has enabled the church to continue to meet its charitable objectives.
General income has increased by 18.6% to £49,671 (2022 – £41,881).
Designated donations have increased by 28.52% to £3,291 (2022 - £2,561).
General expenditure has decreased by 17.4% to £32,344 (2022 - £39,157).
Undesignated general funds have increased by 17.97% to £112,347 (2022 - £94,376).
Donations to other works have decreased by 33.77% to £4,411 (2022 - £6,660).
Special fund designated for Outreach has decreased by 58.4% to £14,684 (2022 £35,296).
Total unrestricted funds have decreased by 2.04% to £127,031 (2022 - £129, 672).
General Income has increased by nearly £8k while there has been a decrease in General Expenditure of nearly £7k. This resulted in an increase in the undesignated general fund of 17.97% at the end of the financial year.
There has been the continued planned decrease in the designated special fund due to the financing of the outreach worker for a further year. This contract will be concluded during 2024 when the designated fund will be spent.
## **Reserves Policy:**
The charity has a clear policy on its reserves. Should funds in the current account together with undesignated reserve funds fall to 33% of budgeted expenditure for the financial year, a financial review would be triggered. This would seek to identify where cuts would need to be made. The current position is satisfactory as it meets our criteria.
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## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 (continued)**
## **Plans for the Future:**
We continue to build on the different formats which we used in 2022 including the use of Zoom, YouTube and social media. We hope to develop a more hybrid approach in the coming year.
We will prepare a Strategic Plan setting out objectives for growth (both maturing and deepening of faith and in numbers – especially of younger families – attending). The plan will be adapted as the Church develops and our new pastor begins to know the church attenders and the needs of our local community.
## **Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing financial statements for each financial period, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRSSE) 2015.
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.
## **I. Greer – Secretary**
## **Dated: April 24[th] 2024**
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## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
I report on the accounts of Bawtry Community Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2023, which are set out on pages 7 to 10.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charity’s Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Charity’s Act);
- follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charity’s Act); and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report**
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 charity 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 you as 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 fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I report in respect of my examination of the Accounts, and state that in connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charity’s Act:
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charity’s (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter to be considered as part of this independent examination: or
- (2) I have no concerns 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 understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**Signed:**
Catherine Gillian Walker **Date: April 25[th] 2024**
**Name:** Catherine Gillian Walker **Address:** 24, Woodsett Walk, Conisbrough, Doncaster, DN12 3BH.
- 6 -
## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted **|**Restricted **|**Endowment**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Fund**||**Fund**|**Fund**|**Funds**|
||**General**|**Designated**||||**2023**|
|**RECEIPTS**||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Sunday offerings & deeds of covenant /gift aid||30,046|-|-|-|30,046|
|Designated gifts/gift aid||-|3,291|-|-|3,291|
|Gift Aid claimed||7,074|682|-|-|7,756|
|Collections & other gifts||10,241|9,635|-|-|19,876|
|HMRC NIC allowance||825|2,286|-|-|3,111|
|Sundry Income||-|-|-|-|-|
|Interest received:|||||||
|NatWest Reserve Account||411|-|-|-|411|
|Liquidity Managers 35 day Account||709|-|-|-|709|
|Yorkshire Building Society||365|638|-|-|1,003|
|**TOTAL RECEIPTS**||49,671|16,532|-|-|66,203|
|**PAYMENTS**|||||||
|Stipends and related costs||9,275|28,536|-|-|37,811|
|Pulpit supply||2,100|-|-|-|2,100|
|Children's and young people's work||791|-|-|-|791|
|Hope Centre|||||||
|Rent & Rates||4,277|3,000|-|-|7,277|
|Utilities|1,560||||||
|Room Hire|4,130|5,690|-|-|-|5,690|
|Volunteer expenses||27|-|-|-|27|
|Minister's expenses||770|-|-|-|770|
|Outreach expenses||-|3,331|-|-|3,331|
|Leadership training||-|-|-|-|-|
|Conference expenses||1,250|-|-|-|1,250|
|Printing and publicity||480|-|-|-|480|
|Web site||-|-|-|-|-|
|Technology||368|-|-|-|368|
|Accountancy charges||275|-|-|-|275|
|Thirtyoneeight||170|-|-|-|170|
|CCL copyright licence||276|-|-|-|276|
|Bank charges||-|-|-|-|-|
|Donations and grants to other Christian work||1,128|1,633|-|-|2,761|
|Insurance/subscriptions||413|-|-|-|413|
|Other gifts||-|-|-|-|-|
|Home missions||94|-|-|-|94|
|Donations and grants to other overseas Christian work||4,411|-|-|-|4,411|
|Sundry expenses||-|-|-|-|-|
|TOTAL PAYMENTS||31,795|36,500|-|-|68,295|
|Asset and Investment purchases||549|-|-|-|549|
|**TOTAL PAYMENTS**||32,344|36,500|-|-|68,844|
|**NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR YEAR**||17,327|(19,968)|-|-|(2,641)|
|Transfer between funds||643|(643)|-|-|-|
|Net movement in funds in year||17,970|(20,611)|-|-|(2,641)|
|Cash funds brought forward||94,376|35,296|-|-|129,672|
|**Cash funds carried forward December 31 2023**||112,346|14,685|-|-|127,031|
-7-
## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
|**Cash Funds**
|**Unrestricted FundsRestrictedEndowment**|**Unrestricted FundsRestrictedEndowment**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**General**|**Designated Fund Fund**|**Funds**|
||**£**|**£ £ £**|**£**|
|Current Account|4,815|-
-
-|4,815|
|Reserve Account|34,432|-
-
-|34,432|
|Liquidity Manager 35 day Accou|30,816|-
-
-|30,816|
|Yorkshire Building Society|42,283|14,685
-
-|56,968|
|**Total cash funds**|**112,346**|**14,685**
-
-|**127,031**|
|**Other monetary assets**|**Unrestricted FundsRestricted Endowment**||**Total**|
||**General**|**Designated Fund Fund**|**Funds**|
||**£**|**£ £ £**|**£**|
|Tax refund due from HMRC|1,930|186
-
-|2,116|
|**Assets retained for the charity's own use**||||
|||**Cost**
**Fund to which**|**Current**|
|||**asset belongs**|**Value**|
|**Freehold land and buildings**||||
**Fund to which Cost Current asset belongs Value Freehold land and buildings** - **Furniture, fittings and equipment** 2018 Laptop computer Unrestricted - General 419 - 2019 Laptop computer Unrestricted - designated 528 - 2020 Screen for Hope CentUnrestricted - General 507 304 2023 Laptop computer Unrestricted - General 549 549 **Total current assets 853**
**Fund to which Amount due When due liability relates**
Liabilities Accountancy charge Unrestricted - General
**275**
Approved by the Trustees on March 27[th] , 2024
and signed on their behalf by:
Ivor Greer Secretary Gordon David Warnes Trustee
-8-
## **BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **COMPARATIVE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022**
|**COMPARATIVE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022**|**COMPARATIVE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022**|
|---|---|
|**UnrestrictedRestricted Endowment Total**||
|**Fund**|**Fund Fund Funds**|
|**General Designated**|
**2022**|
- 9 –
**BAWTRY COMMUNITY CHURCH**
## **COMPARATIVE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022**
|**Cash Funds**
**Unrestricted FundsRestrictedEndowment**
**General Designated Fund Fund**
**£ £ £ £**
**Other monetary assets Unrestricted FundsRestricted Endowment**
**General Designated Fund Fund**
**£ £ £ £**
Tax refund due from HMRC
1,492
46
-
-
**Fund to which Amount due**
**liability relates**
Liabilities
Current Account
9,856
(278)
-
-
Reserve Account
34,129
-
-
-
Liquidity Manager 35 day Accou
30,000
Yorkshire Building Society
20,391
35,574
-
-
**Total cash funds**
**94,376**
**35,296**
-
-
**Assets retained for the charity's own use**
**Cost**
**Freehold land and buildings**
-
**Furniture, fittings and equipment**
2018
Laptop computer
419
2019
Laptop computer
528
2020
Screen for Hope Cent
507
**Total current assets**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
Unrestricted - General
Unrestricted - designated
Unrestricted - General
Accountancy charge
**275**
Unrestricted - General|**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
1,538
**When due**
9,578
34,129
55,965
**129,672**
**Current**
**Value**
-
-
355
**355**|
|---|---|
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