STOCKSFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
Report 2024
References and administrative details Registered Ad d ress
Main Road, Stocksfield Northumberland Charity Registration Number 1182577
Trustees
Mrs A Innes (Minister) Mr K Frost (Secretary & Treasurer) Mr W Clegg (Deacon) Mr R Shrimpton (Deacon) Mrs F Thompson (Deacon)
Property Trustees
The Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 8RT
Bankers
Lloyds Bank Whickham Independent Examiner
Heritage Accountancy Prudhoe
The Trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for 2024.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document. Members of the church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ or, following other modes of baptism, to renew their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
The members’ meeting normally takes place five times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint up to six Trustees, who together with the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by the Members), 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.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the members’ meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at members’ meetings by appropriate majorities, the church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
Objectives and Activities
The principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to Baptist principles, including 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 to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into 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, usually at 10.00 am. There are also occasional services at other times which are advertised on the Church Notice Board and the website at stocksfieldbaptistchurch.net. 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 for the growth of faith and discipleship in the homes of some members, and further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services of worship.
The church is responsible for a ‘Stay and Play’ Toddler Group which meets in the Church premises on Tuesday mornings, with the purpose of assisting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ. From time to time the church runs courses in parenting, and courses for people interested in discovering more about Christianity, such as ‘Jigsaw’ and ‘Alpha’.
The church runs various events for Young People. The Youth Coordinator and an Ecumenical Group provide a witness and service in local schools.
The church works with local ecumenical groups in various community projects including Holiday Club and Renew Cafe.
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. The church gives 10% of its income to charitable organisations as shown in the accounts.
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 the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial figures, but also in less tangible areas such as fellowship and encouragement. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure but believe that 2024 was a positive year in the life of the church, and that it will be able to pursue its mission purposes in 2025 with renewed enthusiasm.
During the year, there were five new members, one member resigned, one passed away, and one moved away from the area. As of 31 December 2024 the membership stood at fifty. There was one baptism during the year. Average attendance at worship services has increased during the year, and children’s work and youth work has been maintained. The annual children’s Holiday Club was also held in July. Stay and Play Group grew steadily and is thriving as part of our service to the local community.
Financial Review
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation.
There was a major internal fundraising event for a New Accessible Entrance Project and a substantial number of external applications for further funding were made at the end of the year. The project is planned for implementation during 2025 and the Property Fund reflects the amount of money collected so far for this purpose.
The most significant expense relates to the full-time ministry of Aileen Innes as Minister of the church (appointed in April), to lead and coordinate the church’s activities including the Sunday Services, to provide pastoral care for the congregation and other people, and to equip and encourage the membership in their life, Christian witness and service. Ministry expense also includes Timothy Knight as part-time Youth Coordinator who leads youth work and outreach into schools.
The church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church’s own charitable purpose.
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 its objectives.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
The Trustees recognise that giving is currently below levels required to cover ongoing ministry fully but reserves more than cover any projected shortfall and this will be kept under review to ensure continued financial viability.
The church is a participating employer within the Defined Benefit section of the Baptist Pension scheme. In October 2024, the insurance company Just Group completed a buy-out of the liabilities of the closed defined benefit scheme. From that date any remaining liability of the participating scheme members to defined benefit scheme ceased and the £1 per month deficit contributions payable by the participating employers which were agreed in the recovery plan approved in August 2022 also ceased from that date. Administration of the closed defined benefit scheme transferred from the pension trustees to Just Group from that date.
Reserves Policy
The reserves policy of Stocksfield Baptist Church is to hold three months of all expenditure plus a further three months staff costs to allow the church to adapt to any changes in the income or expenditure of the church.
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 £40,000 to £42,000. As of 31 December 2024, the church held total reserves of £141,132 of which zero were restricted and £60,871 designated. Reserves that were neither restricted nor designated amounted to £80,281.
The church is currently progressing a project to provide a new disabled entrance to be funded from a special appeal and any available grants.
STOCKSFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 GENERAL RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| Note Receipts Offerings Donations and other income 2 Income tax recovered on gifts Investment Income 3 Rents and contributions for use of premises Raised for other causes 4 Total Receipts Payments Ministry 5 Mission 6 Upkeep of church premises 7 Administration 8 Amounts passed on to other causes Total Payments Net receipts / (payments) for the year Transfers to / (from) general fund Cash balance at previous year end Cash balance at current year end |
2024 2023 59603 57617 10704 6424 7432 13142 3045 598 12176 11375 0 772 92960 89928 (48,757) (47,511) (16,296) (13,808) (20,142) (15,980) (8,408) (3,728) 0 (772) (93,603) (81,799) (643) 8,129 0 0 73402 65273 72759 73402 |
|---|---|
| PROPERTY FUND RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT Note Receipts Offerings Income Tax Recovered on Gifts Total Receipts Payments Repairs Improvements Total Payments Net receipts / (payments) for the year Transfers to / (from) general fund Cash balance at previous year end Cash balance at current year end ROMANIA FUND RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT Note Receipts Donations Total Receipts Payments Expenses Total Payments Net receipts / (payments) for the year Transfers to / (from) general fund Cash balance at previous year end Cash balance at current year end FAMILY FUND RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT Note Receipts Donations Total Receipts Payments Contributions Total Payments Net receipts / (payments) for the year Transfers to / (from) general fund Cash balance at previous year end Cash balance at current year end |
2024 64075 897 64972 (2,880) (18,805) (21,685) 43,287 0 17584 60871 2024 4618 4618 (704) (704) 3,914 0 3398 7312 2024 0 0 (525) (525) (525) 0 715 190 |
2023 3512 878 |
|---|---|---|
| 4390 (2,760) (2,660) |
||
| (5,420) (1,030) 0 18614 17584 |
||
| 2023 1532 |
||
| 1532 (3,211) |
||
| (3,211) (1,679) 0 5077 3398 |
||
| 2023 0 |
||
| 0 (150) |
||
| (150) (150) 0 865 715 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Assets Bank and other cash balances Petty Cash Loyds Bank Current Account Loyds Bank Deposit Account Other monetary assets Debtors Loans made Gift aid claimed but not received Investment Assets 9 Assets Held for Church's own use 10 Total Assets Liabilities Current Liabilities 11 Long Term Loans 12 Pension Scheme Liability 13 Other Liabilities 14 Total Liabilities |
2024 2023 0 0 3492 3503 85127 41596 16867 0 0 0 0 2593 52514 50000 2669270 2567107 2827270 2664799 (2,890) (3,263) 0 0 0 (36) 0 0 (2,890) (3,299) |
|---|---|
The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities set out on pages (1 & 3) relating to the year ending 31st December 2024 are as approved by the Deacons.
Signed:
Kevin Frost - Secretary
Kevin Frost - Treasurer
Date: 1st March 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. Basis of accounts
These accounts have been prepared on a'receipts and payments' basis and in accordance with Section 133 Charities Act 2011
2. Donations and other income
| Donations Legacies Memorial gifts Mission Activities: Church Weekend Mum's & Toddler's group Youth Work Other income Total Donations and Other Income 3. Investment Income Bank Interest Trust Income Other Investment Income Total Investment Income 4. Raised for other causes Earthquake Appeal Minerva Total Raised for other causes 5. Ministry Minister's stipend Pension contribution Pension deficit fund National insurance Travel and general expenses Manse costs Other Ministry Total Ministry |
2024 2023 2070 20 0 0 0 0 4614 3612 1661 1357 1020 975 1339 460 10704 6424 2024 2023 3045 598 0 0 0 0 3045 598 0 320 0 452 0 0 0 772 2024 2023 (34,875) (32,733) (3,474) (3,224) (10) (12) 0 0 (2,628) (1,962) (7,470) (8,280) (300) (1,300) (48,757) (47,511) |
|---|---|
The Minister acts as one of the church's trustees and receives remuneration and other benefits in respect of his services as Minister, including the provision of a manse allowance. Also includes the Youth Coordinator who receives remuneration and other benefits in respect of his services as Youth Coordination. Other ministry includes training costs for a minister in training.
6. Mission
| Home Mission BMS World Mission Peoples Kitchen Northumberland Foodbank Open Doors SMILES Church Weekend Accoustic Café Mum's & Toddler's group Parenting Conference Sunday School & Youth Work Holiday Club Other Mission Giving Total Mission 7. Upkeep of church premises Utilities Cleaning Insurance Repairs & Maintenance Other Premises Total Upkeep of church premises 8. Administration Telephone and intenet Advertising and website Subscriptions and copyright license Equipment Audit PA systems Other administration Total Administration 9. Investment Assets Stocks and Shares Corporate bonds Gilts Investment property Other investment assets Total Investment Assets |
2024 2023 (4,200) (4,200) (2,500) (2,500) 0 (200) (300) (300) (500) (500) (500) (500) (4,597) (3,475) (400) 0 (281) (52) 0 0 (2,233) (1,396) (26) (26) (759) (659) (16,296) (13,808) 2024 2023 (7,414) (6,577) (3,617) (2,723) (2,698) (4,966) (6,413) (1,714) 0 0 (20,142) (15,980) 2024 2023 (1,118) (607) (358) (780) (540) (511) (748) 0 (390) (354) (3,699) 0 (1,555) (1,476) (8,408) (3,728) 2024 2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 52514 50000 52514 50000 |
|---|---|
10. Assets Held for the Church's own use
The church is the beneficial owner (subject to relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title to which is held by the church's custodian trustee (The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd):
-
Church building at Main Road, Stocksfield, Northumberland valued in the accounts at £2,371,386 based on insured value
-
Church manse at 22 Birkdene, Stocksfield, Nothumberland valued in the accounts at £177,048 based on insured value
The church also owns fixtures, furniture and equipment with ans insured value of £120,836 based on insured value
11. Current Liabilities
| Architects Fees HMRC Tax Utilities Insurance Gas Servicing Ministers Expenses Cheques written but not cashed Other current liabilities Total Current Liabilities 12. Long-Term Liabilities Baptist Building Fund Loan Baptist Union Loan Fund Loan Loans from Church Member's Other Total Long-Term Liabilities |
2024 2023 0 (2,400) (1,817) (83) 0 0 0 0 (570) (780) (503) 0 0 0 0 0 (2,890) (3,263) 2024 2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
13. Pension Scheme Liabilities
The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers Pension Fund, started in 1925. At the beginning of the financial year, the scheme comprised of a defined benefits scheme which was closed to future accrual on 31 December 2011 and a defined contribution plan which was opened in January 2012.The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
For the current financial year, the pension provision for members of the Scheme is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited. Furthermore, members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%.
In October 2024, the insurance company Just Group completed a buy out of the liabilities of the closed defined benefit scheme. From that date any remaining liability of the participating scheme members to defined benefit scheme ceased and the £1 per month deficit contributions payable by the participating employers which were agreed in the recovery plan approved in August 2022 also ceased from that date. Administration of the closed defined benefit scheme transferred from the pension trustees to Just Group from that date.
The Minister(s) [and some members of the church staff] is / are eligible to join the Scheme. [Movement in Balance Sheet liability – not applicable if no pension liability before the start of the comparator year]
Section 28.11A of FRS 102 requires agreed deficit recovery payments to be recognised as a liability. The present value of the agreed deficit contributions were immaterial at the beginning of the financial year and were fully extinguished once buy out was completed by Just Group in October 2024.
- Other Liabilities (if applicable)
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Roport to thè trustee81 mèmbers of Slocksfield 8apti5t Church On accounts for the year ended 31$1 December 2024 Charity no {rf any) 1182577 Sot out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 31 12 20241 Responsibilities and As the charity trustee6 of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requlrements of the Charities Acl 2011 ('thg Acr). I report in respect of my examlnation of the Trust's accounts ¢arried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the appllcable Direclions given by the Charty Commission under section 145<5}(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matt8rs havé come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me Cause to believe that in, any material respect: accountlng records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the arxounting records Independent examiner's Statement I have no concems and hav8 corne across no other matters in connection th the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of th8 accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf th8y do not apply. Slgned: Date: Name: Lorna CoprAe Relevant professlonal quallficatlon(s) or body Ilf any): FCCA Addross: Heritage Accountancy Ltd 76 Front Slreet. Prudhoe NorthumberlaThJ, NE42 SPU IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only Complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of conc8m (s8e CC32, Independent examination of charlty accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brfef details of any Items that the examlnorwlshes to dlscloso. IER October 2018