2025-03-31-accounts - Welton Baptist Church

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Welton Baptist Church CIO

Trustees Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Charity Registration No. 1188181

Welton Baptist Church CIO Trustees Report and Financial Statements Contents

	Page
Report of the trustees	1 - 5
Statement of financial activities	6
Balance sheet	7
Notes to the accounts	8 - 13
Independent examiner's Report	14

Welton Baptist Church CIO

Charity number: 1188181

Trustees report For the period ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025.

The principal office of Welton Baptist Church is at Welton Baptist Church, West Road, Welton, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2TP.

Welton Baptist Church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission, No 1188181.

We are a member of the West of England Baptist Network which in turn is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

The trustees of the charity during the year are:

Matt Hebditch Matt Coomes David Kingswood Linda Munro Chris Bennett - Treasurer Michael Blowers Jonathan Cooper Harriet Coomes – appointed 04.06.24 Scott Williamson – resigned 09.10.25 Clare Green Jeremy Bedrock – resigned 09.10.25 Sally Petit – Church Secretary

The Church leadership are responsible for the day to day running and organisation of the church during the year were as follows:

Team Leader

Matthew Hebditch

Co Leader

Mathew Coomes

Elders

David Kingswood Harriet Coomes – appointed 04.06.24 Linda Munro Clare Green Jonathan Cooper (Advice Elder) Michael Blowers (Advice Elder)

Welton Baptist Church CIO

Charity number: 1188181

Trustees report For the period ended 31 March 2025

Trustees report (continued)

Other organisations or persons significant to the affairs of the church were as follows:

Bank – The Co-operative Bank plc, PO Box 250, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT

Independent Examiner – Marco Martin FCCA CTA - The Waldron Partnership Ltd, 30 Circus Mews, Bath, BA1 2PW

Structure, governance and management

The church, which is a charitable incorporated organisation, is run under a formally adopted, governing document which sets out in detail the requirements of church membership, together with the appointment and/or election process for ministers, officers of the church, paid employees and trustees. In addition, the governing document details the format of meetings and formal voting arrangements i n regards to church decision making.

The church employs a full time Team Leader and a full time Co Leader along with a full time children and families worker. The church also employs a part-time Minister in Training, a part time administrator and a part time finance assistant.

The church has a leadership team comprising of Elders & Advice Elders, who are primarily responsible for assisting the Team Leaders in the spiritual direction and aims of the church as well as financial matters associated with the church. The appointment of Elders is made on a formal voting basis at a church meeting by the entire membership as laid down in the governing document. The selection of Trustees is defined within the document and comprises of the Pastor (Team Leader), two church officers (Treasurer and Secretary) together with the appointed Elders. Each Trustee is approved and elected by the church membership.

Welton Baptist Church CIO

Charity number: 1188181

Trustees report For the period ended 31 March 2025

Trustees report (continued)

Objectives and Activities

Purpose

The primary long term strategy and objective of the church is to promote the Christian message, and specifically the teaching of the truth of the Bible and of Jesus Christ, within the communities of Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Paulton and surrounding areas, together with supporting the wider Christian church within the UK and overseas.

This has been achieved by the provision of weekly church services, held at a Paulton Rovers Football Club and the running of mid-week house groups and other regular weekly activities for all ages.

The church operates a diverse range of youth work, running mid-week groups and a range of Sunday school classes, held in conjunction with the weekly church services, for children and youth from 0-18 years of age. The church also has a varied social activity programme which is used to achieve its objective and runs a number of events throughout the year.

The church also has an active interest in promoting the Christian message in other parts of the UK and overseas. Several of the membership are currently working for overseas Christian agencies or directly representing the church and are involved in a variety of activities to support this aim. This “mission” funding to charitable activities also includes such work as mission outreach in the local communities and to members on mission overseas, long and short term, which require financial support. There is also an Elders discretionary fund which is also for people within the church who the leadership consider require support of the church. This list is reviewed and updated on a cyclical basis and changes agreed by the church meeting upon recommendations of the leadership.

The church summarises its objectives in the “Vision Statement”, a document issued by the leadership, which covers the key aspects of the church’s “raison d’etre” and is designed as a daily, individual and corporate guide to focus church members upon the short term aims of the church to enable the longer term objectives be achieved. All members have access to this document which is based upon Biblical principles and in conjunction with the Bible forms a key element of the church’s teaching.

Achievements and performance

Our annual membership review meant that a number of people ceased their membership whilst others transferred their membership either because they had moved away from the area or in order to worship at another local church.

Welton Baptist Church CIO

Charity number: 1188181

Trustees report For the period ended 31 March 2025

Trustees report (continued)

Financial review

The funds of the church are donated almost exclusively by the members of the church itself. No specific activities are undertaken to raise funds and a point is made at all events where a collection is taken to point out that there is no expectation upon non-members to contribute. Donation of funds are considered an act of worship.

During the year a deficit of £447,684 (2024 - £126,514 surplus) was recorded due to expenditure costs on our chapel refurbishment project. This was primarily covered by our brought forward building fund and built-up resources within our general fund. Total incoming resources were £332,518 (2024 - £339,601) which included donations and special gifts towards our chapel renovation fund. We were successful in securing grants of £46,500 towards our chapel renovation project and secured an interest free loan of £50,000 from Baptist Building CIO repayable over 10 years. Total expenditure was £780,282 (2024 - £213,087) of which £543,435 related to the chapel refurbishment.

Our Chapel renovations were completed in December 2024 and is regularly used for church and community activities.

At 31 March 2025 the Charity had general unrestricted reserves of £130,394 (2024 - £326,153). Brought forward restricted and unrestricted building funds have been fully cleared down and utilised towards the chapel project.

Reserves policy

The only fund held at the end of the financial year is that of the General fund. The current situation does not preclude the future possibility of building up designated funds for any specific purpose considered to be within the church’s charitable objects. No funds were materially in deficit at any time in the year.

Funds Held as Custodian Trustee on Behalf of Others

The church building, the Chapel at West Road, is held by Welton Baptist Church as custodian trustee on behalf of the West of England Baptist Network (WEBNET). The ownership of the building by WEBNET and its use by Welton Baptist Church is directly within the charitable objects of both organisations in the provision of a place of worship. All significant changes to the building must be approved by WEBNET in addition to any local authority planning and listed building consent.

Welton Baptist Church CIO

Charity number: 1188181

Trustees report For the period ended 31 March 2025

Trustees report (continued)

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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 sufficient accounting records that 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, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. 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.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Approved by the board of trustees on: ………18[th] January 2026………..

and signed on its behalf by:

……Matthew Coomes…………

Trustee

Welton Baptist Church CIO Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025

Note Income and endowments from: Total incoming resources Expenditure on: 5 5 5 Total resources expended Net (outgoing)/incoming resources Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Donations and legacies Chapel project fund Grants awarded - chapel Investment income Other income 2 2 2 3 4 Charitable activities Chapel renovations Governance costs	Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 229,459 6,151 17,113	Restricted Funds 2025 £ 33,295 46,500	Restricted Funds 2025 £ 33,295 46,500
	252,723	79,795
	235,917 211,715 850	332,260
	448,482	332,260
	(195,759) 326,153	(252,465) 252,465
	130,394	-

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Welton Baptist Church CIO Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025

Welton Baptist Church CIO Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025
Note Net current assets 10 Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Total funds Creditors: amounts falling due within more than one year Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Fixed assets Tangible assets 7 Current assets Debtors and prepayments 8 Cash at bank and in hand Funds 11 Unrestricted Funds Restricted building funds Restricted Chapel funds	(27,328) 76,565 119,812 196,377	169,049 (46,250) 31-Mar 2025 £ 7,595 7,595	(8,267) 24,381 552,235 576,616	568,349 - 31-Mar 2024 £ 10,269 10,269

		130,394		578,618
		130,394 130,394 - -		578,618 578,618 290,512 14,054 274,052

		130,394

The notes on pages 8 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on:

…………………………

Signed, on behalf of the Trustees

….............Chris Bennett......................

Chris Bennett, Treasurer

……………………………..

Sally Petit, Church Secretary

Welton Baptist Church CIO Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Principal accounting policies

Welton Baptist Church CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below:

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting By Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and on a going concern basis. They do not include accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds - are general funds available for use at the Leadership's discretion to further the general objectives of the Church and which have not been designated for specific purposes.

Restricted building funds - are historical restricted funds collected towards a new building. As plans have developed towards our chapel renovation project, it was agreed that these funds could be used towards ongoing costs and have been fully utilised during the year.

Restricted chapel funds - are funds that can only be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Church. It was agreed that at the end of the chapel project, any amounts left in the fund would be transferred to the unrestricted fund and used for general church purposes.

Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are accounted for as receivable.

The majority of incoming resources are through direct bank deposits in the form of tithes and offerings. Additional gifts have been received towards our chapel renovation plans.

Income tax recoverable on gifts from donors is recognised on receipt of the related gift.

The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

Investment income is included when receivable.

Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned.

Incoming resources from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Welton Baptist Church CIO Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025

Resources expended

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure. All costs have been directly attributable to one of the functional categories of resources used in the SOFA. The Church is not registered for VAT and accordingly expenditure is shown gross of irrecoverable VAT.

This represents direct expenditure on the governance of the church. Most of the management is carried out without charge by volunteers. This intangible cost is not included in the Statement of Financial Activities since there is no measurable cost of the volunteers for their service.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.

Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 (for a single item or group of similar items and including acquisition expenses) are capitalised at cost.

Fixed assets are depreciated at the following rates in order to write them off over their useful lives:

Computers	33% on cost
Equipment	20% on cost

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

3 Investment Income Bank interest received 2 Donations and legacies Net gifts made under gift aid Gift aid reclaimed Gifts received gross Cash offerings Other gifts – chapel project Grants towards Chapel project	Unrestricted £ 164,870 37,521 23,638 3,430	Restricted £ - 33,295 46,500	Total for year 164,870 37,521 23,638 3,430 33,295 46,500	322,933 Year to 31st March 2024 £ 136,155 50,753 19,050 1,543 90,432 25,000 Year to 31st March 2024 £ -
	229,459	79,795	309,254
	Unrestricted £ 6,151	Restricted £ -	Total for year £ 6,151

Welton Baptist Church CIO Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025

7,810 9,303 Unrestricted £	Restricted £ - - - - 332,260 Restricted £	_ 17,113 137,666 31,144 40,149 26,958 543,975 31.03.25 £ 7,810 9,303 31.03.25 £
_____ 17,113 137,666 31,144 40,149 26,958 211,715 Unrestricted £
447,632	332,260	779,892
Unrestricted £ 850	Restricted £ -	31.03.25 £ 850
850	-	850
		31.03.25 £ 121,507 1,567 16,157 2,394
		141,625 5

No employees received remuneration exceeding £60,000.

The Church pays Baptist pension contributions for its 2 paid leaders to a pension fund. The pension funds are defined contribution schemes and are not related in any way to the church.

Welton Baptist Church CIO Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025

7 Tangible fixed assets Computers £ Baptist Loan Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions At 31 March 2025 7,462 _ _____ 7,462 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the period At 31 March 2025 7,451 _ 4 7,455 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 7 11 8 Debtors Gift aid recoverable Other debtors & prepayments 9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other creditors and accruals Baptist Loan 10 Creditors: amounts falling due within more than one year	Computers £ 7,462 _ _____ 7,462	46,250 Equipment £ 52,227 _ _ 52,227 41,969 2,671 44,640 7,587 10,259 31.03.25 11,646 64,920 76,565 31.03.25 23,578 3,250 27,328 31.03.25		£ - 59,689 59,689 49,420 2,675 52,095 7,594 10,269 31.03.24 15,847 8,534 24,381 31.03.24 8,267 31.03.24

	7,451 _ 4 7,455
	7
	11

Welton Baptist Church CIO Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025

At 01.04.24 £ 326,153 326,153 252,465	79,795 Received in year £ 252,723 252,723	Utilised in year £ (448,482)
		(448,482)
		(332,260)
252,465	79,795	(332,260)

578,618	332,518	(780,742)

Welton Baptist Church CIO Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets Current assets	Unrestricted funds 7,595 122,799	Restricted/ Designated funds Total 2025 - - 7,595 122,799
	130,394	- 130,394

13 Related party transactions

The custodian Trustee of the church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited, charity number 249635, which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council. The church is a member of West of England Baptist Association.

In accordance with the charity’s governing documents, the pastor, Matthew Hebditch, is a trustee of the charity. Matthew Coomes is employed by the church as a Co-Leader and also acts as an Elder and as laid down in the constitution, is also a trustee of the Charity. Sally Petit is employed by the church as an Administrator. They are also therefore remunerated by the charity.

There were no related party transactions during the period.

Welton Baptist Church CIO

Charity number:

1188181

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Welton Baptist Church CIO

I report on the accounts of Welton Baptist Church CIO for the period ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 1 to 12.

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 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

a) examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

b) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

c) to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 next statement.

Independent examiner’s statement

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:

a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 20[th] January 2026 Signed: Marco Martin

Marco Martin FCCA CTA