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2023-12-31-accounts

Report and Accounts

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J & E Pri
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Year ended 31 December 2023

BLESSED ACCOUNTANTS 328 London Road Mitcham Surrey CR4 3ND Tel: 020 8544 1551 Email: accountants@blessedltd.com Web: www.blessedaccountants.com

EARLSFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

COMPANY INFORMATION

Registered Office Magdalen Road
Earlsfield
London
SW18 3NZ
Charity Registration Number 1193754
Trustees Rev K Parr (Minister)
Mrs J Davis (Secretary)
Mr A Adesuyan (Treasurer)
Ms D Dorman
Mrs B Lee
Mrs L Perez Bernaldez
Mr B Williams
Church Secretary Mrs J Davis
Property Trustees The London Baptist Property Board (L.B.P.B)
235 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
WC2H 8EP
Paid Staff Rev K Parr (Minister)
Ms Y Biney (Cleaner)
Governing Document CIO For Earlsfield Baptist Church
Independent Examiner Mrs M Adriaans ACMA CGMA
Bankers Barclays Bank
Leicester
LE87 2BB
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees Report 1-4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Accounts 8-9

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023.

Objects of the charity

The principal aims and objectives of the Church are:

a) the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination;

b) the advancement of education in the Christian faith; and

c) to carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.

The Church is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at its services and to become part of the local congregation. Church services continue to be held on Sunday mornings both in the Church building and via Zoom for those unable to come to the Church.

Governance

Earlsfield Baptist Church is a charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales. Charity Registration number 1193754.

The policy and operating decisions of the Church rest with the Trustees who met eight times during the year.

Key decisions were brought to Church Members by emailed correspondence (hard copies were sent by post to those without access to the internet) and also communicated at Church Members' meetings.

Review of Activities

Congregation and Members

The Church celebrated its 126th Anniversary in 2023 as did the Sunday School. Weekly worship services continued to be held on Sunday mornings at 11 am. The Church continued to use the Hybrid Model for worship (online and offline community) throughout the period covered by this report.

Throughout 2023, contact was maintained with all members of the congregation by monthly newsletters. Contact was also maintained with telephone calls, emails and, when possible, home visits. In the period covered by this report, one person was baptized, three people were received into membership, four members received their home call and one child was dedicated. A number of weddings, funerals and a Marriage Blessing from the local community were held at the Church during the year. Current membership stands at 35.

Our Minister, Rev Keith Parr, led Lent studies and special services at Easter, Pentecost, Harvest Thanksgiving, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas. The congregation was also encouraged to 'Pray Through May'.

During the year, Rev Parr continued weekly Bible Study meetings: 'Coffee and a Chat' in a local coffee shop, meetings in a local public house and a Bible Study house group via Zoom. The weekly Alpha course on Tuesday evenings was completed at the end of February and was replaced by a Bible Study house group held at the Manse. The Church provided a Warm Space on Sunday afternoons in January and February serving soup to those struggling with energy costs. Cafe Church and a lunch time Alpha course were also started early in 2023 but did not continue due to lack of interest. Sadly the Craft and Scrabble Club closed but 'Rendezvous', a new club for adults opened at the beginning of May 2023 and its meetings on the first Thursday of each month continue to be well attended. A Reunion of past members of the 14th London Boys' Brigade Company and the 38th London Girls' Brigade Company was held at the Church in October and attendees also joined the Church's 126th Anniversary Service.

The Church opened its doors for individual prayer as often as possible on weekdays during the year and a daily Prayer Texting continued to be circulated to those wishing to take part with encouraging Bible texts and suggested subjects for prayer for individuals, the local community and wider world events.

1

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Mission:

The Church continued to stay active in the community.

• The Church continued support of the Earlsfield Food Bank by the provision of food and other necessities. Volunteers from the Church also manage and help at the Food Bank on Thursday mornings.

• 'Pray Through May' was a prayer initiative providing simple guidelines to help the congregation day by day and week by week to draw closer to God and ask Him for His blessings for our Church Family.

• A new adult club, Rendezvous, opened in May and continued to meet on the first Thursday of each month.

• The Prayer Texting Service continued whereby members were able to request prayer. These requests and other matters for prayer are circulated on a daily basis. A new adult club, 'Rendezvous', opened in May and continued to meet on the first Thursday of each month.

• Throughout the year, the Church continued to support various charities through its monthly Communion offerings - Mission Aviation Fellowship, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Earlsfield Food Bank, Christian Aid, Global Care, BMS World Mission, Bible Society, Leprosy Mission, Operation Agri and Home Mission.

• Children and young people continued to be encouraged to attend morning services and the monthly Communion Services were for all ages.

• The Church continued to use various social media sites to promote events and encourage contact from the general public. Notice boards outside the Church also advertised various events.

Premises:

General maintenance of the premises continued throughout the year where needed.

The Manse provided accommodation for Rev Parr throughout the year and maintenance carried out when needed. The Colour Box Montessori School continued to rent The Rock on weekday mornings during term time. A Dance School and a Stage School hired The Rock on weekday afternoons and evenings and on Saturdays respectively. The 6th Earlsfield Guiding Group used the premises on Wednesday evenings and Alcoholics Anonymous also held their weekly meetings at the Church on Thursday evenings. The Wandsworth branch of U3A held their monthly meetings at the Church on the third Monday of each month and the local Allotments Society held their Annual Show and AGM at the Church in September and November respectively.

The Church received a Home Office grant which enabled CCTV and an alarm system to be installed in all buildings.

General Data Protection Regulation 2018:

Members of the congregation continued to be contacted by email from the official church email addresses. The Church remained compliant with GDPR but work is needed to ensure it follows UK guidelines with regard to retaining members' personal information.

Safeguarding:

The church’s safeguarding statements and policies are reviewed annually and copies are displayed throughout the premises. The statements are read to the church members annually and all leaders of clubs and activities held at the church have been made aware of the statements and must adhere to the policies and procedures.

Plans for Future Periods:

Mission: The Trustees remains committed to the mission focus of the Church and endeavours to strengthen the outreach programme whenever possible. There is a mission focus each month when a specific charity or organisation is highlighted and supported through the communion offering.

2

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Church will continue with the Hybrid Model for Sunday services to give the congregation and members the choice of where to worship. Hybrid worship offers more inclusivity; it includes the housebound, those who are unwell, those who may have COVID or other health concerns, those who live far from the Church Building and those who are busy with work and family commitments. Hybrid Church offers new opportunities to include more of our community in the body of Christ.

The Church continues to look at different ways to reach out to the Community such as meeting and holding events in pubs and coffee shops.

Financial Activities and Affairs

Church offering, congregational giving, has been on decline since 2018, weekly offering that year was £37.2k (2017: £38.7k). In 2022 Church offering was flat, 2022 vs 2021. (£25.7k vs £25.7k). This year of 2023, Church offering has grown year on year for the first time since 2017. Offering increased by £2.3k, 9.0% higher than 2022 (£27.9k vs. £25.7k).

The Church continued to make all payments and expenses via online bank transfer or Direct Debits. Payments were processed by the Treasurer and then approved online by either the Church Secretary or another Trustee. A small team of Church members met monthly to count and bank cash/cheque offerings. Our lead counter and banker has retired after many years of voluntary service. Warm thanks from all at EBC and may God bless her with restful peace and good health.

Please see the attached detailed accounts.

Total Income has increased by £4.9k to £90.3k (2022: £85.4k), £4.2k and £0.7k higher income from General and Restricted Funds respectively.

Total Expenditure has increased by £4.4k to £89.8k (2022: £84.4k). General expenses were £2.9k higher (£84.1k vs £81.2k) driven by annual stipend inflation (7.1%) and maintenance work on premises.

General Fund Income increased by £4.2k to £84.3k (2022: £80.2k) driven by higher Church offering (£2.3k) and higher interest (£2.8k) on deposits funds held with London Baptist Property Board. Gift Aid income of £4.6k was £0.9k lower than 2022 (£5.6k).

General Fund Expenditure increased by £2.9k to £84.1k (2022: £81.2k). Cost of ministry grew by £2k, 5.3% (£38.4k vs. £36.5k) driven by Minister annual stipend increase and cost of maintaining our premises was £2k, 6.4% higher driven by utilities bills.

Restricted Fund Income of £5.9k increased by £0.6k (2022: £5.3k) due to increased Denomination fund (£1.8k) offset by no donations to Building fund (stopped) and lower Communion giving to Supported Charities. Restricted expenditure was £1.5k higher (£5.7k vs. £4.2k) driven by increased donation to Home Mission (£3.5k vs £1.5k).

The total Income of £90.3k was offset by total expenditure of £89.8k.

Net assets increased by £617k to £7,693k (2022: £7.076k), due to increased property valuation based on insurance rebuild values. Total Cash Balance at end of the year was £9.5k (2022: £13.0k).

Funding:

The Church continued to raise necessary funds from within its own membership, congregation and by hiring out its halls. The Church is committed to making donations to other charitable organisations and causes.

In this period, £3.5k (2022: £1.5k) was donated Home Mission and £1.2k (2022: £1.2k) given to BMS World Mission (Denomination fund). The Church donated to six supported charities including Christian Aid, Leprosy Mission, Earlsfield Foodbank and Global Care, where our own Minister, Rev. Keith Parr is Chair of Trustees (charity no. 07560813).

3

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Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Charity Name Earlsfield Baptist Church

Report to the trustees Charity Name Earlsfield Baptist Church On accounts for the year 31 December 2023 Charity no 1193754 ended (if any) Set out on pages 8 - 11 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 / 12 / 2023 .

Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

Date: 27.02.2025 Signed: Name: Meagan Adriaans Relevant professional ACMA CGMA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 23 Moorfield Road KT9 1AU

Oct 2018

IER

5

Unrestricted
General
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
Note
£
£
£
£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary income
2a
35,982
5,852
41,834
38,960
Transfer from General Fund
-
-
-
Statement of Financial Activities
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Summary Income and Expenditure Account		 Unrestricted
General
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
Note
£
£
£
£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary income
2a
35,982
5,852
41,834
38,960
Transfer from General Fund
-
-
-
Statement of Financial Activities
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Summary Income and Expenditure Account		 Unrestricted
General
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
Note
£
£
£
£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary income
2a
35,982
5,852
41,834
38,960
Transfer from General Fund
-
-
-
Statement of Financial Activities
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Summary Income and Expenditure Account
Investment income
4,157
116
4,273
1,432
Gift aid recovered
4,638
-
4,638
5,579
Incoming resources from community activities
Hire of Premises
2b
39,564
-
39,564
39,460
Total Incoming Resources
2,7c
84,341
5,967
90,308
85,431
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Direct Church activities
3a,b
79,337
300
79,637
78,795
Charitable Donations
3c
-
5,436
5,436
3,759
Transfer from General fund
3c
4,744
-
4,744
2,857
Transfer from Restricted fund
3c
-
-
-
-
Total Resources Expended
84,081
5,736
89,818
85,411
Net Movement in Funds 259
231
491
20
Revaluation of assets
Transfers between funds		 621,851
-
621,851
676,116
(5,000)
-
(5,000)
(3,240)
Accrual - -
-
-
Fund balances at 1 Jan 2023
7,052,090
23,448
7,075,539
6,402,642
Fund balances at 31 Dec 2023
7,669,201
23,680
7,692,880
7,075,539
Movements on reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above.
The notes onpages 8-9 formpart of these accounts.

6

EARLSFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
4,5b
CURRENT ASSETS
London Baptist Property Board
5a
National Savings Income Bond
5a
Cash and bank
5a
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Liabilities falling due within one year
5c
Net Current Assets
NET ASSETS
FUND BALANCES
Unrestricted funds
General Funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds
7c
Capital
2023
£
7,575,111
7,575,111
108,227
-
9,542		 2022
£
6,953,260
6,953,260
108,976
-
12,979
117,769
-
117,769
7,692,880
94,090
-
23,680
7,575,111		 121,955
(323)
122,279
7,075,539
98,831
-
23,448
6,953,260
7,692,880 7,075,539

For the year ended 31 December 2023, the company was entitled to the exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Responsibilities of directors/trustees:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on 29th September 2024 by:

A Adesuyan ACMA

Charity number: 1193754

The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.

7

EARLSFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH

Notes to the Accounts FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting Policies

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 on a Receipts and Payments basis.

Donated income and grants receivable are taken into account when received by the charity. Income received in circumstances where a claim for repayment of tax has been or will be made to HM Revenue & Customs is grossed up for the tax recoverable. Any amount of tax reclaimed from HM Revenue & Customs but not yet received is shown within the charity's debtors.

Investment income is taken into account when receivable and expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, when incurred by the charity, regardless of when payment is made. Donations/Grants payable are taken into account at the earlier of when they are paid or become constructive obligations. Donations/Grants for the support of mission are accounted for on the basis of support that relates to the financial year.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without specified purpose and are available for purposes as directed by the trustees. Restricted funds are amounts received where the donor has specified the purpose for which it should be used.

Fixed assets acquired for use by the charity are capitalised and depreciated over their estimated useful life unless they cost less than £5,000 when they are written off on purchase.

Depreciation periods are as follows:

Motor vehicles 25% reducing balance

Furniture and office equipme 25% straight line

The company operates a defined contribution scheme for certain of its employees. Pension premiums are charged as they are paid.

f) Taxation: The Church is a charity but ‘excepted from registration’ under The Charities (Exception from Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and is exempt from taxation under the Income & Corporation Taxes Acts.

g) Cashflow statement: The Church has taken advantage of the exemption provided by the Financial Reporting Standard 1 and has not prepared a Cash Flow Statement for the year.

2a
Voluntary income
General donations
Transfer from Restricted Funds
General Fund
Transfer from London Baptist Property Board
General Fund
Transfer from General Funds
To Church Denominational
2b Incoming Resources from Activities for Generating Funds
Hall Hire
Investment Income
Gift Aid recovered
Total income
3
Charitable activities
a
Direct Charitable Costs
Minister's Stipend, Pension and NIC
Pastoral Assistance and Visiting Preachers
Ministry Expenses
Church Mission activities
b
Support and Administration
Church Premises Costs
Manse costs
Admin/Other
Combined charitable activity cost
c
Donations
Transfer from General Funds
To Building Fund
To Church Denominational
Transfer From Restricted Funds
To L.B.P.B Youth Account
Donations to supported charities and causes
Total expense		 General
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
30,982
1,107
32,090
32,863
-
-
-
3,240
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
4,744
4,744
2,857
35,982
5,852
41,834
38,960
39,564
-
39,564
39,460
4,157
116
4,273
1,432
4,638
-
4,638
5,579
48,359
116
48,474
46,471
84,341
5,967
90,308
85,431
General
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
34,900
-
34,900
32,824
125
-
125
391
-
-
-
-
487
100
587
3,677
35,513
100
35,613
36,893
£
£
£
£
33,008
-
33,008
31,388
3,373
-
3,373
3,247
7,443
200
7,643
7,267
43,825
200
44,025
41,902
79,337
300
79,637
78,795
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
-
-
4,744
-
4,744
2,857
-
-
-
-
5,436
5,436
3,759
4,744
5,436
10,180
6,616
84,081
5,736
89,818
85,411

8

EARLSFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH

5
a)
Cas
Nat
Oth
b)
Ass
c)
Liab		 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 De Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
cember 2023
Notes
Bank Current Accounts
Bank Deposit Accounts
Total Cash at bank
Held by London Baptist Property Board
London Baptist Property Board - Main Deposit Account (DE16270)
London Baptist Property Board - Youth Deposit Account (DE16560)
London Baptist Property Board - transfer from main deposit to bank current account
Church Building (Place of worship & praise) - Magdalen Road SW18 3NZ
Church Halls - Magdalen Road SW18 3NZ
Manse (Minister and family residence) 27 Ellerton Road SW18 3NG
Church Property Valuation as at May 2023, based Church's insurer, 'Baptist Insurance' reb
h Funds
ional Income Bond
er Monetary Assets
ets Retained for Church Use
ilities
2023
£		 2022
£
7,230
10,688
2,312
2,291
9,542
12,979
-
-
105,159
106,023
3,069
2,953
117,769
121,955
(5,000)
-
May 2023
May 2022
4,748,677
4,380,699
2,362,100
2,179,059
464,334
393,502

7,575,111
6,953,260
ilities
Staff and Trustees
At 31 December 2023, the charity employed 2 staff. Its activities are generally carried o
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
Funds
Fund Name
Fund Purpose
Totals (per Receipts and Payments Account)
Unrestricted Fundsmay be used by the Church for any of its ordinary purposes. The m
Designated Fundsrepresent sums set aside, out of ordinary unrestricted funds, for spe
time.
Analysis of Fund Movements for the Year
During the year the Minister was reimbursed for expenses totalling £1,316.82 and Chu
The Minister, Rev. Keith Parr is Chair of Trustees at Global Care (charity no. 07560813).
Care		 Offering
Expenses
Net total
ut by volunteers.
ovements in the fund are shown in the Receipts
cific designated purposes, but they can be transf
rch Secretary reimbursed for expenses totalling
In 2022, the Church via Communion offering co		 -
(570)
247
-
(323)
and Payments Account.
erred back into general funds at any
£237.55
llected and donated £100 for Global
Balance
1 January
£		 Receipts
£		 Payments
£		 Transfers
£		 Balance
31 December
£
- - - - -

6 Staff and Trustees

7 Funds

a) Unrestricted Funds may be used by the Church for any of its ordinary purposes. The movements in the fund are shown in the Receipts and Payments Account.

Notes:

Fund Name
Fund Purpose
Church Denominational
London Baptist Property Board - Youth Deposit Account
Supported Charities
Building Fund
Parents & Toddler Group
Benevolent Fund
Over 60s Club
Totals (per Receipts and Payments Account)		 Balance
1 January
£		 Receipts
£		 Payments
£		 Transfers
£		 Balance
31 December
£
0
4,977
(4,977)
-
2,953
116
3,069
1
759
(759)
1
14,282
14,282
1,341
1,341
306
306
4,566
4,566
23,448 5,852 (5,736) - 23,564

9