2024-12-31-accounts - Abergavenny Baptist Church

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Abergavenny Baptist Church Accounts 31 December 2024

Abergavenny Baptist Church

Independent Examiners Report to The Trustees and Members of Abergavenny Baptist Church

We report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31st December 2024 which which are set out on pages 2 to 8

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiners

The church's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the church accounts. the church's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 act;

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

to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.

Basis of independent examiners' report

Our 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 statement below.

Independent Examiners' statement

In connection with our examination no matter has come to our attention:

(1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - 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 our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached

I Morris

C Lines

Abergavenny Baptist Church Trustees Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

The Trustees present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Number	1194889
Address	Frogmore Street
	Abergavenny
	Monmouthshire
	NP7 7AL
Trustees
	Rev M Orsmond	Minister
	B Watkins	Children's Worker
	A O'Gorman	Youth and Family Worker
	M Anderson	Treasurer
	L W Anderson
	M Morgan
	A I Wilde	Secretary
	I Gilbertson
	K Kippax
	A Lewis	resigned 17 September 2024
Trustees for a Charity	Baptist	Union Corporation

Structure, Governance and Management

Abergavenny Baptist Church is an unincorporated charitable association. It is governed by constitution. Charity Trustees are appointed by church members. Any person qualified to be a member of the church is eligible for election as a Charity Trustee (unless disqualified by statute), provided that they have been a member for at least 6 months and provided that, at all times at least 66% of the elected Charity Trustees shall be persons who have been baptised in accordance with the beliefs of the Baptist Union.

Objectives and Activities

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 Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.

The Activities may include but are not restricted to:

regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching;
baptism, as defined in the Union’s Declaration of Principle;
the Communion of the Lord’s Supper which shall normally be observed at least once a month;
evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally;
the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people;
nurture and growth of Christian disciples;
education and training for Christian and community service;
giving and encouraging pastoral care;
supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad;
encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christians.

Our weekly Sunday morning service has been well attended with many people of all age groups. Most people attend inperson but some attend via Zoom. As a result, our membership has grown by six. The church also continues to hold a monthly prayer meeting on a Wednesday evening and a weekly women's fellowship meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The church has five Life Groups (small groups ) that meet fortnightly in members' homes, either in person or a hybrid of both online and in-person, for Bible study and prayer. During the year, we had three funerals, four baptismal services (where nine people in total were baptised) and three dedication services ( where six children were dedicated).

This year the youth group has successfully maintained contact with an average of 16 young people attending in person, and two via zoom. We had a handful of year 6 pupils joining us after Easter. We also moved our meeting time from Friday evening to Sunday which has proved to be very successful. The sessions are now livelier with more energy. This year we have completed the Fruitfulness on the Frontline course, the 24/7 Origins Prayer course, The Way Uk study on Colossians, and the Christians in Sport study of James. We are currently studying, The Gospel of mark using Tom Wright study guide and scripture union Grid notes on Genesis. The youth assisted the foodbank on 3 occasions, sorting, weighing, and dating stock. In May, a group from the church attended The big Church festival, five people were from the youth group. It was a huge success so this is something we will encourage every year. We held our annual youth camp weekend in mid-July and included a Kayaking activity for the first time which was a huge success. We continue to promote the Urban Saints House Camp, Bethany House Party and supported 5 young people from the church to attend this week away. We held a fundraising event in October to help assist families financially to attend camp. At Christmas the youth helped to decorate the church, lead the worship in the nativity service and joined in the choir at the Carol service

ABC Toddlers continues to run as a Faith based Toddler group and has grown continually throughout the year. We now average 30 people, mums and toddlers each week. We have seen numbers around 34 – 36 on occasions towards the summer of 2024. Half of the people who attend are not connected to any church. Relationships are growing within the group we have been able to pray into situations or with mums many times. We continue to receive many positive comments about the group, from past and present members with regular attendees inviting friends.

In November of 2024 we ran a Parenting for Faith course for parents of Toddlers. 5 parents from the church attended and all gave positive feedback on the helpful nature of the course. We continue to make contact with and support families individually on a weekly basis.

2024 has been another good year for Abergavenny Baptist Church with regards to its children’s ministry. We have 35 children in total coming along either to our Sunday mornings or after school club, Dodgeball and Donuts. Throughout the year we also hold Easter events, holiday clubs, light parties and multiple Christmas activities with well over that number coming along.

We have a fantastic team of volunteers, who help with all these events and without whom, many of these activities just would not happen. It is an exciting time to be involved in church with 2025 looking even more promising than the last.

2024 was another busy year at the Foodbank in Abergavenny but the data shows a 5.2% decrease in the number of referrals made when compared to last year. 1056 parcels were given out to our clients, helping to feed 1562 adults and 743 children. The number of total people fed shows a decrease of 11% in total (6.7 % for adults and a 19.4% decrease for children, indicating fewer families coming into the foodbank during 2024.)

Despite this decrease, the current cost of living is high and many people still find themselves struggling with debt, benefit delays /sanctions, long term health issues affecting employability, insecure housing, rising costs and having no savings or support to fall back on. The number of people needing help often outstrips donations, and we continue to purchase a great deal more than previously at a higher price. In 2023, we purchased 50% of our total stock, whereas in 2024 that percentage increased to 60%. Thankfully we continue to cope with this increase at the present time because of a healthy bank balance and the financial support of the local community, but we remain mindful of the need to monitor the situation carefully, given a highly challenging and rapidly changing environment where inflation rates remain higher than anticipated and social security payments fall short of the cost of the essentials we all rely on. Where possible, we take advantage of sites that offer essential items at low cost. An example of this is ‘In Kind Direct,’ a charity that connects companies with charitable organisations to provide access to life's essentials.

In March 2024, Abergavenny Foodbank was awarded a further two years grant of Financial Inclusion funding from Trussell. Therefore, we continue to retain on site an excellent advisor from Citizens Advice who advises clients on a whole range of issues such as benefits, charitable support, debt, employment, housing, tax and utilities. This vital service continues to help clients access the support they need by unlocking grants and money they may be eligible for, thus enabling them to resolve the crisis that brought them to the foodbank in the first place.

With a donation of £650 from Waitrose, we were able to support each family who came into the foodbank over the summer holidays with a £20 food gift voucher in addition to their normal food parcel.

As a result of the generosity of the local community, we continue to offer our clients a range of fresh food, including fruit and vegetables, cheese and eggs. During December, we were able to give out Christmas treat bags as well as food gift vouchers all through December. In addition to the treat bags, one donor raised money to buy books to support parents in giving their children a Christmas gift.

In 2025 the church will endeavour to set up a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to operate the Foodbank going forward.

Whatever the future holds, with the help of the local community, we will do our best to support individuals and families who turn to us for assistance.

Policy on reserves

The Church endeavours to keep reserves sufficient to meeting 12 months running costs and also complete any repairs recommended in the quinquennial architects report.

The Foodbank endeavours to keep a minimum of 6m running costs plus a contingency for other potential costs that may arise.

M Orsmond

Abergavenny Baptist Church Income and Expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2024

Offering:Gift Aid General Envelopes Cash Stewardship Other income Gift Aid tax refund Interest: bank accounts trust funds Rent Easyfundraising Donations for Hm/BMS Donations Foodbank donations Hire of Church hall Grants Donation Spurgeons etc Womens fellowship Expenses Gross Stipend Children and Youth workers wages Employer's NI Pension Pension shortfall Pension childrens worker Ministers expenses Childrens ministry Manse costs including ins Visiting ministers & speakers Insurance Light, heat and telephone Cleaning Major repairs (project costs) Minor repairs IT equipment Deoreciation Donations to HM/BMS Donations spurgeons etc Donations miscellaneous General administrative expenses Advertising, books and cards Courses Office equipment Other expenses Womens Fellowship Expenses Foodbank Costs Excess of receipts over payments Trust fund income Transfers between funds Excess of receipts over payments Balance brought forward Balance carried forward	2024 2024 General fund Restricted Funds Total £ £ £ 58,738 58,738 6,305 6,305 5,303 5,303 7,201 360 7,561 77,547 360 77,907 15,501 1,198 16,699 7,566 7,566 725 725 50 50 15 15 1,798 1,798 650 650 50,361 50,361 95 95 24,996 24,996 - 1,126 1,126 498 498 102,647 79,839 182,486 28,600 28,600 25,317 360 25,677 25 25 3,621 3,621 10 10 2,568 2,568 410 410 1,595 925 2,520 4,500 4,500 400 400 3,433 3,433 3,824 3,824 2,039 2,039 - - 3,331 3,331 71 71 355 355 2,040 1,828 3,868 191 191 2,868 2,868 2,887 2,887 - - 139 139 - - 2,576 2,576 164 164 87,807 87,807 90,773 91,111 181,884 11,874 (11,272) 602 - - 4,800 (4,800) - 16,674 (16,072) 602 183,605 158,537 342,142 200,279 142,465 342,744	2023 £ 57,004 5,159 4,400 3,430
		69,993
		17,369 5,910 1,043 50 16 1,560 495 54,746 175 25,318 1,016 392
		178,083
		26,500 24,747 27 3,363 12 2,475 413 2,458 5,341 400 3,411 3,364 1,545 9,560 1,416 1,271 - 3,675 866 2,330 2,599 - 325 - 2,000 668 78,531
		177,297
		786 3,811 -
		4,597
		337,545
		342,142

Abergavenny Baptist Church Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

136,725 31,392 4,343 28,000 139,134 1,785 414 64 177	130,197 30,693 4,130 20,044 154,107 2,625 80 74 192	2023 £ - 342,142
342,034	342,142

		342,142
		178,321 (2,127) 7,411
		183,605
		1,131 141 157,014 251
		158,537

		342,142
		30,107.33
		30,107.33
		3,771,990 233,847 412,352

Abergavenny Baptist Church Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Plant, machinery and motor vehicles Cost Additions At 31 December 2024 Depreciation Charge for the year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024	Equipment £ 1,065
	1,065
	355
	355
	710

Abergavenny Baptist Church Abergavenny Foodbank Profit And Loss Account For the year ended 31 December 2024 Included in Restricted Funds

Income Donations 45,613 Donations Gift aided 5,030 Gift Aid Tax Refunds 1,154 Grants 24,996 Reimbursed expenses - Cost of sales Purchases 41,732 Vouchers 10,095 Gross surplus Expenses Bank charges 110 Financial Inclusion Officer 21,876 Grant repaid - Legal and professional 35 Pensions - Postage - Contribution to church overheads 4,800 Staff training & welfare 300 Stationery and printing 102 Sundry expenses 59 Telephone and fax 144 Travel and subsistence Wages and salaries 13,354 Net (deficit) / surplus Balance b/fwd Balance c/fwd	2024 2023 £ £ 49,295 5,441 1,396 25,318 0 76,793 81,450 36,835 9,060 51,827 45,895 24,966 35,555 113 11008 7688 35 650 0 3,600 77 0 144 12,921 40,780 36,236 (15,814) (681) 156,732 157,413 140,918 156,732	2024 2023 £ £ 49,295 5,441 1,396 25,318 0 76,793 81,450 36,835 9,060 51,827 45,895 24,966 35,555 113 11008 7688 35 650 0 3,600 77 0 144 12,921 40,780 36,236 (15,814) (681) 156,732 157,413 140,918 156,732
		36,236
		(681) 157,413
		156,732