HARBORNE BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Published for the Annual General Meeting on 8[th] April 2024
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation since 1[st] March 2023
Registered Charity Number: 1199474
Harborne Park Road, Harborne, Birmingham B17 0DH
[Type here]
2
Annual Report for Year ending 31st December 2023
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the independently examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The financial statements are presented on a Receipts and Payments basis as allowed under Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Charities Act’) provided the charity’s gross income is not over £250,000.
Reference and Administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers
Charity Status
Harborne Baptist Church registered with the Charity Commission on 28[th] June 2022 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), with the Registered Charity Number 1199474. We began operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 1[st] March 2023. We are in membership with the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Managing Trustees
The Church was administered by the following Managing Trustees of the Charity:
Minister & Chairman Revd. Peter Maycock Deacons Sarah Barnett Anthony Lau (from March 2023) Jill Oldfield Helen Salter Joshua Smith Katie Stafford Roger Thompson Luis Todino (until March 2023) Jackie Wheeldon (until March 2023) Church Secretary Michael Taylor Church Treasurer Brenda Green (until March 2023)
Property Trustees
The Heart of England Baptist Association, Registered Office: 480 Chester Road Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B73 58P
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
3
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Church’s governing document as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation was adopted at Church Meeting on 31[st] May 2022 and sets out the objects of the charity.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
Managing Trustees consist of Minister(s), Deacons plus Church Secretary and Church Treasurer (if not already a Deacon) up to a maximum of 12 Trustees (excluding the Minister). Deacons are chosen from among existing church members and annual elections are held at the Church Annual General Meeting by ballot – postal and email votes are permitted by the constitution. Nominees must secure a vote of at least 60% of eligible votes. The roles of Church Secretary and Church Treasurer may be covered by Deacons or by additional appointments at the AGM.
Induction and Training of Trustees
One church member was newly elected as a deacon in March 2023, and one retiring deacon was re-elected for a second term. DBS checks for all Trustees are up to date. Trustees undertook Safeguarding training and met with the HEBA Regional Minister for leadership development.
Organisational Structure
The Church is governed and regulated by its own members where all aspects of the work of the Church are subject to the approval of the Church Meeting which is normally held every 2 months. (Constitution minimum 4 times per year).
The Minister of the Church is a paid Managing Trustee and with the assistance of the Leadership Team, gives leadership to the Church.
The Baptist Union of Great Britain and Heart of England Baptist Association
The Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Heart of England Baptist Association. The Church will normally promote, encourage, support and advance the work of the Baptist Union, the Association and BMS World Mission through prayer, through financial contributions and, where appropriate, by making personnel available from the membership of the Church. When it is able the Church will also support local Baptist and ecumenical gatherings. The Church pays an annual subscription to BUGB based upon its membership numbers and tithes 5% of the previous year’s general giving to the BUGB Home Mission Fund and a further 5% to BMS World Mission.
Relationships between the Charity and other Related Parties
The Church has been an active member of Churches Together in Harborne, with the Minister regularly attending a meeting with other clergy. We participated in the World Day of Prayer in March with other local churches and took part in a joint Good Friday Prayer Walk.
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023 Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
4
Objectives and Activities
Objects of the Charity
The principal purposes of the Church are 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.
In fulfilling these purposes the Church engages in a range of activities either on its own or with others that will vary from time to time with activities being initiated, expanded, or closed, as appropriate. 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; evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally; the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people; giving and encouraging pastoral care; supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad.
As a member of the Baptist Union, the Church subscribes to the BAPTIST UNION DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE:
The basis of this Union is:
-
That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each Church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.
-
That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who “died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day.”
-
That it is the duty of every disciple to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.
Church Secretary’s Report 2023
Making Time To Reflect And Look Forward
Rejoicing In Hope (Romans 5:1-5)
It’s been a year full of God’s Rich Blessing.
Reflecting back on the past 12 months has opened my eyes to how amazing our God is, and how He has been at work outpouring His Blessing on His people worshipping faithfully week by week in His Church here in Harborne. It’s been a privilege for me to have continued in my role as Church Secretary alongside our Minister Revd. Peter Maycock and the Deacons in the Leadership Team. We each bring our different gifts and skills that God has Blessed us with to help in Prayerfully overseeing the various Ministries that we have, to ensure that God’s work is carried out week by week.
Reflecting back over the year
We have celebrated with families the birth of two babies born in 2023/24.
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
5
We have celebrated in four baptismal services where we have witnessed our brothers and sisters openly professing their faith through the waters of baptism and sharing their faith and acceptance of our Lord Jesus Christ in their life. We have seen our Church Membership grow as we have welcomed new members into the fellowship of believers here in Harborne and I am praising Our Almighty Lord, as I am writing my report and getting excited about the upcoming Baptismal service on April 7[th] .
It’s always with great sadness that we have to record that we have had to say our final farewells to loved ones who have been called home to be in that place that Our God has prepared for them, as we continue to prayerfully stand by those coming to terms with the loss of Loved Ones. I would personally like to express my heartfelt ‘Thank You’ for the prayers and support I have received, helping me with the loss of my eldest brother.
Throughout the past 12 months with all your help and prayers, we have striven to be there for our brothers and sisters who have gone through difficult times, hardship and illness. It gives me great encouragement to see the pastoral work of the church taken up by so many.
We have week by week over the past year been blessed and challenged by the word of God through our minister Revd. Pete Maycock and backed up by other ministers and brothers and sisters in Christ who have shared and led our service. And it didn’t stop there, as many of you continued to come together to study the Bible teaching and to pray together.
Over the past 4 years we were backed up by Manjit who served us well in her role as our Church Office Administrator. We were able to give her a good send off as she moved on to take up new role.
We are now blessed in having Kathy as our new Administrator and continue to offer her our full support and encouragement in this very important ministry role.
I hope and pray that we are all aware of all the various Church and User Group activities that takes place throughout the weeks. We are extremely grateful to our Centre Manager Cynthia who manages and oversees this activity along with the general running and upkeep of the building.
We continue to celebrate the diversity and growth of the fellowship with an average attendance of around 140 for Sunday Worship in addition to our on-line fellowship. We are always seeking new ways of understanding the different style of worship that comes with diversity as we seek to incorporate these in our services.
I am also prayerfully very thankful for all the different ministry teams that have flourished over the past 12 months and the spiritual growth of the church.
We have an ever-increasing number of children and young people in our fellowship and our prayer is to continue to nurture their spiritual and physical growth through the children and young people ministry.
Over the past year we were blessed and privileged to have Nico & Pauline on placement with us. They were involved in many areas of our church life, not least with the assistance they offered to our Minister and their involvement with our children and young people ministry. We continue to keep Nico & Pauline in our prayers and wish them God’s rich and warmest blessing for the future with the birth of their first child.
It never ceases to amaze me, whenever I am able to drop in on some of the midweek activities, to witness the amazing work that is undertaken by so many to enable these to take place. Can I encourage us all, to prayerfully support these and if able, prayerfully seek to see if there is an opportunity there, for us to use our gifts and blessing through one of these different ministries.
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
6
As Church Secretary I am seeking to develop a stronger link with HEBA, our Heart of England Baptist Association, and other local Church Secretaries to enable me to share with the Leadership Team and church more of the work of our Baptist Association.
I am also grateful for my informal weekly Friday meeting with our Minister Pete, where we share in prayer and discussion and planning. Part of our current ongoing discussion is helping us to have all the necessary arrangements and planning in place for his upcoming Sabbatical this year.
Can I encourage you as we look forward to the journey that lies ahead of us, as we seek through united prayers and discernment through the Holy Spirit, the direction that the Lord has set for His Church Family gathering here at Harborne Baptist Church in the year of its 170 Years Of Christian Worship and Witnessing In Harborne.
One way we can truly do this, is to come together especially at our monthly PRAYER GATHERING to be together in Gods present as a PEOPLE OF PRAYER to wait on the LORD and DISCERN what HIS VISION IS FOR HARBORNE BAPTIST CHURCH.
1 John 5:14-15.
As a Church, we are called to be a voice of calm and reassurance, affirming that God is with us. So let us, as we journey forward, be assured that we are not journeying alone but we are journeying with the confidence that our God is with us.
My prayer and word of encouragement for us all, as we journey on throughout the year.
For your goodness and generosity in giving us all we need,
Help us to praise you O God.
In every circumstance of life, in good times and bad,
Help us to trust you, O God.
In love and faithfulness, with all that we have and all that we are,
Help us to serve you, O God.
As we speak or write or listen to those nearby or far away,
Help us to share your love, O God.
In our plans and work for ourselves and for others,
Help us to glorify you, O God.
In every thought and word and deed, by the power of your Holy Spirit,
Going forward, may we live for you, O God.
Let us continue to strive to be a people of Prayer and Love as we gather together striving to be more Christlike.
Michael Taylor
Church Secretary
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
7
Activity During 2023
The following activities were undertaken to further our charity’s purposes for the public benefit. The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the activities outlined below clearly demonstrate the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
Church Groups
Sunday Services
Sunday Services continued to grow throughout the year, with occasional Shared Lunches, Church Picnics and other events on Sunday afternoons. We continue to live stream our services through YouTube, which has been valued by those unable to attend services onsite.
Art Exhibition Space
In September-October, one of our Church Members exhibited their paintings in the Bonnell Room at church, as part of our plans to encourage members to share their artistic skills and invite others to view the displays.
Church Members’ Meetings
These took place onsite, with some members attending via Zoom. Meetings included small group discussions and times of prayer, as well as reports from the Leadership Team and others.
Church Prayer Gathering
On the first Wednesday of each month, we gathered to pray for local, national and international concerns.
Creative Wellbeing Arts and Crafts Group
Run in conjunction with the Lordswood Medical Practice and the Birmingham Adult Education Service, this weekly Friday morning activity provided a drop-in arts and crafts space throughout 2023. Church volunteers and volunteers from the Queen Alexander College helped to host and welcome.
Food Bank Collection
In 2023 we continued to receive Food Bank donations on the third Sunday of each month (at our Communion service). This food is delivered by volunteers to our local Trussell Trust Food Bank at St Boniface Church. We also took part in Birmingham City Mission’s ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ Appeal, where church attenders were encouraged to donate one item of food for the City Mission’s Food Bank each day in Advent.
Harborne Community Café
Run in partnership with The Real Junk Food Project Central, the Community Café moved to a weekly basis in 2023. Providing a hot meal on a Pay As You Feel basis, the Café combats food waste and food poverty, with volunteers from The Real Junk Food Project Central and HBC working together to prepare and serve food. The Café became increasingly busy throughout the year, with a considerable expansion of the number of meals served. We welcomed volunteers from the Queen Alexander College on work placements as part of the Community Café Team.
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
8
HBC Fellowship Facebook Page
This is a closed group restricted to people from within the HBC fellowship. We share news, prayer requests, helpful or informative videos, celebrate birthdays and advertise church events.
HBC YouTube Channel
Videos of services and other online activities are available to watch on YouTube. The link is: https://www.youtube.com/c/HarborneBaptistChurch
Home Groups
Our three home groups met twice each month on a Wednesday morning, Wednesday evening and Thursday evening. These groups meet either at church or in a member’s home, providing a safe and supportive space for those attending to discuss the Bible, pray together and offer pastoral support to one another.
Junior Church
Junior Church caters for primary and secondary school aged children and young people and meets three Sundays each month. The older age group (ages 11-18) saw considerable growth through 2023.
Leadership Team Meetings
The Deacons and other trustees met monthly throughout the year to discuss matters of finance, ministry, pastoral concerns, safeguarding, and practical issues. The Leadership Team also arranged some training sessions and times for further in depth discussion of particular issues.
Move it or lose it
Gentle exercise class – running across two sessions each Monday. Part of our Warm Spaces @ HBC initiative.
Music Worship Team Rehearsal
Our musicians met regularly to practice and rehearse for Sunday worship.
Place of Welcome
Open every Thursday, 10.30am-12.30pm, the Place of Welcome offers friendship, conversation and free tea, coffee and biscuits to anyone in our community. In 2023, the Digital Literacy Project offered monthly advice sessions called ‘Digital Drop Ins’ at the Place of Welcome too. We welcomed volunteers from the Queen Alexander College on work placements as part of the Place of Welcome Team.
WhatsApp Groups
Several WhatsApp groups have been independently created for different purposes, offering support, passing on information, friendship groups, prayer request.
Warm Spaces @ HBC Initiative
Warm Spaces @ HBC continued for a second year. We expanded our provision of free, warm, safe and welcoming activities for our community throughout the year, some of which have already been mentioned. We partnered with other organisations to offer our facilities, including some of those listed below.
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
9
User Groups
We were pleased to welcome the following user groups in 2023:
Alcoholics Anonymous
A weekly meeting was held in our building throughout the year.
Birmingham Adult Education Service/Lordswood & Ridgeacre Road Surgeries
In conjunction with Lordswood & Ridgeacre Road Surgeries, Birmingham Adult Education Service, ran healthy lifestyle courses weekly in termtime.
Christian Music Ministries (CMM) Choir
CMM met on Monday evenings for the choir to prepare for their performances.
Contento Social Homes
One-off group meetings by an organisation providing housing for those coming out of domestic violence situations.
Dementia Carers’ Hub
Providing support for carers of those living with dementia.
Fibromyalgia Support Group
Running until November, a support group for those living with fibromyalgia.
Got 2 Sing
Met to rehearse weekly in termtime.
Harborne Dance School
Offering lessons in varying styles of modern dance for adults and children.
Home English
Conversational English class for intermediate learners.
Safe Families
Safe Families is a charity that works with 35+ local authorities around the UK to offer hope, belonging and support to children, families and care leavers; primarily, but not exclusively, with and through local churches. Safe Families use our building to run volunteer training courses on a monthly basis.
Slimming World
Provides support for those wanting to lose weight.
Southlink Charter Centre
The centre continued to meet, providing a safe haven for people coping with mental health issues.
U3A [University of the 3[rd] Age] - Harborne/Edgbaston
Various special interest groups met in our building throughout the year – groups meeting in 2023 including Ancient Rome, Play Reading, General Meeting, Strollers, Church Architecture, Literature, Gardening, and the USA.
Ukrainian Guests and Hosts Coffee Morning
This coffee morning, for Ukrainian guests and hosts, is organised by members of various local churches, and ran until October 2023.
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
10
Harborne Baptist Church End Of Year Accounts 2023
As presented to the Annual General Meeting on Monday 8th April 2024
Introduction to the Accounts: 1st January 2023 - 31st December 2023
In the absence of a Church Treasurer, these Accounts have been prepared by a finance committee comprising of members of the Leadership Team and our Bookkeeper. We are using a church accounting software platform called ExpensePlus to manage and record church accounts.
Using the ExpensePlus platform, all receipts are checked for accuracy, and then approved by a Trustee. The Bookkeeper then sets up the online payment, which then is authorized by a different Trustee. This ensures that there are effective financial controls and every stage can be audited and checked. Our independent examiner has full access to the platform to ensure that these processes have been followed.
Church funds are held in two Lloyds bank accounts. One is the main current account, and the smaller secondary account is used by the Church Centre Manager to make card payments. Church funds are either unrestricted, designated, or restricted.
Unrestricted funds – these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Designated funds – these are funds set aside for specific purposes or projects but which can be called on for general purposes if needed (for example, Building Fund, Flower Ministry).
Restricted funds – these are funds that can only be used for specified purposes within the objects of the charity (for example, Home Mission and BMS).
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have established a Reserves Fund of £30,000 to enable the church to function effectively and meet its obligations in the event of a decline in income or a major cost. Having considered the relevant risks, the Trustees have determined that the appropriate level of reserves is £30,000, calculated to cover three months of essential expenditure in case of emergency.
Notes to accompany the accounts:
PCC = Prince’s Community Centre, also known as [Southlink] Charter Centre
CHURCH OWNED MANSE = 131a Lordswood Road, Harborne. Since 2009, Ministers have opted to live in their own property so the church manse has been let out to tenants through a letting agent, which is currently MECS.
MINISTER’S ACCOMMODATION = Baptist churches are responsible for the accommodation expenses of their minister(s), whether living in a church-owned manse or living in their own property.
‘LEASEBACK’ = In the case of a Baptist minister living in their own property, the minister’s home is also a work-place so the church agrees to pay ‘rent’.
NON-MONETARY ASSETS = valuations given are insurance valuations not sale values. While the church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the properties listed, the legal titles are held by the Property Trustees
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
11
Harborne Baptist Church
Statement of Financial Activities
Financial Year: 2023
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming Resources | |||
| Donations & Legacies | 82,051.75 | 9,047.17 | 91,098.92 |
| Charitable Activities | 62,721.16 | 0.00 | 62,721.16 |
| Investments | 18.68 | 0.00 | 18.68 |
| Total incoming resources | 144,791.59 | 9,047.17 | 153,838.76 |
| Resources Used | |||
| Charitable Activities | 147,083.28 | 3,609.61 | 150,692.89 |
| Raising Funds | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Other Activities | 12,137.05 | 0.00 | 12,137.05 |
| Support | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total resources used | 159,220.33 | 3,609.61 | 162,829.94 |
| Net Incoming / Outgoing Resources (before transfers) |
-14,428.74 | 5,437.56 | -8,991.18 |
| Fund Transfers In | 30,000.00 | 0.00 | 30,000.00 |
| Fund Transfers Out | 30,000.00 | 0.00 | 30,000.00 |
| Net Movement of Funds | -14,428.74 | 5,437.56 | -8,991.18 |
| Total Funds Brought Forward | 74,332.92 | 10.00 | 74,342.92 |
| Total Funds Carried Forward | 59,904.18 | 5,447.56 | 65,351.74 |
| Represented By | |||
| General (Unrestricted) | 18,181.13 | 0.00 | 18,181.13 |
| Building Fund (Designated) | 11,713.30 | 0.00 | 11,713.30 |
| Flower Ministry (Designated) | 9.75 | 0.00 | 9.75 |
| Home Mission (Restricted) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| BMS (Restricted) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| World Vision (Restricted) | 0.00 | -14.49 | -14.49 |
| Pastoral Fund (Restricted) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Special Collections (Restricted) | 0.00 | 498.00 | 498.00 |
| Reserves (Unrestricted) | 30,000.00 | 0.00 | 30,000.00 |
| Projects and Events (Restricted) | 0.00 | 4,964.05 | 4,964.05 |
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
12
Harborne Baptist Church Income & Expenditure Summary (by Fund) - Receipts & Payments Accounts
Fund: General, Building Fund, Flower Ministry, Home Mission, BMS, World Vision, Pastoral Fund, Special Collections, Reserves, Projects and Events | Financial Year: 2023 | Date: 31/12/2023
GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS
| Actual | Total Budget |
Budget Received |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds | |||
| 1. Regular Donations | |||
| Direct Giving | 49,070.04 | 45,602.00 | 108% |
| SundayOferings | 11,353.38 | 10,000.00 | 114% |
| Total | 60,423.42 | 55,602.00 | 109% |
| 2. Rents & contributions for use ofpremises | |||
| Car Park Rental | 12,568.00 | 12,568.00 | 100% |
| Gross rent from church owned manse | 13,192.81 | 10,225.00 | 129% |
| Rental of Princes CommunityCentre | 25,140.00 | 25,140.00 | 100% |
| Room hire | 9,140.53 | 7,800.00 | 117% |
| Total | 60,041.34 | 55,733.00 | 108% |
| 3. Gift Aid | |||
| Gift Aid Refunds | 0.00 | 8,000.00 | 0% |
| Total | 0.00 | 8,000.00 | 0% |
| 4. Other Donations | |||
| Gift Day | 2,712.11 | 2,500.00 | 108% |
| International Fun DayDonations | 400.50 | 0.00 | n/a |
| Legacies | 0.00 | 0.00 | n/a |
| Other Donations | 8,899.02 | 4,200.00 | 212% |
| Total | 12,011.63 | 6,700.00 | 179% |
| 5. Other Income | |||
| Bank Interest | 18.68 | 0.00 | n/a |
| Grants | 7,894.20 | 7,500.00 | 105% |
| Other | 2,679.82 | 0.00 | n/a |
| Total | 10,592.70 | 7,500.00 | 141% |
| TOTAL IN | 143,069.09 |
GENERAL FUND PAYMENTS
| Actual | Total Budget |
Budget Spent |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | ||||
| 6. Administration | ||||
| Bank fees and charges | 78.00 | 63.00 | 124% | |
| Conferences/Trainingcourses | 4,258.20 | 4,000.00 | 106% | |
| Fees/sundries to Manse lettingagents | 1,765.53 | 2,400.00 | 74% | |
| Ofce equipment | 495.11 | 600.00 | 83% | |
| Printing,stationery,certs, posters etc | 3,356.01 | 2,400.00 | 140% | |
| Stafng | 23,324.65 | 26,000.00 | 90% | |
| Subscriptions and licences(inc. website) | 2,827.21 | 2,200.00 | 129% | |
| Sundries - Catering | 1,922.15 | 1,200.00 | 160% | |
| Sundries - Other | 272.66 | 1,200.00 | 23% | |
| Sundries - Solicitors | 842.40 | 1,000.00 | 84% |
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
13
| Telephone/Internet andpostage | 1,222.04 | 1,500.00 | 81% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 40,363.96 | 42,563.00 | 95% |
| 7. Ministry | |||
| Leaseback arrangement | 11,100.00 | 10,500.00 | 106% |
| Manse expenses | 2,452.55 | 2,700.00 | 91% |
| Minister (Tax, stipend, NI, travel, pension, employer contrib.) |
31,340.39 | 29,500.00 | 106% |
| Pension defcit contributions | 12.00 | 12.00 | 100% |
| Pulpit expenses | 118.80 | 240.00 | 50% |
| Total | 45,023.74 | 42,952.00 | 105% |
| 8. Mission | |||
| Gift DayDonation | 2,714.00 | 2,000.00 | 136% |
| Gifts/donations to others | 1,300.99 | 700.00 | 186% |
| Harborne Carnival | 40.00 | 100.00 | 40% |
| Home Group, UCB notes, worship/communion supplies |
1,608.03 | 1,200.00 | 134% |
| Home Mission(£85)and Pastoral Fund(£85) | 1,955.00 | 2,040.00 | 96% |
| International Fun Day | 328.48 | 200.00 | 164% |
| Junior Church and Youth | 1,138.50 | 1,500.00 | 76% |
| Tithes to BMS and Home Mission | 4,885.00 | 4,800.00 | 102% |
| Warm Spaces ActivityCosts | 1,899.52 | 0.00 | n/a |
| Total | 15,869.52 | 12,540.00 | 127% |
| 9. Upkeep of churchpremises | |||
| Church-owned manse - Insurance | 623.16 | 500.00 | 125% |
| Church-owned manse - boiler contract | 408.06 | 420.00 | 97% |
| Church-owned manse - maintenance | 1,872.00 | 1,000.00 | 187% |
| Church-owned manse - vacant tenancy expenses |
814.90 | 0.00 | n/a |
| Cleaningcosts HBC/PCC | 15,015.04 | 12,000.00 | 125% |
| Cleaningmaterials and equipment | 1,152.18 | 360.00 | 320% |
| Gas & Electric HBC/PCC | 9,257.80 | 8,000.00 | 116% |
| Insurance - HBC/PCC | 3,665.44 | 4,000.00 | 92% |
| Other upkeep | 940.92 | 1,000.00 | 94% |
| Repairs/Maintenance/Replacements | 11,688.98 | 8,200.00 | 143% |
| Total | 45,438.48 | 35,480.00 | 128% |
| TOTAL OUT 146,695.70 |
| OTHER FUND RECEIPTS | OTHER FUND RECEIPTS | OTHER FUND RECEIPTS | OTHER FUND RECEIPTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual | Total Budget |
Budget Received |
||
| Home Mission | ||||
| Home Mission Donations | 80.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 80.00 | 0.00 | ||
| BMS | ||||
| BMS Donations | 255.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Harvest | 206.06 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 461.06 | 0.00 | ||
| World Vision | ||||
| World Vision Donations | 343.11 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 343.11 | 0.00 |
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
14
| Pastoral Fund | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastoral Fund Donations | 60.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 60.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Special Collections | ||||
| Gifts received for Pauline and Nico Tomasi | 430.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Special Collections Christmas Wheelchair Appeal |
498.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 928.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Projects and Events | ||||
| Gifts for Audio Visual Improvements Project | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Warm Welcome Grants and Donations | 7,175.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 7,175.00 | 0.00 | ||
| TOTAL IN | 9,047.17 | |||
OTHER FUND PAYMENTS |
||||
| Home Mission | ||||
| Payment sent to Home Mission | 80.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 80.00 | 0.00 | ||
| BMS | ||||
| BMS Harvest Appeal | 206.06 | 0.00 | ||
| Payment sent to BMS(inc. £10 balance brought forwardfrom 2022) |
265.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 471.06 | 0.00 | ||
| World Vision Expenditure | ||||
| Payment sent to World Vision | 357.60 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 357.60 | 0.00 | ||
| Pastoral Fund Expenditure | ||||
| Payment sent to Pastoral Fund | 60.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 60.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Special Collections Expenditure | ||||
| Gifts sent to Nico and Pauline Tomasi | 430.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Payment sent to Christmas Wheelchair Appeal | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 430.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Projects and Events Expenditure | ||||
| Audio Visual Improvements Project Expenditure | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Warm Welcome:Move It or Lose It Costs (July 2023- June 2024) |
2,210.95 | 0.00 | ||
| Project Expenditure | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 2,210.95 | 0.00 | ||
| TOTAL OUT | 3,609.61 | |||
| Surplus for theyear | 5,437.56 | |||
| Balance b/f from lastyear(BMS World Mission) | 10.00 | |||
| Shortfall covered by general funds(World Vision) | -8.49 | |||
| Balance to carry forward(Christmas Wheelchair Appeal) |
498.00 |
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023 Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
15
| Actual | Total Budget |
Budget Spent |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Designated Funds | |||
| BUILDING FUND | |||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Donations to BuildingFund | 1,375.00 | 0.00 | |
| Total | 1,375.00 | 0.00 | |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| BuildingExpenditure | 12,137.05 | 0.00 | |
| Total | 12,137.05 | 0.00 | |
| Surplus/Deficit for theyear | -10,762.05 | ||
| BuildingFunds brought forward | 22,475.35 | ||
| Building Funds carried forward to nextyear | 11,713.30 | ||
| Designated Funds | |||
| FLOWER MINISTRY | |||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Flower MinistryDonations | 347.50 | 432.00 | 80% |
| Total | 347.50 | 432.00 | 80% |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Flowers and Accessories | 387.58 | 432.00 | 90% |
| Total | 387.58 | 432.00 | 90% |
| Surplus/Deficit for theyear | -40.08 | ||
| Donations c/f in advance | 0.00 | ||
| Balance b/f frompreviousyear | 49.83 | ||
| Balance carried forward to nextyear | 9.75 |
SUMMARY TOTALS
| Total to Date | |
|---|---|
| OpeningBalance | 74,342.92 |
| Income | 153,838.76 |
| Expenditure | 162,829.94 |
| Surplus(Income - Expenditure) | -8,991.18 |
| Fund Transfers | 0.00 |
| ClosingBalance | 65,351.74 |
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
16
Non-monetary Assets Held for the Church’s own use
The church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title to which is held by the church’s custodian trustee, The Heart of England Baptist Association:
- Church premises at Harborne Park Road, B17 0DH valued in the accounts at £2,126,023 based on insured value.
Princes Community Centre, B17 0DH, valued in the accounts at £419,610 based on insured value.
- Church manse at 131a Lordswood Road, B17 9BH valued in the accounts at £370,980 based on insured value.
The church also owns fixtures, furniture and equipment with an insured value of £184,649.
The accounts and statements of assets and liabilities set out above relate to the year ending 31[st] December 2023, as approved by the Trustees of Harborne Baptist Church.
Signed: ………………………………………
Helen Salter, Chair of the Fabric and Finance Team
These accounts have been independently examined by Hilton Magwenzi.
Signed: ………………………………………
Hilton Magwenzi, Independent Examiner
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023 Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
17
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 assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income. Since 1 January 2012, benefits have been provided through a Defined Contribution (DC) Plan.
A formal valuation of the DB Plan as at 31 December 2019 was made by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets was £298 million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316m, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The Church and the other participating employers in the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit. The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme is due to take place not later than as at 31 December 2022.
On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure DB Plan members’ pension benefits. Just are now providing financial backing for all pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan and following this transaction, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which recovery contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per month from August 2022.
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023 Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474
18
Financial Report for 2023
General Fund Income in 2023 was £143,069.09, an increase from £135,874.99 in 2022. General Fund Expenditure in 2023 was £146.695.70, an increase from £122,047.57 in 2022. The increase in General Fund Expenditure was mainly due to increasing upkeep, utility and cleaning costs across 2023.
The total unrestricted general funds held at the end of 2023 was £18,181.13, a decrease of approximately £35,996 from the previous year. This decrease is mainly due to the creation of a Reserves Fund of £30,000, set apart to cover three months of essential expenditure in the event of an emergency. We also incurred significant expenditure during the year in a refurbishment of the church-owned property at 131a Lordswood Road, which coincided with a four month gap between tenants.
We are grateful for the increase in average monthly regular giving, which increased by about 27% from 2022. The Gift Aid on this giving will appear in the following year’s accounts.
During 2023 Harborne Baptist Church paid the appropriate fees to Baptist Union of Great Britain. Annual tithes of £2442.50 were sent to each of Home Mission and BMS World Mission. Since October 2022, a further £85 monthly has been sent to Home Mission from the amount saved by not having to pay pension deficit contributions.
All buildings and contents insurances have been renewed. There are no claims outstanding.
For Gift Day 2023, we designated Compass Camps and Médecins Sans Frontières as beneficiaries, and we sent a gift of £1,357 to each cause. We set up a number of special fundraising Projects, namely the support of Nico and Pauline Tomasi and the Christmas Thailand Wheelchair Appeal. The payment to the Wheelchair Appeal will show in the 2024 accounts.
Following the hard work of our Centre Manager, we received a grant of £5000 from Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme for the ‘Move it or lose it’ exercise classes, and a grant of £2000 from Birmingham City Council for our Warm Welcome Project.
When we began operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, we closed our old bank accounts and opened new ones with Lloyds Bank. We are deeply appreciative of our previous Church Treasurer, Brenda, and all the work she did to facilitate the transfer of accounts and legal paperwork around this transition.
We are extremely grateful to Hilton Magwenzi, our Independent Examiner, who has examined our accounts.
As we complete our first full year using the ExpensePlus platform, we would like to express our thanks to Marian for her hard work as Bookkeeper across the year. While this is a behind-the-scenes role, Marian’s efficiency and attention to detail has made the transition to this new system smooth, and we are so grateful for her time and expertise.
We are still looking for a Treasurer to oversee our church finances, and we would like to ask all Church Members to continue to pray for the right person to fill this important role.
Prepared and submitted on behalf of the Leadership Team 28[th] March 2024
Harborne Baptist Church Annual Report 2023 Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity Number: 1199474