Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] January 2023 Period start date To 31[st] December 2023 Period end date
Charity name: Princes Risborough Baptist Church
Charity registration number:1200447
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 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. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Regular worship services and other meetings open to the public. Regular giving to other charitable causes in the UK and other countries where Christian faith is demonstrated in the care and welfare of other people |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers
Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Princes Risborough Baptist Church held worship services every Sunday morning during 2023, this is the main time the church comes together as a body. Services are open to all, and we are regarded as being very welcoming. Services are also available on Zoom for those unable to attend in person, this facility has been greatly improved by the new AV system. Services provide spiritual care for the membership and all who attend. Amongst those who regularly attend are some who live in sheltered accommodation and we are pleased to be seen as a safe place to worship. During the week there are a number of groups organised by the church which attract people from outside the church. Baby group provides a safe space for new mums, especially first-time mums from our community, to bring their babies and to gain and give mutual support. A lunchtime group ‘Meet Eat and Chat’ gives opportunities for people from our community to meet for friendship and is a designated warm space. Bible study groups during the week provide further encouragement in the Christian faith. During the year we introduced a new professionally designed and maintained website to better advertise the church, the worship services and meetings that we hold, together with facilities which we provide. This will also help to streamline our administration as we gradually expand its facilities. We hire our halls to a wide range of organisations and are essentially fully booked. This benefits us by way of income, but it also benefits the groups and organisations that hire from us by providing the good facilities they require, and it is very helpful that we are also able to offer a large car park. We also offer our facilities to Risborough Food Cupboard (One Can Trust) to |
collect and to distribute food and also support it financially. We work with Churches Together in Risborough (CTR), our pastor chaired this group during the year, and we are pleased to be able to support it and the events they organise. CTR also promote a children’s holiday club, Lighthouse, which attracts hundreds of children annually. Though this is separately organised we contribute toward this financially and members of the church are pleased to take part. We support a number of other organisations financially by monthly standing order including the following, The Leprosy Mission who seek to provide healing and healthcare for Leprosy suffers and their families worldwide and to seek to eradicate the disease. Mission Aviation Fellowship who, amongst other things, aid other charities in providing air transport in difficult geographical / political areas. Macedonian Vision Africa who seek to provide education and welfare for young people in the deprived slum area in Jinja, Uganda BMS world mission who seek to provide support to peoples in many parts of the world to improve their lives and wellbeing and by so doing illustrate the Christian faith.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Our income comes from two main sources: regular giving by church members (£47,312) which normally forms the larger part of our income, and rental income (£25,821) from the hire of our church halls. This year income was significantly increased due to receipt of a legacy of £38,826 from a former church member. Total income for the year was £128,412. Our main expenditure is the cost of ministry (£45,825), which is the pay and costs of employing a pastor to lead the fellowship. Other major expenses are the costs of running and maintaining the church buildings (£14,604), administration (£5,892) and the amount we give to other causes (£15,390). This year the legacy we received enabled us to improve the quality of our worship services by installing a new Audio Visual system which together with other improvements cost £23,226. We were also able to give more to the charitable causes which we regularly support. Our total expenditure was £119,820. We ended the year with cash and reserves of £57,510. As well as an agreed reserve of £30,000 this figure includes restricted funds of £15,493 given to a separate building fund which is used for major projects agreed by the church. Overall we believe this represents a healthy financial position. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We hold reserves in line with Baptist Union recommendations which require that we hold enough funds to meet all commitments over a period of six months in case of unexpected financial difficulty. Agreed by the church annually as part of our budget. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £30,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Our primary source of income is from the church membership who voluntarily The charity’s principal give to the church by monthly standing Para 1.47
| sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
order. In addition, we receive rental income from a range of organisations who use our church halls. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Our reserves are banked with the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd. This benefits the wider Baptist family |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The main financial risk is if the membership were unable to contribute enough to continue employing a minister and paying for the upkeep of the church premises. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Our governing document is based on a Baptist Union Template agreed by the church membership and accepted by the Charity Commission |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | During 2023 we operated as an unincorporated organisation. Assets were transferred to the registered CIO on 1st April 2024. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Nominations from the church membership are voted on in a secret ballot at a church member’s meeting. Successful candidates must receive at least 66% approval of those voting. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
We employ safeguarding policies and all new trustees will be DBS checked. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Princes Risborough Baptist Church is part of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who also hold our Trust Deed |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Princes Risborough Baptist Church |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1200447 |
| Charity’s principal address | 42 Bell Street Princes Risborough Bucks HP27 0AD |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanessa Rye | Pastor | |||
| Nicola Hirst | Administrator | |||
| Paul Gabbott | Treasurer | |||
| Cheryl Brownlie | ||||
| Lucinda Lishman | ||||
| Sheila Gabbott | ||||
| Juliet Drage | 1stJanuary – 4th September 2023 |
|||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Nicola Hirst Full name(s) Paul Gabbott Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Administrator Chair, etc) Date 15[th] September 2024
Princes Risborough Baptist Church
Receipts and payments accounts For the period To from 1/1/2023 12/31/2023
CC16a
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts Donations and Grants 40,314 Income Tax Recovered 9,704 Interest 1,020 Raised For Other Causes - Rent 25,917 SundayOffering 42,018 - - 118,973 - - Sub total - Total receipts 118,973 A3 Payments Bank Charges 262 Church Events - Church Office Broadband - Church Office Phone 725 Computer Security - Conferences 120 Office Supplies 204 Photocopier 1,213 Professional Fees 1,956 Stationery - Subscriptions and Licences 828 Sundries 62 Website 243 WorshipMaterial 199 Conference Costs 1,019 Manse Expenses 10,032 Mileage 516 Pastors Salary 34,247 Pulpit Supplies 135 Mission Payments 11,497 Church Premises Costs 52,439 Sub total 115,697 - - Sub total - Total payments 115,697 Net of receipts/(payments) 3,276 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end 38,741 Cash funds this year end 42,017 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
to the nearest £ 230 1,841 - 467 - 6,901 - 9,439 - - - 9,439 - - 3,893 230 4,123 - - - 4,123 5,316 - 10,177 15,493 Restricted funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ 40,544 11,545 1,020 467 25,917 48,919 - - 128,412 - - - 128,412 262 - - 725 - 120 204 1,213 1,956 - 828 62 243 199 1,019 10,032 516 34,247 135 15,390 52,669 119,820 - - - 119,820 8,592 - 48,918 57,510 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| 9,154 | |||
| 10,090 | |||
| 256 | |||
| 1,272 | |||
| 24,470 | |||
| 43,887 | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| 89,129 | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| 89,129 | |||
| 269 | |||
| 170 | |||
| 343 | |||
| 801 | |||
| 20 | |||
| 570 | |||
| 840 | |||
| 1,052 | |||
| 1,627 | |||
| 91 | |||
| 626 | |||
| - | |||
| 243 | |||
| 212 | |||
| 620 | |||
| 5,143 | |||
| 416 | |||
| 34,409 | |||
| 110 | |||
| 11,166 | |||
| 23,414 | |||
| 82,142 | |||
| - | |||
| 82,142 | |||
| 5,316 | 8,592 | 6,987 | |
| - | - | - | |
| 10,177 | 48,918 | 41,931 | |
| 15,493 | 57,510 | 48,918 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities Treasurer B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Bank and Cash Details Details Details Church Premises Church Manse Details Signature #VALUE! Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 42,017 15,493 - - - - 42,017 15,493 OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) Unrestricted - Unrestricted - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Name Paul Gabbott Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
Date of approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| #VALUE! | Paul Gabbott | 3rd April 2024 | |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Ch21ily Name Princes Risborough Baptist Church On accounts forthe year ended 31 Dember 2023 Char6ty no (If any) Set oul on pages Irernember to include the page numbers of additional she8ts1 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts oflhe above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 31112 12023. Responsibilities and As the Gharity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements ofthe Charities Act 2011 Iyhe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 AGt and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Direclions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in conneclion wilh the examination which givès me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not k8Pt in a¢wrdance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not aGcord with the a¢counting records Indepondent examiner's ststsment I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the exarnination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached. Please deletè the words in the brackets rf they do not 8ppIy. Signed: Date: Name: Paul K West FCA Relevant professional qualificationls} or body lif any): ICAEW Address: 2nd Floor, 1 Church Square, Leighlon Buzzard, Bedfordshire. LU7 1AE IER October 2018
Se¢"tion Disclosure Only complete if the examiner neecls to highlight matters of concern {see CC32, Independent examination of chanly 8Gcounts.' directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018