2024-12-31-accounts

Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2024

35 Ock Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 5AG Registered Charity 1201269

www.abingdonbaptist.org.uk

Abingdon Baptist Church

Abingdon Baptist Church (the Church) was founded in 1650 and is registered with the Charity Commission and its Registration number is 1201269.

Principal Office	Abingdon Baptist Church
	35 Ock Street
	Abingdon
	Oxfordshire
	OX14 5AG
Trustees	Rev Rachel Hughes (Minister) (to September 2025)
	Rev Ian Millgate (Church Secretary) (to May 2025)
	Mrs Linda King (Treasurer to May 2025)
	Mr Brian Collins (Treasurer from May 2025)
	Dr Chris Cairns (Church Secretary to July 2025)
	Mrs Dorothy Field (to May 2024)
	Mrs Christine Hutt
	Mrs Rosalie Lorrison
	Mr Rodney Pollock (to May 2024)
	Mrs Pamela Pratt
	Mr Cyril Saunders (from May 2024)
	Mr Victor Bayag (from May 2025)
Other Posts	Mrs Jill Millgate (Membership Secretary)
	Mr Alan Fisher (Assistant Treasurer)
	Mrs Linda King (Bookkeeper)
Property Trustees	The Baptist Union Corporation Limited
	Baptist House
	129 Broadway
	Didcot
	Oxfordshire
	OX11 8RT
Bankers	HSBC Bank plc	Baptist Union Corporation Limited
	6 High Street	Baptist House,
	Abingdon	PO Box 44, 129 Boadway
	Oxfordshire	Didcot, Oxfordshire
	OX14 5AZ	OX11 8RT
Solicitors	Franklins Solicitors
	15 Ock Street
	Abingdon
	Oxfordshire
	OX14 5AN
Surveyors	Thomas Merrifield
	51 Stert Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3JF
Independent Examiner	Mr Stuart Bates FCA
	Wenn Townsend
	Victoria House
	10 Broad Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3LH

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Annual Report for 2024

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed.

Charitable Object

The Charity was governed by its Constitution (approved 16 November 2021) which states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine. (At midnight on 31 December 2023 the Church transitioned to being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation under the new Constitution which had been approved for this purpose on 16 November 2021. This incorporates the same objectives.)

The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, on trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.

Organisational structure and Decision making processes

Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or if they have been accepted into full membership following other modes of induction into the Christian faith to renew their commitment by their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

The members met on six occasions in the year. Members have responsibility for the overall policy of the Church. In accordance with the Constitution, the maximum number of trustees is twelve.This number includes the church secretary and treasurer, but any minister/ministers are in addition to this number.. They are responsible for the day to day running of the Church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity ~~.~~

All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.

Relevant matters are normally submitted to the Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance, or could be raised by members in Church meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.

Organisational Management

The Trustees are legally responsible for the overall management and control of Abingdon Baptist Church, and met on twelve occasions, all in person. The other principal committees are the Church Property Committee, the Safeguarding team, 35 Ock Street Management/Operations Group, and the Finance Group. Each of these committees would normally meet regularly and report to the Trustees through link Trustees assigned to each group. The day to day running of departments of the Church is delegated to the respective activity leaders supported by their teams and committees, together with the Church Minister.

Group Structure and Relationships

Abingdon Baptist Church actively participates in the local ecumenical vehicle, the Church in Abingdon (CiA) and the regional and national Baptist bodies, the Southern Counties Baptist Association (SCBA) and the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB). The Charity also supports the worldwide Baptist community through the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS World Mission). We also co-operate with many local charities and community activities in our ongoing endeavours to further the work of God’s Kingdom by serving those in need.

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Risk Management

The Trustees are responsible for the management of the risks faced by Abingdon Baptist Church. Considerations of risk are delegated to the responsible committees, who are assisted by the Trustees.

The key controls used by the charity include:

• Comprehensive insurance of all Church properties and equipment including employer’s liability.

• Formal agendas for all Committee and Trustees activity.

• Detailed terms of reference for Committees.

• Comprehensive financial planning, budgeting and management accounting.

• Established organisation structure and lines of reporting.

• Formal written policies.

• Clear authorisation and approval levels.

• Assessment procedures for suitability of volunteers are carried out as required by law for the protection of the vulnerable.

The Trustees are satisfied that the major risks identified have been adequately mitigated where necessary. It is acknowledged that systems can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed.

Objectives and Activities

In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as living Lord. These activities are:- 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 each 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 Baptist and other Christians.

The Church also supports evangelical missions and missionary work both in the United Kingdom and worldwide. The Church accepts its responsibility to speak clearly, giving the Christian perspective on issues where possible.

Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These regular services take place each Sunday at 10.30 am. We have continued to stream online for those unable to attend. There are also occasional services at other times which are advertised in the church magazine ABC Life and on the Church Notice Board and/or the website at www.abingdonbaptist.org.uk. There is a children’s and young person’s programme during most morning services, the exception being that normally once a month the children and young people stay in for an ‘all-age’ service. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody is free to attend any of these services.

The Church runs a series of house groups in the homes of some members to encourage growth of faith and discipleship together. A regular daytime Bible Study meeting on site took place during 2024. Further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees on request, in the church magazine or at the Sunday services of worship.

The Church also organises the 35 Ock Street Project. The redeveloped old Church manse now operates as a drop in centre, café and meeting rooms for the use of the local community and is supported by the CiA.

Normally other activities for the benefit of the public and Church congregation include:

• ABC Tots - A toddler group to help families in the community and to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.

• Men’s Activities – To promote mission among men, mainly a monthly lunchtime fellowship meeting.

• ‘Ladies who Lunch’– A group to encourage fellowship among women, organised in parallel with the men’s monthly meeting.

• ‘Back to 35’ - To provide a meeting place for the over 50’s.

• Lunchtime Music Hour – open to anyone.

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Abingdon Baptist Church

• Uniformed Organisations - To provide facilities for Cubs, Brownies, Beavers, Rainbows and Scouts to meet, a connection to Church through parade services and other activities, and leadership of some groups through individual members.

The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and adults at risk are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and is satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.

Achievements and Performance

The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship and encouragement. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure. We believe that 2024 was a satisfactory year in the life of the Church as we continued to foster relationships with one another. The Church was led in its mission and ministry by the Revd Rachel Hughes as minister.

Five new members were received during 2024. Two members died and six transferred their membership or resigned their membership. As at 31 December 2024 the membership stood at 66, a net decrease of three.

Financial Review

The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation.

The most significant expenses relate to the Minister in leading and co-ordinating the Church’s activities including the Sunday Services, providing pastoral care for the congregation and other people in the community, and to equipping and encouraging the membership in their life, Christian witness and service. Furthermore, the Church continues to make substantial investments in the care and maintenance of its various properties.

The Church expresses its part in the life of the wider Church by making grants to national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the Church’s own charitable purpose.

The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted, are set out in the accompanying financial statements.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy, and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year. The policy is as follows:

The General Reserve is for the purpose of supporting the Church’s activities and costs during times when income is lower than planned and our target is to maintain at least six months of full year Church expenditure.

Fabric Reserve. The Church needs to make ongoing and sizeable improvements to its buildings and grounds, especially of the Church itself.

35 Ock Street Reserve. The purpose of this reserve is to fund any annual operating losses and to pay for planned improvements and refurbishments to the internal and external fabric and environs of 35 Ock Street.

Restricted Reserves. The policy of the Church is to maintain restricted reserves only when specifically wished by the donor.

Investment policy and objectives

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Abingdon Baptist Church

The Charity aims to prudently maximise the total investment return within the objectives of maintaining income, while continuing to preserve the real value of any endowed investments and to safeguard income on temporarily invested restricted funds.

Future Plans

The Trustees’ current key objectives are:

• 1 To continue developing the work of the Church locally through the 35 Ock Street Project; the support of Uniformed Organisations and various ministries to the more vulnerable in our community; and the life and witness of its members.

• 2 To continue to review the needs in the local community and develop ways that the Charity can help especially in the light of continuing pressure upon local authority funding of social projects.

• 3 To continue to support the wider Baptist community through participation in the BUGB and BMS World Mission.

• 4 To continue to explore new and ongoing ways in which flexibility provided by the redeveloped building can facilitate Christian mission, witness, and service.

• 5 To adopt a Compliants procedure, the Bullying and Harrassment Policy and develop a Trustees team charter as well as a church meeting charter to encourage a better culture.

Accounting and Reporting Responsibilities

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Trustees of Abingdon Baptist Church on 18[th] August 2025 and signed on their behalf by

……………………………..

Christine Hutt Trustee

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31 December 2024

Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS: Voluntary Income Regular Giving Tax Refunds Donations & Grants Legacies Appeals Church Groups Activities for generating fund Lettings 35 Ock Street Investment Income Interest Receivable Rental Income Total Income EXPENDITURE Charitable Activities Ministry & Mission Property, Fabric & Equipment Administration & Misc. Expenses Depreciation Church Organisations Donations to Charitable Orgs 3 Loan Interest Legal Fees Independent Examiner’s Fee/Accountancy 4 Total Expenditure Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers Gross transfers between funds Between Designated and Restricted Between General and Designated Net movements in funds Opening balances brought forward Total Funds carried forward	Un-restricted Total Total General Designated Restricted 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 67,234 - - 67,234 63,746 15,496 - 158 15,654 19,988 2,242 - 510 2,752 130,464 - - - - 10,000 - - 1,772 1,772 3,153 - 603 - 603 547
	84,972 603 2,440 88,015 227,898
	738 6,307 - 7,045 6,737 - 29,008 - 29,008 23,326
	738 35,315 - 36,053 30,063
	3,841 - 3,841 4,123 13,042 - - 13,042 11,580
	16,883 - - 16,883 15,703
	102,593 35,918 2,440 140,951 273,664
	42,403 11,927 - 54,330 45,117 16,494 21,787 - 38,281 44,298 10,263 5,067 - 15,330 11,633 6,148 608 - 6,756 7,841 - 248 445 693 927 12,000 - 1,930 13,930 15,888 - - - - 12,136 291 291 1,462 4,551 - - 4,551 2,400
	92,150 39,637 2,375 134,162 141,702
	10,443 (3,719) 65 6,789 131,962 - - - - - 9,376 (9,376) - - -
	19,819 (13,095) 65 6,789 131,962 108,831 2,651,594 463 2,760,888 2,628,926
	128,650 2,638,499 528 2,767,677 2,760,888

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31 December 2023 (Comparative figures)

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS: Voluntary Income Regular Giving Tax Refunds Donations & Grants Legacies Appeals Church Groups Activities for generating fund Lettings 35 Ock Street Investment Income Interest Receivable Rental Income Total Income EXPENDITURE Charitable Activities Ministry & Mission Property, Fabric & Equipment Administration & Misc. Expenses Depreciation Church Organisations Donations to Charitable Orgs Loan Interest Legal Fees Independent Examiner’s Fee Total Expenditure Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers Gross transfers between funds Between Designated and Restricted Between General and Designated Net movements in funds Opening balances brought forward Total Funds carried forward	Unrestricted Total General Designated Restricted 2023 £ £ £ £ 63,746 - - 63,746 16,624 2,879 485 19,988 5,180 124,855 429 130,464 10,000 - - 10,000 - - 3,153 3,153 - 547 - 547
	95,550 128,281 4,067 227,898
	1,608 5,129 - 6,737 - 23,326 - 23,326
	1,608 28,455 - 30,063
	3,589 534 - 4,123 11,580 - - 11,580
	15,169 534 - 15,703
	112,327 157,270 4,067 273,664
	37,483 7,634 - 45,117 28,551 15,747 - 44,298 7,533 4,100 - 11,633 7,841 - - 7,841 - 364 563 927 12,250 - 3,638 15,888 - 12,136 - 12,136 1,462 1,462 2,400 - - 2,400
	97,520 39,981 4,201 141,702
	14,807 117,289 (134) 131,962
	- - - - (23,587) 23,587 - -
	(8,780) 140,876 (134) 131,962
	117,611 2,510,718 597 2,628,926
	108,831 2,651,594 463 2,760,888

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Balance Sheet 31 December 2024 Notes 2024 £ £ Fixed Assets 5 2,603,807 Current Assets Stocks - Debtors 6 23,523 Cash in bank and in hand 7 154,896 Total Current Assets 178,419 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 6 14,549 Net Current Assets 163,870 Total Assets less current liabilities 2,767,677 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year - Net Assets 2,767,677 Charitable Funds Unrestricted Reserves 9 General Reserves 128,650 Designated Reserves 2,638,499 2,767,149 Restricted Reserves 10 528 2,767,677	Balance Sheet 31 December 2024 Notes 2024 £ £ Fixed Assets 5 2,603,807 Current Assets Stocks - Debtors 6 23,523 Cash in bank and in hand 7 154,896 Total Current Assets 178,419 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 6 14,549 Net Current Assets 163,870 Total Assets less current liabilities 2,767,677 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year - Net Assets 2,767,677 Charitable Funds Unrestricted Reserves 9 General Reserves 128,650 Designated Reserves 2,638,499 2,767,149 Restricted Reserves 10 528 2,767,677	Balance Sheet 31 December 2024 Notes 2024 £ £ Fixed Assets 5 2,603,807 Current Assets Stocks - Debtors 6 23,523 Cash in bank and in hand 7 154,896 Total Current Assets 178,419 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 6 14,549 Net Current Assets 163,870 Total Assets less current liabilities 2,767,677 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year - Net Assets 2,767,677 Charitable Funds Unrestricted Reserves 9 General Reserves 128,650 Designated Reserves 2,638,499 2,767,149 Restricted Reserves 10 528 2,767,677	2023 £ £ 2,608,739 - 11,431 158,540 169,971 17,822 152,149 2,760,888 - 2,760,888 108,831 2,651,594 2,760,425 463 2,760,888	2023 £ £ 2,608,739 - 11,431 158,540 169,971 17,822 152,149 2,760,888 - 2,760,888 108,831 2,651,594 2,760,425 463 2,760,888
	178,419 14,549		169,971 17,822
	128,650 2,638,499		108,831 2,651,594
		2,767,677 -		2,760,888 -
		2,767,677		2,760,888
		2,767,149 528 2,767,677		2,760,425 463 2,760,888

These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 18[th] August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

…………………………………… …………………………..

Trustee and Treasurer: Brian Michael Collins FCCA Trustee: Christine Hutt

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting Policies

a) Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations. The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention with the exception of fixed assets included at revalued amounts.

The charity’s main purpose is that of a public benefit entity.

The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

The Abingdon Baptist Church a charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 35 Ock Street Abingdon OX14 5AG.

b) Fixed Assets and Depreciation Buildings: The Church, 35 Ock Street and the Manse, 16 Thesiger Road, Abingdon, were revalued during 2009 using the insurance values at 24 June 2009. Since that date the value of the church has increased by the costs of development made in 2019.

Depreciation on other fixed assets over £500 is calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over their expected useful life at the following rates:

Equipment	33%
Manse Boiler	20%
Furniture	20%
Kitchen Equipment	20%
Sound/AVA	10%
Organ/Table	7%

All purchases of assets under £500 are written off to revenue.

c) Stock

The stock is no longer valued at year end.

d) Income All incoming resources, including any legacies, are included in the year in which they are receivable, which is when the charity becomes entitled to the resource.

e) Expenditure Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and gross of any related income. The only governance cost incurred was for the examination of the Church accounts. All other costs form part of the costs of the charitable activity.

f) Volunteer Costs The Church is heavily dependent on voluntary labour but, whilst very much valued and appreciated by the Church, is not quantified in the accounts.

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 ( continued)

g) Fund Accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds represent unrestricted funds which have been set aside by the Church for specific purposes as set out in Note 9. They may be returned to general funds at the discretion of the Church.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Church for particular purposes. The aims and uses of these funds are set out in Note 10.

2 Staff costs

Included in Ministry and Mission is the following staff cost:

Stipend/Salary Employers NI Pension Contributions Relocation and other expenses	2024 £ 29,340 - 3,579 1,307 34,226	2023 £ 27,000 - 4,249 1,722 32,971

The Church had one employee during the year (2023 - 1) and no employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

No remuneration or expenses was paid to any Trustee for their duties as Trustee; the Minister was a Trustee and received their stipend for their role as Minister.

3 Donations to Charitable Organisations

Home Mission BMS World Mission BMS Relief Fund/Harvest Appeal Regents Park College – General BMS Appeal Others – Overseas Others – UK Others – Local 35 Ock Street Total	Appeals 2024 £ - - - - 939 - 744 - 247	Grants Appeals 2024 2023 £ £ 4,360 - 4,360 2,843 500 - 500 - - - - 360 1,212 110 1,068 - - 325	Grants 2023 £ 4,360 4,360 500 500 - - 1,780 750 -
	1,930	12,000 3,638	12,250
		13,930	15,888

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Abingdon Baptist Church

N otes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 ( continued)

4 Independent Examiner’s Fee/Accountancy

5

			2024	2024				2023
				£				£
Independent Examiner’s Fee			3,000					2,400
Accountancy			1,551					-
			4,551					2,400
Fixed Assets
	Valuation/Cost 01/01/2024	Net Additions 2024	in	Accumulated Depreciation 01/01/2024		Net Depreciation 2024		Net Book Value 31/12/2024
	£	£			£	£			£
Freehold Property
Church	1,674,748		-		-		-	1,674,748
Manse	217,010		-		-		-	217,010
35 Ock Street	658,725		-		-		-	658,725
	2,550,483		-		-		-	2,550,483
Equipment
Church	151,403		-		(93,147)	(6,148)			52,108
Manse	3,984		-		(3,984)		-		-
35 Ock Street	44,260	1,824			(44,260)		(608)		1,216
	199,647	1,824			(141,391)	(6,756)			53,324
Total	2,750,130	1,824			(141,391)	(6,756)		2,603,807

6 Sundry Debtors and Creditors

Debtors Gift Aid Tax Church other 35 Ock Street Creditors Church other 35 Ock Street	2024 £ 15,782 3,575 4,166 23,523 2024 £ 9,512 5,037 14,549	2023 £ 5,928 3,303 2,201
		11,431
		2023 £ 16,544 1,278 17,822

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 ( continued)

7 Cash at Bank and In Hand

Bank Accounts – Church Bank Accounts – Baptist Union 1 Bank Accounts – Baptist Union 2 Bank Accounts – Development Fund Cash in hand – 35 Ock Street Cash in hand – Church Organisations 8 Analysis of net assets between funds Fund balances at 31st December 2024 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Net current assets Long term liabilities Fund balances at 31st December 2023 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Net current assets Long term liabilities	2024 £ 49,909 51,653 52,008 - 300 1,026 154,896 General Reserves Designated Reserves £ £ - 2,603,807 128,650 34,692 - -	2023 £ 153,097 - - 4,598 300 545 158,540 Restricted Reserves Total £ £ - 2,603,807 528 163,870 - - 528 2,767,677
	128,650 2,638,499
	General Reserves Designated Reserves £ £ - 2,608,739 108,831 42,855 - -	Restricted Reserves Total £ £ - 2,608,739 463 152,149 - - 463 2,760,888
	108,831 2,651,594

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 ( continued)

9 Unrestricted Reserves

Note General Reserves Designated Reserves Fixed Assets a Fabric b 35 Ock Street c Church Organisations e Development Fund f Total Note General Reserves Designated Reserves Fixed Assets a Fabric b 35 Ock Street c Legacy d Church Organisations e Development Fund f Total	01/01/2024 Incoming resources Outgoing resources Transfers 31/12/2024 £ £ £ £ £ 108,831 102,593 (92,150) 9,376 128,650
	2,608,739 - - (4,932) 2,603,807 12,006 - - - 12,006 25,989 35,315 (39,389) - 21,915 262 603 (248) 154 771 4,598 - - (4,598) -
	2,651,594 35,918 (39,637) (9,376) 2,638,499
	2,760,425 138,511 (131,787) - 2,767,149
	01/01/2023 Incoming resources Outgoing resources Transfers 31/12/2023 £ £ £ £ £ 117,611 112,327 (97,520) (23,587) 108,831
	2,416,083 - - 192,656 2,608,739 12,006 - - - 12,006 24,925 28,455 (27,391) - 25,989 15,000 - - (15,000) - 79 547 (364) - 262 42,625 128,268 (12,226) (154,069) 4,598
	2,510,718 157,270 (39,981) 23,587 2,651,594
	2,628,329 269,597 (137,501) - 2,760,425

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 ( continued)

10 Restricted Reserves

Note Charitable Appeals g Back to 35 h Note Charitable Appeals g Back to 35 h	01/01/2024 Incoming Resources Outgoing Resources Transfers 31/12/2024 £ £ £ £ £ - 1,930 (1,930) - - 463 510 (445) - 528 463 2,440 (2,375) - 528
	01/01/2023 Incoming Resources Outgoing Resources Transfers 31/12/2023 £ £ £ £ £ - 3,638 (3,638) - - 597 429 (563) - 463 597 4,067 (4,201) - 463

Notes on Restricted and Unrestricted Reserves (notes 9 and 10)

Designated Funds:

• a) The Fixed Asset Fund is to balance the Fixed Assets (note 6) after taking into account the movements in Fixed Assets over the year.

• b) The Fabric Reserve is used to provide a sum of money for repairs to the Church, which is a Grade II Listed Building.

• c) The 35 Ock Street Fund is used to fund the Mission work in the Church’s former manse. The details of the income, expenditure and transfers impacting on this designated fund can be found in note 11.

• d) The Legacy Fund was being held to repay loans due to members of the church congregation.

• e) The Church Organisations Fund supports the work of Family Church and ABC Tots.

• f) The Development Fund (Designated) is to provide finance towards the repayment of loans for the development of the Church property.

Restricted Funds:

• g) The Charitable Appeals Fund is used to account for receipts and payments of appeal for other charities. h) The Back to 35 Fund is used to provide speakers and for other expenses for this project which provides a meeting place for the over 50’s.

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 ( continued)

11 35 Ock Street Income Fund Generating Lettings Other: Grants Interest Receivable Other Income Expenditure Mission Property Administration Depreciation Surplus/(Deficit) Transfer(to) from General Reserve Transfer (to) from Fixed Asset Reserve Net Surplus/(Deficit) Opening Balance Closing Balance carried forward	£ 11,927 21,787 5,067 608	2024 £ 29,008 6,307 - - -	£ 7,634 15,747 4,010 -	2023 £ 22,376 5,129 950 - -
		35,315 39,389		28,455 27,391
		(4,074) - -		1,064 - -
		(4,074) 25,989		1,064 24,925
		21,915		25,989

Note: Excluded from this designated fund income and expenditure note is £247 (£325 in 2023) received and donated charity appeals through 35 Ock Street.

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

12 Pensions

The Church is an employer participating in a pension scheme known as the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”). The Scheme is a separate legal entity which is administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited).

The Minister(s) are eligible to join the Scheme, which is not contracted out of the State Second Pension.

Since January 2012 Pension Provision is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme. The Minister is paid 8% of their Pensionable Income and the employer paid 6% of Ministers’ Pensionable Income (PI) into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Legal and General Life Assurance Society Limited. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of PI to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members in the event that they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva. Members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of PI, and their employers also pay a total of 5%.

13. Related Parties

Donations received from the trustees totalled £16,823 (2023 £11,089) during the reporting period of which an additional £4,206 (2023 £2,772) was recoverable through gift aid.

Total donations of £1,760 (2023 £6,689) were received from close family members of trustees, of which an additional £440 (2023 £1,672) was recoverable through gift aid.

Some cash donations made through the offerings are anonymous so cannot be analysed as to whether they have been donated by a trustee or other related parties.

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Abingdon Baptist Church

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Abingdon Baptist Church

I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Stuart Bates FCA Wenn Townsend Victoria House 10 Broad Street Abingdon OX14 3LH

29[th] August 2025

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