# **CIO Report to the Charity Commissioners for the year 2023** ## Lymm Baptist Church **Charity Registration Number:** 1203190 Registered 22 May 2023 **Registered Address:** Higher Lane **,** Lymm **,** Cheshire **,** WA13 0AZ ## **Charity Trustees:** Rev Jonathan Bramwell (Appointed 14 May 2023, Resigned 14 January 2024) Rev Dr Chris Goswami (Appointed 14 May 2023) Mr Peter Brandon (Appointed 14 May 2023, Resigned 24 March 2024) Mr John Hall (Appointed Church Treasurer 23 July 2023) Mr Scott McPhail (Appointed 2 November 2023) Mrs Carol Best (Appointed Church Secretary 23 July 2023) Mr Stephen R Evans (Appointed 24 March 2024) Mrs Sarah Rotchell (Appointed 24 March 2024) Mr Kevin Wisdell (Appointed 24 March 2024) Mr George Green (Appointed 24 March 2024) Mrs Jaskiran McPhail (Appointed 24 March 2024) ## **Trustees for the charity (property):** The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd Baptist House 129, Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire, OX11 8RT ## **Bankers:** Co-operative Bank PLC P O Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP ## **Independent examiners:** Mr J Aldersley Mr N Harrison 1 Lymm Baptist Church: Annual Report to Charity Commissioners The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023 ## **Financial Review** The 2023 accounts reflect the setting up of the new CIO. Between its inception in May 2023 and December 2023 the CIO was operational solely to ensure the set up and transfer of all assets, liabilities, roles and responsibilities from the existing Lymm Baptist Church charitable trust to the new CIO legal entity. The full transfer took place on 1[st] February 2024. Financial detail is available from the accompanying accounts. The following detail reflects the ongoing structure and activity of the church. ## **Structure, Governance and management:** Having made the decision to change to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation this new charity was registered with the commission in May 2023. On 1 February 2024 all assets and liabilities of Lymm Baptist Church (previous charity number 1130935 now removed from the register) transferred to the new charity number 1203190. Lymm Baptist Church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by a constitution. The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the principal purpose of the Church. The charity is set up with purposes which are exclusively charitable for the public benefit. Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution. Also, in accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Trustees, comprising Ministers and leaders, who are collectively known as the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team is responsible for the day to day running of the Church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the Charity. This report sets out how the charities purposes have been carried out for the public benefit. The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. The Members’ Meeting normally takes place six times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the Church. Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church Meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in a Church Meeting for further consideration. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church Meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective. ## **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. In order to achieve the principal purpose, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the wider community. 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. Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These services take place each Sunday at 10.30am and once a month at 6.30pm. Communion of the Lord’s Supper is observed once a 2 month at a morning and evening service. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community where everybody is welcome to attend any of the services. There are also events, activities and services at other times which are advertised in the newsletters, by email, on the notice board in the church foyer, on the website at www.lymmbaptistchurch.com and on the church’s Facebook page. A full children’s and youth programme is included in the morning services providing teaching together with arts and crafts relating to biblical stories and Christian experiences. The aim is to provide relevant activities and discussions that are fun, engaging and transforming - encouraging children to develop a relationship with God. There are also children’s and youth activity groups taking place during the week. The Church runs a number of small study groups for the nurture and growth of faith and discipleship, usually in the homes of church members. Regular church prayer meetings take place each week. The Church has an effective pastoral ministry team, committed to love and care for those in the fellowship. The Church engages in evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, supports & promotes charitable social action in the United Kingdom & abroad. It also encourages relationships with other Christians and supports the Baptist Union & the North Western Baptist Association _._ The Church runs the following community-based activities. At Lymm Baptist Church: - weekly Toddler Groups, to provide a warm, safe, caring environment and share God’s love, for preschool children & their carers; - a regular social evening for women, called ‘Friends and Neighbours’, to introduce them to church and the Christian message; - a quarterly event called ‘Holiday at Home’, to provide older folk with a place to meet new friends along with a lunch, an afternoon tea, entertainment and opportunity to take part in a variety of activities; - weekly ‘Watercolour Workshops’, to enable and inspire anyone interested either to learn to paint or to improve their painting in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere; - weekly coffee morning, open to all, for relaxed socialisation. In other local venues: - a follow on from an Alpha Course running in High Legh Village Hall; - a ‘Beacon Group’ meeting in Thelwall. The church is actively involved, in partnership with other local churches, with: - a monthly activity called ‘Messy Church’, for primary school children, with craft, singing and a story time as well as providing a meal; - delivering lessons at Lymm High School on a range of topics, including working with the Gideons to deliver lessons on the Bible; - ‘Open the book’ and taking assemblies in local primary schools; - ‘Chat’n’chill’, an opportunity for young people to discuss faith related topics, held weekly in the local High School; The Church also continues to provide a venue for Voice Junior Choir and Bible Study Fellowship. In addition, the church building is available for use by community groups, such as WI and Probus, and there are regular bookings throughout the year. The Church also links with Lymm Festival, providing a venue for some of its activities and events. Note: The Church operates systems to ensure that all working with children, young people and adults at risk have appropriate DBS certificates and safeguarding training. These requirements are being constantly monitored. 3 ## **Achievements and performance** The employment of a full-time youth worker fulfilled our desire to support and encourage the youth of both our fellowship and the wider community after an anxious few years. Good relationships have been established both within the church and local high school along with participation in community events. Our trained volunteer chaplain further supports our desire to encourage spiritual growth and well-being for all. The church was able to respond quickly and was pivotal in establishing a network of support for refugees following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Practical and language support was provided in a weekly gathering held in the building, offering assistance to adults and children. This came to a natural end during 2023 as individuals settled into the community and work. There are continuing links with the Ukrainian community with some having integrated into the church’s regular activities. At their request we baptised four adults. Regular groups are reestablished. Service attendance numbers are significant, though slightly below pre covid levels. The streamed Sunday morning service continues to be popular. The use of the premises by outside organisations continues. Our church family is involved in a number of initiatives. Individuals and groups have undertaken travel overseas to provide practical and spiritual encouragement. Many also work with local charities and organisations. We provide regular practical and financial help to a number of organisations. ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees Signed: Name: Carol Ann Best Position: Church Secretary 18/10/2024 4 2. 1.BC C.10 Ar.r.oiJiits 2023 LYMM BAPTIST CHURCH CIO ACCOUNTS 2023 Church Treasurer- Report to the CIO AGM John Hall was appointed to the position of Church Treasurer of Lymm Baptist Church CIO at its registration with the Charities Commission in May 2024 He is supported by a finance team of David Barrell and John Williams. This AGM report Covers the period May 2023 to December 2023, during which the CIO was operational solely to ensure a timely and orderly set up and transfer of assets, liabilities, role5 and responsibilities from the existing Lymm Baptist Church charitable trust to the new CIO legal entity. Preparation activities during this time involved the setting up of a new bank account with the Co-operative Bank, and agreement of contract novation principle5 Wlth all suppliers and contractors who were expected to transfer across. We also carried out the required TUPE transfer coiisultations Wlth all staff members. In October 2023, with t¥Ltstee approval, a sum of £10,000 was transferred from "Old LBC" to the CIO to cover transition costs that might be incurred by CIO. It was possikile to minimise the costs of establishing the CIO, and in reality, the majority of costs were incurred by the 'Old LBC" trust and are therefore shown within its financial reporting. However, for transparency, the costs were.. £IOOO fee for fully discharging our liabilities to the BU pension scheme. This was a liability that was also triggered by the resignation of Jonathan Bramwell and so would have been incurred anyway. £170.80 for Trustee indemnity run-off cover for the time when both "old LBC" and the CIO entity are in parallel operation. £173.50 for a professional rebuild cost assessment of the church buildings for insurance purposes. This was a cost that would have been incurred anyway within the next 12 months as part of our financial due diligence. E150 charge for the novation of our photocopier contract (this was completed after the formal transfer of assets and liabilitie51. There were a small number of donors who began to pay into the CIO bank account in advance of the formal transfer date of 1st February. This Inoney was held in the relevant fund pending the transfer of the remaining LBC assets and the subsequent commencement of CIO operations. We give thanks to God that we have been able to manage the transition to CIO in an effective and orderly way, and we trust him for all that He will do through Lymm Baptist Church in the future. LYMM BAPTIST CHURCH ACCOUNTS 2023 LEGAL IMFORM14TION CHURCW. AODRg8S TRUSTEE.% BANKERS INDEPENDÉNT EXAKIINERS 2023 ACCOUNTS STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 ASSETS 2023 10.985,Q1 REDRi%cTrJ-; INf.' BALANif'E4 IJN THE Fl-iLLIj'; k'lNTrfJ AC.COIJNT 10,99S.O'I Oiher A%" Lytdm BAPTIST CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEM8ER 2023 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS rMuRcH vEt4ERAL FUND RECEIPTS & PA YMENT5 ACCOUNT Rocfript 10.58ti.0'1 PJyTrient8 10.860.01 RESTRICTED FUNDS BRAMWELL LEAVINfj FUNO 105.00 Ikl¥lM HOUSE IGOO LYMM BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS'CEAR ENDED 31st DECEM8ER 2023 Trustee Approval The accounts and statemenl of 3ssets and liabilities set out on pages I to 3 relatsng to the period ending 31" December 2023 are as approved by the ¢huYch leadership and trustees. Signed Oaled 12191:* Indppendent Examiner's Report on the Accounts Independent EKaminer's Report Report to the Trustees / Membets of: LYMM BAPT15T CHURCH ICIOI On accounts for the year ended.. 31112123 Set ULIt' on pages Fl to F5 Respertive tEsponslblllties of t*ustees Examlner.-fhe charity's triistees are responsible for the i>i'epdration of tlie accounts. l-he cl)¢irity's'lrii¢'lees coiisider that an audit is not required tor this year under sect'iori 144 of the Charities Act 20111.lhe Cliarities Actl and that lin indeperide.nt exainination needed. Se¢tlon A Cliarity Ref.. 1203190 I'l is Iny responsibility to.. exdmine t.he accounts Linder section 145 of the Charities Act, follow the procedures laid down in tl'ie general dire.ctioiis glveii by the Chai'ity Cot)imission under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act, and lo stat'e wliether particular matter5 have. Lome to my attentioii. Llusis of Independentexamlnerfs stutsment.. My eiiainination was carried out in accordanLe with gene,ral directions given by the Charity colli￿71s51on. An exaimination iricliide5 a review of the