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2025-03-31-accounts

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

56 weeks ended 31[st] March 2025

Riverside Baptist Church

Annual Report & Accounts from charity registration (5[th] March 2024) until 31[st] March 2025

Charity Reference and Administration

Charity Registration Number: 1207306

Meeting location: 8th Wakefield Scouts and Community Hall, Horbury Bridge, WF4 5PP 8th Wakefield Scouts and Community Hall, Horbury Bridge, WF4 5PP
Correspondence Address: 4 Crown Villas, Scissett, HD8 9JW
Contact: Timothy Hemingway
Trustees: Name Appointment date
Daniel Grimwade 5 March 2024
Timothy Hemingway 5 March 2024
Paul Cottington 5 March 2024
Martyn Bentham 5 March 2024

The trustees changed after the year end on 1 July 2025. The trustees in office at the date of approval of this report are:

this report are:
Name Appointment date
Timothy Hemingway 5 March 2024
Katharine Smith 1 July 2025
Daniel Warren 1 July 2025

Elders in the period under review: Tim Hemingway, Paul Cottington

Paul Cottington resigned as an elder on 26 June 2025.

Independent Examiner: Stephen Horton
Bankers: Natwest Bank

Note: public benefit In compiling this report and in exercising their powers and duties, the Managing Trustees have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Commission and, in particular, on charities for the advancement of religion.

_____________ RBC Annual Report 2025 P a g e

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document Riverside Baptist Church (RBC) CIO - FOUNDATION Registered 05 Mar 2024 as
amended on 17 Mar 2024.
There is an Advisory Council consisting of the (non-voting) members of
Riverside Baptist Church. The Advisory Council in governed by the Church
Charter and Church Guidelines and may make recommendations to the charity
trustees, including on the appointment and removal of Elders, Deacons and
charity trustees, the procedure at church members’ meetings, the buying and
selling of property, and the constitution.
There were 19 members (non-voting) of RBC as of 31stMarch 2025
RBC is committed to the historic Christian faith revealed in Holy Scripture
and summarised in the FIEC Basis of Faith.
Governance Between registering and 31stMarch 2025 the Trustees held three meetings
and Management During this period of time the Advisory Council met four times.
Risks and
Risk Assessment
Safeguarding Issues: A safeguarding policy has been adopted and safeguarding training undertaken.
H&S, Fire etc: A health and safety policy is being compiled. As we meet in rented
accommodation we following the procedures of the property owners.
.
Relations with As an independent church, governed on congregational principles,
other Churches the church is entirely self-governing. However, we lean heavily for
encouragement and support on our advisors. Additionally, we are establishing
links with local like-minded churches meeting with them to pray regularly.
.

_____________ RBC Annual Report 2025 P a g e

Objectives, Activities and Achievements

Objectives: The advancement of the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the statement of faith appearing in the schedule, and to advance any other such charitable purposes (according to the law of England and Wales) that, in the opinion of the trustees, further the work of Riverside Baptist Church, as the trustees in their absolute discretion see fit from time to time.

. To this end, RBC exists for the glory of God, the nurturing of faith in each other and the spreading of the good news about Jesus to our community

Activities: Sundays:

We have been meeting every Sunday at 10:30am for public corporate worship. These services were open to the public, advertised on the church website

Attendance at a typical Sunday service is around 25 people but can be up to 35

Weekend away: the church family were able to spend a weekend together in summer 2024 near Bolton Abbey.

Social get-togethers: the church family have enjoyed meeting up for fellowship meals and a trip to the sea-side.

Baptisms: two people were baptised in October 2024

Worldwide interest: RBC supports the Zimbabwe Partnership Trust

Summary: We are very grateful to God for all we have enjoyed as a church over this past year.

_____________ RBC Annual Report 2025 P a g e

Financial Review

The church's principal income comes from gifts from church members.

Unrestricted Funds: The church received gifts amounting to £44,977.60 between registering as a
charity and 31stMarch 2025. Expenditure amounted to £25,733.09 leaving
unrestricted funds of 31stMarch 2025 of £30,965.06, including brought forward
funds of £11,720.55.
Restricted Funds: The church has no restricted funds.
Reserves Policy: The Board of Trustees has agreed a simple Reserves Policy of three months
expenditure, which currently amounts to £8,000.
Risk Statement: As a Christian church, the trustees try to be faithful in committing all decisions
and issues of church life to the guidance and providence of God. However, in
accordance with the requirements of SORP, the trustees of the church will
develop a document which identifies the major risks to which the charity is
thought to be exposed and instigate appropriate measures to mitigate those
risks.
This has already been commenced with policies and practices being developed
to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, financial management, data
protection, conflicts of interest and health & safety.
Financially, a budget is prepared and approved by the non-voting church
members annually and carefully monitored as the year progresses. Updates on
the financial situation are provided throughout the year.
Trustee Responsibility: Charity law requires us as trustees to prepare financial statements for each
accounting year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity
and of its income and expenditure for the year.
We are required to:
1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
2. Observe the methods and principles in SORP.
3. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
4. State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed,
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts.
5. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable
us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011
and follow the principles in the new edition of the Charity Governance Code.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take
reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

_____________ RBC Annual Report 2025 P a g e

Declaration

The trustees of Riverside Baptist Church declare that they have approved the above Trustees' Annual Report and subsequent accounts, and the following have signed on behalf of the trustees:

_______ Tim Hemingway Trustee Date: Thursday 14[th] January 2026

_____________ RBC Annual Report 2025 P a g e

Riverside Baptist Church Statement of Financial Activities for the 56 weeks ended 31 March 2025
Unrestricted
Funds		 Restricted
Funds		 Total
Funds 2025
Income

Direct giving 35,337.60 - 35,337.60
Reliefs - Gift Aid 8,040.00 - 8,040.00
Grants 1,600.00 - 1,600.00
Total income 44,977.60 - 44,977.60
Expenditure
Fees for services1 8,831.29 - 8,831.29
Rent 4,480.00 - 4,480.00
Infrastructure 1,403.38 - 1,403.38
Online Presence 294.27 - 294.27
Legalities 3,482.23 - 3,482.23
Sundaries 54.58 - 54.58
Evangelism 687.21 - 687.21
Ministries 2,112.99 - 2,112.99
Events 4,387.14 - 4,387.14
Total expenditure 25,733.09 - 25,733.09
Net income / (expenditure) 19,244.51 - 19,244.51
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward2 11,720.55 - 11,720.55
FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 30,965.06 30,965.06

Note 1:

The charity paid fees to one elder, Paul Cottington, for services to the church during this financial period. No fees were paid to any other trustee during the year, nor to anyone related to them.

Note 2:

Prior to registration, funds were held by a community group operating for the same charitable purposes. On registration as a charity on 5[th] March 2024, these funds were transferred to the charity and are included as opening balances. These amounts do not represent income received during the reporting period.

_________________ RBC Annual Report 2025 P a g e | 7

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Riverside Baptist Church Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
Unrestricted
Funds		 Restricted
Funds		 Total Funds
2025
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand 30,667.56 - 30,667.56
Debtors1 297.50 - 297.50
Total Net Assets 30,965.06 - 30,965.06
Fund Balances
Unrestricted Funds – General Funds 30,965.06 30,965.06

Note 1:

Debtors represent gift aid recoverable within one year.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and were signed on its behalf by:

_______ Tim Hemingway Trustee Date: Thursday 14[th] January 2026

Charity number: 1207306

The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts.

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE 56-WEEK PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Accounting Policies

The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 (“SORP”); and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The accounts have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following the SORP rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis, as there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. Based on their knowledge of the charity's ability to meet bills, payments and other liabilities as they fall due, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

The following are the accounting policies which have been applied in dealing with material items:

Donated and grant income

Donated income and grants receivable are taken into account when received by the charity. Income received in circumstances where a claim for repayment of tax has been or will be made to HMRC is grossed up for the tax recoverable. Any amount of tax reclaimed from HMRC but not yet received is shown within the charity's debtors as accrued income.

The charity has relied significantly upon volunteers in carrying out its activities during the year. In accordance with paragraph 6.18 cf SORP, the role of volunteers has not been recognised as income from donated services in the accounts.

Other income and expenditure

Investment income is taken into account when receivable and expenditure, including unrecoverable VAT, when incurred by the charity, regardless of when payment is made.

Funds

Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without specified purpose and are available for purposes as directed by the trustees. Restricted funds are amounts received where the donor has specified the purpose for which they should be used.

Fixed assets and depreciation

Fixed assets acquired for use by the charity are capitalised and depreciated over their estimated useful life unless they cost less than £1,000, when they are written off on purchase. Depreciation periods are as follows:

Freehold land Not depreciated Freehold buildings Over 50 years Equipment Over 5 years The charity does not currently hold any fixed assets.

Cashflow statement

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption provided by the FRS 102 SORP and has not prepared a Cash Flow Statement for the year.

_________________ RBC Annual Report 2025 P a g e | 9

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Riverside Baptist Church

Report on accounts 2024/25

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner

The RBC trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of report

My report includes a review of the accounting records held by RBC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Treasurer concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters identified above or covered by the following statement.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the accounts have not been kept correctly.

Stephen Horton Associate Pastor Crystal Peaks Church Sheffield S20 1BB

18 October 2025