Annual Report for 2024 The Trustees present their Annual Report for 2024. The Charity: Particulars Baptist Chapel in Etnam Street, Leominster and Endowments. Its working name: Leominster Baptist Church Registered address: Leominster Baptist Church, Etnam Street, Leominster, HR6 8AJ. Charity Number: 237434 Main Contact: Phone: Email: Website: Christabel Rice (Church Secretary) 07850969317 chris@leobc.co.uk leobc.co.uk Trustees and Church Officers at 31st December 2024 Name Trustee Deacon Position Jackie Kosciecha Yes No Treasurer Chris Rice Yes Yes Secretary Sheila Wilson Yes Yes David Margells Yes Yes Trevor Dickerson Yes Yes Jim Scott Yes Yes Josh Marvel Yes Yes Andrew Dale Yes Yes Marie Gittoes Yes Yes Pastoral Care Worker Pastor and other paid employees Dean Burgis continues as Pastor and, during his holidays and Sundays off, the services have been led by church members or invited guest speakers from other churches and mission organisations. Marie Giltoes continues as Pastoral Care Worker and Hannah Harris as Children and Families Worker. Structure, Governance and Management Leominster Baptist Church (LEOBCI is governed by a Charity Commission Scheme signed on 31st October 1879, which amalgamated a number of earlier deeds originating from the founding of the Church in 1656. An amended Constitution was introduced in January 2016 and ratified a year later. The most recent amendment was made in 2022. The affairs of the Church are ordered under the Church's Members ' Handbook, last amended in April 2024. Four meetings of Church Members were held in 2024, including the Annual Church Meeting. Church OffirS are appointed, minutes taken and records kept of all decisions made at the meetings. Deacons, meetings were held at least once a month to implement Church Meeting decisions, to consider all matters relaling to the well-being of the Church and individuals connected with il and lo provide leadership and direction for the Church. The trustees are responsible for oversight of the church's work and witness along
with all financial and legal aspects of LBC. They have met twice in the last 12 months. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks of the church. Aims and Objectives Leominster Baptist Church was founded upon Baptist principles in 1656 to advan the Christian faith in accordan with the Basis of Faith as defined in Schedule 1 of the Church Constitution, primarily bul not exclusively within the Leominster area and the surrounding neighbourhood. The Trust maintains the property of the Church and oversees all its activities relating to Christian worship, teaching, service to the community and support for Christian ministry throughout the world. Today the Church is affiliated to the EA. Its motto is 'Following Christ, serving people,. 3. Fulfilment of Objectives and Activities: Property The Trust is responsible for Maintenance of a Protestant Meeting House in Etnam Street, Leominster., Support for the Minister and for the poor ofthe congregation,. Endowment of a Minister for the above Meeting House., Provision of a Manse for the Minister., Maintenance of a Burial Ground., Provision of alms-house accommodation for the poor ofthe congregation. All ofthe above have been regularly inspected., any essential Maintenan work has been undertaken. The premises are loaned to other community groups and charities for which a charge is either made or waived at the discretion of the Deacons. The tenancy of Marlow Coltage (formerly known as the Alms-house) is continuing satisfactorily. The Trustees consider that they have fulfilled their duty in their care of the premises. 4. Fulfilment of Aims and Objectives: Church Activities The Church services and other meetings continue lo be well-attended by a wide range of people of all ages and the Church functioned well in all departments throughout the year. At the end of 2024 there were 86 people in full membership, having accepted 7 people into membership during the year. The church celebrated 5 believers, baptisms during 2024. In addition to Sunday Church services, other weekly activities at the Church include house groups, prayer meetings, a parent and toddler group and several youth groups. Monthly activities at the Ghurch include a Lunch Club and Coffee Morning with outreach including Market Stall witness and services at residential homes for the elderly. Other events during the year have included an Alpha course, baptisms, fellowship meals, family events to lebrate church festivals, a church away day and youth camps. The Church continues to engage with the community in many ways, including making its premises and minibus available to other organisations in the community. Many members of the church are actively involved in supporting several local voluntary organisations including the Leominster Food Bank. The Church is strongly committed to supporting organisations that promote the Christian faith in this country and around the world and to humanitarian relief. Regular financial support is given to a number of such organisalions and the Church is infomed of their activities by visiting speakers and the supply of information. Persons attending the Church offered themselves to a number of voluntary projects and short- tem mission trips with the active support of the Church. 5. Financial Overview The Trustees and Church OffirS have administered all the funds of the Church and are satisfied that they have been handled responsibly in accordan with the Charity's aims and objectives. The church accounts show that the balances held remain reasonably steady. Regular income comes from monthly direct debits and the weekly church offering. This has been boosted during 2024 by some legacies
and significant one-off donations along with fundraising events for youth camps. There were no significant unexpected expenses during the year and the authorisation of all payments were in accordance with the Church's financial policy. Except for gifts for specific purposes, which are held as restricted funds until disbursed, the Church has fulfilled its policy of donating 20 % of its income to other evangelical organisations whose aims and objectives are consistent with its own. The regular income of the Church is sufficient lo cover expected expenditure and there are adequate reserves for any foreseeable contingency. Income was £158,968.09 in 2024, well up from last year. Income is expected to remain around this level in future years and reserves should cover nearly 3 years of a major fall-off in income. Rental income from Marlow Cottage will be used to maintain the building with any excess being applied charitably in accordance with the Trust Deed. Specifically, money from this restricted fund has been used during 2024 to help fund places at youth camps for youngsters from families who could not otherwise afford to send them. 6. Conclusion The Trustees consider that they and the Church Officers have Carried out their responsibilities in a satisfactory manner and that the Church is in a position to continue to actively pursue its aims and objectives in the future. Signed on behalf of the Trustees Date OLtlLS Christabel Rice (secretary)
Receipts and Payments Summary: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Unrestricted Fund Designated FundTS ReBtrictsd Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Recei | Glfts, Offerlngs Ilncludlng Glft Ald | Spaeial Missionary Collaetions | Rent received Rent of rooms £119,503.26 £119,503.26 £118,873.18 £5,394.69 £5,394.69 £7,805.81 £2,640.00 £2,640.00 £2,540.00 £1,450.00 £1,450.00 £1,270.00 | Mlscellaneoug recelpts or sundrles L•gaeie$ £2,767.75 £2,767.75 £3,391.75 £19,000.00 £19,000.00 £0.00 I Sundry youth income £6,730.29 £6,730.29 £7,446.30 Job Club £0.00 £0.00 | Dunfield Housè | Total Receipts £1,482.10 £1,482.10 £0.00 £142,721.01 £13,607.88 £2,640.00 £1 $8.968.09 £142,084.04 ments Wages, National Insurance and Pension £68,510.52 £68,510.52 £66,111.43 Mlnistry £4,458.10 £4,458.10 £9,942.84 Gifts to Missionary & Aid Organisations £23,439.22 £23,439.22 £24,694.12 | Special MisBionary Giving inibus running costs £5,983.59 £5,983.59 £6,670.10 £2,990.62 £2,990.62 £1,744.14 Telephone £297.13 £297.13 £217 15 Printing. pts9 & Ststionery £622.56 £622.56 £693.98 £6,034.26 £6,034.26 £1,765.99 Sundries £2,086.40 £2,086.40 £1,818.75 Malntenance of Church & Manse £8,856.89 £8,856.89 £2,398.25 intenance - Marlow Cottage £0.00 £0.00 £250.00 Heat and Light £2,684.02 £2,684.02 £2,591.88 ouncll Tax & Water £3,917.57 £3,917.57 £3,796.24 In¥uran¢ £3,348.97 £3,348.97 £3,083.60 £2350.48 £2350.48 £1,333.10 | Youthwork Costs £11,252.08 £1,331.65 £12,583.73 £7,113.93 £294.98 £294.98 £595.88 | Dunfield House Totsl Payments £1,674.00 £1,674.00 £939.20 £129.891.52 £18,909.67 £1,331.65 £150,132.84 £135,760.58
Unrestricted Funds Oesignated Funds Restricted Funds Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Net incoming resources £12,829 49 -£5,302.59 £1,308.35 £8835.25 £6,323.46 Fund balances 1 January 2024 £40,530.79 £962.67 £14,740.66 4,339.92 | £16,049.01 £56,234.12 £49,910.66 Balances carried forward 31 Dec 2024 £53,360.28 £65,069.37 £56,234.12
Statement of Assets and Liabilities Fund Balances Total 3111212024 Total Total 3111212023 3111212022 Santander UK plc Church Account £27,274.48 £18,919.97 £13,037.10 Church Reserve Account £36,418.47 £36,070.72 £35,976.24 Church Youth Account £1,336.20 £1,203.79 £871.42 Total £65,029.15 £56,194.48 £49.884.76 Cash in Hand £40.22 £39.64 £25.90 Totsl £65,069.37 £56,234.12 £49.910.66 Accumulated Fund Unrestricted funds £44,113.68 £41,213 62 £35,860.00 | Restricted funds Missionary Monies £6,157.53 £1,135.71 £340.00 Job Club £1,677.53 £1,972.51 £2,488.38 Deposit held re tenancy £238.33 £238.33 £238.33 Marlow Cottage £12,882.30 £11,673.95 £10,983.95 Total Restricted funds £20,955.69 £15,020.50 £14,050.66 Total £65.069.37 £56.234.12 £49.910.66 Fixed and other Assets Value Note Chapel and Associated Buildings £3,601,508.00 Insurance value Manse £798,546.00 Insurance value Cottage £368,560.00 Insurance value Associated Garden and Graveyard Graveyard in Newlands Drive Leominster £2,500.00 Antique Clock £16,611.00 Insurance valuation 2009 Organ £12,080.00 Purchase price 2006 Computer and electronic equipment £5,000.00 Insurance value Machinery plant and all other contents £61,889.00 Insurance value Ford Transit 115 Minibus- 15-sealer registered in 2010 £9,500.00 Purchase price 2017
Inde Pro en(lent F.xAniiner'.s Rc iirt to the Trustccs of Lcomintr+tc'r er in Ftn#m S¢rect L¢iimin.%tcr 14L'relTrrd8hire. tist c.h el and Tru.sÉ I report on the accounts t.or the year ended .31, Deceinber 20?4. eclive Res onsibilities of Trustees and Examiner. The cliarily's tl'U5tees dre responsible lor the preparation ()f the accouiils. Thc ¢l)iirily's irusiees ciinsider Il)al an au(lil 1% Iicil rLquired tor Iliis Illcar iiiider S¥Llion 144(2} of Ihc CliaritiLS Act 21)1 and Ilial ali iiidepLndLI)l Lxaniinali()n is ne¥di.d. It is my respoiisibilily to: exaniine the accouiits und¢r section 145 ot th¢ 201 l Act. ttTrlloN% the procedures laid domqi in the Cjeneral Directions biivLn bv the Ch¢iriti, Cc)mn)ission under 5Lclioii 145{51(h) ol- Ihe ?0 I l Act; and statc ivlicilier panicular maiters Ii<li'e cuiiie lu MY aiienli()ii. Basi8 Ot Inde 'ndenl ExLi miner's Ke orl. Mv exainination was carried out in acLordance with the Cyencral Direetioiis gTiveii by the Chariiy Coininission. An excqmii)alicin includes a revil, ot- the accounlinLi records kept hy the charil), and a coinpL11'ison of the accoiints prcsenied with Ih()se records. It also includes coii%ider<ilion of ail! IIIIIISUi21 ilLm% or disLIosLire% in the q¢ ccounl.%. Llnd %L'ekiiiLI e.xplan<ili()n£ l-roni l'ou as IiiJslee8 coiiccriiingi aiij such niLltiers. -I'he prouLdure% undertaken do not prowide i)11 Ihe eiiidence Ilial would be reqiiired iii an audit aiid consequenil!, nii opini()n is bTiven as lo H,heihL'r ilie accouiils proviLlc a 'Irue aiid tair Vie,, aiid Ilie report is liiniled io Ihose matters set oul in Ihe slalemLnt beloiN". Inde eiideiil Ex¢iiiiiner's Statement. In connection with inv examinLl1ion. no maii¢r has come to niy ait¢ntioii.' l ) ,hicli LFives me reason<lble causc lo belieN'e Ihat in any nialerial respects tlie r¢quirLincnts'. to keep aci()uiitinL) rL'cord.4 iii acci)rJanee with seLlion 1.30 ()l- Illl 2111 l frlct. Lliid to prepai'e ?¢ CCOLinls '1]Illi aLLord ii'iih ihe accoiiiiliiigi rLcords and LoiiipI}' with ih¢ <ILcounliiig7 reqLiifLiiicnls ol- tlie ?0 I I ALI 11()I been iiiLI: ()r 21 to wliich. in iiiv opini()n. atlenlii)n %hould be drarn iii order to L'nable a prc)pcr Iinderqlaiiding) ot tlie accoun( lo be reached. 14£1 I Lil o 201<