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2024-03-31-accounts

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2023124 Page 1 of 12 MELKSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS for YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024 Presented on behalf of the Deaconate by: Mr Alan McFall Church Secretary & Treasurer Date. 16 tL Approved by Deacons (Managing Trustees) at Diaconaterrrustees Meeting on Chair Miss Caroline Hancock, Deacon

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Legal & Administrative Information

Name of Charity: Melksham Baptist Church Officially “Manse for the Minister of Melksham Baptist Church & Sunday School”

Address of Charity: Old Broughton Road Melksham Wiltshire SN12 8BX

Email: Website: www.melkshambaptistchurch.org.uk

Charitable Status: Registered with the Charity Commission of England & Wales Registration Number = 261709

Administration: The Church was founded under Trust Deed, originating in 1669. Day to day administration and leadership are the responsibility of deacons (managing trustees).

Of the deacons, the church secretary and church treasurer constitute the officers of the church. Decision-making is the collective responsibility of the church members through the Church Meeting, a quorum being represented by thirty percent of the church membership.

At the date of this report, managing trustees or deacons are:

Mr Alan D McFall Secretary/Treasurer Miss Caroline Hancock Mr David Payne

Deacons are elected at the Annual General Meeting to serve for a period of three years; following which they must stand-down but may offer themselves for reelection.

The Church is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and its regional administrative body, the West of England Baptist Association.

The West of England Baptist Trust Company Limited (WEBTC) are Custodian Trustees, holding in trust the title deeds of the property at Old Broughton Road, known as Melksham Baptist Church and Sunday School; and the property at Western Way known as The Old Baptist Burial Ground.

Since April 2019 the church owns, in conjunction with WEBTC, a property at 102 Linnet Lane which serves as the church manse. Following the conclusion of the Pastor’s appointment on 31[st] March 2023, the manse property was successfully rented out from 1[st] June and continues to be subject to a managed letting agreement on our behalf.

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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The Church

Melksham Baptist Church is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and to the West of England Baptist Association (also known as Webnet). It is also a member of the Melksham Family of Churches.

Membership of the Church is open to all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and whose lives bear evidence of that fact. The usual means by which people become members is through Believers' Baptism.

Those desiring to become members are asked to seriously consider the New Testament teaching on baptism, but the Church shall welcome into membership those who earnestly desire to serve and follow Christ and who come from other Christian traditions.

The fellowship was formed in 1669 and the building in which we worship today is Grade II listed, having been built around 1776 .

Objectives

The advancement of religion for the salvation of all who believe in Jesus Christ and for the benefit of society in general, both locally and in the wider world. Specifically, making Jesus known in Melksham.

Principal Aims

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Policy Statements

Reserves

The policy of the trustees is to retain sufficient reserves to maintain the smooth day to day running of the church, avoiding as far as possible being overdrawn on any bank account. We also need to be in a position to meet our commitments as an employer of the Pastor both during employment and in the event of unexpected cessation. We need to be mindful of the requirement for significant capital expenditure, from time to time, on maintenance of our property portfolio which from 2019 now includes a manse.

Investment

Where the trustees have opportunity to exercise influence over investment decisions, they do so on the strength of advice from the Custodian Trustees, seeking to maximise the annual return over a period of at least ten years and through either Government or ethical stocks.

Short-term surplus funds are held in a “pooled” bank account, managed by the Baptist Union Trust Company Limited.

Risk Management

A Health & Safety Review is conducted every two years and reported to the trustees. A two-yearly portable electrical appliance check is conducted.

An electrical installation condition report is produced every five years (latest in April 2019). A quinquennial (5-yearly) inspection of the property is carried out and reported to trustees and custodian trustees. (This was last done in April 2019).

The most significant risk we face is of the occurrence of a “cessation event” whereby we no longer make contributions to the Baptist Pension Scheme and are required to make a single payment to clear our share of the deficit in the Defined Benefits section of that fund. To this end we have entered into a Deferred Debt Arrangement by which we continue making contributions at £1 per month during a pastoral vacancy until the time when the Defined Benefits Scheme is terminated.

Internal Financial Controls

We follow the guidelines contained in the Association of Church Accountants & Treasurers Handbook as far as is practicable for a congregation of our size.

Conflict of Interest

We take care to avoid situations where conflict of interest may arise, whether in letting of contracts (deacons declare/monitor interest) or in making of decisions at church meetings (members absent themselves where necessary).

Complaint Handling

The Church Secretary, involving other deacons or specialists as relevant, initially deals with complaints. A record is kept of all correspondence and discussions. Where relevant, we take guidance from the Charity Commission guidelines on Reporting Serious Incidents.

Safeguarding

It is policy for Pastor, deacons and all involved in leading work with children or vulnerable adults to have attended the complete set of Safeguarding Training sessions to level 3, as provided by WEBA. DBS checks have been completed on all relevant members in the past and are renewed in line with recommendations (currently after 3 years). Policy and associated procedures were reviewed during the year 2020/21.

Data Protection

We have a policy and procedures to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (May 2018), and follow updated guidance as issued by the Safeguarding Lead at WEBA.

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Brief Review of Church Life in the Year to March 2024

Summary

The basics of regular Sunday worship, Sparklers Group and hosted activities such as Zumba and Choir practice sessions all continued in full swing. We managed to cope with Foodbank at times taking over even more space than before due to their increased demand but social events have not returned to the level at which they had been previously.

During the year we added Melksham Community Money Advice to our hosted organisations. The opportunity of providing contact with this organisation for clients of the Foodbank has proved to be advantageous on several occasions already.

Church meetings were held more regularly than in the last couple of years, and all were back to face-to-face meetings.

At the end of the year pastor Josh, Alanna and family decided to move to pastures new at Woodville BC in Cardiff with effect from 31[st] March.

The remaining deacons continued to work on, attending motivating “re:imagine” events with Webnet colleagues.

We continue to be grateful for the moral and financial support of our neighbours in Corsham Baptist Church as well as the guidance from the Baptist Union and West of England Baptist Association (aka Webnet). We have settled into a reasonable pattern of visiting speakers, complementing leading of worship by our own deacons.

Members & Friends

Outreach

Social Activity

Church Growth – Development of Faith

Other Witnessing

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Outlook

With most people having been vaccinated against Covid, we are finding that individuals are contracting the illness, falling ill for a few days and seeming, at least, to make a good recovery without the church having to return to the severe restrictions on activity that we had in the past.

The significant cut in ministry-related costs and the positive impact of rental income from letting the manse property has enabled our finances to take an immediate upward turn.

By a combination of our own resources and securing the services of a variety of external speakers, we have most 2024 Sunday services booked and are already starting to fill dates in 2025.

With newcomers joining at the rate of 1 every 2-3 months, home-groups comprising approximately 50% of the congregation, a baptism having been held in December 2023 and a generally positive atmosphere when we meet, the outlook is quite encouraging.

We are looking to build people’s faith and confidence, are hoping to be able to restore the reserves fund to at least its former level and look with increased confidence to seeking grant-aid to address some essential improvements to the buildings that have had to be placed outside current reach during the last couple of years.

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

&

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

Note: Accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2023124 Page8of 12 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGiAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the truste&s WfLfr cM@qi On a¢¢ount$ for the year ended Charlty no Ilf any) 3kn- NWK OIJC - fotsK Set out on pages I r8POrt lo the trustees on my examination of thè a¢counts of the above charityllhe Trusfl for the year èndod Rèsponslbllltl•s and basis of report As the charitys trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with thg Iequiremenls of the Charities Acl 2011 l.the ACVI. I report in respect of my examinatlon of tho Trust's accounts carried out tjnder sectson 145 of the 2011 Act and ill Carr￿ng out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under se¢'on 145(5llbl of the Act. Independent tTh hari examlner's sLitement u gros com ce £25 alrfied ember yll. Del6le I l if not applicable. ie lins name of edb I have completed my examIr￿tion. I confimi that no material matter5 have come to my attention in eonneetion with the examination ¢JsBdo¥etl bel6￿.) which gives rn8 cause lo believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records wars not k8Pt in accordance with section l JU ot tng tyhanties Act.. or Tne accounts aid not accord Wlln Tne accounung r&￿[05., Oi the accounts did not compFy with the applicable requirements CQnC8rning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other thèn any requirem8111 that the accounts give a 'true and fair, vitrw which is not a matter eonsidèrgd 8$ part of an Independent examinats'on. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connacbon with the examination to which attenth)n should be drawn in this report in Order to enable a DfoDer understand¥no of thg a￿Unts lo be reached. Ploase delet the woLls in the brackets rfth6y do not apply Slgned: Dat•: 1 13 Name: 4t4>x Jf4HA R¢l¢vant prot•$$lonal qualmcatlonlsl or body A)A IER Oct 2018

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Melksham Baptist Church

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Version: 1 Date: 15th April 2024

Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Version: 1 Date: 15th April 2024
Unrestricted Designated Designated Restricted
Notes General Building Reserve Mission Total Total
Funds Fund Fund Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ 2024 2023
Receipts & Payments Account
Receipts
Offerings 24,245 2,159 26,404 21,557
Donations 715 715 1,350
Grants 1,167 1,167 14,003
Fund-raising activities 0 273 273 0
Legacies 200 200 0
GiftAidTax 5,498 5,498 5,391
InvestmentIncome 7 3,500 123 3,623 3,807
PropertyIncome 8 15,864 15,864 9,235
OtherCauses 7,591 7,591 4,286
Realisedinvestment gains 0 0 2,947
Total Incoming Resources 51,188 2,432 123 7,591 61,334 62,576
Payments
Ministry 2 1,277 1,277 31,746
Church Life 1,572 1,572 1,254
Properties 4 20,986 20,986 13,727
Administration 12,934 12,934 10,555
OtherCauses &Mission 7,414 7,414 4,630
Total Resources Expended 36,769 0 0 7,414 44,184 61,912
Net before transfers 14,419 2,432 123 177 17,150 664
Transfers between Funds 10 -6,000 0 6,000 0 0 0
NetReceipts/(Payments) 8,419 2,432 6,123 177 17,150 664
OpeningBalances 14,556 0 1,826 2,093 18,477 17,813
Closing Balances 22,975 2,432 7,949 2,270 35,627 18,477
There arenorecognised gains or losses otherthantheresultsforthe yearas set out above.
Allactivities are classed as continuing.

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Melksham Baptist Church

Statement of Assets & Liabilities At 31 March 2024

Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church
Statement of Assets & Liabilities
At 31 March 2024
Notes 2024 2023
£ £
Fixed Assets
TangibleFixedAssets 0 0
Investments 0 0
0 0
Monetary Assets
ShortTerm Deposits 11 7,949 1,826
CashatBank 27,677 16649
35,626 18,475
Liabilities
Missionpayments 12 509 848
Loans (interest-freefrom members) 0 0
Loansfrom WEBTCo.Ltd 13 65,318 71,372
PensionSchemeliability 14 0 0
65,827 72,220
Note re Assets / Investments:
Insurance value -
Church Buildings 5,013,072 4,890,841
includes pipe organ 91,553 89,321
Contents 106,888 104,282
Burial ground at Western Way, Melksham.Nomeaningful valueis available soithasnot
been includedInthe Statement of AssetsAndLiabilities
Manse at 102 Linnet Lane, Melksham. £250,000 purchase pricein April 2019
Latest estate agent evaluation at April 2024 £300,000
Purchasedinconjunction with West of EnglandBaptistTrust Company,
who,when loan repaid,will hold a 60%interestinthe property

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church
Notes to the Accounts
For the Year Ended 31 March 2024
1. Accounting Policies
a. Accounting convention
The accountshave beenprepared underthehistoricalcost conventionandrecorded onaReceipts and
Payments basis.
2024 2023
2. Ministry
Minister's Stipend andEmployers costs 12 12 29,529
Expenses 285 285 2,097
PreachingFees 980 980 120
1,277 31,746
3.Church Life
Worshipmaterials 110 110 270
Developingfaith& community support 35 35 58
Flowers 40 40 24
JuniorChurch 45 45 28
Catering 202 202 323
Piano & Organtuning 0 0 0
Donations 9 857 857 50
Subscriptions 252 252 216
OthercostsincAssembly 30 30 285
1,572 1,254
4. Premises
Manse 10,601 10,601 3,573
Repairs,Renewals andImprovements 728 728 3,432
Heat andLight 3,450 3,450 2,656
Water Rates 178 178 103
Insurances 3,508 3,508 2,842
Cleaning 422 422 356
Equipment & depreciation 2,100 2,100 765
20,986 13,727
5. Administration
Printing & stationery 471 471 214
Telephones 0 0 0
Audit & accountancy 110 110 100
ITcosts &musiclicences 901 901 881
Loan repayments 11,200 11,200 9,000
Other 252 252 360
12,934 10,555
6. Other Causes and Mission
HomeMission 2,197 2,197 1,350
BMSWorldMission 2,868 2,868 1,446
MAF 91 91 60
Alabaré (Action on Homelessness) 341 341 349
Bible Society 80 80 70
Spurgeon'sHomes 323 323 412
Christian Aid 760 760 628
LeprosyMission 50 50 0
Bristol Baptist College 0 0 0
Melksham FoodBank 75 75 190
TWAM 245 245 0
Cancer Appeals 50 50 0
Stewardship (H. Wood) 0 0 0
MFoCBlessMelksham 0 0 0
CrisisFund 170 170 56
Other(2024:CSW& SU) 165 165 70
7,414 4,631

Melksham Baptist Church TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

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Melksham Baptist Church

Additional Notes For the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church Melksham Baptist Church
Additional Notes
For the Year Ended 31 March 2024
7.Investmentincomeisfromthe"Ann Tyler/Rushall" Fund, administered byWEBA,
the proceeds of whichare divided among 3Baptist churches of which we are one.
8. Propertyincomeisfrom letting of halls (£5,866) andletting of mansefromJune (£9,997)
9.Church LifeDonations:£857donatedfromunrestrictedfund toHomeMissionandBMS
toraise % of receivedfunds donated toBaptistmissioncauses
10.£6,000 transferredfromunrestrictedfund torestorelevelof ReserveFund
11. Short termdepositiswith Baptist UnionCorporation, 3mth notice account
12.Mission Payments due to bemade £
HomeMission 89.56
BMS 111.50
BMSB'day 10.00
MAF 51.00
Alabare 29.00
Spurgeons 10.00
TWAM 10.00
CrisisFund 198.18 (CFwd)
£509.24
13.WEBTrustLoan is £100,000 toward purchase of Mansein April 2020, to berepaid over 10 years
14. BaptistPensionSchemeLiabilities
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