Banbridge Baptist Church The Trustees present their Annua5 Report of the charity for the year ended 31" December 2022. Purpose The principal purpose of the charity IS the promotion and advancement of Christianity based on New Testament principles as found in the Christian Bible. Achievements and Performance The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on the provision of public benefit and are confident that Banbridge Baptist Church fully satisfied this requirement throughout 2022 through its activities. In 2022 Banbridge Baptist Church was able to resume its full range of community activities albeit the 'livestreaming' of services that was brought in as a way of continuing the purpose of the Church during the Covid pandemic has continued and prospered. This has greatly benefitted some parishioners who have issues such as mobility problems etc., and also because a diverse group of people not connected with the Church including a significant number from overseas are regularly joining or later viewing the services. The Church's social media site received roughly 1000 hits each week. The various departments of the Church have also fully resumed their programs. On Sunday's we have the Sunday School, Bible Class and Youth Fellowship for the children and young people. We also have the Good News Club on a Tuesday night which has 70 children enrolled. The Friday night Youth Club also has resumed. The Church also facilitates a Parents and Toddlers meeting every Tuesday morning to enable socialisation and support to be provided. There are also a number of regular monthly meetings with a craft class, a Woman's Fellowship meeting, the Fellowship Hour takes place on a Tuesday afternoon and 15 intended to provide a social gathering for those no longer in full time employment. The Torch Fellowship also meets monthly on a Saturday and is intended to provide a venue for those who are blind or with sight impairment to meet and socialise. Banbridge Baptist Church was able to resume the normal summer activities which included the Holiday Bible Club over the I" week in August 2022. Some 90 children along with 40 odd helpers were involved each evening. In September 2022 Banbridge Baptist Church hosted the annual missionary convention week with 6 Missionary Societies giving reports. There were also a number of additional missionary reports throughout the year. The purpose of these meetings was to give members the opportunity to receive the work of missions both here in Northern Ireland and further afield. Visitation of the sick, con501ation and support of members suffering bereavement continued in 2022 as the Pastorfs along with others within the Fellowship sought to provide pastoral support and comfort to those in need. Reference and Administrative Detsils of the Charity, the Trustees and Advlsers Charity name. Banbridge Baptist Church Church Address 23 Kenlis Street, Banbridge. BT32 3LR
Email support@banbridgebaptist.co.uk Website htt www.banbrid eba tist.co.uk Trustees The Charity Trustees comprise of some of the members of the Church Oversight Committee Inamely the Pastor and Elderfs} along with some Custodian Trustees. Note- All male members of the Church are eligible for elections as deacons at the annual AGM. Excluding the Pastor anyone intending to serve as an Elder must be serving deacon at the time of the election. The Pastor seNe5 for the period of their pastorate. Elders serve for life however they allow their names to go forward for revalidation every 5 years. Any trustee who serves as a deacon will serve for a period of 3 years before being subject to re-election. The Church's Constitution requires a quorum of members to be present at any constituted meeting. The constitution also requires a two thirds majority of those voting for the appointment of Pastors, Elders, or transactions involving property. Attendance at the Annual General Meeting or at any 'Special Members Meeting, is open to all church members. Inductlon and Training of Trustees. Following appointment each newly appointed Trustee receives an induction pack containing copies of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland publication-'Running Your Charity,. Trustees are also encouraged to access further information available on the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland website. 5t The Trustees in office at 31 December 2022 and on the date of signing this report were: _ J Taylor Pastor l Brown S Price C Buchanan S Gamble Church Treasurer K Ache50n G Beck M Harland Church Secretary W Gribben Payment to Trustees No Trustee received payment for undertaking trustee duties. Payments to the Pastor and Assistant Pastor relate to expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of pastor. Were Trustees purchase items on behalf of the Charity these costs may be reimbursed.
Custodian Trustees Premises owned by the Church are held under trust by 'Custodian Trustees, whose role is to hold the property assets of the Church. Custodian Trustees do not serve on the Oversight unless also elected to the Office of Deacon or Elder. Advisors Bankers. Dan5ke Bank- 33-39 Bridge Street, Banbridge BT32 3SL Independent Examiner. Mr Malcolm Mcclean Insurance Adviser. T L Dalla5 {Nl) Ltd - 63 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6SA Solicitors. Trevor McBurney & Co. 11 Downshire Place, Banbridge BT32 3DF Structure, governance and management Banbridge Baptist Church is constituted by a Trust Deed in 1845 as an unincorporated association and is an independent Fellowship with no affiliations to any other Church of Association. It is governed by its Constitution with the most recent version being adopted by the members on 9 October 2019. th Banbridge Baptist Church is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, number NIC107359 refers. Management The Trustees continue to meet regularly, either physical or via zoom, to discuss the work of the Church, and to make decisions concerning the regular activities within the Church, also Church outreach activities. Matters are reported to Church members via the Annual General Meeting of the Church. At the AGM reports regarding the work of the Church are outlined to the members and the annual accounts are presented for scrutiny. Matter5 requiring approval of a Members Meeting are decided by majority vote apart from appointment of Elders or a Pastor which requires a 213 majority. In the event of a tie the Chairman of the Members Meeting has a casting vote. Approval at a Church Members Meeting is required for significant projects, such as a building programme, prior to commencing any major new undertaking. rds Volunteers play a key role in the various Departments of the Church. It is not possible to quantify this support as much is done behind the scenes. However, Banbridge Bapt15t Church could not function as it does without the volunteerfs faithful support. Risk Management The Trustees have conducted an assessment of the risks to which the charity is exposed and have reviewed systems and procedures to mitigate such risks. Risk assessments covering area5 such as fire protection, health and safety and the protertion of children, young persons and vulnerable adults are ongoing processes that are reviewed annually. A child Safeguarding officer has been appointed along with an officer to review Health and Safety issues for the Church. The reports of the child safeguarding officer and the health and safety officer are standing agenda items at the monthly Trustee meetings. Data Protection
Banbridge Baptist Church is registered with the Information Commissioners Office. Church membership records are encrypted and held by the Data Protection OfFicer with encrypted backups stored separately. Personal information held relates to the activities conducted by each department operating under the auspices of Banbridge Baptist Church. This data is disposed of securely when no longer required. The Trustees are satisfied that the levels of information held by each department are appropriate to fulfil the need to operate in accordance with both GDPR and the Church's Child Protection Policies. Financial Review The Church is funded by voluntary gifts and donations with use being made of the Gift Aid scheme. The Banbridge Baptist Church does not seek funds from other sources. Income for 2022 increased to £231,024 which is a1£68,295.00 or) 42Yo increase on the previous year but this largely accounted for by the repayment of a £57,500.00 housing loan to a former assistant Pastor. Note- there is also a cash asset of £240,000.00 from the sale of the manse in 2019. An amount of £18,416 in respect of Gift Aid was recovered from HRMC. This is an increase of over £4000 on last year but is due to increased offerings Expenditure for the year was £22,312 higher at £178,602 resulting in a surplus for the year of £52,521. This increase is accounted for by the repayment of a housing loan las outlined above) by our former assistant Pastor. The Church had no other liabilities or commitments. The Church uses Restricted and Unrestricted Funds in its accounting policies. Restricted Funds are used for money donated to the Church for specific purposes e.g. Missions, Youth Ministries etc. Unrestricted Funds from general offerin8s are used for all other purposes. Any shortfalls in the Restricted Funds are made up by transfers from the Unrestricted Funds. Reserve Policy A policy on reserves has been reviewed and agreed by Trustees. The income of the Church is stable, and the risk of a sudden significant reduction in income is regarded as unlikely. In the event of an unexpected financial need the Trustees are confident that members would respond accordingly. The Trustees are satisfied that a figure equating to approximately two month's expenditure is an appropriate level of reserve balances at the present time. Cash balance at year end exceeded the level of Reserve required. Funds Held as Custodian Trustees on behalf of others. Banbridge Baptist Church does not hold any funds as Custodian Trustees on behalf of others. Signed on behalf of the Trustees S Gamble M Harland Date 21october 2023 Treasurer Secretary