Charity registration number SC007105 (Scotland) Alexander Sloan Accountants and Business Advisers ## **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** **ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** |**Trustees**||| |---|---|---| |||(Appointed 23 May 2024)| |**Charity number (Scotland)**|SC007105|| |**Principal address**||| |**Website address**|www.newtonmearnsbaptist.org.uk|| |**Independent examiner**||| ||Alexander Sloan LLP|| ||Accountants and Business Advisers|| ||180 St Vincent Street|| ||Glasgow|| ||G2 5SG|| |**Bankers**|Bank of Scotland|| ||167 - 201 Argyle Street|| ||Glasgow|| ||G2 8BU|| |**Solicitors**|Holmes Mackillop|| ||109 Douglas Street|| ||Glasgow|| ||G24HB|| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **CONTENTS** ||**Page**| |---|---| |Trustees' report|1 - 3| |Independent examiner's report|4| |Statement of financial activities|5-6| |Balance sheet|7| |Notes to the financial statements|8- 23| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard ap pl icable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". ## **Objectives and activities** ## **Aims and Affiliation** The aims of the church, which is congregational in policy and a member church of the Baptist Union of Scotland, are as follows: - to worship together in Spirit and in Truth; - to build the members up in the faith; - to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and action. ## **Achievements and performance** Significant highlights, events and developments of note in the year include the following: ## **In relation to activities:** - Elders and Deacons continued to meet regularly for the purpose of advising, assessing and directing the spiritual welfare of the church members. - The church has a membership of 293. Sunday morning services, Sunday evening services, and a midweek Wednesday midday service, took place during the year at the church's Greenfarm Road location, the church continuing to record, and make available on-line, its Sunday morning services, hosted on its YouTube channel. - Regular events continued at the church's Maidenhill location, the regular, weekly, Sunday morning services continuing throughout the year, and reflecting the church's "One church, two locations" structure. - Use of the church's social media platforms, specifically Facebook, lnstagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) to communicate with members, continued during the year. - The regular church member meetings were held. - House, and other Small, Groups met for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. - The prayer life of the church was encouraged through special prayer events. - Children's and young people's events and activities continued. - "Sonshine Kids", the church's long-running mothers and toddlers group met regularly on Friday mornings throughout the year. - Outreach to the local community, and beyond, in the form of Alpha courses, continued. - The "Renew Wellbeing" group continued, supporting people's mental and emotional wellbeing, and included a number of cafe evenings, and a Pickleball evening in May 2024. - A number of one-off events were organised during the year, open to all, including: Easter community event in Maidenhill, in April 2024; a social evening for parents and carers of children in the Mainly Music group, in May 2024; an afternoon of summer games and sports, called "Going for Gold" in Maidenhill, in June 2024; the "Towards the Goal" outreach sports event in June 2024; the "Deep Sea Divers" holiday club for children, and parallel Youth Club, both in August 2024; a Celtic Music evening, in August 2024; a "Pop-Up" activity event, in Maidenhill, putting on all-age activities, in September 2024; the Community Choir Summer, Autumn, and Christmas concerts; "Spark in the dark" in November 2024; an indoor Christmas Market, in December 2024; "Greenfarm Carols" and other advent events in December 2024; "Light up Maidenhill", in December 2024; ceilidh and quiz night in January 2025; Chinese New Year service, in February 2025; the "Big Brew" coffee morning, in March 2025; and a Youth Weekend in March 2025. - Both the "Oasis Cafe" (inside year-round) and "Cabin Cafe" (outside in the summer months) continued during the year, twice-weekly. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## Achievements and performance (continued) - Long-running outreach, friendship, and fellowship groups continued to meet regularly: "Knit & Natter", and the **NMBC** Art Group. - Support continued for the football team that competes in the Strathclyde Evangelical Churches Football League. - The continuation of "Conversation Cate" welcoming and offering practical help to individuals and families new to the community from Hong Kong. - The Mainly Music group continued, supported by an Empowering Local Communities Grant from The Asda Foundation, connecting the church with families of young children in the community. - Continued work of the Creation Care group. - The Community Choir, in partnership with The Voice Project, continued. - Running an Easter Code event for local school pupils in March 2025. - The church's work in its local area continued, augmented by the work of its Community Coordinator. - The reintroduction of the Mosaic programme, providing members and friends with the opportunity to get to know each other in small groups offering a wide range of activities. - A monthly Lego Club was started, in Maidenhill, in February 2025. - A Hardship Fund, set up shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to be used during the year, to address cases of local, national, or international hardship, recipients of support being individuals, groups, and organisations. - Continued financial support for mission in the UK, and abroad, and local community groups such as Back to Schoolbank East Renfrewshire, and East Renfrewshire Larder. - Continued liaison with East Renfrewshire Council, and other associated bodies. - Continuing partnerships, and/or engagement, with para-church groups such as the Baptist Union of Scotland, BMS World Mission, Evangelical Alliance, Glasgow City Mission, International Justice Mission UK, Transform Trade, and Tearfund. - Running, again, the Adventure Trail in December 2024, for local schools. - Delivering assemblies in local schools. ## **Financial review** ## **Principal sources of funding** The church receives its funding from church members by way of regular offerings and Gift Aid donations. ## **Results for the year** Per the Statement of Financial Activities, the church reported Net Expenditure (i.e. a Deficit) for the year of £53,148 (2024 - Surplus £58,713). At 31 March 2025, the church had total funds of £1,506,327 of which £1,091,026 (72.4%) was "tied up" in investments and equipment. ## **Reserves policy** It is the policy of the church to maintain Unrestricted Funds, i.e. funds not committed or invested in fixed assets, at a level which equates to approximately three months of committed unrestricted expenditure. This allows sufficient funds to enable the ongoing committed work of the church to be maintained. Per the Statement of Financial Activities, the church's Unrestricted Funds at 31 March 2025 amounted to £1,129,901 of which the Trustees have designated £1,080,650 as detailed in note 22, thereby leaving the church with free reserves of £49,251 (2024 - £59,925) which was acceptable to the Trustees. ## **Risk management** The Trustees, Elders and Deacons consider major risks to which the charity is exposed on an ongoing basis, to establish procedures to mitigate any identified. ## **Grant Making Policy** The church makes grants from its income to individuals and organisations that are generally known to the Trustees and the church. The beneficiaries are involved in activities or ministries compatible with the church's objectives. ## **Structure, governance and management** Newton Mearns Baptist Church is a Scottish Charity (SC007105) established by Constitution. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: (Resigned 23 May 2024) (Appointed 23 May 2024) ## **Trustees and Office Bearers** For the purpose of charity law, the Trustees of the church are also the charity's Trustees. The Trustees comprise the church Treasurer (ex officio) and three other appointed Trustees, one each from the Elders and Deacons and one from the church's current membership. Prior to their appointment, all Trustees would have served the church for some time in various roles and would be familiar with the church's values, its aims and objectives as well as its dayto-day operations. As part of their induction programme, new Trustees serve voluntarily and are required to understand their statutory responsibilities. ## **Organisational structure** The Trustees are responsible for the church's overall direction and governance and delegate the day to day running of the church to appointed individuals. ## **Key management personnel** Given their roles as described above, the Trustees consider themselves as the charity's key management personnel, in charge of directing and controlling the charity and overseeing its daily activities. No remuneration is paid to the Trustees. ## **Independent Examiner** continued as independent examiner of the Charity as the designated Partner of Alexander Sloan LLP, Accountants & Business Advisers responsible for this engagement. The Directors recommend that he remain in office as independent examiner until further notice. The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees. ## **Trustee** 21 September 2025 **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 23. ## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner** The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's statement** My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the financial statements, and seeks explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: - (i) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and - (ii) to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; have not been met or - (b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Alexander Sloan LLP Accountants and Business Advisers 180 St Vincent Street Glasgow G25SG 26/9/2025 Dated: ......................... **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ |**Current financial year**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**general**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**designated**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**Notes**
£
£
£
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
422,273
8,587
Charitable activities
**4**
11,630
Other trading activities
**5**
7,752
Investments
**6**
2,025
**Total income**
443,680
8,587
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
**7**
4,058
Charitable activities
**8**
414,296
75,850
11,211
**Total expenditure**
418,354
75,850
11,211
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
**14**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
25,326
(75,850)
(2,624)
Transfers between funds
(36,000)
36,000
**Net movement in funds**
**12**
(10,674)
(39,850)
(2,624)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
59,925
1,120,500
379,050
**Fund balances at 31 March 2025**
49,251
1,080,650
376,426|**Total**
**2025**
£
430,860
11,630
7,752
2,025
452,267
4,058
501,357
505,415
(53,148)
(53,148)
1,559,475
1,506,327|**Total**
**2024**
£
413,894
8,219
8,469
109| |---|---|---| |||430,691| |||4,482
404,476| |||408,958| |||36,980| |||58,713| |||58,713
1,500,762| |||1,559,475| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The notes on pages 8 to 23 form part of these financial statements. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ |**Prior financial year**
**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**designated**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**Notes**
£
£
£
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
413,744
150
Charitable activities
**4**
8,219
Other trading activities
**5**
8,469
Investments
**6**
109
**Total income**
430,541
150
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
**7**
4,482
Charitable activities
**8**
376,475
24,515
3,486
**Total expenditure**
380,957
24,515
3,486
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**14**
36,980
**Net income/(expenditure)**
49,584
(24,515)
33,644
Transfers between funds
(210,000)
210,000
**Net movement in funds**
**12**
(160,416)
185,485
33,644
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
220,341
935,015
345,406
**Fund balances at 31 March 2024**
59,925
1,120,500
379,050|**Total**
**2024**
£
413,894
8,219
8,469
109| |---|---| ||430,691| ||4,482
404,476| ||408,958| ||36,980| ||58,713| ||58,713
1,500,762| ||1,559,475| The notes on pages 8 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **BALANCE SHEET** ## _**AS AT 31 MARCH 2025**_ |**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**`16`**
Investment property
**`15`**
**Current assets**
Debtors falling due after one year
**`17`**
Debtors falling due within one year
**`17`**
Cash at bank andinhand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**`18`**
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**The funds of the charity**
Restrictedincomefunds
**`20`**
Unrestricted funds - general
**`21`**
Unrestricted funds - designated
**`22`**|**`2025`**
£
£
937,846
153,180
1,091,026
173,195
8,973
238,047
420,215
(4,914)
415,301
1,506,327
376,426
49,251
1,080,650
1,506,327|**`2024`**
£
£
964,374
153,180
1,117,554
173,195
10,131
263,414
446,740
(4,819)
441,921
1,559,475
379,050
59,925
1,120,500
1,559,475|**`2024`**
£
£
964,374
153,180
1,117,554
173,195
10,131
263,414
446,740
(4,819)
441,921
1,559,475
379,050
59,925
1,120,500
1,559,475| |---|---|---|---| ||||1,117,554
441,921| ||||1,559,475| ||||379,050
59,925
1,120,500| ||||1,559,475| The notes on pages 8 to 23 form part of these financial statements. The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 21 September 2025 Trustee Trustee NEwfoN MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accounting policies Charity information Nevrton Mearns Ba tist Church is a re istered Scottish Charity (No. SC007105). The church's Offi￿ address 1.1 Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepared in acC￿danCe with the charity's governing document, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005, the Chartties Accounts (Scolland) Regulations 2006, FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Chartties: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordanee with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The chaiity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not lo prepare a statement of cash flows. The financial ststements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the chanty. Monetary amounts in these finanaal ststements are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accountirvJ policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going concem At the time of approving the financial statements. the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concem. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 1.3 Charitable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in fvrtherance of their charitsble objectives. Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the Trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated fvnds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or granters as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. 1.4 Income Income is recognised when the charity is legally entsUed to it after any perfonnance condrtions have been met. the amunts can be measured reliably. and it is prOba￿e that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless perfonnance condrtions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation. Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise rf the charity has been notffied of an impending distrtbution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **(Continued)** ## **Gift Aid** Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the respective donation has been recognised and the recoverable amount of income tax can be measured reliably; this is normally when the donor has completed the relevant Gift Aid declaration form. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is a !located to the same Fund as the respective donation unless specified by the donor. ## **Income from Charitable Activities** Income from charitable activities includes income earned both from the supply of goods or services under contractual arrangements and from performance-related grants which have conditions that specify the provision of particular goods or services to be provided by the charity. Income from charitable activities is recognised as earned (as the related goods or services are provided). ## **Income from other trading activities** Income from other trading activities includes income earned from both trading activities to raise funds for the charity and income from fundraising events and is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that these will be received and the amounts can be measured reliably. ## **Investment income** Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. ## **1.5 Expenditure** Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Liabilities are measured on recognition at historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. The exception is that certain financial instruments must be adjusted to their present value; these include financial liabilities where settlement is deferred for more than 12 months after the reporting date. A II expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. ## **Raising Funds** Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by a charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes. It includes the costs of all fundraising activities and events together with those costs incurred in seeking donations, grants and legacies and investment management costs. ## **Charitable activities** Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by the charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. The costs of charitable activities presented in the Statement of Financial Activities includes the costs of both direct service provision and the payments of grant awards if ap pl icable. ## **Grant expenditure** Grants payable are made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objects. The award of a grant is recognised as a liability only when the criteria for a constructive obligation are met, payment is probable, it can be measured reliably and there are no conditions attaching to its payment that limit recognition. NEwfoN MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accountlng pollcies (Contlnued) Governance costs Govemance costs {which are included as a component of support costs in accordance wth SORP) comprise costs involving the public accountabilty of the charity and tts compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs indude those related to constitutiond and statutory requirements, extemal scrutiny (audit or independent examination). strategic managemen( and other legal and professional fees. Irrecoverable VAT Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading fOr￿ICh it was incurred. Taxation The church is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is therefore not subject to taxation on its charitable activities. 1.6 Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation arKI any Impalm￿nI losses. The church building is stated at cosL Depreciation is provided at the annual rate of 2% straight line. No depreciation has been provided on the church's land. The church's residential properties are stated at valuation as at 31 March 2021 on whith no depreciation has been applied. Equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreaation. cost of minor additions or those costing below £5,000 are not capitalised. Depreciation is prOv￿ed to write off the cost of equipment over their useful lives. The gain or loss arising on the dis￿SaI of an asset is determined as the drfFerence be￿een the sale proceeds and the carying value of the asset. and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. 1.7 Impalmient of flxed assets At eadi repo￿ng end date. the charity revievts the cwrying amounts of its tangible assets to detennine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairnent loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss Irf any). 1.8 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments wtth original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 1.9 Financial instruments The chajity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments. and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the chartty becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilf(ies are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enfor￿able right to set off the recoJnised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **(Continued)** ## _**Basic financial assets**_ Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. ## **Other financial assets** Investments in the equity of residential properties are initially measured at the transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at fair value which is taken as the open market value of the investment. ## _**Basic financial liabilities**_ Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. ## **Other financial liabilities** Concessionary Loans given are initially measured at cost and adjusted in subsequent years to reflect repayment and any impairment. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. ## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_ Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. ## **1.10 Employee benefits** The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the em pl oyment of an em pl oyee or to provide termination benefits. ## **1.11 Retirement benefits** Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. The charity participates in the Baptist Pension Scheme where retirement benefits to employees of the church are funded by contributions from all participating members of the scheme. Payments are made in accordance with periodic calculations by consulting actuaries and are based on pension costs applicable across all the participating churches, taken as a whole. The church accounts for this scheme as a defined benefit pension scheme in accordance with FRS 102. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. ## **3 Income from donations and legacies** |**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**`2025`**
**`2025`**
£
£
Donations and gifts
410,273
8,587
Legacies
12,000
422,273
8,587
**Donations and gifts**
Open offerings
127,728
Gift Aid offerings and
donations
208,014
Income tax recovered
54,619
Earmarked gifts
4,826
3,587
Anonymous giving
14,639
Hardship fund
5,000
Other
447
410,273
8,587
**Legacies**
Cedar Charitable Trust
12,000
12,000|**Total Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**`2025`**
**`2024`**
**`2024`**
£
£
£
418,860
413,744
150
12,000
430,860
413,744
150
127,728
78,051
208,014
254,456
150
54,619
54,727
8,413
26,510
14,639
5,000
447
418,860
413,744
150
12,000
12,000|**Total**
**`2024`**
£
413,894| |---|---|---| |||413,894| |||78,051
254,606
54,727
26,510| |||413,894| |||| |||| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **4 Income from charitable activities** ||**`2025`**|**`2024`**| |---|---|---| ||£|£| |Letting income|10,830|8,219| |Other income|800|| ||11,630|8,219| ## **`5` Income from other trading activities** |**`5`**|**Income from other trading activities**||| |---|---|---|---| |||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**| |||**funds**|**funds**| |||**`2025`**|**`2024`**| |||£|£| ||Fundraising events||413| ||Oasis Cate donations|7,752|8,056| ||Other trading activities|7,752|8,469| |**6**|**Income from investments**||| |**7**|**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**`2025`**
£
**`2024`**
£
Interest receivable
2,025
109
**Raising funds**
**Unrestricted**Unrestricted
**funds**
funds
**general**
general
**`2025`**
£
2024
£
Costs
Oasis Cate expenditure
4,058
4,482
4,058
4,482| |---|---| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **8 Cost of charitable activities** |Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Premises costs
Running costs
Legal and professional
Interest and finance charges
Governance costs
Grant funding of activities (see note 9)
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds - general
Unrestricted funds - Designated funds
Restricted funds
**9**
**Grants payable**
Grants to institutions:
Baptist Union of Scotland
Scottish Baptist College
Evangelical Alliance
BMS World Mission
Sumy Church
Tearfund
Back to School Bank East Renfrewshire
The Voice Project
East Renfrewshire Carers
Scripture Union Scotland
Grants to individuals|**`2025`**
£
229,129
26,528
47,383
147,263
744
584
4,775
456,406
44,951
501,357
414,296
75,850
11,211
501,357
**`2025`**
£
12,306
1,600
282
500
20,953
200
565
645
1,900
38,951
6,000
44,951|**`2024`**
£
204,011
24,515
43,486
76,869
285
5,843| |---|---|---| |||355,009
49,467| |||404,476| |||376,475
24,515
3,486| |||404,476| |||**`2024`**
£
11,511
1,600
90
1,580
5,678
22,008
1,200| |||43,667
5,800| |||49,467| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **10 Trustees** None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. See also Note 25. ## **11 Employees** ## **Number of employees** The average monthly number of em pl oyees during the year was: |The average monthly number of em oyees during the year was:
pl|oyees during the year was::|| |---|---|---| ||**2025**|**2024**| ||**Number**|**Number**| |Total number|8|8| |**Employment costs**|**2025**|**2024**| ||£|£| |Wages and salaries|199,197|177,640| |Social security costs|11,887|9,257| |Other pension costs|18,045|17,114| ||229,129|204,011| There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more. |**12**|**Net income/(expenditure) for the year**||| |---|---|---|---| |||**2025**|**2024**| ||Net income/(expenditure) for the year is stated after charging:|£|£| ||Independent Examiner's Remuneration|4,775|5,843| ||Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets|26,528|24,515| ## **13 Taxation** The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is ap pl ied for charitable purposes. ## **14 Gains and losses on investments** ||**Restricted**|**Restricted**| |---|---|---| ||**funds**|**funds**| ||**2025**|**2024**| |Gains/(losses) arising on:|£|£| |Revaluation of investment properties||36,980| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **15 Investment** |**Investment**|| |---|---| ||**2025**| ||£| |**Fair value**|| |At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025|153,180| The Church has an interest in a residential property which it has security over. The property is owned and occupied by one of the church's pastors. The fair value of the investment has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation carried out at 22nd March 2024 by Allied Surveyors Scotland, who are not connected with the charity. The valuation was made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidence of ' transaction prices for similar properties. The below details the church s share in the residential properties, the attributable valuation as based on the church's share and the percentages held by the Designated Fund (Unrestricted) and the Padfield Downes Fund (Restricted). |
(Unrestricted) and the Padfield Downes|
Fund (Restricted).||| |---|---|---|---| |||**Held by**|**Held by**| ||**Valuation**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**| ||£|%|%| ||153,180||100.00%| |(33.3% share of ownership)|||| ||153,180||| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **16 Tangible fixed assets** |**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2024
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
**Depreciation and impairment**
At 1 April 2024
Depreciation charged in the year
Eliminated in respect of disposals
At 31 March 2025
**Carrying amount**
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
**Analysis of residential properties (at**
**Cost/Reva**I**uation)**
(36% share of ownership)|Land
£
125,000
125,000
125,000
125,000|**Church**
**Building**
£
1,149,630
1,149,630
490,344
22,993
513,337
636,293
659,286|**Restatement**
**Residential**
**Properties**
**Equipment**
**Total**
£
£
£
169,200
60,397
1,504,227
(26,300)
(26,300)
169,200
34,097
1,477,927
49,509
539,853
3,535
26,528
(26,300)
(26,300)
26,744
540,081
169,200
7,353
937,846
169,200
10,888
964,374
**Held by**
**Held by**
**Valuation**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
£
%
%
169,200
100.00%
169,200| |---|---|---|---| The church has part ownership of a residential property which is also part owned and occupied by one of the ' church's Pastors. Following part disposal of the church s share in the residential property at (included within Investments note 11) to one of the church Pastors during the year ended 31 March 2024, both residential properties were revalued by Allied Surveyors Scotland on 22 March 2024 and their valuations reflected in the financial statements at 31 March 2024. The above details the church's share in the residential properties, the attributable valuation as based on the church's share and the percentages held by the Designated Fund (Unrestricted) and the Padfield Downes Fund (Restricted). NEwfoN MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 17 Debtors 2025 2024 Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors (including recoverable Income Tax} Prepayments and accrued income 4,078 4,895 4.631 8,973 10,131 2025 2024 Amounts falling due after more than one year. Concessionary loan 173,195 173.195 Total debtors 182,168 183.326 Coneessionary loan of £173,195 (2024 - £173,195) represents the balance arising on the sale b the church durin the ear ended 31 March 2011 (for deferred consideration! of the Isoneo urc omier as ors. During the year to 31 March 2025. the above propety purchased at security over the propety. was sold and the loan was transferred to the new The church holds 18 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2025 2024 Accruals arKI defe￿ed inccKne 4,914 4.819 19 Retirement benefit schemes 2025 2024 Defined contribution schemes Charge to profft or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 13,394 12,864 The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separatdy from those of the charity in irKlependently administered funds. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **20 Restricted funds** The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. ||**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Gains and**|**At 31 March**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**2024**|**resources**|**expended**|**losses**|**2025**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Padfield Downes Building Fund|271,957||||271,957| |Revaluation Reserve|95,947||||95,947| |Thank Offering Fund|7,450|3,587|(11,037)||| |Hardship Fund|3,696|5,000|(174)||8,522| ||379,050|8,587|(11,211)||376,426| |**Previous year:**|**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Gains and**|**At 31 March**| ||**2023**|**resources**|**expended**|**losses**|**2024**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Padfield Downes Building Fund|271,957||||271,957| |Revaluation Reserve|58,967|||36,980|95,947| |Thank Offering Fund|10,131|150|(2,831)||7,450| |Hardship Fund|4,351||(655)||3,696| ||345,406|150|(3,486)|36,980|379,050| ## **Purposes of Restricted Funds** ## **Padfield Downes Building Fund** The Padfield Downes Building Fund was formed from the residual sale proceeds of a heritable property known as which was held by the church's former Padfield Downes Memorial Fund for the purposes of Christian evangelism, enterprise, education and research and originally established by a Deed of Variation on the will of Mrs Dorothy Padfield Downes by her son, Thomas Alan Padfield Downes, on 18 October 1991. The property was sold on 16 March 1999 and the proceeds have been used for various purposes, considered consistent with the purposes of the Padfield Downes Memorial Fund, since this date. The Fund includes a Revaluation Reserve arising from the proportion of the revaluation uplift arising as at valuation on 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2024 of the church's residential properties that are held by the Padfield Downes Building Fund. ## **Thank Offering Fund** Represents donations given primarily to support the church's outreach work in the new housing area known as Maidenhill, Newton Mearns. The Fund was expended as at 31 March 2025. ## **Hardship Fund** Represents donations given specifically to support the community of Newton Mearns Baptist Church initially in response to the Coronavirus pandemic crisis. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **21 Unrestricted funds** The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Trustees for specific purposes: ||**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**2024**|**resources**|**expended**||**2025**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |General funds|59,925|443,680|(418,354)|(36,000)|49,251| |**Previous year:**|**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**| ||**2023**|**resources**|**expended**||**2024**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |General funds|220,341|430,541|(380,957)|(210,000)|59,925| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **22 Unrestricted funds - designated** These are the designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Trustees for specific purposes: |Designated Assets Fund
Revaluation Reserve
Property Fund
Capital Fund
**Previous year:**
Designated Assets Fund
Revaluation Reserve
Property Fund
Capital Fund|**At 1 April**
**2024**
**Resources**
**expended**
£
£
889,232
(26,528)
21,268
40,000
(49,322)
170,000
1,120,500
(75,850)
**At 1 April**
**2023**
**Resources**
**expended**
£
£
913,747
(24,515)
21,268
935,015
(24,515)|**Transfers**
**At 31 March**
**2025**
£
£
862,704
21,268
36,000
26,678
170,000
36,000
1,080,650
**Transfers**
**At 31 March**
**2024**
£
£
889,232
21,268
40,000
40,000
170,000
170,000
210,000
1,120,500| |---|---|---| ## **Purposes of Designated Funds** ## **Designated Assets Fund** The Designated Assets Fund represents the net book value of the church's building, manses and equipment, but excluding the church's shares in manses that are held by the Padfield Downes Building Fund (Restricted). The Fund includes the Revaluation Reserve arising on the revaluation of the church's manses on 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2024 in which the church has interests. ## **Property Fund** The Property Fund represents ear-marked funds set aside for property repairs and maintenance. ## **Capital Fund** The Capital Fund represents ear-marked funds set aside for capital spend in the future. **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **23 Analysis of net assets between funds** |**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**designated**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**At 31 March 2025:**
£
£
£
Tangible assets
768,646
169,200
Investment properties
153,180
Current assets/(liabilities)
49,251
312,004
54,046
49,251
1,080,650
376,426
**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**designated**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
£
£
£
**At 31 March 2024:**
Tangible assets
795,174
169,200
Investment properties
153,180
Current assets/(liabilities)
59,925
325,326
56,670
59,925
1,120,500
379,050|**Total**
**2025**
£
937,846
153,180
415,301| |---|---| ||1,506,327| ||**Total**
**2024**
£
964,374
153,180
441,921| ||1,559,475| **NEWTON MEARNS BAPTIST CHURCH** **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ ## **24 Retirement benefit obligations** The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme ("the Scheme"), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers Pension Fund, started in 1925. At the beginning of the financial year, the scheme comprised of a defined benefits scheme which was closed to future accrual on 31 December 2011 and a defined contribution plan which was opened in January 2012. The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers. For the current financial year, the pension provision for members of the Scheme is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members' Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited. Furthermore, members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%. In October 2024, the insurance company Just Group completed a buy out of the liabilities of the closed defined benefit scheme. From that date any remaining liability of the participating scheme members to defined benefit scheme ceased and the £1 per month deficit contributions payable by the participating employers which were agreed in the recovery plan approved in August 2022 also ceased from that date. Administration of the closed defined benefit scheme transferred from the pension trustees to Just Group from that date. ## **Movement in Balance Sheet liability** Section 28.11A of FRS 102 requires agreed deficit recovery payments to be recognised as a liability. The present value of the agreed deficit contributions were immaterial at the beginning of the financial year and were fully extinguished once buy out was completed by Just Group in October 2024. The church's total pension cost for the year ended 31 March 2025 was £4,651 (2024: £4,400). ## **Defined contribution pension scheme** The church also contributed employer contributions totalling £4,872 to Aviva for one employee (2024 - £4,346), £2,035 to True Potential for one employee (2024 - £3,771) and £6,487 to Aegon for three employees (2024 - £4,250, two employees). ## **25 Related party transactions** There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).