ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER: SC008794
Henderson Black & Co
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS, ST ANDREWS
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
Scottish Charity Number – SC008794
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ annual report | 1 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 10 |
| Notes forming part of the Financial Statements | 11 - 19 |
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 August 2024
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 10 and 11 to the accounts and comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland effective 1 January 2019 (FRS 102).
Objectives and Activities
The aims of the Church, which is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Scotland, are to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ within the community, and to support its spread locally, nationally and internationally by all means consistent with the teachings of the Christian Bible including worship, ministry, mission, prayer, witness, education, community service and the support of agencies and individuals and other charitable organisations involved in Christian missionary work, together with the relief of poverty or other social needs.
Each year we, as a church, aim to fulfil our aims by carrying out various ministries or activities. These ministries are mainly focused around the themes of “Growing”, “Caring” and “Sharing” as three main areas of our priorities as we seek to live for Jesus, the King of Kings.
The year 2023-2024 was themed as the year of “Growing in and by the Word of God.” At our Annual Church Meeting in November 2023, the church was asked to back this focus, which saw the production of a booklet of guidelines containing a variety of ways in which we encouraged folks to engage with the Scriptures as the life and mission of the church germinates from the Word of God.
Our main gatherings remain centred around services on Sunday for Christian worship where we are being ministered to. We gather every Sunday morning and evening. Children attend the first quarter of our morning services before leaving and being ministered to at their appropriate levels through various activities for the remaining three quarters of the service. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who are fully disclosure-checked and who have gone through all our safeguarding policies. These volunteers look after and teach this growing number of children (including those in the Creche) in our church. Grown-up children (aged P7 to S6) are divided into two groups called Rooted (P7-S2) and Impact (S3-S6). Besides their attendance on Sunday morning services, they also meet on Sunday evenings separately from the rest of the adults who attend the Sunday evening services. As said last year, these two groups are run by volunteers in a joint collaboration with some sister churches within our town. This helps us also foster to some degree our ecumenical ethos with other churches and para-church Christian organisations.
Throughout the week, we run various ministries within and outwith our premises. These include: Tots+ (a ministry for toddlers/children and their parents/grandparents/guardians); Sticky Saints (an after school club for children and their parents); Home groups (including groups for students – undergraduates and postgraduates – for a time of prayer, Bible studies, teaching, discipleship, spiritual nourishment, storytelling, mutual encouragement, pastoral care, and strengthening the bonds with one another). Various practical helps and supports are also offered in these gatherings to those struggling with various issues and challenges including mental health.
We also run once a month a Lunchtime Communion Service (with a bowl of soup and tea/coffee offered afterwards). Another ministry we run is Stitch & Blether . Like the Lunchtime Communion Service, Stitch & Blether is a walk-in ministry open to anyone. Both these ministries are designed to combat loneliness and isolation, especially among elderly people. They provide spaces for folks to socialise besides singing, praying and listening to God’s Word / Bible stories and personal stories.
We also run a few ministries to meet some spiritual and social needs in our community by conducting every two weeks a service at a Nursing Care Home (Balnacarron) and once in a while at St Andrews Care House, as well as a service called “Hope @ the Hub” every week at St David’s Centre.
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 August 2024
As a church, we continue to enjoy our partnership through gifts, donations, prayers, and exchange of news with many local and overseas ministries. Just to name but a few, we have in mind here the ministry of Young Life International, Friends International, Parish Nursing Scheme (called Pilgrim Care), The St Andrews Holiday Club, Families First, Kingdom 2000 (K2), Open Doors, Tearfund, Christian Aid, BMS World Mission, Wycliffe Bible Translators, The Arab World Media (via the Lyons), World Gospel Mission (via the Coppedges), YWAM, MAF, Just Love, Hope for Tomorrow’s Generation (in Romania), Alexandria Baptist Church in Romania, The Squeeze, Evangelical Alliance, The Christian Unions (UCCF), The Scottish Baptist College, Storehouse St Andrews Foodbank, and the Women’s Sexual Assault Support Group.
This year, we also partnered with the Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo by praying for/with and sponsoring our minister for two weeks of teaching and equipping ministry there.
The church continues to be governed by the Holy Spirit as we listen to the Word of God and to one another in our discussion and decision-making during our monthly meetings held by the church leadership (deacons and elders) and staff, as well as our quarterly church meetings or a special church meeting as need arises. Key decisions made at these meetings are normally in line with keeping into perspective the church vision.
Achievements and Performance
Time and space will not suffice to mention in detail all that has been done this year. All the achievements and performance are grounded in our continued quest for promoting and sharing the Gospel, i.e. Good News of Jesus Christ, among those who have heard it and have decided to follow Jesus, as well as among those who have not yet heard it or are hearing it again and again and have yet to make that decision to follow Jesus. We proclaim and share this exciting Good News to all, regardless of their ages and background. We make personal invitations to our families, neighbours, friends, and/or colleagues to come and listen to this Good News. As said in our report last year, we have made this invitation publicly to anyone passing by as we lifted up a banner in front of our church building that can be seen even from some distance with the following words in it: “Join us to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ”!
Besides this noble and sacred duty of promoting and proclaiming the Gospel, prayers have been offered on behalf of our members, all those who attend our services, our community and its surroundings, our nation and beyond. These prayers have been a vital support to all. Even though most of those who come through the doors of our church services and premises are transient, we have continued to enjoy the numeric growth of church attendance including a significant number of children.
The bulk of what has been done and what we continue to do as a church has been carried out by the leadership (elders and deacons) and the staff and numerous volunteers who are committed to give their time and talents, besides their financial gifts. A few rotas for meals were organised to help either a couple that has had a baby or someone/home that has gone through bereavement or recovering from illness/being discharged from hospital. A transport ministry that is well coordinated by a church member was put in place with a few volunteers to help give a lift to anyone needing such a help for either a dentist, optician or hospital appointment. These meals and transport ministries have been hugely appreciated by the beneficiaries and have been praised by those either at the hospital, dentist or optician or simply extended family/neighbours who have heard what has been done.
Besides these, numerous pastoral visits were done to meet some of the needs including spiritual ones. These visits were done to those who were in the hospital, bereaved, suffered loneliness and isolation, and those who faced hardship of some sort. Pastoral support to families, especially young families was also provided in various ways.
All that has been done has been prayerfully monitored by the leadership which has the duty of planning and overseeing the implementation of the planned activities by the staff and the numerous volunteers. Our quarterly and annual church meetings are appropriate platforms where both reports from various ministries are given and discussed, and major decisions related to the life and mission of the church are made. In a sense, these meetings are a way not only for us as a church to discern the directions of travels, but also places where accountability is sought for and shown.
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 August 2024
Another way through which we engage with our community, its surroundings and beyond is by live streaming our services. This ministry has been, is and will continue to be well received as many of our own folks, to begin with, who now cannot be physically present in our building due to various issues including health, aging, etc., are now able to follow the services either live or later on.
We had also enjoyed having a few people declaring publicly their faith by going through the water of baptism and/or joining officially the church as members. A few weddings were solemnised. We have people in our church who take time to go through pre-marital counselling sessions, lessons and teaching with any couple desiring to be married. This is a preventive action as we believe that a nation or a community is stronger when we have also strong marriages. Also, as said earlier, special offerings were collected for some of our mission partners mentioned in the previous section.
Among the many other achievements seen this year were the outdoors Christmas service where we sang Carols (or Christmas songs) and distributed hundreds of bags containing a few Christmas gifts for children and adults. As a result, at least one person who listened to these songs and was handed a bag started coming to church and is now ready to declare his faith publicly by being baptised! We have also started engaging with the folks who are coming to the Farmers Market which takes place every first Saturday of the month in the street where the church is. Ways we have been engaging with them include offering free use of toilets facilities; free tea/coffee/biscuits/cake to those who are selling things; and a free warm space for chat over free coffee/tea/biscuit/cake in a very good-looking refurbished room in our church building.
After running successfully last year the Sanctuary Mental Health Course , an eight-week course which provides an awareness of issues related to mental health, many folks who heard about it requested that we run it again. And we are pleased that this was done this year and has been very beneficial as we as a society in general and our community in particular face and journey with folks who are struggling with mental health challenges.
We revised and clarified our plan and desire to reach out intentionally and strategically the villages and towns around us where the Christian witness has been withdrawn by the closure of many churches belonging to other denominations. This plan is now awaiting its full implementation. However, some steps towards that have already started taking place.
We have also made significant progress in moving our constitution from the old one to the new one called SCIO – a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The charity SCIO registration was achieved on 25 September 2024 under the registration number SC053674 and the process is ongoing to transfer the unincorporated charity’s assets to the SCIO. At the time of signing both the unincorporated charity and the new SCIO have live entries on the OSCR register. This huge, demanding and daunting work has been mainly carried out by the sheer dedication of one particular member of the leadership team. What a blessing to have folks like him in our team.
Besides all the above, our main achievements and performance are done each year through our weekly gatherings for worship services – be it on our Sunday services or at our small groups. In those services we are empowered and equipped to be witnesses or to engage with our community and tackle the issues of our time such as conflicts, injustice, poverty, modern slavery, climate change, violence and domestic abuse, etc. We have been equipped and empowered as we listened to both the Word of God and to some of the stories from those who are in the mission fields, sung with our dedicated worship teams as singing is so good for the soul, prayed for various issues or being prayed for enablement. As prayer is the bedrock or a powerhouse for all that we do, we held various prayer meetings and continue to do so for our spiritual vigour and renewal to tackle whatever comes our way and fulfil our aims.
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 August 2024
Future plans
Future plans include the following:
-
Continue to empower and equip our folks to “Joining Jesus in His mission” in our given communities and beyond
-
Finish the work related to the change of our constitution.
-
Recruit new additional staff as a few have moved away.
-
Keep on carrying the business of implementing our outreach vision.
-
Actively engaging in finding more suitable premises for our various gatherings.
Financial review
Total income amounted to £223,363 (2023 - £227,898). The charity’s principal source of income is giving from members mainly by weekly offerings, standing orders and free will offerings. Total expenditure amounted to £224,084 (2023 - £228,220) of which £223,814 (2023 - £227,620) was on charitable activities as analysed at note 4 to the Accounts.
Total funds carried forward at the year end amounted to £1,876,117 (2023 - £1,830,304) including fixed assets of £1,752,769 (2023 - £1,726,672). £1,699,459 (2023 - £1,650,759) was unrestricted and £176,658 (2023 - £179,545) was restricted
Investment Policy and Performance
Surplus funds, from time to time, are placed in a deposit account which provides a competitive rate of interest. £1,642 (2023 - £621) of investment income was received in the year which the trustees regard as satisfactory.
Risk Management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those in relation to its operations and finances, and are satisfied that adequate systems are in place to mitigate any potential exposure to the charity.
Reserves Policy
It is the trustees’ policy to hold liquid reserves sufficient to cover at least six months’ future spending. At 31 August 2024, net liquid assets were £123,348 (2023 - £103,632) which meets the trustees’ target level and is considered adequate to meet future planned expenditure. Regular reviews of the reserves are carried out to ensure adequate funds are in place to meet all anticipated operational expenditure. If required, other planned expenditure, such as mission donations, may be deferred until adequate funds are available. Drawdown of funds held in the deposit account provides further support to meet general operational expenditure should this be required.
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 August 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
The Church is governed by its present Constitution of 2009. The Church is a Scottish Charity (SC008794) and is recognised by H. M. Revenue & Customs (CR31772).
The Church is congregational in policy and its day-to-day running is undertaken by the officials, members of the Deacons’ Court and Elders listed below. Deacons (the trustees) are appointed by election by the Church Members for an initial period of three years, renewable for two further periods of three years each. Key decisions are made at a congregational level, overseen by the trustees.
Reference and Administrative Information
Principal Office: 132 South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9EQ Charity Registration Number: SC008794 Independent Examiner , Henderson Black & Co, Chartered Accountants, Chestney House, 149 Market Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9PF Bankers Bank of Scotland, 1 Queens Gardens, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DT
Trustees
The following have served as trustees from 1 September 2023 to the date of signing the accounts unless otherwise stated:
(Minister, ex officio trustee) (Secretary)
The following have a leadership role but are not regarded as trustees:-
Elders:
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT for the year ènded 31 Augusl 2024 Trustees, Responslbllltles In rdatlon tothe Flnanclal Statements The chartty trustèès arè rèsp)nsIè for propan9 a trustèès. aThnu rowt aTrJ finandal statemants In accordance wth applicable law WKI United Kingkn Accwntlng SlaTrJ¥ds {United ng<tIM Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Th8 law applic4bl8 to chariti8s in Scotland r8quires the charity trustees to prepare finanaal stat•m•nts for ach yèar which show a truè and fair view of the statè of affairs of the chanty arvj of th• incomirig resourc and appllcatlon of r•sourcas of th• charlty for that plod. In yaparfng thè finandal statonnts, thè trustèès ¥e rwuirgd to". select suitable accountlng pdlcles and then awy them conslslentty: observethe method and prfnclples In the aPICalO Charities SORP.. makeludgements and e5tlmate5 that are reasonatle and slate whether appllcable accountlng standards and 5ts1ements of recornrynded practlcg havg bo followed. subject lo any departures disclosed and exain8d in the financial statements.. prepare tho finandal statements on the goirrfJ concem basls w4ess tt Is In8pwowlate to 5ne that tm charlty will continu• in op8rab.onal exist8nc8. Th• Irust¢ rospM$lbl¢ fty k00rj •¢c¢unlng rwds vthl¢h d1$do th ro•$onat4• uracy al any the flnanclal posltlon of thg chartty arKI 10 tnatle th¢m to ensure that the f rsanclal ststemonts comF4y wlth tho cha8$ and TrustO8 IrNestm8nt Iscodandl Act 2005 arHI th& Charftles Accounts Iscouandl Regulations 2006 las amended). They aro &so responslble for safeguardlng tho assots of the charity and for t•klr4J rS0bIl $t•ps lor th• pr•v•nUM •r•J d•t•¢tlon of ftjud and oth•r lffogulartles. The trustee$ aro r•sponslbl¢ f¢¢ th• malnt¢nart• and Int¢grlty of th• thartty and llnanclal Irrfom)atlon M th• congrogatlon's websrto. Loglslatlon In the United KlrrfJdom gOVn9 tho Ffoparatlon and d1350mlnatlon of finandal st•twrnI$ may d6ffer from loglslatlon In lurfs(IctOons. Approvèd by thè trustees and signèd on th•lr b•hf W. Tru5teelSeGretary 28 May 2025
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Sl Andrews Baptlst Church: St Andrews I row on thè aCcnts of th& chartty for thè yaar arthjed 31 August 2024 vthlch sat (Mrt on paggs 8 to 19. Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Exwniner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparatic of the accounts in acc<xdance wrth the temis of Charities and Trustee Inv•strn8nt (scland) Act 2005 and th8 Charrties Accounts IScotlarKJI Regulatlons 2006 las amend8dl. Thè chanty trUstS consldor that thè audit requlramènt of Ragulatlon 1011 Mal to Icl of thè Accounts Rsgulatlons doès not awy. It Is my rasponslblllty to èxamlnè tho accounts as r•qultsd un¢Jw s¢¢tlon 441111¢101 tho Ad to stats vthotw p•ll¢ular matt¢rs hav¢ ¢om¢ to my attention. Thls report Is made to tho trust805. as a booy. in accordance the tornis of my engagement. W wo h•s b88n und8rt&kèn so that I mlght statè to tho trusta&s t18 matt8ts l am requlrèd to stat8 to tM In an Ind•pdènt èxam1ffs and for no othw w1$¢. To tha lullast èxtènt Fémlttod by law, I do not accept cf assume r95ponslblllty lo Yone other than tho tharfty and thg trustees for my work or for thls Basls ol Independent Examln•r's Stst•m•nt èxamlnatlon Is canièd out in accordanc• Regulatknn 11 of th• Cttarftl•s AccuJnt8 {ScoaTrI) R¢gulatl¢)n$ 21J061•$ amondodl. An x•minatlon Indudès a rovl¢w of tho a¢¢ountlng r¢¢ud$ kopt by th• tharlty •nd • ¢omp•rlson of COUnts pro$¢nl•d wrth r¢cords. It •l$o Indudo$ consld•rallon ol ny unusLo1 rtoms or dlsdosuros In Ihg account5. and 5eoks gXF4anatlon5 from th• trusleos concornlng any such matters. Tho pradr•S undortak8n do not pfovlde all the 8vld8nco that would bo requlrod In an •udft, and cOns•qu•nY l ¢Jo not expre an a(hJtt op1n1 on the view gIV by th a¢¢ounts. Indoynd•nt Examln•r'$ Stst•mont In th• ¢ours• of my examIn40ft no matt•r ha$ com to my attw)Ilon: whlch glvos Th roasonat40 cause lo bdlwo that kn any matwld rospoct th• roqulromonts.. to koop accounung recS In acc(¥danco Sectlon 44 11 Kal of the 2005 Act and RegulaOn 4 of th• 2C#)6 Accounts R•gulatlons. and to prepare accounts whlch accord wlth the accourrtlThJ rKords and ccfflply w6th Rogulatlon 8 of th• 2006 A¢cwnts R•gul•tfiM$ have nc4 been m•L or 2. to whlth. In my OnIOn. att•Th¢)n SId trawn In ord•rto Ona# a undorstandlng ofth• accourts to be reached. Chostney Hous•. 149 Market Stree( st Andrèws Fwe, KY16 9PF Henderson Black & Co, Chartered A¢¢ountsnts, 28 May 2025
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the year ended 31 August 2024
| Notes Income and endowments from: 3 Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 4 Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 11 Other recognised gains Gain on revaluation of fixed assets Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward 11 Total funds carried forward 11 |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 192,663 12,982 13,582 219,227 270 212,320 212,590 6,637 (4,471) 46,534 48,700 1,650,759 1,699,459 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ 4,136 - - 4,136 - 11,494 11,494 (7,358) 4,471 - (2,887) 179,545 176,658 |
Total 2024 £ 196,799 12,982 13,582 223,363 270 223,814 224,084 (721) - 46,534 45,813 1,830,304 1,876,117 |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 197,211 9,265 12,561 219,037 600 214,761 215,361 3,676 (4,618) - (942) 1,651,701 1,650,759 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ 8,861 - - 8,861 - 12,859 12,859 (3,998) 4,618 - 620 178,925 179,545 |
Total 2023 £ 206,072 9,265 12,561 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 227,898 | |||||||||
| 600 227,620 |
|||||||||
| 228,220 | |||||||||
| (322) - - |
|||||||||
| (322) 1,830,626 |
|||||||||
| 1,830,304 |
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
BALANCE SHEET
As at 31 August 2024
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets 6 Investment property 7 Current Assets Debtors 8 Bank and cash Liabilities Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 9 Net Current Assets Net Assets Represented by: Restricted income funds 11 Unrestricted income funds 11 Total Funds |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 1,196,472 385,000 1,581,472 13,469 111,453 124,922 (6,935) 117,987 1,699,459 - 1,699,459 1,699,459 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ 171,297 - 171,297 - 5,361 5,361 - 5,361 176,658 176,658 - 176,658 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 1,367,769 385,000 1,752,769 13,469 116,814 130,283 (6,935) 123,348 1,876,117 176,658 1,699,459 1,876,117 |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 1,167,698 385,000 1,552,698 16,687 90,771 107,458 (9,397) 98,061 1,650,759 - 1,650,759 1,650,759 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ 173,974 - 173,974 - 5,571 5,571 - 5,571 179,545 179,545 - 179,545 |
Prior Year 2023 £ 1,341,672 385,000 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,726,672 | |||||||||
| 16,687 96,342 |
|||||||||
| 113,029 (9,397) |
|||||||||
| 103,632 | |||||||||
| 1,830,304 | |||||||||
179,545 1,650,759 |
|||||||||
| 1,830,304 |
The accounts were approved by the trustees on 28 May 2025.
For and on behalf of the trustees,
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 August 2024
| Notes Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 13 Cash flows from investing activities: Interest and dividends 3 Manse rental income 3 Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents brought forward Cash and cash equivalents carried forward Analysis of changes in net debt Cash at 1 September 2023 Cash flows in year Cash at 31 August 2024 |
2024 £ 6,890 1,642 11,940 13,582 20,472 96,342 116,814 96,342 20,472 116,814 |
2023 £ (2,375) 621 11,940 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12,561 | ||||
| 10,186 86,156 |
||||
| 96,342 | ||||
| 86,156 10,186 |
||||
| 96,342 |
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
1 Accounting Policies
- The principal accounting policies, which have been applied consistently in the current and preceding year in dealing with items which are considered material to the accounts, are set out below.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
St Andrews Baptist Church: St Andrews constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity, and the amounts reported are rounded to the nearest pound.
The trustees consider that there were no material uncertainties at the year end, nor arising subsequently, which would lead them to question the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
1.2 Fund accounting
Funds are classified as either restricted funds or unrestricted funds, defined as follows:
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific requirements as to their use which may be declared by the donor or with their authority or created through legal processes, but still within the wider objects of the charity.
Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. If parts of the unrestricted funds are earmarked at the discretion of the trustees for a particular purpose, they are designated in a separate fund. This designation has an administrative purpose only and does not legally restrict the trustees' discretion to apply the fund.
1.3 Income recognition
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 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. Rental income is recognised when receivable.
1.4 Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised 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 reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
1.5 Allocation of support costs
Support costs include payroll costs which support the charitable activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of other trading activities and expenditure on charitable activities based on the proportion of nonsupport expenditure incurred on each activity.
1.6 Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the general volunteer time of congregation members is not recognised.
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
1 Accounting Policies (continued)
1.7 Fixed assets and Investment property
All tangible fixed assets costing in excess of £1,000, having a value to the charity greater than one year, are capitalised. They are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation or impairment. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis to write off the cost or initial value, less residual value, of tangible fixed assets as follows:
Heritable property (excluding land) 50 years Fittings and equipment 5 years
Investment property
Investment property is included at fair value at the year end as detailed at Note 7 to the financial statements.
1.8 Pensions
The church is an employer participating in a pension scheme known as the Baptist Pension Scheme ("the Scheme"). Obligations to the Scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which the contributions relate. Further details are given at note 10.
1.9 Taxation
St Andrews Baptist Church: St Andrews is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is therefore not subject to taxation on its charitable activities.
1.10 Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation
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 available from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees have made the following judgements:
Accruals
Trustees estimate the requirements for accruals using post year end information. This identifies costs that are expected to be incurred for services provided by other parties. Accruals are only released when there is a reasonable expectation that these costs will not be invoiced in the future.
Heritable/Investment property valuation
Charity Trustees estimate the value of the investment property assisted by a local property agent, with the most recent valuation undertaken in 2022. The trustees consider if there are any events which have resulted in the impairment of property and reduce its carrying value.
2 Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions
Gross salary amounting to £39,813 (2023 - £37,375) together with defined pension scheme contributions amounting to £4,715 (2023 - £4,429) and Employer's national insurance of £1,432 (2023 - £1,559) were paid to, and on behalf of, the minister during the year.
The charity is responsible for the payment of council tax, water charges and estate upkeep charges for the manse on behalf of its minister. The payments on the manse amounted to £3,197 (2023 - £3,610) in the year. Travel and related expenses may be claimed by the minister on submission of expenses claims and receipts and a small book allowance is also provided. The amount claimed in the year was £1,265 (2023 - £nil).
No trustee or a person related to a trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year other than as described above.
During the year a total of £15,687 (2023 - £8,184) was donated to the congregation by trustees.
12
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
| 3 Income Donations and legacies Offerings Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations Other donations Income from charitable activities Charitable and fund raising events Investment and other income Manse rental income Interest on deposits |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 160,777 31,766 120 192,663 12,982 12,982 11,940 1,642 13,582 219,227 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - 4,136 4,136 - - - - - 4,136 |
Total 2024 £ 160,777 31,766 4,256 196,799 12,982 12,982 11,940 1,642 13,582 223,363 |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 161,900 31,953 3,358 197,211 9,265 9,265 11,940 621 12,561 219,037 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ - - 8,861 8,861 - - - - - 8,861 |
Total 2023 £ 161,900 31,953 12,219 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 206,072 | ||||||
| 9,265 | ||||||
| 9,265 | ||||||
| 11,940 621 |
||||||
| 12,561 | ||||||
| Total Income | 227,898 |
13
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
| Unrestricted Funds 2024 4 Analysis of expenditure £ Raising funds Manse rental expenses 270 Total 270 Charitable activities Gross salaries 96,985 Employer's National Insurance 2,474 Pension contributions 7,948 Mileage, book allowance & expenses 1,265 Payroll preparation expenses 1,230 Pulpit supply 491 Rent 2,198 Insurance 2,621 Council Tax, water charges and estate upkeep for manse Heat and light 3,197 8,302 Repairs, equipment and cleaning 10,456 Telephone 1,401 Office stationery and postages 1,361 Computer running costs 167 Publicity and advertising 2,184 Catering 1,164 Copying licences 800 Miscellaneous 118 Independent examination fees 2,640 Depreciation Local Ministries: Young People's activities 18,643 266 Toddlers' Group 55 Awake activities 2,560 Families First - St Andrews 817 Conference and course expenses 3,381 Fellowship - Other charitable activities 2,602 National and Overseas Ministries: Baptist Missionary Society 4,009 Scottish Baptist Fund 5,420 Other Home Missions 6,727 Other Overseas Missions 20,838 Total 212,320 Total Expenditure 212,590 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - 797 21 65 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,794 - - - - - - - - - 260 8,557 11,494 11,494 |
Total Unrestricted Funds 2024 2023 £ £ 270 600 270 600 97,782 116,096 2,495 3,205 8,013 7,732 1,265 - 1,230 1,369 491 142 2,198 5,826 2,621 2,230 3,197 8,302 3,610 6,796 10,456 2,389 1,401 1,087 1,361 2,331 167 695 2,184 1,717 1,164 766 800 748 118 240 2,640 1,950 20,437 266 18,643 146 55 24 2,560 1,508 817 625 3,381 617 - 400 2,602 4,525 4,009 3,180 5,420 - 6,987 10,272 29,395 15,892 223,814 214,761 224,084 215,361 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ - - 920 25 61 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,794 - - - - - - - - - 1,201 8,858 12,859 12,859 |
Total 2023 £ 600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | ||||
| 117,016 3,230 7,793 - 1,369 142 5,826 2,230 3,610 6,796 2,389 1,087 2,331 695 1,717 766 748 240 1,950 20,437 146 24 1,508 625 617 400 4,525 3,180 - 11,473 24,750 |
||||
| 227,620 | ||||
| 228,220 |
Within the foregoing expenses of charitable activities the trustees regard the salaries, social security and pension costs as Support costs.
14
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
| 5 Staff costs and numbers Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension contributions Total The average number of employees during the year was as follows: Ministry Administration |
2024 £ 97,782 2,495 8,013 108,290 2024 Number 4 1 5 |
2023 £ 117,016 3,230 7,793 |
|---|---|---|
| 128,039 | ||
| 2023 Number 5 2 |
||
| 7 |
No employee had benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023 - none).
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees, the Minister, Worship and Family Pastor, Treasurer and the Church Secretary. The combined cost of the key management personnel was £74,834 (2023 £80,089).
| 6 Fixed assets 2024 Cost or valuation At 1 September 2023 Revaluation At 31 August 2024 Accumulated depreciation At 1 September 2023 Charge for year Written back on revaluation At 31 August 2024 Net Book Value At 31 August 2024 |
Heritable Property Fittings & Equipment £ £ 1,355,000 14,522 40,000 - 1,395,000 14,522 18,067 9,783 18,067 2,370 (6,534) - 29,600 12,153 1,365,400 2,369 |
Total £ 1,369,522 40,000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,409,522 | |||
| 27,850 20,437 (6,534) |
|||
| 41,753 | |||
| 1,367,769 |
The properties were revalued by the Trustees in August 2024. The value attributed to land is £343,333 which is not depreciated. The historical cost of all properties are unknown apart from the McKenzie Square manse, which has a cost of £274,545.
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
| 6 Fixed assets 2023 Cost or valuation At 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 Accumulated depreciation At 1 September 2022 Charge for year At 31 August 2023 Net Book Value At 31 August 2023 At 31 August 2022 7 Investment property At 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024 |
Heritable Property Fittings & Equipment £ £ 1,355,000 14,522 - 7,413 18,067 2,370 18,067 9,783 1,336,933 4,739 1,355,000 7,109 2024 £ 385,000 |
Total £ 1,369,522 7,413 20,437 27,850 1,341,672 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,362,109 | ||
| 2023 £ 385,000 |
| The property was revalued by the Trustees in August 2022 and the trustees are of the opinion that this valuation | The property was revalued by the Trustees in August 2022 and the trustees are of the opinion that this valuation | The property was revalued by the Trustees in August 2022 and the trustees are of the opinion that this valuation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| remains appropriate at 31 August 2024. The historical cost of the property is unknown. | |||
| 8 | Debtors | 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ | ||
| Gift aid recoverable | 12,837 | 8,084 | |
| Legacy receivable | - | 5,000 | |
| Other debtors | 632 | 3,603 | |
| 13,469 | 16,687 | ||
| 9 | Creditors | 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ | ||
| Accruals | 3,552 | 3,409 | |
| Creditors | 3,383 | 5,988 | |
| 6,935 | 9,397 |
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
10 Pensions
The Church is an employer participating in a pension scheme known as the Baptist Pension Scheme ("the Scheme"). The Scheme is a separate legal entity which is administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited).
From January 2012, pension provision is being provided through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme, as opposed to the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan Scheme which operated pre 2012 and has since closed.
A 2016 valuation of the DB Plan revealed a deficit of assets compared with the value of liabilities of £84 million. As a result of this valuation, a variety of new measures were introduced to reduce this deficit including the BUGB making a contribution of £33.5m to the Scheme in order to reduce that deficit. As a consequence of that action, the period during which deficit contributions needed to be paid was shortened by 6½ years with contributions now due to finish in December 2028 rather than June 2035, as previously predicted.
Recent communication with the Pension Trustee has confirmed that the Church is now required to make only nominal deficiency payments to offset any potential shortfalls in the Scheme.
17
ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
| 11 Movements in funds - 2024 Restricted funds Docherty Bequest Second Manse Appeal New Buildings Fund Hardship Fund Romania Charity Unrestricted funds Designated funds Conway Bequest Futures Fund European Evangelism Fund General funds General fund Total funds |
At 1 September 2023 £ 130,881 40,498 2,595 5,571 - 179,545 16,650 238 6,087 22,975 1,627,784 1,650,759 1,830,304 |
Income £ - - - 50 4,086 4,136 - - - - 219,227 219,227 223,363 |
Expenditure £ (2,044) (633) - (260) (8,557) (11,494) (191) - - (191) (212,399) (212,590) (224,084) |
Gains/ (losses) - - - - - - - - - - 46,534 46,534 46,534 |
Transfers £ - - - - 4,471 4,471 - - - - (4,471) (4,471) - |
At 31 August 2024 £ 128,837 39,865 2,595 5,361 - 176,658 16,459 238 6,087 22,784 1,676,675 1,699,459 1,876,117 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposes of Restricted funds
Docherty Bequest: This bequest was provided for the purpose of assisting with capital expenditure.
Second Manse Appeal: This appeal raised funds for the purpose described.
New Buildings Fund: Previously called the Capital Expenditure Fund this fund has been renamed for the new purpose with the approval of the original sole benefactor.
Hardship Fund: This fund reflects funds donated for the purpose described.
Romania Charity: Funds collected for charity in Romania. A transfer was required from unrestricted funds to cover the costs in the year.
Purposes of Designated funds
Conway Bequest: This fund was designated by the trustees to assist with the purchase of the second manse.
The Futures Fund: holds unrestricted donations set aside by the trustees to assist with exceptional items, intended to enable the church to develop new ministries or improve existing ones.
European Evangelism Fund: This fund was created to support activities fostering good relations and mission work with European relations and migrant workers.
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ST ANDREWS BAPTIST CHURCH: ST ANDREWS
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024
| 11 Movements in funds - 2023 Restricted funds Docherty Bequest Second Manse Appeal New Buildings Fund Hardship Fund Romania Charity Unrestricted funds Designated funds Conway Bequest Futures Fund European Evangelism Fund General funds General fund Total funds |
At 1 September 2022 £ 133,019 41,160 2,595 2,151 - 178,925 16,841 238 6,087 23,166 1,628,535 1,651,701 1,830,626 |
Income £ - - - 4,621 4,240 8,861 - - - - 219,037 219,037 227,898 |
Expenditure £ (2,138) (662) - (1,201) (8,858) (12,859) (191) - - |
Gains/ (losses) - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Transfers £ - - - - 4,618 4,618 - - - - (4,618) (4,618) - |
At 31 August 2023 £ 130,881 40,498 2,595 5,571 - 179,545 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16,650 238 6,087 |
||||||||
| (191) (215,170) |
22,975 1,627,784 1,650,759 1,830,304 |
|||||||
(215,361) |
||||||||
(228,220) |
12 Volunteers
The congregation benefits from the contributions made by volunteers who give their time and talents willingly for the benefit of the Church. The areas of congregational life which rely on the contributions of volunteers are many and varied and much of the activity would be unable to continue were it not for the commitment shown.
| 13 Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash flow from operating activities Net expenditure per Statement of Financial Activities Add back depreciation charge Deduct investment income Decrease/(increase) in debtors (Decrease)/increase in creditors Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities |
2024 £ (721) 20,437 (13,582) 3,218 (2,462) 6,890 |
2023 £ (322) 20,437 (12,561) (16,052) 6,123 (2,375) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
19