Alness Baptist Church SCIO END OF YEAR ACCOUNTS TO 31st DECEMBER 2024 Scottish Charity Number SC049415 ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community ## Contents REPORT OF TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 ....................................................................... 2 FINANCIAL REVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 4 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ................................................................................ 5 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................................................... 6 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT ....................................................................................................... 7 RECIEPTS AND PAYMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 8 FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN ........................................................................................................................ 9 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ............................................................................................... 10 1 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community ## REPORT OF TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 December 2024.The financial statements have been prepared in order to comply with 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** Alness Baptist Church SCIO was incorporated as a SCIO during 2021, with all assets and liabilities of the unincorporated entity transferring the SCIO on 11th June 2021. This reduces the liability on our Trustees in the event of closure or demand on our funds. The Fellowship retains its charitable status with OSCR and was granted a new Charity Number (SC049415). Alness Baptist Church is a Church with a vision for ministry in Alness and the wider Easter Ross area. The fellowship is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Scotland which aims to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ within the community, and to support its spread locally, nationally and internationally. To organise and promote Christian values and work to benefit the local community. It aims to promote values consistent with the teachings of the Christian Bible including worship, ministry, prayer, witness, education, community service and the support of agencies and other charitable organisations involved in Christian missionary work, the relief of poverty and other social needs. ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** We have continued to see an increase in numbers of people attending the church from Alness and the wider Easter Ross Area, having 35-45 people meeting with us each Sunday with on average 10 children in our Sunday Services. We continue to run a popular monthly Lunch Club providing soup and chat, as well as a ever-growing baby and toddlers group (Tots & Toast) The church has continued to have good relationships and access into the local Primary and Secondary school and continues to develop our chaplaincy work, these incudes a monthly drop in, mentoring schemes and offers the chance for young people to talk if they want to and building up valuable relationships. We have assisted with assemblies, regular events and classroom work. In Partnership with the Alness Partnership, the local supermarkets and Fairshare we continue to host a community larder each Friday helping to elevate food waste and food poverty this also provides the opportunity to deliver much needed practical support and signposting people for support and counselling in the area. We as well are offering free internet access in partnership with Highland Broadband. The Pastor also supports a number of local organisations. Vice Chairperson of Alness Community Council. Treasurer of Alness Community Association, Chairperson of Alness Gala & Events, He is Chaplain to the Emergency Rescue Team, and local schools both primary and secondary 2 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community He serves currently on the Council of the Baptist Union of Scotland and serves as Treasurer to the Sottish Baptist Minister Fellowship Committee. And in October 2024 He was appointed the Squadron Chaplain of 379 (County Of Ross) Royal Air Force Air Cadets. We continue provide a venue for local groups to meet including the local New Start, DNA Dance Group and we continue to be a polling station for elections. 3 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community ## FINANCIAL REVIEW ## **Risk Management** The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the charity's exposure to the major risks. Risk assessments address all key areas of the charity's activities. ## **Reserves Policy** It is Alness Baptist Church’s policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds (if possible), which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments, equivalent to £15,000, to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. The balance of £6,000 held on unrestricted funds, after designations, at the year end did not match this target ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** with a number of deacons as appointed by Church meeting at the AGM each year. Deacons must be members of good standing within the Church and be nominated by three members, agree to their names being brought before the Church and receive the vote of two thirds of members present at the meeting called for the purpose of such election. The Church is congregational in its form of government and in its membership with the Baptist Union of Scotland to whose Declaration of Principle it subscribes. Church meetings are held at least quarterly, one of these meetings being the Annual General Meeting, with the pastor presiding. The spiritual oversight of the Church rests with the pastor and deacons. The charity holds a Treasurer's account with a balance at the yearend of (2023 £18,967). The unrestricted income in the year was £67,224.13 (2023 £74,004.75), with unrestricted expenditure of £67,304.76 (2023 £68,162.22), giving a deficit of £80.63 before transfers (2023 surplus of £5,842.53). The original Alness Baptist was established in 1979 by Trust Deed, the Church was a registered charity (No. SC021217) and was established as SCIO in 2022 with a registered charity number SC049415. The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of its constitution based on the model provided by the Baptist Union of Scotland. 4 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION **Committee of Trustees** **Charity Name:** Alness Baptist Church SCIO **Charity Number:** SC049415 **Contact address:** **Independent examiner** **Bankers:** Bank of Scotland 35D Harbour Road, Inverness, Highland IV1 1UA 5 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community ## STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently - observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and that the charity will continue in operational existence. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. The charity is entirely dependent on the gifts and free-will offerings of those who worship at Alness Baptist Church. Remuneration was paid to by way of stipend, expenses and manse provision. (£43,685.04). No payment was made to any of the other Trustees and no material transaction took place between the charity and a Trustee or any person connected with any of them. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf 19[th] February 2025 _____ 6 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO ## In the Community, For the Community ## INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT ## **FOR YEAR ENDING 31[st] DECEMBER 2024** 7 | P a g e **SC049415** ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community RECIEPTS AND PAYMENTS **ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO FOR YEAR END 31[st] DECEMBER 2024** 8 | P a g e ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community ## FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN ## **ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO FOR YEAR END 31[st] DECEMBER 2024** ## **SC049415** 9 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** ## **1. Basis of Preparation** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). Alness Baptist Church SCIO is a public benefit entity and has therefore applied the relevant public benefit requirements of FRS 102. ## **2. Accounting Policies** ## **(a) Fund Accounting** - **Unrestricted funds:** These are funds available for use at the discretion of the trustees in - furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. - **Restricted funds:** These are funds subject to specific restrictions imposed by donors or by - the purpose of the appeal. ## **(b) Income Recognition** Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, the amount can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the funds will be received. This includes donations, grants, and other income. ## **(c) Expenditure Recognition** Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis when there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it can be measured reliably, and it is probable that settlement will be required. All costs are allocated to activities on a direct cost basis. ## **(d) Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation** Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: - **Buildings:** 25% straight-line basis per annum - **Equipment and furnishings: XX% reducing balance basis per annum** ## **(e) Reserves Policy** The charity aims to maintain unrestricted reserves equivalent to 3 months of operational expenditure to provide financial stability and meet contingencies. ## **3. Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions** No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses during the financial year (2024: Nil). There were no transactions with related parties during the year. Apart from by way of Stipend and Housing Allowance in his capacity as Minster of Alness Baptist Church. (£43,685.04) ## **4. Donations and Legacies** Income from donations and legacies during the year amounted to £70,400, including unrestricted donations of £68,650 and restricted donations of £1,750. ## **5. Analysis of Expenditure** Expenditure on charitable activities during the year amounted to £67,304, comprising staff costs, ministry activities, and building maintenance. 10 | P a g e ## ALNESS BAPTIST CHURCH SCIO In the Community, For the Community ## **6. Grants Received** The charity received grants totalling £1750 during the year, including funding from Arnold Clark Community fund and Albyn Community Fund for the continued work of Tots and Toast and also for Community Food Larder ## **7. Events After the Reporting Period** There are no significant events after the reporting period that require disclosure. ## **8. Approval of Financial Statements** The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on 19[th] February 2025. 11 | P a g e