Annual Report & Accounts 2024/2025
page 1 of 15
Larbert Baptist Church SCIO Annual Report & Accounts 2024/2025
Trustees
E Goodall A Rue J Fitzpatrick I Smith (resigned 19 November 2025) D Hamilton I Bleakley J Kallow
Principal office-bearers
Pastor: E Goodall Chairperson: I Smith (resigned 19 November 2025) Treasurer: J Fitzpatrick Secretary: I Bleakley
Address
Main Street Larbert Stirlingshire FK5 3AS
Charity Registration Number
SC049607
Independent Examiner
Graeme Deans, CA Drummond Laurie Unit 5, Gateway Business Park Beancross Road Grangemouth FK3 8WX
Bankers
Virgin Money 1 Bank Street Falkirk FK1 1NB
page 2 of 15
CONTENTS
| Page(s) | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 4-5 |
| Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10-15 |
page 3 of 15
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 30 September 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 applicable to charities preparing their accounts under FRS102, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
Structure, governance and management
Larbert Baptist Church SCIO operates where Elders and Deacons are elected by the Church to ensure the spiritual and practical needs of the Church are met. The Deacons and Elders are those which form the basis of the Trustees to ensure the Church also operates within the required OSCR regulations. The Church members have the final say on main matters of business at the business meetings held.
On 13 September 2019 Larbert Baptist Church SCIO was registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator under charity number SC049607.
Nature of governing document
The Church is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the purpose of the advancement of religion. The Church has appointed a leadership team, comprising Elders and Deacons, to manage the day-to-day activities. The Church is an independent fellowship affiliated to the Baptist Union of Scotland.
Organisational structure
See above on structure, governance and management.
Major risks and management of those risks
The Trustees regularly consider the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Objectives and activities
The constitution of the Church has the following purpose statement:
The advancement of the Christian faith primarily in Larbert and Stenhousemuir and also throughout Scotland and the rest of the World 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 and the relief of poverty or other social needs.
This is fulfilled through the following ministries:
-
Regular services
-
Growth Groups
-
Ladies Lite Night
-
Prayer meetings
-
Pathfinders and Bible class
-
Youth Fellowship
-
Boys’ Brigade Company
-
Larbert Toddlers
-
Lunch Club
Achievements and performance
All of the ministries of the Church were achieved during the year.
page 4 of 15
Financial review
Income totalled £80,111 generated by offerings and other donations. Expenditure incurred supported the Church ministries, including the cost of a pastor of £39,428.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the church to maintain cash reserves at a level of three months of expenditure.
page 5 of 15
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Trustees are required by the law applicable to charities in Scotland to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s state of affairs and its incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf
30 June 2026
J Fitzpatrick Trustee
page 6 of 15
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Larbert Baptist Church SCIO
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30 September 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 15.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts 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 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts 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 Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as 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 accounts.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Regulations
Have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
30 June 2026
Graeme Deans, CA Drummond Laurie Unit 5, Gateway Business Park Beancross Road Grangemouth FK3 8WX
page 7 of 15
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and resources from | |||||
| generated funds: | |||||
| Voluntary income | 2 | 69,317 | 5,000 | 74,317 | 61,389 |
| Incoming resources from | |||||
| charitable activities | 3 | 730 | 4,544 | 5,274 | 6,852 |
| Investment income | 4 | 520 | - | 520 | - |
| Total incoming resources | 70,567 | 9,544 | 80,111 | 68,241 | |
| Resources expended: | |||||
| Cost of generating funds | 5 | (507) | (345) | (852) | (545) |
| Charitable activities | 6 | (66,365) | (8,657) | (75,022) | (70,146) |
| Governance costs | 7 | (800) | - | (800) | (601) |
| Total expenditure | (67,672) | (9,002) | (76,674) | (71,292) | |
| Transfer between funds | - | - | - | - | |
| Net movement in funds | 2,895 | 542 | 3,437 | (3,051) | |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 342,312 | 1,160 | 343,472 | 346,523 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 14 | 345,207 | 1,702 | 346,909 | 343,472 |
page 8 of 15
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| Note | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 11 | 308,108 | 308,981 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 12 | 5,365 | 8,568 |
| Cashat bankandin hand | 34,865 | 26,903 | |
| Totalcurrent assets | 40,230 | 35,471 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within | |||
| one year | |||
| Trade and otherpayables | 13 | (1,429) | (980) |
| Net current assets | **38,801 ** | 34,491 | |
| Net assets | 346,909 | 343,472 | |
| Funds | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 14 | 345,207 | 342,312 |
| Restrictedfunds | 14 | **1,702 ** | 1,160 |
| Total funds | 346,909 | 343,472 |
The financial statements on pages 8 to 15 were approved by the Church, and authorised for issue and signed on their behalf by:
30 June 2026
J Fitzpatrick Trustee
page 9 of 15
NOTES RELATING TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 applicable to charities preparing their accounts under FRS102, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
Going concern
The Trustees have considered the assets and liabilities of the Charity, together with the phased budget agreed by the church members, for the year ended 30 September 2026 and concluded that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Funds
Unrestricted funds are general funds available for use at the Trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted and set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the Trustees.
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 within the objects of the Charity.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the pension scheme are charged to the statement of financial activities in the period to which they relate.
Incoming resources
Donations and gifts are included within incoming resources when the Charity has entitlement to the income and it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be easily measured.
Charitable activities
Income from charitable activities is recognised as the related goods and services are provided and where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract and grant funding to specific service conditions.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis.
Cost of generating funds
The costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments, and trading activities are attributable to raising funds.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
page 10 of 15
Governance costs
Costs attributable to the Charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements are included in governance costs. These include cost and expenses for accountancy, payroll fees and legal fees.
Support costs
Support costs relate wholly to one charitable activity and are not separately identified.
Tangible fixed assets
Freehold property is included at market value, with the Church adopting a policy of revaluation every five years where practicable. Freehold property has been included at market value as no records exist to allow a historical cost basis to be used. All expenditure on additions, improvements and replacements is capitalised above a threshold of £100. Expenditure on repairs and renewals is charged to the statement of financial activities as it arises.
Freehold buildings are not depreciated as the Trustees are of the opinion that the buildings will appreciate in value and therefore no depreciation charge should apply.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Freehold building Nil Fixtures, fittings & equipment 10%-33% straight line
Taxation
The Church is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is not subject to taxation on its charitable activities. The Charity is not registered for VAT and expenditure includes irrecoverable VAT.
page 11 of 15
2 VOLUNTARY INCOME
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Offerings & Donations | 56,243 | 4,000 | 60,243 | 49,550 |
| Tax recovered on Gift Aid | 13,074 | 1,000 | 14,074 | 11,839 |
| 69,317 | 5,000 | 74,317 | 61,389 |
3 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| BMS | - | 495 | 495 | - |
| Romania | - | 1,714 | 1,714 | 1,846 |
| CAP | - | 2,310 | 2,310 | 2,266 |
| Shine and Thrive | - | 25 | 25 | 350 |
| Falkirk Council - Lunch Club | - | - | - | 840 |
| Other | 730 | - | 730 | 1,550 |
| 730 | 4,544 | 5,274 | 6,852 |
4 INVESMENT INCOME
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank interest received | 520 | - | 520 | - |
| 520 | - | 520 | - |
5 COST OF GENERATING FUNDS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Pathfinders | 507 | - | 507 | 545 |
| BMS | - | 345 | 345 | - |
| 507 | 345 | 852 | 545 |
page 12 of 15
6 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Pastor salary and pension | 39,428 | - | 39,428 | 37,938 |
| Baptist Union Scotland | 1,984 | - | 1,984 | 1,554 |
| Shine and Thrive | - | 663 | 663 | 408 |
| Pastor expenses | 1,854 | - | 1,854 | 1,898 |
| Training | 1,460 | - | 1,460 | 1,145 |
| Travel expenses | 150 | - | 150 | 127 |
| Window cleaning | 390 | - | 390 | 390 |
| Pulpit supply | 2,100 | - | 2,100 | 2,200 |
| Repairs and maintenance | 2,514 | 4,200 | 6,714 | 3,581 |
| Rates | 17 | - | 17 | 61 |
| Heat and light | 5,766 | - | 5,766 | 5,585 |
| Insurance | 1,926 | - | 1,926 | 1,731 |
| Telephone and broadband | 445 | - | 445 | 912 |
| Depreciation | 2,174 | - | 2,174 | 2,168 |
| Romania | - | 1,646 | 1,646 | 1,882 |
| Christians Against Poverty | - | 2,148 | 2,148 | 2,266 |
| Larbert Churches Youth Trust | 550 | - | 550 | 550 |
| Consumables | 915 | - | 915 | 1,274 |
| Licences | 1,281 | - | 1,281 | 1,170 |
| Community Help | - | - | - | 51 |
| Books, publicity and literature | 743 | - | 743 | 819 |
| Sundry expenses | 2,668 | - | 2,668 | 2,436 |
| 66,365 | 8,657 | 75,022 | 70,146 |
7 GOVERNANCE COSTS
| GOVERNANCE COSTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Payroll fees | 300 | 241 |
| Independent Examiner’s fee | 500 | 360 |
| 800 | 601 |
8 TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Pastor salary | 38,461 | 37,019 |
| Pension costs | 967 | 920 |
| Pastor expenses | 1,854 | 1,898 |
| 41,282 | 39,837 |
E Goodall is a Trustee of Larbert Baptist Church SCIO. During the year, the charity incurred council tax contributions of £1,854 (2024: £1,898) on his behalf.
page 13 of 15
9 STAFF COSTS
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| e aggregate payroll costs were as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 38,461 | 37,019 |
| Pension costs | 967 | 920 |
The average number of employees during the year was 1 (2024: 1).
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. Amounts paid to key management personnel are included in note 8.
10 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S FEE
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Examination of the financial statements | 500 | 360 |
11 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Fixtures, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Land and | fittings and | ||
| buildings | equipment | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | |||
| At 1 October 2024 | 300,000 | 16,579 | 316,579 |
| Additions | - | 1,301 | 1,301 |
| At 30 September 2025 | 300,000 | 17,880 | 317,880 |
| Depreciation | |||
| At 1 October 2024 | - | 7,598 | 7,598 |
| Charge for year | - | 2,174 | 2,174 |
| At 30 September 2025 | - | 9,772 | 9,772 |
| Net book value | |||
| At 30 September 2025 | 300,000 | 8,108 | 308,108 |
The land and buildings were valued on 11 October 2018 by Graham & Sibbald Chartered Surveyors.
12 DEBTORS
| 2 DEBTORS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Prepayments | 2,198 | 2,165 |
| Gift aid receivable | 3,167 | 6,403 |
| 5,365 | 8,568 |
page 14 of 15
13 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 1,429 | 980 |
| 1,429 | 980 |
14 FUNDS
| Balance at | Balance at 30 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October | Incoming | Resources | September | ||
| 2024 | resources | expended | T’fer | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General funds | 342,312 | 70,567 | (67,672) | - | 345,207 |
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Romania | - | 1,714 | (1,646) | - | 68 |
| Christians Against Poverty | - | 2,310 | (2,148) | - | 162 |
| Shine and Thrive | 1,160 | 25 | (663) | - | 522 |
| Building | - | 5,000 | (4,200) | - | 800 |
| BMS | - | 495 | (345) | - | 150 |
| 1,160 | 9,544 | (9,002) | - | 1,702 | |
| Total funds | 343,472 | 80,111 | (76,674) | - | 346,909 |
The Romania fund represents the income and expenditure of the Charity supporting the church in Turnu Magurele, Romania.
The Christians Against Poverty fund represents the support of the Forth Valley CAP partnership. Shine and Thrive is a ministry to support ongoing work with young girls. Building - amounts donated for building repairs.
BMS – amounts donated for the ongoing work of the Baptist Missionary Society.
15 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 308,108 | - | 308,108 |
| Current assets | 38,528 | 1,702 | 40,230 |
| Creditors falling due within one year | (1,429) | - | (1,429) |
| 345,207 | 1,702 | 346,909 |
16 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The aggregate donations made by Trustees amounted to £30,535 (2024: £23,646)
During the year, the charity paid payroll costs of £300 (2024: £320) to Advanced Accounting (Scotland) Limited, a company controlled by a Trustee.
During the year, the charity paid maintenance costs of £nil (2024: £450) to Nexen Solutions, an entity controlled by a Trustee.
page 15 of 15