New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO
Trustees’ Annual Report of Activities and Statement of Accounts
Year Ended 31 March 2025
Scottish Charity No. SC052298
New Prestwick Baptist Church
Trustees
Pastor (Retired May 2025) Treasurer Secretary
Address
192 Prestwick Road, Ayr KA8 8NP
Bankers
Bank of Scotland, 123 High Street, Ayr KA7 1QP
Independent Examiner
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New Prestwick Baptist Church
Report of the Trustees
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the Church for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Governing Document and Status of the Charity
New Prestwick Baptist Church is established by constitution. The Church is a Scottish Charity (No. SCO52298) and is recognised by H.M. Revenue and Customs under reference number CR382660.
Aims and Affiliation
The aims of the Church are to make known the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ and to strengthen believers in the Christian faith. The Church is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Scotland, which is an association of Baptist Churches for mutual support and sharing of resources.
Organisational Structure
The Church is congregational in its form of government and the trustees and other volunteers undertake its day to day running. The names of all trustees who served during the financial year covered by this report are shown on page 1, including those holding particular office.
Appointment of Trustees
New Trustees are selected through nomination by members of the congregation and then require at least 60% of votes in a secret ballot election. Trustees are normally elected to serve for a period of four years. After this period, individuals may be nominated for a further term. Prior to their appointment, new 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 day to day operations. As part of their induction programme, new Trustees are required to understand their statutory responsibilities.
Notes to the Financial Statements
1) Principal sources of funding
The Church receives its funding by way of voluntary donations from the congregation, on a weekly or monthly basis.
2) Policy on reserves
It is the aim of the Church to maintain unrestricted funds, i.e., funds not committed or invested in fixed assets, at a level of approximately three months’ unrestricted expenditure. This allows sufficient funds to enable the ongoing work of the Church to be maintained. At 31 March 2025, unrestricted funds amounted to £138,150 and were above the required level of around £20,000.
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New Prestwick Baptist Church
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of New Prestwick Baptist Church
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out in pages 6 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and the Independent Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) of the Accounts Regulations do not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts required under Section 44(1) 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 Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulation 2006. The 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 the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be require in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In the course of my examination no matter has come to my attention:
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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To keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
……………………………. 2025
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New Prestwick Baptist Church
Summary of Main Activities 2024 – 25
The Church’s purpose continues to be the advancement of the Christian faith, primarily in Ayr and Prestwick, but also throughout Scotland and the rest of the world.
Public Worship & Teaching
Throughout the year services of public worship have been held on a weekly basis for the benefit of people who have a Christian faith, as well as for those who desire to find out more about Christianity. Attendances at morning services average around 60 and comprise people from a range of ages, drawn from the local area and further afield. The teaching in these services has enabled people’s faith to be strengthened so they are better equipped to serve within the congregation and the wider community.
Various small group Bible studies have continued to allow for more in-depth conversational study of the Bible, resulting in a deepening knowledge of God and His Word the Bible, the growing of friendships and the sharing of life’s joys and challenges.
The church continues to hold services in five local residential care homes for the benefit of residents who choose to attend, some of whom were or are currently members of the congregation. These services provide an important Christian faith link between residents and the church for mutual encouragement, as well as introducing others to Christianity.
Prayer
The church has held weekly hybrid prayer meetings in order to bring prayers of praise to God as well as to pray about physical and spiritual needs relating to individuals, governments and nations. Attendances have averaged around 20 per week. Many answers to prayer have been clearly evidenced, whilst other answers remain within God’s future purposes.
Community Engagement
During July 2024 the church ran a weekly ‘Faith, Fun & Food for Families’ event to provide facilities and activities for local families during school holidays. This was followed up in September 2024 with a Family Fun Day for the local community, which provided another opportunity for family enjoyment.
In December 2024 for the second year running the church ran a free, interactive, guided family Christmas event entitled The Christmas Trail. This comprised costumed characters, historical facts boards, quizzes, mini challenges, craft work, refreshments and take-home goodie bags, all for the purpose of telling the Biblical Christmas Story in a different way. There was one session for the public and three for local primary school classes. Feedback from the event was very encouraging.
The church has continued with its fortnightly Knit & Natter Group, monthly Coffee Mornings and monthly Walking Group resulting in new friendships being formed. Quarterly Ladies’ Events combining interesting talks or practical workshops with the good news of the Christian faith have been very popular. The church continues to financially support the local work of Scripture Union Scotland in their provision of Bible resources, discussion groups and holidays for children and young people, many of whom are from under-privileged communities in Scotland.
Overseas Mission
The church has continued to financially support the work of organisations that bring humanitarian relief and the good news concerning the Lord Jesus Christ to people groups throughout the world. Supported organisations include: BMS World Mission, OM Ships Ministry and SIM International, each of whose work is mostly in Africa, Asia, Europe & South America. Again this year, used goods and clothing were collected for transportation in support of Children for Christ UK, a charity that works in Christian education and training, and the relief of poverty for families in Romania. In addition, the congregation provided some 80 gift shoeboxes to Blythswood Care’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal, which supports under-privileged families in a variety of poverty-stricken countries.
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New Prestwick Baptist Church
Pastoral Care
Over the year the Pastor, in addition to teaching the Bible, has continued to make numerous visits to people who are sick, elderly, bereaved, lonely or distressed so as to bring comfort, encouragement and friendship through reading from the Bible and praying with them. This has included members of the congregation as well as those who have very limited association with the church.
Evangelical Charitable Social Action
Members of the congregation continue to support financially and practically two local Christian charities ( Wheels in Motion and Broken Chains ) plus one in Leeds ( Caring for Life ); these charities help support those who are homeless and/or struggling with addictions, by providing shelter, food and companionship, with the aim of providing comfort and hope through the Christian Faith.
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New Prestwick Baptist Church
| New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO (Charity No. SC052298) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Receipts and Payments | for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 | ||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
Budget 2024/25 |
Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
|||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Receipts | |||||||||
| Offerings (non Gift Aided) | 30,977 | 0 | 30,977 | 26,000 | 29,582 | ||||
| Offerings (Gift Aided) | 37,120 | 0 | 37,120 | 36,000 | 37,160 | ||||
| Sundry income | 430 | 0 | 430 | 200 | 355 | ||||
| Tax reclaimable | 7,669 | 0 | 7,669 | 9,250 | 11,290 | ||||
| Receipts from fellowship lunches | 1,813 | 0 | 1,813 | 2,500 | 1,717 | ||||
| Receipts for other Unrestricted Funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | ||||
| Total Receipts | 78,008 | 0 | 78,008 | 73,950 | 80,204 | ||||
| Payments | |||||||||
| Pastor's Stipend | 34,650 | 0 | 34,650 | 34,650 | 33,000 | ||||
| Pastor's NIC | 3,526 | 0 | 3,526 | 3,526 | 3,299 | ||||
| Employer's NIC allowance | (3,526) | 0 | (3,526) | (3,526) | (3,299) | ||||
| NPBC contribution to Pastor's pension | 4,199 | 0 | 4,199 | 4,226 | 4,070 | ||||
| Pastor's mileage Pastor's conferences & other expenses Pulpit supply (inc. missionary speakers ) |
1,549 | 0 | 1,549 | 1,400 | 1,400 | ||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 300 | 300 | |||||
| 1,190 | 0 | 1,190 | 800 | 650 | |||||
| Council tax | 3,756 | 0 | 3,756 | 3,757 | 3,683 | ||||
| Insurance | 2,958 | 0 | 2,958 | 4,243 | 3,856 | ||||
| Heating & lighting | 4,591 | 0 | 4,591 | 5,000 | 4,115 | ||||
| Support services, inspections & scheduled ~~maintenance~~ |
6,493 | 0 | 6,493 | 4,000 | 1,878 | ||||
| Equipment renewals | 1,456 | 0 | 1,456 | 6,000 | 3,714 | ||||
| Church maintenance & repairs | 1,490 | 0 | 1,490 | 2,000 | 105 | ||||
| Consumables | 815 | 0 | 815 | 1,200 | 919 | ||||
| Manse maintenance & repairs | 37 | 0 | 37 | 2,000 | 79 | ||||
| Cleaner's costs | 1,188 | 0 | 1,188 | 1,600 | 1,383 | ||||
| Administration costs | 1,280 | 0 | 1,280 | 1,500 | 1,369 | ||||
| Catering - church events and fellowship lunches | 727 | 0 | 727 | 1,500 | 1,141 | ||||
| Catering - outreach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | ||||
| Outreach - organisations, events etc | 2,076 | 0 | 2,076 | 5,000 | 589 | ||||
| Youth & children's work | 471 | 0 | 471 | 300 | 195 | ||||
| Disbursements to missions | 4,550 | 0 | 4,550 | 4,550 | 4,550 | ||||
| Disbursements to Scottish Baptist Fund | 3,444 | 0 | 3,444 | 3,444 | 3,528 | ||||
| Sundry disbursements | 100 | 0 | 100 | 150 | 100 | ||||
| Disbursements at Pastor's discretion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 0 | ||||
| Disbursements from fellowship lunch receipts | 1,813 | 0 | 1,813 | 2,500 | 1,717 | ||||
| Disbursements from other Unrestricted Funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | ||||
| Total Payments | 78,834 | 0 | 78,834 | 90,270 | 72,432 | ||||
| Surplus/ (Deficit) for the year | (826) | 0 | (826) | (16,320) | 7,772 |
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New Prestwick Baptist Church
- New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO Charity No. SC052298 Statement of Balances as at 31 March 2025
| New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 | New Prestwick Baptist Church SCIO- Charity No. SC052298 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Balances as at 31 March 2025 | ||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted | Restricted funds |
Restricted | Total at 31 March 2025 |
Total at 31 March 2024 |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Opening cash at bank and in hand | 138,976 | 0 | 138,976 | 131,204 | ||||
| Surplus/ (Deficit) for the year | (826) | 0 | (826) | 7,772 | ||||
| Closing cash at bank and in hand | 138,150 | 0 | 138,150 | 138,976 | ||||
| Bank and Cash Balances | ~~F~~ | |||||||
| Bank deposit account | 138,150 | 0 | 138,150 ~~F~~ |
138,976 | ||||
| Other assets - unrestricted funds | ||||||||
| Church building | 500,000 | 500,000 | ||||||
| Fixtures & fittings | 10,000 | 10,000 | ||||||
| Manse | ~~rr~~ | 330,000 |
~~rr~~ | |||||
| ~~rr~~ | 840,000 |
~~rr~~ | ||||||
| Signed on behalf of all the trustees: | ||||||||
| Signature | Date of approval |
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