Charity registration number 1136471
Company registration number 07227205 (England and Wales)
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
D Collins
L Lurcock
S Lynch
A Pop
D Treneer
S Walker
O Wilson
Elders
J Holman
D Treneer
T Vellacott
S Whitfield
Charity number
1136471
Company number
07227205
Registered office
65-71 Holland Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3  1JN
Independent examiner
John Caladine FCCA CTA FCIE
Caladine Limited
Chantry House
22 Upperton Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 1BF
Bankers
National Westminster Plc
Barclays Bank Plc
The Co-operative Bank
Baptist Union Corporation Ltd
Solicitors
Mayo Wynne Baxter
20 Gildredge Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 4RP
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 6
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
7
Independent examiner's report
8
Statement of financial activities
9
Statement of financial position
10
Statement of cash flows
11
Notes to the financial statements
12 - 24
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 1 -

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Church's trust deed, the Companies Act 2006 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

The vision statement of the Church - We believe that God has called us to be a Church that raises the next generation.

 

To achieve this end the Church is engaged in numerous activities from Sunday worship to weekday meetings catering for all ages. The Church has also undertaken several stepstone events to appeal directly to those outside the immediate membership, some of these in conjunction with other churches within Brighton. The ongoing caring for all connected with Holland Road remains a high priority

Public benefit

The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Church should undertake.

Achievements and performance

 

Senior Pastors Overview 2023

 

2023 has been an amazing year of seeing God’s goodness and provision. We have been so

thankful for the joy of seeing 14 Baptisms over the year and many lives transformed and being drawn to Jesus. As we continue to work out our vision for ‘Every generation to help raise the next generation to be FREE (Following Jesus, Reaching Out, being an Extended family and doing Everything in Love), a particular highlight of this in action was our church weekend away at Dalesdown in the summer.

 

The church has continued to respond with great generosity to needs locally and globally with both our gifts days exceeding our budgeted targets. As high inflation has led to a cost of living crisis across the nation, we have been so thankful for God’s provision for our needs as a church and His provision through us to others.

 

On Sunday mornings we particularly looked at the theme of ‘The King and His Kingdom’ as we looked at the life of King David in the Old Testament and the many ways that story speaks to us today and points to King Jesus and His kingdom.

 

We praise God for the many ways that what follows in this report speaks of His kingdom growing and bringing His hope and light to many. To Him be all the glory.

 

World Mission 2023

2023 was a year of much World Mission activity! We sent three teams on short-term trips - to Wales, Northern France and Ethiopia. We also sent 3 couples on longer-term assignments, including to Brazil and the valleys of Wales. At the end of 2023, we also reached the end point for financial support for one couple that we’ve been supporting in their mission activities for over 40 years.

 

Our trip to Ethiopia in October was a particular highlight as we took 6 teenagers as part of an

intergenerational team of 14. Together we each played our part in supporting and encouraging long-term partners at Joy Academy (a school) and Strong Hearts (providing practical support for the poorest of the poor, and running a network of churches).

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 2 -

Our annual ‘World Weeks’ in May saw various information and prayer events that culminated in our Gift Day, where £46,817.87 was given. From this, we were able to give gifts to the emergency response efforts in Libya and Morocco as well as organisations such as Open Doors (supporting persecuted Christians around the world) and DFN (working with the Dalits in India).

 

The Practical Team

The team continued to offer hope and practical help to people in our City in 2023. The main priorities continued to be:

 

1) To serve those experiencing or in danger of being homeless

The Monday Lunch Club continues to take place every Monday from 12-1 pm virtually every week throughout the whole year. This is a place of true community. It is also a vehicle to provide practical help such as signposting to other agencies including our own CAP centre as well as a source of grant applications e.g. Acts 435 and energy support grants.

 

The team also provides donations of small furniture items and kitchenalia to clients of St Mungos Housing First and Justlife moving into new accommodation.

 

Encouragingly two of our community volunteers having been part of a weekly discipleship group decided they wanted to be and were baptised.

 

We continue to offer our site/spaces to frontline charities working with the homeless and people with no recourse to public funds. For example, CGL Smart meetings take place in the hall every Thursday and Voices In Exile regularly uses a room to support refugees.

 

2) To help address food poverty

The church continues to be an emergency food (and household items) source. This is a non-refer / in case of need service. We also supplement the standard foodbank items with cooked meals made fresh and then frozen by some of our volunteer cooks.

 

3) Collaboration

The Practical Team continues to seek to work with other churches and organisations in the City that try to support those in need by sharing best practices and resources to avoid unnecessary duplication.

 

The team continues to be active in the support of Christian Action Brighton ( CAB)

https://www.christianactionbrighton.org.uk/.

 

We remain financial supporters of Street Support https://streetsupport.net/brighton-and-hove/.

 

For regular updates on the ongoing work of the practical team, you join the dedicated FaceBook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicalteam.

 

Children’s Work Report

 

2023 was probably our first ‘normal’ year back following the Covid pandemic. It has been great operate things again without any restrictions.

 

Sundays

 

Holland Road Kids continues to run on Sundays alongside the service and we have averaged 25-30 children coming along in Primary School. We continue to offer the Early Years Room for ages 2-4 and have had about 6-9 children coming along. We also have the Family Room open for those with children under 2 years old to watch the service and have tea and coffee in a more relaxed setting with toys. We have also taken the opportunity mostly in the summer or school holidays to run a Family Space in the hall, which is available for parents to continue to watch the livestream of the service, along with their children, in a more relaxed environment when we are not running official children’s activities.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 3 -

Primary School

 

Holiday Club

 

We ran the Incredible Heroes Holiday Club during the February half-term on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We had 134 overall attend over these 4 days. The highest-attended day was Friday with 93 children, and the lowest-attended day was Sunday (the final) with 39 children. We had an amazing team of volunteers, of all ages and generations helping to serve. We had a large amount of people attend the lunch after the Sunday service, and then we had a few new families come along to church in the weeks following the Holiday Club.

 

Easter and Christmas Bake and Share events

 

We were not able to run our usual Hub sessions this year but instead focussed on different times of the year when we could run something for children in Primary School outside of a Sunday morning. We ran two themed sessions - one in the Easter holidays and one in the Christmas holidays - which had the children bake different things that they would then get to eat and share with their parents/carers at the end. Both sessions were very popular and we had to limit to 24 children each time.

 

Year 5+6 Activities

 

One of the strands of the Children’s Ministry which we leant into in 2023 was for children in Years 5+6. We didn’t do a traditional residential weekend away to Carroty Wood as we did in 2022, but instead took the opportunity to change the rhythm of a residential from Autumn to Summer instead. We had a sleepover at the church in July, which was attended by 13 children. We also took the Year 5+6s to a Pizza and Bowling activity in September to start the year getting to know each other better.

 

Light Party

 

We ran a Light Party for children in Primary School as an alternative to Halloween on Tuesday, October 31st, 2023. It was not during the school holidays as Amanda and some of the Kid's team had been away in Ethiopia then, but we decided to still run something on Halloween itself. We had lots of different craft and game options, laser tag, a meal together, and a talk about Jesus being the Light. We had about 40 children attend (less than the previous year but this could be because it was on Halloween itself).

 

Kids’ Christmas Choir

 

We were not able to run these in an afterschool session like we had in 2022, but we instead taught the children a song on Sunday mornings in church. The children learned a song to sing at the 6pm Candlelight Service. We had about 12 children in the choir.

 

Under 5s

 

Fledglings

 

We continued to run our Toddler Group, with Amanda taking over the leadership of it once Becky moved to Wales in the summer 2023. This has proven to be a popular group and has on average 15-20 families attending each week, with some regulars and also some new people each time. As a link to the group, we ran a Baby and Child First Aid Course for the parents/carers in June 2023, which was attended by 7 families. We also ran two sessions over the summer, in August, to keep in touch with the families who attend Fledglings and to provide some much-needed social space for them during a time when most activities are not running.

 

Messy Easter and Messy Christmas

 

We ran two special events, especially for parents with children under 5, which allowed them to engage with the Easter and Christmas stories in an interactive way. We offer a variety of crafts and activities, a chance to hear the real Easter and Christmas story, and we always provide food at the end. These are very popular and we always have a good amount of people coming along.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 4 -

Mission:

 

Kids’ Club Wales

 

Amanda once again led a team of people from our church to join up with the American team from New Hope Baptist Church to run school assemblies in Welsh schools and also some afterschool clubs and Sunday School sessions in the local churches. Our team also helped to put on a Family Fun Day at a local school. It was wonderful to be on mission in this way and to experience running these activities in a different setting. We reached over 1,000 children during our week there with the gospel!

 

Ethiopia trip

 

Amanda and Helen W both were on the team that went to Ethiopia in October half term, 2023. We ran our Incredible Heroes Holiday Club at Joy Academy for 3 days, which approx. 150 children got to experience. We ran a Parenting Session, Sunday School Training and Special Needs training, along with some PE lessons for children at Joy Academy.

 

Other:

 

Intergenerational gatherings

We ran an Intergenerational prayer time at Holland Road in January 2023 and a West Cluster gathering at Kings which included prayer stations and a litter-picking activity in September 2023.

 

Training for the team

In January 2023, Amanda and Helen W ran a team training event and lunch at church following a Sunday service for anyone on the children’s or youth teams. We covered a variety of topics in different sessions which they could choose from, and also ran the essential safeguarding training too.

 

Christmas - Nativity Experience

We tried a new, interactive way for families to come and engage with the Christmas story, and was especially for those who do not normally come to church. We had a wonderful team of actors/actresses who each acted out the different scenes from the Christmas story - 5 scenes altogether (Roman Soldiers, Mary, Joseph, Wise Men and Shepherds). They travelled around in groups to visit each scene, in order and then finished in our Christmas Cafe which was serving festive treats. We had a decent turnout but for the amount of effort that was put into it, we would have loved more people to come. It did encourage a few families to come to church who would not normally come along on Sunday. We had about 50 people come in total.

 

Youth

 

Youth Sundays

In 2023 we had, on average, 14 young people attending our youth programmes on a Sunday

morning. This does not include many of the young people who serve on different teams on Sunday mornings. We have 7 team serving the young people on Sundays. We have been following the adult sermon series except for the Autumn term where we looked at a series on influences.

 

HRY

We had on average 18 young people attending HRY (Holland Road Youth) each week during 2023, up from last year’s average. Our programme remains varied with most evenings happening

in the hall but some evenings doing events out of the church.

 

Our team changed significantly during the summer, with people moving on and by the end of the year was down to 6 leaders and 1 young leader.

 

Summer Camp

 

This year we attended Satellites again, but this time in Somerset. A team of 6 leaders took 10 young people from Holland Road and 6 young people from St Peter’s church. It was great to go away together again and meet with so many other young Christians.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 5 -

Older Youth

 

It has been hard to get a good rhythm for meeting with the Older Youth group but we eventually settled on Sunday lunchtimes on the second Sunday of the month. We have met a few times to eat together and discuss a topic chosen by the young people. Although there is quite a large group of young people in this age group (year 10+), the attendance is sporadic.

 

Youth Band

 

Youth band has continued throughout 2023. The young people have led worship for the children on a Sunday morning once a month and led worship at the holiday club. This meets every other week and contains about 6 young people who have grown in skill and unity as they worship together.

 

Mentoring

 

18 young people were in mentoring relationships with various church members during this year. Mentors meet with a couple of young people every 4-6 weeks to chat, pray and study the Bible together.

 

Training

 

I attended a national youth training weekend with 1 other youth worker from Brighton & Hove City mission and a church member. I completed my JNC Youth work qualification and a PG Cert in Youth & Community work with merit.

 

Wider Youth Events

 

I have been working to encourage youth and children’s leaders to get together about once a term to eat together and chat and pray.

 

May Road

 

We have relet the property via Kendricks for a further academic year. The longer-term vision remains to partner with the council/charity to make the property available as affordable housing via a medium-term lease agreement.

Financial review

There was a deficit on the unrestricted funds for the year of £36,479 before transfers. This left unrestricted funds of £1,034,667 at the end of the 2023 financial year.

Reserves policy

The majority of the Church's funds are invested in land and buildings, which are utilised to carry out the Church's purposes. It is the policy of the Church to accumulate only an adequate level of cash and readily accessible reserves deemed sufficient to meet likely and unexpected capital expenditure needs. The Church has specifically set aside the sum of £85,000 as a reserve. Subject to any donor's wishes, restricted funds are generally held to meet specific purposes or capital projects.

Investment policy

The majority of monies are invested in deposit accounts with recognised financial institutions. The Church seeks to obtain the highest possible returns consistent with a cautious attitude to risk and short term availability of such monies.

Major risks

Risk management

The Church has a risk management policy. The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate systems are in place to mitigate the Church's exposure to such risks, to safeguard the assets of the Church and should prevent and/or detect fraud and other irregularities.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 6 -
Structure, governance and management

The Trust was formed on the 19 April 2010 and commenced activities on the 1 July 2010 with the transfer of the assets and work of Holland Road Baptist Church.

The Church was founded by a trust deed dated 19 June 1889 and is now governed by its Articles of Association and a new constitution, "The Governing Document of Holland Road Baptist Church" as agreed at a Church meeting on 13 March 2013, as well as being affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain (a registered charity).

The Trustees who held office during the year to 31 December 2023 were as follows:

D Collins
J Elbourne
(Resigned 8 January 2023)
L Lurcock
S Lynch
A Pop
D Treneer
S Walker
O Wilson
Recruitment and appointment of trustees

Deacons are those who serve in specific leadership roles in the church and are appointed by the Trustees as recommended by the elders.

 

The appointment of elders are nominated by the Pastor and voted on by the Church meeting.

 

Trustees are appointed by a Church meeting.

 

Newly appointed Trustees are provided with such induction and training as considered necessary for the role within the church which they are undertaking.

Organisational structure

The Church is managed on a day to day basis by a core leadership team namely David Treneer and Tim Vellacott (the two Pastors) and other ministry leaders as required from time to time subject to the overall spiritual oversight of the elders. The Trustees are jointly responsible for the governance of the Church, especially for the operational, legal and financial aspects, referring some matters to a members vote as appropriate.

 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

On behalf of the board of Trustees
S Walker
Trustee
9 May 2024
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 7 -

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Holland Road Baptist Church Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

 

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Church and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Church will continue in operation.

 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
- 8 -

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Holland Road Baptist Church Trust (the Church) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Church (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Church are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the Church’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

 

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

John Caladine FCCA CTA FCIE

 

Chartered Certified Accountants

Caladine Limited
Chantry House
22 Upperton Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 1BF
Dated: 15 May 2024
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 9 -
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
443,722
12,000
455,722
459,236
-
459,236
Charitable activities
3
41,691
-
41,691
15,066
-
15,066
Investments
4
29,116
-
29,116
26,218
-
26,218
Total income
514,529
12,000
526,529
500,520
-
500,520
Charitable activities
5
551,008
12,000
563,008
482,095
-
482,095
Net gains on investments
10
-
-
-
27,964
-
27,964
Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds
(36,479)
-
(36,479)
46,389
-
46,389
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 January 2023
1,071,146
1,167,535
2,238,681
1,024,757
1,167,535
2,192,292
Fund balances at 31 December 2023
1,034,667
1,167,535
2,202,202
1,071,146
1,167,535
2,238,681

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2023
31 December 2023
- 10 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Property, plant and equipment
12
1,204,546
1,201,017
Investment property
13
450,000
450,000
1,654,546
1,651,017
Current assets
Trade and other receivables
14
6,252
26,835
Cash at bank and in hand
576,460
599,038
582,712
625,873
Current liabilities
15
14,238
13,377
Net current assets
568,474
612,496
Total assets less current liabilities
2,223,020
2,263,513
Non-current liabilities
16
(20,818)
(24,832)
Net assets
2,202,202
2,238,681
The funds of the Church
Restricted income funds
19
1,167,535
1,167,535
Unrestricted funds
1,034,667
1,071,146
2,202,202
2,238,681

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 9 May 2024
D Treneer
S Walker
Trustee
Trustee
Company registration number 07227205 (England and Wales)
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 11 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash absorbed by operations
25
(42,633)
(9,772)
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(5,046)
-
Investment income received
29,116
26,218
Net cash generated from investing activities
24,070
26,218
Financing activities
Repayment of borrowings
(4,014)
(3,111)
Net cash used in financing activities
(4,014)
(3,111)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
(22,577)
13,335
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
599,038
585,703
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
576,460
599,038
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 12 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Holland Road Baptist Church Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales and registered charity, number 1136471. The registered office is 71 Holland Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1JN.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Church is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Church. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified to include freehold investment properties at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Church has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

 

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes. These include donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the Church without further specified purposes which are available as general funds or set aside by the trustees as designated funds.

Restricted Funds
These funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure that meets these criteria is charged to the fund together with the appropriate management and support costs.

Unrestricted General
The General fund oversees the day to day work of the Church and incorporates the missionary work of the Church.

Designated
Legacies General - Monies from legacies not as yet allocated.

Legacies World Mission - Money set aside specifically for World Mission.

Reserve - The sum of £85,000 is set aside as a general reserve in accordance with best practice.

 

Restricted

Property Fund - The property owned by the Trust other than the Church.

Hall Flooring Fund - This represents money set aside for the works to the Church's hall flooring.

 

 

 

1.4
Income
Income is recognised when the Church is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1
Accounting policies (Continued)
- 13 -

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Church has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Church has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
1.5
Expenditure

Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred and allocated to the particular cost centre to which they relate, including support costs. These costs include irrecoverable VAT.

1.6
Property and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Details of the individual properties are given below:

Freehold property. Church Premises: 71 Holland Road, Hove, East Sussex

There is no record of original cost. In the opinion of the Trustees it is impractical to place a market value on the site. The property is held on Trust by The Baptist Union Corporation as custodial Trustee.

 

Freehold property. 65 Holland Road, Hove, East Sussex

The  Charity elected to revalue the freehold property on the date of transition to FRS 102 SORP (1 January 2015) and to use this value as the deemed cost of the property in accordance with the transitional provision contained in section 35.10 (c) of FRS102.

 

Fixtures, fittings and equipment

Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment costing in excess of £2,500 are capitalised. All Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment are depreciated on a straight line basis over 5 years.

 

Depreciation

Freehold land is not depreciated. Freehold buildings are also not depreciated as it is the policy of the Trustees that they be maintained to such a standard that their residual value is not less than the carrying value at any given time.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7
Investment properties

A freehold investment residential property in 17 May Road, Brighton was purchased in 2021 to earn rental income and/or capital appreciation and is shown at fair value.

1.8
Impairment of non-current assets

At each reporting end date, the Church reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1
Accounting policies (Continued)
- 14 -

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

 

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in income/(expenditure for the year, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

 

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried in at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

1.9
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.10
Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. Basic financial assets include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances. Basic financial liabilities including trade and and other payables where trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired on the ordinary course of operations from suppliers.

1.11
Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Church is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12
Retirement benefits

The Church contribute to the defined pension contribution scheme of certain staff. The contributions payable for the year are charged in the Financial Statements as part of salaries.

1.13

Grant Making Policy

The Trust supports by the provision of financial grants to Christian organisations whose own activities are in accordance with the Trust's objectives. The Church also supports long term missionary partners connected with the Church or the Baptist Union.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 15 -
2
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
443,722
-
443,722
459,236
-
459,236
Grants
-
12,000
12,000
-
-
-
443,722
12,000
455,722
459,236
-
459,236
Donations and gifts
Donations and gifts
384,396
-
384,396
386,506
-
386,506
Tax refunds
59,326
-
59,326
72,730
-
72,730
443,722
-
443,722
459,236
-
459,236
3
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Charitable activities

Rental income - Cottage

9,400
9,000

Church Weekend income

7,772
-

Lettings income

1,565
1,149

Mission Trips Income

22,954
4,917
41,691
15,066
4

Investments

Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Rental income
22,205
24,014
Interest receivable
6,911
2,204
29,116
26,218
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 16 -
5
Charitable activities
2023
2022
£
£
Salary costs
237,623
232,541
Depreciation
1,518
509

Pastoral expenses

2,080
2,836

Church Weekend and conferences

12,060
1,708

Premises for parking

5,281
3,746

Outreach

989
718

Music and drama

2,009
1,997

Books and purchases

1,088
658

Catering

2,322
1,480

Youthwork and other

8,766
10,724

Mission trips - Ethiopia

19,260
2,204

Training

2,040
1,856

Group ministries

1,049
1,349

Sundries

3,098
1,392

Church equipment repairs and renewals

4,795
5,547

Electricity, Gas and Water

15,726
12,215
Insurance
10,826
9,771
Repairs and Maintenance
43,537
22,519
Small Equipment
1,556
1,797
Licences and Subscriptions
2,470
2,326
Legacy expenditure (sundry)
125
800
Restore - sundry expenses
5,961
3,835
Legacy - Ethiopia and Sundry
8,356
-
392,535
322,528
Grant funding of activities (see note 6)
94,713
88,062
Share of support costs (see note 7)
70,065
65,505
Share of governance costs (see note 7)
5,695
6,000
563,008
482,095
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
551,008
Restricted funds
12,000
563,008
For the year ended 31 December 2022
Unrestricted funds
482,095
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 17 -
6
Grants payable
Grant funding
Grant funding
2023
2022
£
£
Grants to institutions:
Christians Against Poverty
20,827
19,781
General Gifts to organisations
500
4,000
Global Partners
11,972
14,307
Missionary
17,433
15,954
Missionary Partners
6,689
7,096
Other
-
-
57,421
61,138
Grants to individuals
37,292
26,924
94,713
88,062
-
7
Support and governance costs
Support costs
Governance costs
Total
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
Salary costs
50,560
-
50,560
47,067

Telephone

4,330
-
4,330
4,142
Administration, IT, communications and household
15,175
-
15,175
14,296
Independent Examination
-
1,260
1,260
780
Accountancy
-
3,000
3,000
3,120
Legal and professional
-
990
990
990

Bank Charges

-
445
445
437

Loan Interest

-
-
-
673
70,065
5,695
75,760
71,505
Analysed between
Charitable activities
70,065
5,695
75,760
71,505
8
Trustees

Trustees are reimbursed any expense costs directly incurred on behalf of the Church. These are not considered material to disclose.

The aggregate donations from the Trustees to the Trust during the year was £16,741 (2022:£38,860).

 

See also Note 24.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 18 -
9
Employees

The average monthly number of full and part time employees during the year was:

2023
2022
Number
Number
Direct church activities
9
9
Support
2
2
Thrivers
-
1
Total
11
12
Employment costs
2023
2022
£
£
Wages and salaries
247,978
240,648
Social security costs
16,472
15,273
Other pension costs
23,733
23,687
288,183
279,608

Volunteers

The Trustees extend their thanks to numerous volunteers who give so sacrificially in both time and resource into the vision of the Church.

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
10
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Total
Unrestricted
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Revaluation of investment properties
-
27,964
11
Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 19 -
12
Property and equipment
Land and buildings
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2023
1,200,000
52,544
1,252,544
Additions
-
5,046
5,046
At 31 December 2023
1,200,000
57,590
1,257,590
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2023
-
51,526
51,526
Depreciation charged in the year
-
1,518
1,518
At 31 December 2023
-
53,044
53,044
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023
1,200,000
4,546
1,204,546
At 31 December 2022
1,200,000
1,017
1,201,017

 

13
Investment property
2023
£
Fair value
At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023
450,000

Investment property comprises of the 17 May Road property, Brighton, East Sussex. It was revalued by Kendrick Property Services at 31 December 2022 and again in March 2024 where no adjustment was considered necessary.

14
Trade and other receivables
2023
2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other receivables
2,460
23,457
Prepayments
3,792
3,378
6,252
26,835
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 20 -
15
Current liabilities
2023
2022
£
£
Other taxation and social security
4,368
4,334
Baptist Union Corporation Ltd (Loan)
3,913
3,709
Other payables
1,757
1,434
Accruals
4,200
3,900
14,238
13,377
16
Non-current liabilities
2023
2022
£
£
Baptist Union Corporation Ltd
20,818
24,832
17
Borrowings (see note 22)
2023
2022
£
£
Payable within one year
(see note 15)
3,913
3,709
Payable after one year
(see note 15)
20,818
24,832
24,731
28,541
18
Retirement benefit schemes
Defined contribution schemes

The Church operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Church in an independently administered fund.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was 2023: £18,680, (2022: £19,607).

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 21 -
19
Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 January 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 31 December 2023
£
£
£
£
Property Fund
1,167,535
-
-
1,167,535
Hall Flooring Fund
-
12,000
(12,000)
-
1,167,535
12,000
(12,000)
1,167,535
Previous year:
At 1 January 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 31 December 2022
£
£
£
£
Property
1,167,535
-
-
1,167,535

The Properties are stated at cost of £1,200,000 within the balance sheet. The difference of £32,465 compared to the fund balance represents money raised through unrestricted funds.

20
Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 January 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Gains and losses
At 31 December 2023
£
£
£
£
£
Legacies General
36,609
-
(8,571)
-
28,038
Reserve fund
85,000
-
-
-
85,000
Lagacies World Mission
24,049
-
(8,356)
-
15,693
General funds
925,488
514,529
(534,081)
-
905,936
1,071,146
514,529
(551,008)
-
1,034,667
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
20
Unrestricted funds (Continued)
- 22 -
Previous year:
At 1 January 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Gains and losses
At 31 December 2022
£
£
£
£
£
Legacies General
36,609
-
-
-
36,609
Reserve fund
85,000
-
-
-
85,000
Lagacies World Mission
26,149
-
(2,100)
-
24,049
General funds
876,999
500,520
(479,995)
27,964
925,488
1,024,757
500,520
(482,095)
27,964
1,071,146

 

21
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 December 2023 are represented by:
Property, plant and equipment
1,204,546
-
1,204,546
Investment properties
(717,535)
1,167,535
450,000
Current assets/(liabilities)
568,474
-
568,474
Long term liabilities
(20,818)
-
(20,818)
1,034,667
1,167,535
2,202,202
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 December 2022 are represented by:
Property, plant and equipment
1,201,017
-
1,201,017
Investment properties
(717,535)
1,167,535
450,000
Current assets/(liabilities)
612,496
-
612,496
Long term liabilities
(24,832)
-
(24,832)
1,071,146
1,167,535
2,238,681
22
Baptist Pension Fund Deficit

This is a loan from the Baptist Union to enable the Church to cover its contributions for the past deficit of The Baptist Pension Fund. The loan is repaid over a 15 year term from 5 March 2018 with interest charged at 4.25% p.a.

 

 

 

HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 23 -
23
Operating lease commitments
2023
2022
£
£
Within one year
3,922
3,892
Between two and five years
13,727
5,838
17,649
9,730
24
Related party transactions
Trustee Remuneration
The following were trustees during the year that received salaries and pension contributions in respect of their work as employees of the Church as allowed within the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
2023
2022
£
£
Salaries
D Treneer
46,323
42,048
S Walker
34,800
33,216
Employers NIC
D Treneer
5,137
4,796
S Walker
3,547
3,513
Pension contributions
D Treneer
5,610
4,205
S Walker
4,252
3,322
HOLLAND ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 24 -
25
Cash generated from operations
2023
2022
£
£
(Deficit)/surpus for the year
(36,479)
46,389
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
(29,116)
(26,218)
Fair value gains and losses on investment properties
-
(27,964)
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
1,518
509
Movements in working capital:
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
20,583
(1,450)
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
861
(1,038)
Cash absorbed by operations
(42,633)
(9,772)
26
Analysis of changes in net funds
At 1 January 2023
Cash flows
At 31 December 2023
£
£
£
Cash at bank and in hand
599,038
(22,578)
576,460
Loans falling due after more than one year
(24,832)
4,014
(20,818)
574,206
(18,564)
555,642
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