REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC331490 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC006310

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

FOR

GERRARD STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

3

Independent Examiner's Report

4

Statement of Financial Activities

5

Balance Sheet

6

to

7

Notes to the Financial Statements

8

to

16

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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

Objectives and aims

The object of the church is to advance the Christian religion for the public benefit in the United Kingdom and worldwide through:

The organisation and provision of Christian worship;

The provision of such facilities and services as are appropriate for a Christian Church for the benefit of the members of the Church, visitors to the Church and the local community and the wider community, particularly but not exclusively, in the Aberdeen area;

The support and the prevention and relief of poverty;

The advancement of education;

The provision of facilities for Christian training and service;

The support and provision of Christian evangelism and outreach;

The provision of assistance to the wider Christian Church and its ministries; and

The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

The Elders' Group is of the view that the activities carried out by the church are all in the furtherance of the stated objectives.

The activities of the church depend, to a significant extent, on the work of members and adherents from within the church who volunteer their own time and skills.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Under the leadership of our Church Elders (Trustees), our various church ministries were led by Ministry Leaders (mainly volunteers) with the day-to-day support of the Church Administrator. There was no staff Ministry Team through the past year, since the Senior Pastor resigned in April 2024. Ad-hoc committees are established from time to time to focus on specific tasks and goals (for example, to organise outreach events, church lunches, etc.). The support and day-to-day oversight of the church ministries has since been assumed by the Church Elders and Church Administrator. Administration, Finance and Building Maintenance report to the Church Elders. Each Ministry Leader has responsibility to administer a budget, agreed by the Trustees, for their area of responsibility.

During the past year, a committee was established to undertake the task of searching for and considering potential candidates for the role of Senior Pastor. This search committee comprised seven (7) members who were recommended by the trustees and presented before the church membership during a church conference. The search committee members consisted of two (2) elders (trustees) and 5 additional members who were selected as a microcosm of the full church membership. The search committee was chaired by one of the additional members; to be member-led rather than trustee-led.

We continue to support world mission with a large proportion of our giving. Our community outreach continues; Wednesday Women, our women's drop-in centre has seen good attendance and is well-received, with referrals from health workers with whom we enjoy excellent relations; Café Church, our monthly informal service that we hold in a "café style", also continues to thrive and attract those who do not attend our regular Sunday morning worship service. We are encouraged by the regular attendance at our Sunday morning prayer meeting. We joined a city-wide group of churches, as part of the Love Aberdeen project, to distribute John's Gospels to households in Aberdeen. Some of our Connect Groups focused on prayer walks round the local streets before beginning to deliver the gospels. At Easter, we held a church-wide event continuing to deliver these gospels and were also able to hold an Easter service for the residents of Loch Court sheltered housing. Open Door Baptist Church continues to use part of our facility whilst they wait to purchase their own building, and the building is used by a variety of community groups at various times and in different rooms throughout the year, including Musical Medics, Young Mum's events, Cutting Edge Theatre, Neighbourhood bible time. We continue to support the Christian Union from the Robert Gordon University who meet in the East Wing of the Church.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The income of the church comes mainly from voluntary contributions and is spent on running costs and contributions to missionary societies and missionaries.

Unrestricted funds are showing a deficit for the year of £5,026 (2024: £78,021 deficit) and the Restricted funds are showing a surplus for the year of £15,400 (2024: £5,015 deficit). The church's Unrestricted funds at the year end were £1,717,464 and also hold Restricted funds of £75,549. The reserves at the balance sheet date amounted to £1,793,013.

Reserves policy

The church carries financial reserves at a level it considers suitable and necessary for the future work of the church. Being a city centre church with a traditional church building there is a necessity to maintain funds to a level which would permit major repairs or relocation.

The Elders' Group has assessed the major risks to which the church is exposed, in particular those relating to the operations and finances of the church, and are taking appropriate steps to minimise this risk.

FUTURE PLANS

Our priorities for the coming year are to continue to focus on church prayer life through regular prayer weeks and the Sunday morning prayer meeting. We are considering whether the format of our Connect Groups needs to change, since it has become increasingly challenging to find leaders for the groups. Staffing priority remains to employ a new Senior Pastor. We shall continue to have regular extended leadership meetings with the ministry leaders.

We still hope to continue with the development of our auditorium and the West Phase of our building project.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The church was originally constituted as Gilcomston Park Baptist Church in 1894 and changed its name to Gerrard Street Baptist Church when it took occupation of premises in Gerrard Street, Aberdeen in 1988. On 26 September 2007, a private company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital (number 331490) named Gerrard Street Baptist Church was formed. On 1 October 2007 the whole assets and undertaking of the former charitable unincorporated association were transferred to a new company limited by guarantee, which is also recognised as a charity (SC006310).

The Elders (trustees) of the church act as directors of the company. The Elders' Group comprises elders, who are elected by the church for a three year period, and elders who are also appointed by the church as Pastors. Elders of the former unincorporated association were appointed as elders of the company. The Elders' Group appoint the company secretary and church treasurer on behalf of the church. The normal process for election includes seeking nominations from the congregation. Elders are those whom the Elders consider to meet the Biblical qualification for Elders, as deemed by the Elders' Group, will have their name put forward to the church in General Meeting for election. Elders' elections will normally be held annually at the Annual General meeting.

Training for Elders will be ongoing and informal. Current thinking in pastoral and practical theology will be considered as a regular part of the Elders' meeting together. The Elders' Group undertakes the legal responsibilities of directors of the company and are also responsible for the strategic direction and pastoral wellbeing of the church although they are also, individually, part of the broader aspects of the church's life.

The current Elder's Group contains a diverse and skilled group of individuals who the church believes are suited to and qualified for this role. Annual elections will be held enabling the church to add to the Elders' Group on a regular basis as they see fit.

The church is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Scotland. The Union is made up of completely autonomous churches and so the church is free to manage its own affairs. However, our practice has been to accept guidance from the Baptist Union on increases in salary, expenses and allowances paid to our employed staff.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

SC331490 (Scotland)

Registered Charity number

SC006310

Registered office

Gerrard Street Baptist Church

Gerrard Street

Aberdeen

Aberdeenshire

AB25 1HA

Trustees

Mr F I Anderson Solicitor

Mr J P Reed Global Core Analysis Manager

Dr A I Osofero University Lecturer

Mr B Sutherland Software Developer

Mr L M Tsyokpoh Treasury Manager

Dr J Scott Retired (appointed 1/6/25)

Company Secretary

Mr F I Anderson

Independent Examiner

Graham W Thomson

Bain Henry Reid

Chartered Accountants

4 West Craibstone Street

Bon-Accord Square

ABERDEEN

AB11 6YL

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 4 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr F I Anderson - Trustee

I report on the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025 set out on pages five to sixteen.

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 the independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts 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.

Graham W Thomson

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

Bain Henry Reid

Chartered Accountants

4 West Craibstone Street

Bon-Accord Square

ABERDEEN

AB11 6YL

8 July 2026

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

168,296

19,075

187,371

208,257

Investment income

2

7,729

-

7,729

3,882

Other income

1,792

-

1,792

6,013

Total

177,817

19,075

196,892

218,152

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

3

Staff costs

36,005

-

36,005

96,857

Depreciation and impairment

25,248

-

25,248

25,998

Finance and admin

59,719

-

59,719

43,003

City and student ministries

399

-

399

930

Pastoral care

859

-

859

2,115

Prayer and praise

3,766

-

3,766

1,328

Mission to our world

33,255

-

33,255

31,860

Children and youth

247

-

247

1,185

Mission to our street

3,895

-

3,895

3,119

Building and maintenance

6,074

3,675

9,749

78,611

Office and cleaning

3,204

-

3,204

2,226

Leadership

-

-

-

479

Kitchen and catering

876

-

876

2,486

Other

1,951

-

1,951

77

Governance costs

7,345

-

7,345

10,914

Total

182,843

3,675

186,518

301,188

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(5,026

)

15,400

10,374

(83,036

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

1,722,490

60,149

1,782,639

1,865,675

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

1,717,464

75,549

1,793,013

1,782,639

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

9

921,920

-

921,920

947,168

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

10

84,205

9,174

93,379

127,927

Cash at bank

721,723

66,375

788,098

718,606

805,928

75,549

881,477

846,533

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

11

(10,384

)

-

(10,384

)

(11,062

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

795,544

75,549

871,093

835,471

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

1,717,464

75,549

1,793,013

1,782,639

NET ASSETS

1,717,464

75,549

1,793,013

1,782,639

FUNDS

12

Unrestricted funds

1,717,464

1,722,490

Restricted funds

75,549

60,149

TOTAL FUNDS

1,793,013

1,782,639

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30 September 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 4 July 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr L M Tsyokpoh - Trustee

Mr F I Anderson - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Going concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity 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 accounts.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

•

the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity 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.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category and include irrecoverable VAT. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Charitable activities

Charitable activities are incurred in direct pursuance of the charity's principal objectives and as set out in the trustees' report, and includes staff costs, project costs, governance and administrative costs.

Governance costs

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include independent examination fees.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their estimated useful lives on the following bases:

Land

Nil

Buildings

2% straight line

Fixtures and fittings

10% straight line

Computer equipment

20% straight line

No depreciation has been charged for freehold property in the year as the trustees are of the opinion that residual value is not materially lower than cost.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds are amounts set aside by the trustees out of the unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

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 charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of similar account.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Financial Instruments

The charity only has financial assets and 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.

2.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

£

Deposit account interest

7,729

3,882

3.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Support

Direct

costs (see

Costs

note 4)

Totals

£

£

£

Staff costs

36,005

-

36,005

Depreciation and impairment

25,248

-

25,248

Finance and admin

59,719

-

59,719

City and student ministries

399

-

399

Pastoral care

859

-

859

Prayer and praise

3,766

-

3,766

Mission to our world

33,255

-

33,255

Children and youth

247

-

247

Mission to our street

3,895

-

3,895

Building and maintenance

9,749

-

9,749

Office and cleaning

3,204

-

3,204

Kitchen and catering

876

-

876

Other

1,951

-

1,951

Governance costs

-

7,345

7,345

179,173

7,345

186,518

4.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

costs

£

Governance costs

7,345

5.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

25,248

25,998

6.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

During the year Rev Matthew Henderson, a trustee who resigned 29 March 2024, received remuneration of £nil (2024: £56,975) and the charity made pension contributions of £nil (2024: £4,273) on his behalf.

Trustees' expenses

During the year £nil (2024: £3,612) was paid in respect of rates on behalf of a trustee as a result of their role as an employee and not as a result of their role as a trustee.

Payments to trustees are authorised under section 37 of the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association.

7.	STAFF COSTS

2025

2024

£

£

Wages and salaries

31,268

82,458

Social security costs

2,771

8,793

Other pension costs

1,966

5,606

36,005

96,857

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2025

2024

Employees

2

3

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

The charity has no key management personnel other than the trustees. Transactions with trustees are shown in note 6.

8.	STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

194,277

13,980

208,257

Investment income

3,882

-

3,882

Other income

6,013

-

6,013

Total

204,172

13,980

218,152

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Staff costs

96,857

-

96,857

Depreciation and impairment

25,998

-

25,998

Finance and admin

43,003

-

43,003

City and student ministries

930

-

930

Pastoral care

1,615

500

2,115

Prayer and praise

1,328

-

1,328

Mission to our world

31,860

-

31,860

Children and youth

1,185

-

1,185

Mission to our street

3,119

-

3,119

Building and maintenance

60,116

18,495

78,611

Office and cleaning

2,226

-

2,226

Leadership

479

-

479

Kitchen and catering

2,486

-

2,486

Other

77

-

77

Governance costs

10,914

-

10,914

Total

282,193

18,995

301,188

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(78,021

)

(5,015

)

(83,036

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

1,800,511

65,164

1,865,675

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

1,722,490

60,149

1,782,639

9.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Freehold

and

Computers

property

fittings

& equipment

Totals

£

£

£

£

COST

At 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025

1,058,422

60,321

133,472

1,252,215

DEPRECIATION

At 1 October 2024

124,784

54,276

125,987

305,047

Charge for year

19,148

1,415

4,685

25,248

At 30 September 2025

143,932

55,691

130,672

330,295

NET BOOK VALUE

At 30 September 2025

914,490

4,630

2,800

921,920

At 30 September 2024

933,638

6,045

7,485

947,168

Included in cost or valuation of land and buildings is freehold land of £50,568 (2024 - £50,568) which is not depreciated.

10.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Other debtors

88,607

115,976

Prepayments

4,772

11,951

93,379

127,927

11.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Social security and other taxes

108

107

Accrued expenses

10,276

10,955

10,384

11,062

12.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

At

movement

At

1/10/24

in funds

30/9/25

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General Fund

637,576

18,956

656,532

Designated Building Fund

246,762

(4,834

)

241,928

Designated Fixed Asset Fund

838,152

(19,148

)

819,004

1,722,490

(5,026

)

1,717,464

Restricted funds

Building Fund

58,377

15,400

73,777

Cooking classes

51

-

51

Community Support

1,721

-

1,721

60,149

15,400

75,549

TOTAL FUNDS

1,782,639

10,374

1,793,013

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General Fund

177,817

(158,861

)

18,956

Designated Building Fund

-

(4,834

)

(4,834

)

Designated Fixed Asset Fund

-

(19,148

)

(19,148

)

177,817

(182,843

)

(5,026

)

Restricted funds

Building Fund

19,075

(3,675

)

15,400

TOTAL FUNDS

196,892

(186,518

)

10,374

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

At

movement

At

1/10/23

in funds

30/9/24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General Fund

691,082

(53,506

)

637,576

Designated Building Fund

252,131

(5,369

)

246,762

Designated Fixed Asset Fund

857,298

(19,146

)

838,152

1,800,511

(78,021

)

1,722,490

Restricted funds

Building Fund

62,892

(4,515

)

58,377

Cooking classes

51

-

51

Community Support

2,221

(500

)

1,721

65,164

(5,015

)

60,149

TOTAL FUNDS

1,865,675

(83,036

)

1,782,639