[wpseo_breadcrumb]

Council Summary November 2026

By Hayley Beckett on 10th November 2026

EBA Trustees with one apology met on Saturday 7 November 2026. The trustees were joined by Claire Blatchford (EBA Regional Minister).

Lou Webber (EBA Moderator) welcomed everyone. In opening the meeting Lou read from Philippians 4.

Trustees started their meeting with a focus on trustee training. The trustee induction document had been reviewed and trustees worked through this to remind themselves of their duties and responsibilities to the association. It is Trustees Week from 9 November, and it was a good opportunity to thank the Trustees for their service to the association. The trustees are here to listen to our churches so if there is anything that you would like to raise with the trustees then they can be contacted through the association secretary.

Gillian Jones (EBA Safeguarding Lead) produced a report for the trustees, the trustees are very grateful for the part that Gillian plays in supporting the EBA churches with safeguarding. Overall EBA churches are very engaged with creating safe places of worship and trustees would continue to encourage churches to keep this a high priority.

Richard Lewis (EBA Treasurer) presented financial information up to the end of September 2026. Our situation looks as expected at this point in the year. The budget for 2027 was presented and agreed by trustees. Due to the income received during the year as mentioned in the last summary and some changes in costs our anticipated deficit has been reduced to around £60,000.

David Mayne (RMTL) presented the team report highlighting Cambridgeshire Week and the Youthscape Essential training. There are still a number of EBA churches actively seeking new ministers and we upheld them in prayer as they are seeking the right person to fill this role.

Hayley Beckett (EBA Company Secretary) presented the Administration Report which included the approval of both the Cyber Security Policy and the External Speaker Policy for EBA. The approval of those individuals who represent EBA in various national spaces the list of these can be found on the EBA website and an update on EBA property.

Trustees approved the priorities for 2027, which are broadly in line with the previous two years

Furthering Kingdom Justice

• Continuing to implement the agreed outcomes of Project Violet.
• Establishing the new collaborative Justice Hub, working with other Association partners.
• Engaging with the upcoming Just Leaders work being produced by the BUGB Ministries Team.

Connecting with our least engaged churches

• Continuing with the work of meeting, visiting, and supporting our least engaged churches as identified in Project 17 (now Project 9?).

Reforming our Association

• Standardisation the language and communications of our various Networks, and identifying new Networks that would aid our churches and ministers.
• Establishing Districts across the Association.
• Re-developing our website, ensuring clear and coherent messaging as well as it being accessible and easy to use.

Collaborating with our Baptist movement

• Playing an active and constructive part in the ongoing 5 Association Collaboration, working together with our friends in CBA, SWaBA, NBA, and SCBA to create more creative, effective, and sustainable ministry across our respective Associations.
• Making sure the EBA takes up all our allocations of spaces on national Baptist groups.
• Pro-actively looking for opportunities to build good relationships across Baptists Together.
• Ensuring the EBA is well-represented in discussions about the future financial arrangements of Baptists Together

Claire Blatchford was invited to speak about Project Violet fulfilling a commitment EBA trustees made to keep the recommendations of Project Violet high in priority. Claire updated trustees on progress made against the recommendations that EBA trustees agreed to

• At our recent online moderators’ gatherings, Claire spoke about the experiences of women within the settlement process and the importance of discussing terms and conditions. (R06)
• Claire continues to co-ordinate the current Magnify You cohort. We propose that a Magnify You delegate will attend BU Council meetings in 2027 as part of our EBA delegation. (R04)
• Whenever the team plans for an association event, we always hope for good representation at the front, and we are particularly mindful when planning our Ministers’ Conference. We do not always get it right but continue to work towards good representation (R04).
• Likewise, using resources that reflect the diversity of Baptist life is an area where we must be mindful of representation. (R56)
• There was an excellent article in the recent BUGB Together magazine in relation to allyship and making room for others to flourish.

A document entitled ‘Making Every Voice Heard’ is currently being finalised by the ministries team which details the importance of constructive and inclusive spaces for all. (R09).

This document will also be important as we launch Districts within the EBA, so that all those who attend gatherings will feel their presence is affirmed within meetings and gatherings. (R43).

• Myself and David have had conversations with regards to our EBA Justice Hub. (R23)
• As a regional team, we ensure that all our ministers engage with Equality and Diversity training. (R32)
• Amy is planning an explore your call event in May 2027 and I have already spoken with her regarding an element of the session intentionally supporting women in their discernment. (R42)
• Claire led a Menopause Awareness session for our NAMs on 16^th September and was encouraged by their level of engagement. Claire also continues to be part of the national steering group reviewing this request for change. Menopause policies for associations and churches will soon be available.

Myself and Denise Dobie (RM for HEBA and a former GP) led online Menopause Awareness training for Regional Teams on 3^rd November at which 32 people were in attendance, 8 of those were from the EBA regional team and trustees! (R39).

• A further 11 menopause advocates will be training in 2027 for support across the country (R38).

There is still much work to be done, but I am encouraged that many churches and ministers within the EBA are engaging with Project Violet. If you are not sure what Project Violet is or wish to remind yourself then you can find all the information on the BU Website https://www.baptist.org.uk/Groups/418279/Project_Violet_Findings.aspx

The meeting closed in prayer.

Other News

Council Summary September 2026

17th September 2026

EBA Trustees with one apology met on Monday 14 September 2026. The trustees were joined by Claire Blatchford (EBA Regional Minister). Lou Webber (EBA Moderator) welcomed everyone. In opening the meeting Lou read from Philippians 2, that speaks about who Jesus is and why he came into the world with…

Read more

---

Council Summary June 2026

6th July 2026

EBA Council Summary 29 June 2026 EBA Trustees with one apology met on Monday 29 June 2026. The trustees were joined by Claire Blatchford (EBA Regional Minister) and June Love (Moderator of EBA Grants Committee) Lou Webber (EBA Moderator) welcomed everyone. In opening the meeting Lou read from Acts 8…

Read more

---

Council Summary April 2026

22nd April 2026

EBA Trustees with two apologies met on Saturday 18 April 2026. The trustees were joined by Claire Blatchford (EBA Regional Minister) and Gillian Jones (EBA Safeguarding Lead). Segun Fatumo a new co-opted trustee, also attended for the first time. Lou Webber (EBA Moderator) welcomed everyone. In opening the meeting Lou…

Read more

---