BLACKBURN EvANGELIG4L PRESBYfERL4N CHURCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 3L 2024 Registered Charity Number 1091578 Address for Charity Cotrespondence 121 Wesdey Road Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 3SA Charity Trustees N Green (Chairnian) K McGrane (Sectetary) M M S Tan (fIeasuret) Ttustees for the Chatity N Green, R Beckett. A Woolsey, K McDonald Independent Examiner D Mccallum Governing Document The Charity is a trust constituted under a Tn]st Deed dated November 15, 2001 as amended by a deed dated January 6, 2013. Trustees ate appointed by the existing trustees. Objects The objects of the Charity are the ptopagation and practice of the Christian Faith as described in the historic Refomied confessions such as the Wcstminster Confession of Fgith. ActivAtie8 In planning activities the trustees have consideted the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particulat, the specific guidancc on cknities for the advancement of religion. For the Charity to achieve its objects satisfyll]g public benefit requirements, the trustees have deterniined th2t the Charity's ptincipal activities necessitate gathering in person for the provision of chatitable services. To conduct the range of its activities the chch relies extensively on volunteer support. The thtee chatity trustees serve as Eldets of the chutch. Blackburn Evangelical Presbyterian Church ("Blackburn EPC,) is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship and serve the villg God, and to be instructed in the Chlistian faith. Services of public worship are open to all without charge, and are prominently advertised on the noticeboatd outside the church building in Blackburn, and in the Christian press, Recordings of semons are tegLknly uploaded and freely available to all via the Internet. To facijitate this work it is impottant that the fabric of its pretnises is maint2ined. P2ge l of6
Achievements and Perforniance Dutillg the coutse of the ye2t Blackbum EPC conducted ovet one hundred services of public worship at its church building at Fecitt Brow, Blackburn. WeeHy Bible studies and prayer meetings were maintained, and the Lotd's Supper was observed monthly. Pastoral visitation was undertaken by the minister, the Rev. Noman Gteen, being the only lrnstee who is also a paid office holder. Financial Review Accounts h2ve been prepared on a cash accounting basis in 2CCOtd2nce vJith Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011, reporting receipts and payments with a statement of assets and abiliues. Under this convention, asset sale8 and putchases ate classified as receipts and payments, but not as incoming and expended resources. Total incoming resoutces of £25,766 (2022/23, £30,854) for the year include donations of £24,035 2nd Gift Aid tax tefunds of £1,731. As is usual for a charity of this type 2nd size, a significant proportion of the total expenditure of £37,195 (2022/23, £37,318) relates to stipend and ministerial support. Resoutces expended exceeded incoming resoutces by £11,429 (2022/23 £6,464). the deficit bL'ing funded from reserves. Investment assets are invested fot capital gains, to be hquidated to fid expcctcd futttre deficits. To support cashflow, cash proceeds of £1 1,486 were banked during the accounting period from the sale of investment assets. Reserves Policy I'hL policy of the trnstccs is not to accumu12te reserves but to U8e teserves in the promotion of thc Chatity's objccts, and maintain a balance on unrc8triCted funds that Lquatcs to at least six months, unrestricted payments to cover unfoteseen situations that may arise ftom time to time. In light of the main risks facing the Charity, the trustees consider the current level of reserves and their use (as required) to fund annual deficits satisfactory. Separation from EPCEW Blackburn EPC was one of the fivc founding congrcgations of the EvangcIical Prcsbytcrian Church in Lngland and Walcs (EPCI,'V, and the Rev. Grecn was its first Modctator of Presbytery. However. due to downgrades in that denomination over recent years, members of the church resolved unanimously that the church should not continue within it. On January 10, 2024, B12ckbum EPC seceded from the EPCEW by Deed of Separation, with sorrow testifying that 'the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales has departed from the founding principlcs of the Church and her historic practices, and has olated the fund2mentAI principles embodied in her constiNtion, and has undern)incd longstanding Presbyterian church polity, biblical church government, and the ptinciples of natural and biblical jubticL" and is dis'turbing the peace, purity and unity of her congrLgations.' The EPCEW has no entidements to or interest in the Trust's property or fimds. Signed by all tn]stees: N Green ate: 10/12/2024 K McGrane .DAte.' 10/12/2024 fvIMSTan Date: 10/12/2024 Page2of6
BLACKBURN EVANGELICAL PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH Receipts and Payments Account for the year ending 3110312024 Notes Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2023124 Totsl 2022123 Incoming Resources Voluntary receipts Grants and gifts received Gift Aid recovered 24.035 1,731 24,035 1,731 28,504 2,350 Investment income Other Gross income 25,766 25,766 30,854 Resources Expondod Direct costs Grants paid Total expendlture 37,195 37,195 37,318 37.195 37,195 37,318 Exce88 income over expendituro (11,429) 111,429) (6,464) Receipts from sale of assets Payments for purchase of assets 10 11,486 11,486 7,989 Total recelpts over total payments 57 57 1,525 Transfers belween funds Cash bal8nce at 1 Apr 2023 Cash balance at 31 Mar 2024 4,550 4,807 175 175 4,925 4,982 3,400 4,925 Page3of6
BLACKBURN EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Statsment of Assets and Llabilities for the year ending 3110312024 Notes 2023124 2022123 1. Fixed Assets Buildings and equipment 592,982 592.982 559,140 559,140 2. Cash Balances Held at Bank Instant Access Bonds and notice accounts Less Unpresented cheques Plus Cash awaiting banking Cash float 4,982 4,925 4,925 3. Investments Listed investments 10 94,661 117,447 117,447 4. Other Assets Gift Aid tax recoverable 2,777 2,777 1,730 1,730 5. Llabllltles HMRC quarterly tax payment Employee mileage expenses 1,173 1,018 1,173 1.018 Financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by.. Mr M M S Tan-Trustee Date: December 10. 2024 Page4of6
BLACKBURN EVANGELICAL PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH Notes to the Accounts for the year ending 3110312024 1. Accounting PolFCy The accounts have been prepared on a reiptS and payments basis with a statement of assets and liabilities. Notes Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2023124 Total 2022123 2. Grants and gifts received Weekly collections Other gifts Legacy income Grant received 24,035 24,035 25,504 3,000 28,504 24,035 24,035 3. Investment Income Bond interest Bank interest 4. Other Income 5. Direct costs Employment costs Heat, light. power, water Insurance Maintenance Advertising and outreach Pulpit supply Books Travel costs Consumables Teaching materials and aids Extraordinary items Compliance Other Costs (bank charges) 31,620 3,683 983 31,620 3,683 983 31,000 4,223 756 85 85 147 687 137 37,195 687 137 37,195 1,024 168 37,318 6. Grants paid No grants were paid during the accounting period. 7. Grants received No grants We received during the accounting period 8. Employment During the accounting period the charity had one paid office holder, The Rev. Norman Green, trustee, who received a stipend in his capacity as full-time Minister of the church. 9. Buildings and equipment The Blackbum property value is shown as insurance value. 10. Investments Listed investments are valued at mid-market price. Cash prOedS of £11.486 from the sale of listed investments were banked during the accounting period. Page5of6
Independent Examinees Report to the Trustees of Blackburn Evangelical Presbyterian Church I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31" Match 2024, which ate set out on pages 3 to 5. Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Exatnitiet The ch2tity's trustees ate tesponsible fot the prep2r2tion of the 2ccoiints. The ch2rity's trustees consider that an audit is not rquired fot this year under section 144(2) of the Ch2fAties Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibth'ty to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow thL' procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. and to state whether particular mattets have come to my attention. Basis of Independcnt Examinees Report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Chlty Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity 2nd a comparison of the accounts presented with those tecotds. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts, and s¢eking cxplanations from you as trustees concetning any such m2tteis. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently nu opinion is vc.n as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the teport is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent ExamAnee8 Statement In connection with my exatnination, no matter has come to my attention: . which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any m2terial respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accotdance with section 130 of the 2011 Act. and to ptepate accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met" or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a ptoper understanding of the accounts to be teached. - Jm¥ Address: 3 Strangeways Road, Cambridge, CBI 8PR P2ge6of6