ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH HARROGATE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
ST PAUL’S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH HARROGATE CHARITY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
This report includes information required by the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting by Charities 2005 as applicable to charities entitled to prepare accounts on the receipts and payments basis.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
St Paul’s United Reformed Church Harrogate is a local church of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain and is a member of the Yorkshire Synod of the Church. It was registered on 16 February 2009 as Charity Number 1128076.
St Paul’s Church is situated in Victoria Avenue. Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
The members of the Elders’ Meeting for the time being are recognised as the charity trustees. Those who served from 1 January 2024 until the date this report was approved are:
Alan Bourne (to 16 March 2025), Christine Bourne (to 16 March 2025), Philip Daggett, Sarah Dodds (to 16 March 2025), Christopher Harwood, Gillian Hudson, Erica Miller, Anne Mitchell (from 17 March 2024), Helen Morton, Julie Sanderson, Mary Ann Steers, Fiona Turnbull (from 17 March 2024), Michael Westwater.
The Church building and the manse at 2 Westbourne Avenue, Harrogate HG2 9BD are vested in the United Reformed Church Yorkshire Synod Trust as trustees and held for the benefit of St Paul’s URC in accordance with the trusts applicable to URC properties. They are not church assets.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The activities of St Paul’s United Reformed Church are overseen by the Elders’ Meeting of the Church in accordance with the provisions of The Structure of the United Reformed Church determined by the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church and supplemented by the rules of St Paul’s United Reformed Church. The governing
document of the registered charity is a statement adopted by the Church Meeting on 16 November 2008.
The Elders’ Meeting is responsible for the financial administration of the Church, and the care and maintenance of Church premises and the manse. The Church Meeting (of all members wishing to attend) gives general guidance on the life and work of the Church.
The members of the Elders’ Meeting are the minister in pastoral charge (The Revd Joseph Amoah who was ordained and inducted on 27 July 2024 to 75% ministry to St Paul’s and 25% to other congregations within the Mission and Care Group) and members of St Paul’s Church nominated and elected by members of the Church Meeting of St Paul’s Church in Church Meeting. Elders serve for five years, retire by rotation and are eligible for reelection. There is no limit on the number of consecutive periods of service. The members of the Elders’ Meeting are the trustees of the registered charity during their period of service as an elder.
The Elders now meet every month, enabling them to concentrate more on spiritual matters as well as business. It is assisted in the administration of the Church and its property by the Management Committee in overseeing property and financial matters with a small sub-group set up to work on the use of IT in the church. The Church Meeting meets quarterly.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
As a local congregation of the United Reformed Church, St Paul’s United Reformed Church seeks to advance the Christian religion through its activities and the facilities offered to the community by its building, and described more specifically in its mission statement as:
We are a Bible-based town centre Church seeking to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ in the 21[st] century and are committed to:
-
Bringing together into a thriving fellowship all who wish to worship God
-
Promoting and deepening the knowledge of Christ and the Christian faith among all age levels
-
Following the example and teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, supporting one another and furthering the wider work of God and the church in the world.
The Elders’ Meeting is aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in “The Advancement of Religion for Public Benefit” and has regard to it in the administration of the Church.
The Elders’ Meeting believes that the Church provides benefit to the public by:
-
providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for the congregation and for anyone else who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers;
-
promoting Christian values and service by members of the congregation to the community for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2024 was an exciting year in the life of St Paul’s. Towards the end of 2022 the Church Secretary asked everyone to pray that we would have a new minister by the end of 2023. Sadly, this was not the case – but God had been listening to our prayers and by the end of 2023 things were starting to happen (the United Reformed Church moves slowly!). Following worship on 21 January 2024 it was agreed to support the unanimous recommendation of the Elders that Joseph Amoah (Joe) should be invited to become our minister once he had completed his studies at Cambridge. We were delighted that he accepted our invitation and on Saturday 27 July he was ordained and inducted before a packed congregation from all over the country. This was the first ordination to be held in St Paul’s as all our previous ministers had already been ordained before they were inducted here. Joe has proved to be a real breath of fresh air and is starting to bring us into the 21[st] century, especially as far as IT is concerned. His inspiration and leadership are greatly valued.
Another major change during 2024 resulted from Mary Ann Steer’s decision to retire as Church Secretary at the Annual Church Meeting in March 2024 after five extremely busy years, during which she had carried out the duties of Church Secretary very efficiently and conscientiously – far more than she originally signed up for. The big question was – how was the post to be filled without placing an impossibly heavy burden on one person? After discussion, it was agreed to delegate various parts of the job to different Elders and other members of the congregation, ensuring that more people are involved in the life and work of the church with responsibilities spread as widely as possible. This is still developing. It also led to the appointment of a Task Group which started work in January 2025 to identify the core values, mission and vision of the congregation.
The Bible Study Group now meets twice a month, the Tuesday Club and After Eights continue to be well supported and the Fellowship Committee organised a Winter Lunch in February and a Ploughman’s Lunch on Harvest Sunday. The Uniformed Organisations are well supported with some exciting new developments planned for the Scouts, enabling the age range to expand with the introduction of new group for pre-Beavers – the Squirrels for 4-6 year olds and a new Explorers Unit for 14-18 year olds. The Junior Church is small in numbers but enthusiastic.
Friendship with members of West Park continues to develop with monthly joint worship on alternate sites, regular joint Elders’ Meetings and other opportunities for coming together for worship and social activities.
Work continued during the year on the general maintenance of the building and continuing upgrading of the IT systems.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 were prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133 on the Receipts and Payments basis and the United Reformed Church guidance. The Financial Statements were approved at the Elders’ Meeting on 11 February 2025.
Unrestricted/General Fund: receipts in 2024 totalled £94,033 as against £88,116 in 2023 and budgeted receipts of £87,900. Payments totalled £92,878, compared with £81,778 the previous year and budgeted payments of £90,295. This resulted in a surplus of £1,155 in 2024, compared to a surplus of £6,338 in 2023 and budgeted deficit of £2,395. On the appointment of our new minister Joseph Amoah on 1 July 2024, Ministry and Mission costs reverted back to the full amount, resulting in a £12,000 increase in these costs in the second half of the year and the subsequent impact on surplus funds.
The 2025 budget reflects 12 months of full Ministry and Mission costs, resulting in a budgeted deficit of around £8,500.
FUNDS:
The £1,155 surplus has increased the balance on the General Fund to £24,888 as at 31 December 2024.
Designated funds comprise the In Memoriam Fund at £82,999 (2023 £75,624) and the Manse Reserve at £65,527 (2023 £59,134).
The manse was let until May 2024 and our minister moved in June 2024.
Designated funds can be transferred into the General Fund at the Church’s decision and provide reserves to meet any future shortfall in income or any unexpected expense.
Restricted funds comprise the Organ Fund £16,310 (2023 £16,250) and IT Project £1,165 (2023 £942). The IT Project includes updating the website in 2025.
At 31 December 2024 the Church’s assets, comprising bank and building society funds, totalled £190,889 (2023 £175,683).
This report was approved by the Elders’ Meeting on 8[th] April 2025 and is signed on its behalf by Mary Ann Steers – Elder.
ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH HARROGATE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT UNRESTRICTED/GENERAL FUND Receipts FWO and Standing Orders Open Plate Income Tax Refunds Donations from Church Organisations Grants and Synod Support Sundry Donations Room Contributions Newsletter Contributions Newsletter Advertising Bank and Building Society Interest Sundry Income Total Receipts Payments Ministry and Mission Fund Expenses of Ministry Manse Expenses Motor Expenses Church Utilities Church Insurance Church Cleaner Church Fabric and Repairs Quinquennial Report Printing, Postage and Stationery Organists' Fees Donations to Charities Bank Charges Sundry Expenses Total Payments Total Net Receipts |
Page 1 2024 2023 £ £ 56,262 52,436 5,966 5,928 15,437 14,834 77,665 73,198 1,100 1,500 1,308 2,377 1,626 1,756 6,511 6,247 621 630 200 640 5,002 1,682 0 86 94,033 88,116 48,576 37,848 3,857 3,785 1,590 0 754 0 7,493 8,856 4,933 4,847 6,240 5,694 7,282 5,848 0 3,540 2,261 1,800 6,590 6,755 484 264 319 333 2,499 2,208 92,878 81,778 1,155 6,338 |
|---|---|
| ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Page 2 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CASH FUNDS SUMMARY 2023 Net receipts/ 2024 (payments) £ £ £ Unrestricted/General Fund 23,733 1,155 24,888 Designated Funds: In Memoriam 75,624 7,375 82,999 Manse Reserve 59,134 6,393 65,527 Restricted Funds: Special Collections 0 0 0 IT Project 942 223 1,165 Organ Fund 16,250 60 16,310 175,683 15,206 190,889 See Note 2 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 2024 2023 £ £ Monetary Assets Building Society Accounts: Yorkshire Building Society 90,056 87,158 Bank: Current Account 5,175 4,866 Interest Account 43,946 31,832 IT Project Account 1,165 1,492 Fixed Interest Deposit - 9 month term 50,000 50,000 Cash in hand 547 335 Total Monetary Assets 190,889 175,683 Liabilities 0 0 |
ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Page 2 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CASH FUNDS SUMMARY 2023 Net receipts/ 2024 (payments) £ £ £ Unrestricted/General Fund 23,733 1,155 24,888 Designated Funds: In Memoriam 75,624 7,375 82,999 Manse Reserve 59,134 6,393 65,527 Restricted Funds: Special Collections 0 0 0 IT Project 942 223 1,165 Organ Fund 16,250 60 16,310 175,683 15,206 190,889 See Note 2 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 2024 2023 £ £ Monetary Assets Building Society Accounts: Yorkshire Building Society 90,056 87,158 Bank: Current Account 5,175 4,866 Interest Account 43,946 31,832 IT Project Account 1,165 1,492 Fixed Interest Deposit - 9 month term 50,000 50,000 Cash in hand 547 335 Total Monetary Assets 190,889 175,683 Liabilities 0 0 |
ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Page 2 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CASH FUNDS SUMMARY 2023 Net receipts/ 2024 (payments) £ £ £ Unrestricted/General Fund 23,733 1,155 24,888 Designated Funds: In Memoriam 75,624 7,375 82,999 Manse Reserve 59,134 6,393 65,527 Restricted Funds: Special Collections 0 0 0 IT Project 942 223 1,165 Organ Fund 16,250 60 16,310 175,683 15,206 190,889 See Note 2 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 2024 2023 £ £ Monetary Assets Building Society Accounts: Yorkshire Building Society 90,056 87,158 Bank: Current Account 5,175 4,866 Interest Account 43,946 31,832 IT Project Account 1,165 1,492 Fixed Interest Deposit - 9 month term 50,000 50,000 Cash in hand 547 335 Total Monetary Assets 190,889 175,683 Liabilities 0 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 175,683 15,206 190,889 |
||
| 2024 2023 £ £ 90,056 87,158 5,175 4,866 43,946 31,832 1,165 1,492 50,000 50,000 547 335 190,889 175,683 0 0 |
Approved by the Elders as Trustees on 11 February 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Alan Bourne - Elder
The notes on pages 3 and 4 form part of these financial statements.
ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 NOTES
Page 3
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The 2024 Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the the Charities Act 2011 Section 133 on the Receipts and Payments basis and the United Reformed Church guidance.
2. FUND ACCOUNTING
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Unrestricted funds may be used by the church for any of its ordinary purposes.
| General Fund As at 1 January 2024 Net Receipts As at 31 December 2024 |
£ 23,733 1,155 24,888 |
|---|---|
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Designated funds represent unrestricted funds set aside by the church for specific designated purposes. They can be transferred into the general funds at the church's decision.
| In Memoriam Fund As at 1 January 2024 Donations Gift Aid As at 31 December 2024 Manse Reserve As at 1 January 2024 Rental Income Received Other Income Manse Expenses As at 31 December 2024 |
£ 75,624 6,000 1,375 82,999 £ 59,134 11,808 1,309 (6,724) 65,527 |
|---|---|
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Restricted funds represent income which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of a trust or bequest, or donations or grants received or invited for a specific purpose. These funds can only be spent on the specific purpose for which they were given. Any balance unspent must be carried forward as a balance on that fund for future expenditure on that specific purpose and cannot be absorbed into general funds.
Page 4
ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
2. FUND ACCOUNTING continued RESTRICTED FUNDS continued
| Organ Fund As at 1 January 2024 Donation As at 31 December 2024 Special Collections As at 1 January 2024 Commitment for Life: received : paid As at 31 December 2024 IT Project As at 1 January 2024 Donations Interest Expenses As at 31 December 2024 |
£ 16,250 60 16,310 £ 0 118 (118) 0 £ 942 1,000 25 (802) 1,165 |
|---|---|
3 MONETARY ASSETS
The church monies are not held in segregated accounts for the individual funds.
4 ASSETS USED FOR CHURCH PURPOSES
The church building and the manse are vested in URC Yorkshire Synod Trust as trustees and are not church assets.
TREASURER'S STATEMENT
I have prepared the Financial Statements on pages 1 to 4 for the year ended 31 December 2024 from the accounting records of the church.
Julie Sanderson ACA 4 February 2025
ST PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
Page 5
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Members of St Paul's United Reformed Church
I report on the accounts of St Paul's United Reformed Church for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 1 to 4.
Respective responsibilities of Elders and examiner
The Elders are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Elders consider
that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the 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 matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Church and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Elders concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
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 130 of the 2011 Act
to prepare 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 proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.