ALTRINCHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023
CHURCH OFFICERS Susan Jesson, Church Secretary David Smith, Finance and Property Committee
CHARITY NAME Altrincham United Reformed Church Charity
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER
1129206
CONTENTS
PAGE
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2 Administrative information
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3 Trustees annual report
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3 Structure, governance and management
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3 Objectives and activities for the public benefit
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4 Review of activities and achievements
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4 Trinity Hale project and future plans
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5 Financial review
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5 Reserves policy
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6 Independent Examiner’s report
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7 Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31st December 2023
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8 Balance sheet at 31st December 2023
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9-15 Notes to the accounts
1
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Elders/Trustees | Lambert Allan | |
|---|---|---|
| Megan Gilks | ||
| Helen McGonnell | ||
| David Smith | ||
| Steve Wright | ||
| Susan Jesson | Church Secretary | |
| Treasurer | Andrew Entwisle | |
| Independent | ||
| Examiner | Teresa Fennell ACMA, CGMA | |
| It Doesn’t Have to Cost | the Earth Ltd | |
| 47 St Dunstans Close | ||
| Worcester | ||
| WR5 2AJ | ||
| Bankers | NatWest Bank Plc | |
| 23 Stamford New Road | ||
| Altrincham | ||
| WA14 1DB | ||
| Charity address | Altrincham United Reformed Church (Trinity Hale) | |
| 81 Cecil Road | ||
| Hale | ||
| Altrincham | ||
| WA15 9NT |
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
Structure, governance and management
The Elders are the Trustees of the charity. The governing document of Altrincham United Reformed Church is the Scheme of Union of the United Reformed Church, which includes The Structure of the United Reformed Church and The United Reformed Church Acts of Parliament (1972, 1981 and 2000).
The function of the Elders Meeting and the Church Meeting are defined in the Structure of the United Reformed Church.
Serving Elders are Church members elected for a three year term by the Church Meeting. The Elders normally meet once a month and the meetings are usually chaired by the Church Secretary. They are responsible for the pastoral oversight and leadership of the local church. In the Elders Meeting they take counsel together for the whole congregation. It is their duty to make provision for Christian worship and education, to maintain proper standards of membership, and to promote witness and service to the community, mission at home and abroad, and the peace, unity and welfare of the church. Their responsibilities include making provision for the care and maintenance of church buildings and grounds, and oversight and management of church finances.
Church Meetings are normally held three times a year and are open to all members of the church. Unless The Structure of the United Reformed Church determines otherwise, major decisions affecting the church are usually made by the Church Meeting. Church Meetings during 2023 were held on 26th February and 13[th] August.
Objectives and activities for the public benefit
The object of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Scheme of Union of the United Reformed Church.
The charity provides public worship open to all, pastoral support of the congregation, Christian education opportunities, all age social and recreational activities, provision of premises and services to the local community, and support of the worldwide church.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Church’s aims and objectives, and in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the period.
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Review of activities and achievements
Normally, services of public worship are conducted every Sunday morning, some Sunday evenings and also on special religious dates. These services are also available on Zoom for those unable to attend in person.
At various times during the year, opportunities are provided for members of the church and community, and adults and children, to engage in Christian education. These included for children and young people - Junior Church and twice weekly Toddler groups; and, for adults, regular meetings for worship and prayer, and social activities which included a dimension of Christian education.
Pastoral care was extended to members of the congregation, others associated with the church and members of the community.
Social and recreational activities, consistent with the charitable purposes of the church, included twice weekly Toddler Groups, and the twice monthly Guild . A weekly ‘Open House Café’ is open to the local community as well as church members. The church offers a “warm space” to the community at this Open House Café with hot drinks and snacks, and the hours have been extended. This is to help people in the local community to save on their home heating costs. Many of these groups also raised funds for outside charities.
The church premises were used by a number of community groups including local orchestras, choirs, a creative writing group, a dementia group, a slimming club and a children’s sports group.
Trinity Hale Project
This project was completed in August 2022. It encompassed an upgrade to the church foyer including a meeting room, office and three toilets.
A new hall was built adjoining the church including a meeting room, 3 extra toilets including a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. This new extension is now being used for church activities, hire by the local community and provision for other support groups.
The project was financed from the proceeds of the sale of the halls at the back of the church in July 2019, and from part of the proceeds of the sale of the manse in March 2020. The monies from these sales were held on our behalf by the North West Synod (“Synod”) who made transfers to us as payments were required.
The halls proceeds have been totally accounted for, but there is still a balance on the manse proceeds which, although still held by Synod on our behalf, was brought into the church’s Balance Sheet as of 31st December 2021.
Future Plans
During the year the church created a new paid post of ‘Church and Outreach Worker’. Following a lengthy recruitment process Katharine Phillips was employed from 1st September 2023. Although this post did not work out as expected the church intends to readvertise the position in 2024.
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Financial review
Unrestricted fund – this fund is used to finance the day to day running of the church. The Statement of Financial Activities shows a deficit for the year of £57,637 compared to a deficit of £11,572 last year.
We closed our building at Woodlands Timperley in December 2022. As noted last year this has resulted in a loss of rental income, but also the saving of the running costs. The building was sold in April 2023. Some of the lost income has been replaced by hirers/users of Woodlands Timperley transferring to Trinity Hale and this along with new users has seen income increase by 17%.
Despite the savings on the running costs of Woodlands, for the majority of the year, costs have increased from 2022. The most significant increases were in respect of property cost and the increase in energy prices and the employment of the Church and Outreach Worker for part of the year.
Designated fund (Woodlands) – the fund was instigated in the year using the proceeds of the sale - £1,053,054. Of these funds £50,000 has been transferred to the unrestricted fund and £500,000 invested, the balance remains in a common investment fund for charities (COIF). As a result of this sale the income of the Charity was in excess of the audit threshold of
£1,000,000 for the year and the accounts should require a full audit. As this was a one-off transaction a dispensation was sought and acquired from the Charity Commission as detailed in the Independent Examiner’s report.
Designated fund (manse fund) – this represents part of the proceeds of sale of the manse less amounts used to finance the Trinity Hale project. Any balance is to be used for missional purposes. This fund was closed in 2024.
The financial results for the year, the accounting policies adopted and the amounts in each of these funds are disclosed in the attached Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet (collectively “the Accounts”).
Reserves policy
The unrestricted fund at the year-end amounted to £42,673 which along with the transfer of the Manse fund noted above the Elders consider adequate to cover future costs and emergency expenditure. They believe it is reasonable to assume that the church remains a going concern (see Note 1.2 to the Accounts).
The Elders’ Meeting (the charity’s Trustees) declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above.
SIGNED on behalf of the Elders’ meeting:
David Smith Elder
Susan Jesson Elder and Church Secretary
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ALTRINCHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Altrincham United Reformed Church Charity (“the Church”) for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Church you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
The income of the Charity was in excess of the audit threshold of £1,000,000 for the year. An audit dispensation was granted by the Charity Commission under Regulation 34(3)(b) of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The dispensation, dated 14[th] August 2024, has allowed for an independent examination to take place instead of an audit (Regulation 31(f)) for the financial year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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 accounts to be reached.
SIGNED:
DATE: 11th September 2024
Teresa Fennell ACMA, CGMA
It Doesn't Have to Cost the Earth Ltd 47 St Dunstan’s Close Worcester, WR5 2AJ
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Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31st December 2023
| Notes Income from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Investments 4, 16, 17 Other income 5 Separate material items 6 Trinity Hale project 7, 16, 17 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 8 Separate material items 9 Trinity Hale project 11, 16 Net income/-expenditure before investment gains/-losses Realised gain on investments 12 Net movements in funds Total funds brought forward Transfers between funds Unrealised gains from investments Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Designated Designated 2023 General Manse Woodlands Total Fund Fund Fund Funds £ £ £ £ 33,528 - - 33,528 15,420 - - 15,420 473 1,399 24,001 25,873 5,431 - - 5,431 - - 1,053,054 1,053,054 - - - - 54,852 1,399 1,077,055 1,133,306 112,489 - - 112,489 - - - - - - - - 112,489 - - 112,489 (57,637) 1,399 1,077,055 1,020,817 - - - - (57,637) 1,399 1,077,055 1,020,817 50,310 69,963 - 120,273 (Note 17) 50,000 - (50,000) - - - 25,793 25,793 42,673 71,362 1,052,848 1,166,883 |
2022 Prior Year £ 44,136 29,663 693 - 2,240 1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 77,732 | ||
| 85,322 7,720 82,561 |
||
| 175,603 | ||
| (97,871) - |
||
| (97,871) 212,713 - - |
||
| 114,842 |
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Balance Sheet at 31st December 2023 and 2022
| Notes Fixed assets Fixed asset investment 12 Current assets Debtors and prepayments 13 Cash at bank and in hand 14 Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 15 Net current assets Total net assets The funds of the charity Unrestricted fund 16.1 Designated fund - Manse fund 16.3 & 17 Designated fund - Woodlands fund 16.2 Total charity funds |
2023 £ 525,793 6,015 640,543 646,558 5,468 5,468 641,090 1,166,883 42,673 71,362 1,052,848 1,166,883 |
2022 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| 4,170 126,292 |
||
| 130,462 | ||
| 10,189 | ||
| 10,189 | ||
| 120,272 | ||
| 120,272 | ||
| 50,310 69,963 - |
||
| 120,273 |
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
David Smith Elder
Susan Jesson Elder and Church Secretary
……………………………………………..
Date
8
Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31st December 2023
1 Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these Accounts are as follows:
1.1 Basis of preparation
The Accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant Notes to the Accounts.
The Accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16th July 2014 and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
1.2 Preparation of the Accounts on a going concern basis
Having considered projections of income and expenditure in the next 12 months, the Trustees consider that the charity has sufficient funds to pay all its liabilities as they fall due.
1.3 Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured.
Donations and legacies are recognised when the charity receives the funds.
1.4 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any purpose of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the Trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are funds which the donor has specified are solely to be used for particular activities.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable reliability.
All expenditure is shown inclusive of VAT.
1.6 Fixed Asset Investment
Fixed asset investments are included at fair value. Any gain or loss, realised or unrealised, is accounted for in the income and expenditure account.
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Notes to the Accounts (continued) Year ended 31st December 2023
1.7 Tangible fixed assets – freehold property
The Trustees of the church buildings are the United Reformed Church, North West Synod Trust, who hold them upon trust for purposes connected with the church. These assets are not tangible assets of the church and are not included in the Balance Sheet but are shown below.
The church was revalued on 25th October 2023 at £6,747,000 and the index linked insured values at 31st December 2023 are as follows:
| Insured values | Buildings Contents £ £ 7,556,640 420,256 |
|---|---|
1.8 Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions 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 and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
1.9 Corporation Tax
As part of the United Reformed Church, the church is an excepted charity within the meaning of the Taxes Acts . Accordingly, it is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income and capital gains received to the extent that such income or gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes. No provision for taxation has been made in these Accounts.
1.10 Key estimates and accounting judgements
In applying the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions in determining the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. The Trustees’ judgements, estimates and assumptions are based on the best and most reliable evidence available at the time when the decisions are made, and are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be applicable. Due to the inherent subjectivity involved in making such judgements, estimates and assumptions, the actual results and outcomes may differ.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to the accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of revision and future periods, if the revision affects both current and future periods.
1.11 Debtors and prepayments
Trade debtors are measured by the amount outstanding at the year-end date. Accrued income is measured based on the amount due but not yet invoiced at the year-end date. Prepayments are measured by the proportion that relates to periods after the year end date.
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Notes to the Accounts (continued) Year ended 31st December 2023
| Note 2 Income from donations and legacies Standing orders and envelopes Loose collections Gift Aid tax refunds General donations Catering and refreshments Legacies - for use at the Elders' discretion Other items of income 3 Income from charitable activities Trinity Hale lettings Woodlands Timperley lettings 4 Investment income Bank interest Dividends 5 Other income Orange site rentals 6 Separate material items of income Proceeds of sale of Woodlands (75% to church) Orange site compensation (2021 - back rentals) Sale of Woodlands furniture and equipment 7 Trinity Hale Project Proceeds of sale of equipment |
General Designated Current Current Prior Year Year Year £ £ £ 22,943 - 24,664 2,505 - 1,428 6,013 - 5,796 2,023 - 1,040 6 - 208 - - 11,000 38 - - 33,528 - 44,135 15,420 - 13,170 - - 16,493 15,420 - 29,663 2 - - 471 - - 473 - - 5,431 - 5,431 - 1,053,054 - - - 1,200 - - 1,040 - 1,053,054 2,240 - - 1,000 - - 1,000 Unrestricted Fund |
|---|---|
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Notes to the Accounts (continued) Year ended 31st December 2023
| Note 8 Expenditure on charitable activities Ministry and mission: Ministry and mission fund Other ministry and mission Property costs: Trinity Hale Woodlands Timperley Caretaking and cleaning Office and general administration Accountancy costs Independent examination fee Legal and Professional costs Bank charges 9 Separate material items of expenditure Roof and path repairs Purchase of a defibrillator 10 Employee costs Salaries and wages Social security costs Average head count in the year Charitable activities Full time equivalent headcount in the year Charitable activities 11 Trinity Hale Project Expenditure on building the new hall No employees received any employee benefits |
Current Prior Year Year £ £ 28,956 34,691 14,190 2,346 41,201 20,685 1,287 5,717 10,920 11,513 9,326 9,219 982 288 550 500 4,758 - 317 363 112,489 85,321 - 4,692 - 3,028 - 7,720 25,203 15,039 - - 25,203 15,039 2 2 1 1 - 82,561 Unrestricted Fund |
|---|---|
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Notes to the Accounts (continued) Year ended 31st December 2023
| Note 12 Fixed asset investments At start of year Investment purchase Unrealised gain At end of year 13 Debtors and prepayments Sundry debtor - reimburseable roof repairs Prepayments and accrued income 14 Cash at bank and in hand COIF Charities Deposit Fund Manse Fund (held by Synod) (see Notes 16 & 17) RBS Savings Account RBS Current Account Petty Cash 15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accrued expenses Accrued roof and path repairs Rent received in advance Pension HMRC - PAYE |
Current Prior Year Year £ £ - - 500,000 - 25,793 - 525,793 - 2,472 2,472 3,543 1,698 6,015 4,170 527,055 - 71,361 69,963 80 79 41,947 56,150 100 100 640,543 126,292 4,250 5,010 - 4,692 - 80 69 - 1,149 407 5,468 10,189 Unrestricted Fund |
Current Prior Year Year £ £ - - 500,000 - 25,793 - 525,793 - 2,472 2,472 3,543 1,698 6,015 4,170 527,055 - 71,361 69,963 80 79 41,947 56,150 100 100 640,543 126,292 4,250 5,010 - 4,692 - 80 69 - 1,149 407 5,468 10,189 Unrestricted Fund |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 2,472 1,698 |
||
| 4,170 | ||
| - 69,963 79 56,150 100 |
||
| 126,292 | ||
| 5,010 4,692 80 - 407 |
||
| 10,189 |
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Notes to the Accounts (continued) Year ended 31st December 2023
16 Funds of the charity
16.1 Unrestricted fund - this is the fund from which the church is run and administered.
16.2 Designated fund (Trinity Hale project) - this fund has financed the bulk of the Trinity Hale project. Work is now complete and the fund has been closed with the small remaining balance having been transferred to the unrestricted fund.
16.3 Designated fund (Manse Fund) - this comprises a proportion of the proceeds of the sale of the manse. Part of these have financed the Trinity Hale project with the balance to be used for missional purposes. Up to 31st December 2021, the funds were held by Synod, and not shown on the church Balance Sheet. Monies were transferred to the church as needed. On 31st December 2021, the balance on the fund, although still held by Synod, was recorded on the church Balance Sheet (see Note 17 below).
16.4 Designated fund (Woodlands Fund) - this comprises a proportion of the proceeds of the sale of the Woodlands premises during 2023. The balance on the fund, is shown in Note 17 below.
16.5 Restricted funds - where they exist, these can only be used for the specific purposes for which they were entrusted to the church. They are not at the disposal of the church for any other purpose.
17 History of funds held by Synod on behalf of the Church
| Date Detail 04/07/2019 Proceeds of sale (100% to church) 01/02/2020 Proceeds of sale (35% to church) Yr to 31/12/19 To Trinity Hale project 01/03/2020 To church current account Yr to 31/12/20 To Trinity Hale project 31/12/2020 Interest credited Yr to 31/12/21 To Trinity Hale project 31/12/2021 Interest credited 16/11/2021 To church current account 31/12/2021 To church current account As at 31/12/21 21/01/2022 To church current account 31/12/2022 Interest credited As at 31/12/22 04/04/2023 Proceeds of sale (75% to church) 31/07/2023 To church current account 31/12/2023 Unrealised gain on investment 31/12/2023 Interest credited As at 31/12/23 |
Sale of halls Sale of Manse Sale of Woodlands 1,032,119 297,500 (400,000) (16,000) (400,000) 1,556 1,853 (200,000) (150,000) 9 917 (33,684) (41,480) |
|---|---|
| - 92,790 - | |
| (23,520) 693 |
|
| - 69,963 - | |
| 1,053,054 (50,000) 25,793 1,399 24,001 |
|
| - 71,362 1,052,848 |
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Notes to the Accounts (continued) Year ended 31st December 2023
18 Payments to Trustees and related party transactions
The Trustees all give freely of their time and expertise without any form of remuneration or other benefit in cash or kind (2022 - £nil).
Expenses were reimbursed to Mrs Susan Jesson, Church Secretary, in the sum of £705 (2022 - £177), Mr David Smith £152 (2022 - £269), Mrs Megan Gilks £167 (2022 - £70) and Mr Steve Wright £1,113 (2022 - £625). These were all for supplies purchased for the use of the church.
Donations of £5,933 (2022 - £6,388) were received in the year from Trustees.
There were no related party transactions during the year,
The church’s insurance provides Trustee indemnity cover.
19 Contingent liability
At some time in the first half of 2024, repairs will be required to the original church boiler and alterations to the approach to the front door. These are estimated to cost in the region of £5000.
The church has committed to donating £5000 to Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in April 2024. This is a local debt counselling service based in Altrincham.
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