Heswall United Reformed Church Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2022
Administrative Information
Heswall United Reformed Church (Registered Charity No. 1129285) is a Church on the Wirral Peninsula within Mersey Region Synod of the URC. It is centred on the village of Heswall. The Church Office is at the church at 199 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral CH60 7SE (tel; 0151 342 8522). The Elders who were serving on 31[st] December 2021 until the date this report was approved are as follows:
Stephen Chantler (Secretary) Ray Craig (Treasurer) Dave Lock, Marion Boden, Dave Dixson, Jonathan Gregson, Faith Hardie, Jenny Smith, Avril Lock, Sheila Wadhams, Frances O’Brien. (Frances O’Brien stood down as an Elder in July 2022 following an out of area relocation and transfer of membership.)
Minister: Revd. Dr. Nick Jones
The church buildings are vested in the name of URC (Mersey Province) Trust Ltd from 1[st] January 2022 to the date this report was approved.
Structure, Governance and Management
The United Reformed Church is governed by the Scheme of Union of the URC its Constitution, set up under Section D: The United Reformed Church Acts 1972, 1981 and 2000 as amended from time to time by its Governing Body.
The Eldership is not a body corporate. Its composition, procedures and powers are regulated by The United Reformed Church Manual… Section B: The Structure of the United Reformed Church Clause 2.(2). Elders are elected at the AGM of the Church Meeting by the Members of Heswall United Reformed Church. The Eldership met 11 times during 2020 (71% average attendance). It dealt with all the affairs of the Church and received and considered reports by the Worship Group, Fabric and Finance Committee, Pastoral Team and Junior Church.
Objectives and Activities
Heswall United Reformed Church is a Church within the United Reformed Church and seeks: (i) to further the Church's mission in the locality; (ii) to develop local ecumenical relationships; (iii) to further the Church's compassionate ministry in the locality and throughout the world; (iv) to consider and support the wider work of the Church at home and abroad; (v) to consider public questions in relation to the Christian faith; (vi) to bring concerns for consideration by the Elders’ Meeting and wider councils of the church.
The Eldership’s objectives are: (i) to foster in the congregation concern for witness and service to the community, evangelism at home and abroad, Christian education, ecumenical action, local inter-church relations and the wider responsibilities of the whole Church; (ii) to see that public worship is regularly offered and the sacraments are duly administered, and generally to promote the welfare of the congregation; (iii) to ensure pastoral care of the congregation, in which the minister is joined by elders having particular responsibility for groups of members; (iv) to nominate from among its members a Church secretary (or secretaries), to be elected by the Church Meeting, to serve both the Church Meeting and the Elders’ meeting; (v) to arrange for pulpit supply in a vacancy; (vi) to keep the roll of members and (as an aid to the discharge of the congregation's pastoral and evangelistic responsibility) lists of names of adherents and children attached to the congregation, and in consultation with the Church Meeting to maintain standards of membership and to advise on the admission of members on profession of faith and by transfer, on the suspension of members, and on the removal of names from the roll; (vii) to be responsible for the institution and oversight of work among children and young people and of all organisations within the congregation; (viii) to call for the election of elders and advise on the number required; (ix) to consider the suitability of any applicant for recognition as a candidate for the ministry or for service as a CRCW and to advise the Church Meeting about its recommendation to the synod; (x) to recommend to the Church Meeting arrangements for the proper maintenance of buildings and the general oversight of all the financial responsibilities of the Local Church; (xi) to act on behalf of the Church Meeting and bring concerns to the wider councils of the United Reformed Church; (xii) to do such other things as may be necessary in pursuance of its responsibility for the common life of the Church.
The Eldership is aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in “The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit” and have regard to it in their administration of Heswall United Reformed Church. The Eldership believes that, by fulfilling its responsibility to work together with the Minister and cooperate in all matters of concern and importance for the promotion of the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, it provides a benefit to the public by:
• providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the church offers;
• promoting Christian values, and service by members of the church to their communities, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
The Eldership is responsible, inter alia , for the Church budget and all expenditure thereunder, the care and maintenance of church fabric and its buildings, and for any action or other matter referred to it in accordance with the Constitution, and is the normal channel of communication between members and the Mersey Synod.
REVIEW OF HURC ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Minister
The Revd Dr Nick Jones provides ministry to Heswall United Reformed Church [HURC] based on a 75% scoping. Since December 2022, we entered into a Joint Pastorate with Chester Road, Ellesmere Port URC for which our minister provides support for the remaining 25% scoping. The minister provides both spiritual and pastoral leadership to the members and adherents of HURC.
Church Roll
The membership was 89 members compared to 94 in January 2022.
Elders’ Elections
The Church Members voted on the re-election for Dave Dixson, Faith Hardie and Jenny Smith. All three candidates were duly re-elected.
Northern College Placement
Karen Jones, who is studying to become a Minister, continued with HURC as part of her two year placement on a part time basis. A support group had been set up to support Karen with her development.
Employed Staff
The church employed two part-time staff comprising a Youth Worker and an Administrator. Following Covid restrictions the re-establishment of Youth Club became unrealistic and the Youth Worker’s contract was terminated in February 2022.
Churches Together
HURC gave its ecumenical support for the activities of Churches Together in Heswall. The monthly prayer breakfasts which are normally held at Our Lady and St Johns RC Church are still on hold post covid as were the pulpit exchanges. However, the annual all denominational walk of witness through Heswall on Good Friday resumed, post covid, followed by a joint service. The Big Brekkie was hosted at HURC to raise funds for Christian Aid.
Web Content
The content of the Church Website is continuously reviewed to reflect policy and information is regularly updated.
Hiring Agreements for Church Premises: The documentation for those hiring the premises was reviewed and updated. Public Liability insurance extends to Church events only, it does not cover outside hirers and this was clarified in the documentation. In 2022 room hiring charges and on-site parking charges have remained unchanged.
Scales of Fees
The transparent fee scale agreed for weddings and funerals held at HURC remained unchanged.
Security of Confidential Information
The security of confidential information is continually reviewed. Old Church Directories are now brought to the office for shredding. HURC continues to review the currency of its compliance with the Data Protection Act and, from May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). The New Church Directories contain only such information as permitted by the individual, for which a signed GDPR Consent Form has been received and securely filed. The New Church Directories are issued to individuals in a controlled manner, rather than being displayed for collection. The office computer has an updated PIN number to restrict access to sensitive information. All the filing cabinets have been checked to ensure any confidential information is segregated and contained within a locked cabinet.
Church Fabric
Progress has been made towards improving the environmental footprint of the church. Following a routine review of the lightning protection, for insurance purposes, further additional works on the earthing arrangements were undertaken to improve the earth resistance.
Charity Commission Trustees.
Owing to changes in the Eldership, the six trustees previously nominated by the Church have been reduced to five. The trustees were appointed at the AGM 2019.
Social & Spiritual Achievements
Live and online services continued throughout the year.
Contact with the congregation is also regularly maintained through either email or by post. The Pastoral group, regularly visit or telephone the members and friends of the church and where appropriate provide in person support.
The Second Sunday Lunches and the Monthly Midweek Communion with a Souper Lunches, and Healing Services continued throughout the year. The church organised regular Bible Study classes continued either in person or using online conference facilities. Prayer Days resumed during the year.
Outreach
Weekly Keep Fit for the over 60s and Badminton together with regular Afternoon Guild meetings took place thoughout the year. Owing to the lack of supervisory support the Toddlers+ group did not reconvene post covid and has been closed. Regrettably the dynamics of the Youth Club membership changed, due to the prolonged suspension during Covid restrictions, such that it became unviable to restart. Support is given by members of the church to a local Foodbank.
As an initiative during the fuel crisis, HURC joined the Warm Hub scheme a safe and warm environment once per week for individuals from the community to meet and socialise. It is intended for this initiative to continue into 2023 and beyond.
The church gave to charities and individuals were encouraged to donate to various local charities and to Christian Aid or alternatively contact charities directly.
HURC has continued with its policy to offer to provide ceremonies for same sex marriage.
FINANCIAL REVIEW Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Heswall United Reformed Church. I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 2022, Set out on the next pages. Re5 rtlve re5 nsibilities of trustees and examiner The church's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination Is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under settion 145 ofthe 2011 Art: follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Actl- and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba515 of inde endent exominerfs re ort My examination was carried out in accordance with the ger7eral Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accountin8 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 explanation5 from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedure5 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 vlew, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connertion with myexamination, no matter has come to my attention.. l. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with settion 130 of the 2011 Art: and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not beer¢ met- or 2. to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandln8 of the accounts to be reached. Malcolm Cran ield F.C.A. 23rdJune2023 8 Foxcover Road. Heswall. Wirral, CH60 IYB
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HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | Page 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 | |||||||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | |||||||
| This Year | Last Year | ||||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Note | Funds £ | Funds £ | Funds £ | Total £ | Total £ | ||
| RECEIPTS | |||||||
| Offerings | 39,498 | 0 | 0 | 39,498 | 43,262 | ||
| Fund raising and donations | 5,594 | 1,000 | 0 | 6,594 | 3,788 | ||
| Monies raised for outside causes | 3 | 0 | 1,311 | 0 | 1,311 | 65 | |
| Gift Aid tax repayments | 9,249 | 0 | 0 | 9,249 | 10,093 | ||
| Legacies | 10,000 | 0 | 0 | 10,000 | 0 | ||
| Property - church/hall users | 4 | 16,655 | 0 | 0 | 16,655 | 7,153 | |
| Afternoon Guild | 339 | 0 | 339 | 647 | |||
| FURY group | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Grants received | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Loans received | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Offsets to payments made | 110 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 2,412 | ||
| Flower Fund | 0 | 165 | 0 | 165 | 0 | ||
| Bank interest & investment transfer | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Total receipts | 81,107 | 2,815 | 2 | 83,924 | 67,420 | ||
| PAYMENTS | |||||||
| Ministry & Mission Fund | 38,927 | 0 | 0 | 38,927 | 40,500 | ||
| Minister expenses inc Petrol | 1,200 | 0 | 0 | 1,200 | 1,368 | ||
| Church running costs | 5 | 31,256 | 0 | 0 | 31,256 | 37,900 | |
| Programme activity costs | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | |
| Support of outside causes | 7 | 0 | 1,102 | 0 | 1,102 | 756 | |
| Maintenance of church buildings | 8 | 4,392 | 1,000 | 0 | 5,392 | 3,260 | |
| Maintenance of manse | 9 | 2,390 | 0 | 0 | 2,390 | 2,345 | |
| Flower Fund | 0 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 0 | ||
| Afternoon Guild | 0 | 25 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| Total payments | 78,166 | 2,169 | 0 | 80,334 | 86,159 | ||
| NET RECEIPTS / (PAYMENTS) | 2,941 | 647 | 0 | 3590 | -18,739 | ||
| TRANSFERS between funds | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| CASH FUNDS b/fwd1 January | 22,362 | 1,901 | 1,350 | 25,613 | 44,355 | ||
| CASH FUNDS c/fwd31 December | 25,303 | 2548 | 1,353 | 29,203 | 25,613 | ||
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | |||||||
| Monetary assets | |||||||
| Cash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Bank current account | 25,303 | 2,548 | 0 | 27,851 | 24,263 | ||
| Kalifi Current Account | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Deposit accounts | 0 | 0 | 1,353 | 1,353 | 1,350 | ||
| Synod Trust deposit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total monetary assets | 10 | 25,303 | 2,548 | 1,353 | 29,204 | 25,613 | |
| Other assets | |||||||
| Gift Aid recoverable | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Other monies due to church | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Investments at market value | 167,936 | 0 | 0 | 167,936 | 185,698 | ||
| Assets used for church purposes | |||||||
| Buildings under statutory trusts | 11 | Church buildings and manse | |||||
| Church contents | 11 | Furnishings and equipment | |||||
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Loans outstanding | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Significant creditors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| APPROVED by the Trusteeson and signed on their behalf by 23/7/23 |
23/7/23 |
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| The notes onpages 2 and 3 formpart of this financial statement |
HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
Page 2
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 NOTES
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 1993 Section 42(3), using the
Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities, and the United Reformed Church guidance.
2 FUND ACCOUNTING
Unrestricted Funds may be used by the church for any of its ordinary purposes.
Designated Funds represent unrestricted funds set aside by the church for specific designated purposes; they can be transferred back into general funds at the church's decision.
| HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH | Page 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 | ||||||
| NOTES | ||||||
| 1 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES | |||||
| The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 1993 Section 42(3), using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities, and the United Reformed Church guidance. |
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| 2 | FUND ACCOUNTING | |||||
| Unrestricted Fundsmaybe used bythe church for anyof its ordinary purposes. | ||||||
| Designated Fundsrepresent unrestricted funds set aside by the church for specific designated purposes; they can be transferred back into general funds at the church's decision. |
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| Fund name & purpose: | Balance | Receipts | Payments | Transfers | Balance | |
| b/fwd £ | inyear £ | inyear £ | foryear £ | c/fwd £ | ||
| Afternoon Guild | 647 | 339 | 25 | 0 | 961 | |
| Flower Fund | 798 | 165 | 42 | 0 | 921 | |
| Donation for Premises / Repair | 0 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| FURY FUND | 456 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 456 | |
| Totals for designated funds | 1,901 |
1,504 | 1,042 | 0 | 2,338 | |
| Restricted Fundsrepresent 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 remaining unspent must be carried forward as a balance on that fund for future expenditure on that specific purpose, or returned; it cannot be absorbed into general funds. |
||||||
| that fund for future expenditure on that specific purpose, | or returned; it cannot be absorbed into general funds. | |||||
| Fund name & purpose: | Balance | Receipts | Payments | Balance | ||
| b/fwd £ | inyear £ | inyear £ | c/fwd £ | |||
| Kalifi Fund | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Youth Fund | 1,034 | 0 | 0 | 1,034 | ||
| Benevolent Fund | 316 | 0 | 0 | 316 | ||
| Totals for restricted funds | 1,350 |
0 | 0 | 1,350 | ||
| This Year | Last Year | |||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| Funds £ | Funds £ | Funds £ | Total £ | Total £ | ||
| 3 | MONIES RAISED FOR OUTSIDE CAUSES | |||||
| Christian Aid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 552 | 0 | |
| Jamie's Fund | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| McMillan Cancer Support | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Charles Thompson Mission(Birkenhead) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ukraine DEC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 431 | 0 | |
| CharityCoffee Morning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 328 | 0 | |
| Iona AbbeyAppeal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kalifi Fund | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | |
| Totals raised for outside causes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,311 | 65 | |
| 4 | PROPERTY INCOME | |||||
| Lettings income | 16,230 | 0 | 0 | 16,230 | 7,153 | |
| Weddings and funerals | 425 | 0 | 0 | 425 | 0 | |
| Totalproperty income | 16,655 |
0 | 0 | 16,655 | 7,153 | |
| 5 | CHURCH RUNNING COSTS | |||||
| Gas, Electric and Water | 8,359 | 0 | 0 | 8,359 | 8,287 | |
| Insurance | 2,795 | 0 | 0 | 2,795 | 2,465 | |
| Cleaning | 3,003 | 0 | 0 | 3,003 | 1,363 | |
Telephone & Internet |
2,080 | 0 | 0 | 2,080 | 2,039 | |
Administration |
720 | 0 | 0 | 720 | 370 | |
| Photocopying | 1,669 | 0 | 0 | 1,669 | 1,700 | |
Staffing |
10,328 | 0 | 0 | 10,328 | 19,349 | |
Bank Charges |
111 | 0 | 0 | 111 | ||
Licences, music & conduct of praise |
2,192 | 0 | 0 | 2,192 | 1,264 | |
Items moved from 2021 report |
1,063 | |||||
(inc Water rates, Church building dev, |
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Refreshments & one off) |
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| Total church running costs | 31,256 |
0 | 0 | 31,256 | 37,900 |
| **HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH ** | **HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH ** | **HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH ** | **HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH ** | Page 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 | ||||||
| NOTES –continued | ||||||
| ThisYear | LastYear | |||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| Funds £ | Funds £ | Funds £ | Total£ | Total£ | ||
| 6 | PROGRAMME ACTIVITYCOSTS | |||||
| HeswallChurchesTogether | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | |
| Missionary & Outreach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Totalprogramme activity costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | |
| 7 | SUPPORTOF OUTSIDECAUSES | |||||
| 0 | ||||||
| Dispersal of money raised for outside causes | 0 | 1,102 | 0 | 1,102 | 701 | |
| Christian Aid | ||||||
| DEC-Ukraine | ||||||
| Total support of outside causes | 0 | 1,102 | 0 | 1,102 | 701 | |
| 8 | MAINTENANCE OF CHURCH BUILDINGS | |||||
| Decorating | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Repairs & Renewals | 1,205 | 1,000 | 0 | 2,205 | 2,223 | |
| Maintenance Costs | 1,215 | 0 | 0 | 1,215 | 733 | |
| Gardens | 696 | 0 | 0 | 696 | 29 | |
| URCBuilding Scheme | 330 | 0 | 0 | 330 | 0 | |
| Sound & Lighting | 947 | 0 | 0 | 947 | 276 | |
| **Total maintenance of church buildings ** | 4,392 | 1,000 | 0 | 5,392 | 3,261 | |
| 9 | MANSE MAINTENANCE /RUNNING COSTS | |||||
| Exterior repairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Manseimprovements | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Council Charge | 2,209 | 0 | 0 | 2,209 | 2,130 | |
| Water Rates | 181 | 0 | 0 | 181 | 215 | |
| Total maintenance of manse | 2,390 | 0 | 0 | 2,390 | 2,345 | |
| 10 | MONETARY ASSETS | |||||
| The church monies are not held in segregated accounts, but for the sake of this financial statement the total ofeachaccountis allocated appropriately overthevariousfunds. |
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| 11 | ASSETS USED FOR CHURCH PURPOSES | |||||
| The church building and the manse are vested in URC Mersey Synod Trust as trustees and are not church assets. They are held for the benefit of Heswall URC in accordance with the statutory trusts applicable to URC properties under the URC Acts. For insurance purposes the church buildings are insured by the church for£2,816,439The churchcontents areinsured by the church for£285,558 |