2023-12-31-accounts - Heswall United Reformed Church Charity

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Heswall United Reformed Church Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023

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 2022 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.

Minister: Revd. Dr. Nick Jones

The church buildings are vested in the name of URC (Mersey Province) Trust Ltd from 1[st] January 2023 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 a Joint Pastorate ministry to Heswall United Reformed Church [HURC] based on a 75% scoping and with Chester Road, Ellesmere Port URC on a 25% scoping. The minister provides both spiritual and pastoral leadership to the members and adherents of HURC.

Church Roll

The membership was 86 members compared to 89 in January 2023.

Elders ’ Elections

The Church Members voted on the re-election for Avril Lock, Steve Chantler and Ray Craig. All three candidates were duly re-elected.

Northern College Placement

Karen Jones, completed her studying and two year placement with HURC and was subsequently ordained as a URC Minister. Karen preached with a view at a church in Stoke and was subsequently called to minister in a group of churches in the Stoke area.

Employed Staff

The church employed one part-time staff as an Administrator. Based on an increased workload the Administrators hours were increased but still remains part-time.

Churches Together

HURC gave its ecumenical support for the activities of Churches Together in Heswall. The annual all denominational walk of witness through Heswall on Good Friday took place, followed by a joint service at HURC. The Big Brekkie was hosted at HURC to raise funds for Christian Aid. During Advent ecumenical Carol Singing took place in Heswall high street.

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 2023 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.

Five Elders nominated by the Church are the designated trustees. 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. In addition, there is an established Prayer Group and support is provided for prayer time on an ad hoc basis to anyone who might wish to make use of the Quiet Room.

In June 2023 we began hosting an Open Table service once per month. The Open Table Network is an ecumenical grouping, and registered charity, which began in Liverpool and aims to create communities where LGBTQIA+ people are made welcome. More than 30 churches now host Open Table Communities, and this has brought a number of people into the life of the church through a different style of worship. This is one of the ways we are seeking to live out our mission statement and ensuring that everyone is welcome in church, and has led us to engaging with a group who have historically often felt marginalised from church life. The congregation has grown over the months and the services have attracted strong support from within the existing church congregation.

Outreach

Weekly Keep Fit for the over 60s and Badminton together with regular Afternoon Guild meetings took place throughout the year. The Toddlers+ group that closed in 2022 has been replaced by an independently operated group. Regrettably there has been little scope for Youth activities due to the lack of youth presence at the church. Support is given by members of the church to a local Foodbank.

As an initiative during the fuel crisis in 2022, HURC joined the Warm Hub scheme a safe and warm environment once per week for individuals from the community to meet and socialise. This initiative has continued throughout 2023 but has been rebranded as Greet, Eat and Meet (GEM).

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. During the year one same sex marriage was performed.

HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

This Year Last Year Unrestricted Designated Restricted 2023 2022 Note Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ Total £ Total £ RECEIPTS Offerings 36,573 0 0 36,573 39,498 Fund raising and donations 2,659 0 0 2,659 6,594 Monies raised for outside causes 3 0 503 0 503 1,311 Gift Aid tax repayments 7,856 0 0 7,856 9,249 Legacies 1,200 0 0 1,200 10,000 Property - church/hall users 4 24,110 0 0 24,110 16,655 Afternoon Guild 0 0 0 0 339 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 2,399 0 0 2,399 110 Flower Fund 0 0 0 0 165 Bank interest & investment transfer 20,000 0 21 20,021 2 Total receipts 94,797 503 21 95,321 83,924 PAYMENTS Ministry & Mission Fund 35,678 0 0 35,678 38,927 Minister expenses inc Petrol 1,396 0 0 1,396 1,200 Church running costs 5 28,589 0 0 28,589 31,256 Programme activity costs 6 225 0 0 225 0 Support of outside causes 7 0 503 0 503 1,102 Maintenance of church buildings 8 28,701 0 0 28,701 5,392 Maintenance of manse 9 3,254 0 0 3,254 2,390 Flower Fund 0 0 0 0 42 Afternoon Guild 0 57 0 57 25 Total payments 97,843 560 0 98,403 80,334 NET RECEIPTS / (PAYMENTS) 2 -3,046 -57 21 -3,082 3,590 TRANSFERS between funds 0 0 0 0 0 CASH FUNDS b/fwd 1 January 25,303 2,548 1,353 29,204 25,613 CASH FUNDS c/fwd 31 December 22,257 2,491 1,373 26,122 29,203 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Monetary assets Cash 0 0 0 0 0 Bank current account 22,257 2,491 0 24,748 27,851 Kalifi Current Account 0 0 0 0 0 Deposit accounts 0 0 1,373 1,373 1,353 Synod Trust deposit 0 0 0 0 0 Total monetary assets 10 22,257 2,491 1,373 26,121 29,204 Other assets Gift Aid recoverable 0 0 0 0 0 Other monies due to church 0 0 0 0 0 Investments at market value 12 168,157 0 0 168,157 167,936 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 Trustees on and signed on their behalf by 21/5/2024

The notes on pages 2 and 3 form part of this financial statement

HESWALL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 NOTES

Page 2

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 Fundsrepresent unrestricted funds set aside by the church	Designated Fundsrepresent unrestricted funds set aside by the church	for specific designated purposes; they can be	for specific designated purposes; they can be	for specific designated purposes; they can be	for specific designated purposes; they can be
transferred back into general funds at the church's decision.
Fund name & purpose:	Balance	Receipts	Payments	Transfers	Balance
	b/fwd £	inyear £	inyear £	foryear £	c/fwd £
Afternoon Guild	961	0	57	0	904
Flower Fund	921	0	0	0	921
Donation for Premises / Repair	0	0	0	0	0
FURY FUND	456	0	0	0	456
Totals for designated funds	2,338	0	0	0	2,281

	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.	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.	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.	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.	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.	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.
	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	2023	2022
		Funds £	Funds £	Funds £	Total £	Total £
3	MONIES RAISED FOR OUTSIDE CAUSES
	Christian Aid	0	349	0	349	552
	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	154	0	154	431
	CharityCoffee Morning	0	0	0	0	328
	Iona AbbeyAppeal	0	0	0	0	0
	Kalifi Fund	0	0	0	0	0
	Totals raised for outside causes	0	503	0	503	1,311
4	PROPERTY INCOME
	Lettings income	24,110	0	0	24,110	16,230
	Weddings and funerals	0	0	0	0	425

	Totalproperty income	24,110	0	0	24,110	16,655
5	CHURCH RUNNING COSTS
	Gas, Electric and Water	5,283	0	0	5,283	8,359
	Insurance	2,903	0	0	2,903	2,795
	Cleaning	3,278	0	0	3,278	3,003
	Telephone & Internet	1,775	0	0	1,775	2,080
	Administration	478	0	0	478	720
	Photocopying	2,205	0	0	2,205	1,669
	Staffing	9,514	0	0	9,514	10,328
	Bank Charges	110	0	0	110	111
	Licences, music & conduct of praise	3,041	0	0	3,041	2,192

Total church running costs

0 0 28,589 31,256

28,589

HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH	HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH	HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH	HESWALLUNITED REFORMEDCHURCH			Page 3

FINANCIALSTATEMENTS YEAR ENDED31 DECEMBER 2023

NOTES – continued
					This Year	Last Year
		Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	2023	2022
		Funds £	Funds £	Funds £	Total £	Total £
6	PROGRAMME ACTIVITYCOSTS
	HeswallChurchesTogether	75	0	0	75	0
	Missionary & Outreach	150	0	0	150	0

	Total programme activity costs	225	0	0	225	0
7	SUPPORTOF OUTSIDECAUSES
		0
	Dispersalof moneyraisedforoutside causes	0	0	0	0	1,102
	Christian Aid		349		349
	DEC-Ukraine		154		154
	Total support of outside causes	0	503	0	503	1,102
8	MAINTENANCE OF CHURCH BUILDINGS
	Repairs &Renewals	24,263	1,000	0	25,263	2,205
	Maintenance Costs	2,619	0	0	2,619	1,215
	Gardens	1,819	0	0	1,819	696

	Total maintenance of church buildings	28,701	1,000	0	29,701	5,392
9	MANSE MAINTENANCE /RUNNING COSTS
	ManseMaintenance	720	0	0	720	0
	CouncilCharge	2,308	0	0	2,308	2,209
	Water Rates	226	0	0	226	181

	Total maintenance of manse	3,254	0	0	3,254	2,390

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.
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 £2,816,439 The church contents are insured bythe church for £285,558
12	CCLA– INVESTMENT FUND
	At 31/12/2022 the number of units held was 37,440.56 valued at a mid-market value of £167,935.89, this increased invalue to £176,019.30 by 30/06/2023. On 05/11/2023 4,312.11 units were sold at a value of £20,000 as per Church Meeting for repairs and decoration to the building. At 31/12/2023 the number of units held was 33,128.45 valued at a mid-market value of £168,156.70.A yearly increase in the value of our investment of £220.81.