Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Report and Financial Statements for the year ended
31 December 2023

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿mber 2023
Contents
Page
Charity Infonnation
Report of the Trustees
Independent Examiners Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Slatement of Assets aThJ Liabilities
Notes to the Finanual Statements
10
FRC Confidential

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Reference and Admlnlstratlve Information
Address of Princlpal Charlty
Watw L￿ United Refonn8d Churth Charity
Water L8rE
Bishop's Sttrtford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2JZ
Mlnlstor
(In vacancy)
Church Offl¢ers
Chwch Secretary- Gapsun RP
Church Treagser- Anne Hunt
Bankors
Lloyds Bank F4c
20 North Str8et
Bishop's Slortrord
Hertrordshire
CM23 2LN
Veale WasExo￿h Viz¥ds
Second Fl¢
3 PL•ce
Birmingham
812JB
Indapondent Examlner
Hayden Watson Bsc (Hons) FCCA
The MHH Partwship
Elslree House
Watson's Yard,
High Sireel,
Cottenham
CB24 8RX
Corporats Trusteo and Ag¢nt
Uniied Ref0M￿ Church Easlem Prownee Trust
36 Duxffwd Road
rttlesfc(d
Cambridge
CB22 4ND
FRC ConfKJential

Water Lane United Reformed Churth Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
TRUSTEES REPORT
The Trustees present their report and the independently examined finanaal ststements of the
charity tor the year ended 31 Decernber 2023. These are produ￿1 on the Reoipts and
Payments basis, taking •Jvantage of the provisions of Section 133(1) of the Charities Ad
2011.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Water Lane United Reforyned Church Charty is a kjcal church of the United Refomied Church
in Great Brttain, and is a member church of Eastem Synod of the Church. ft was registered on
27 May 2009 as Charrty Number 1129836.
Water Lane Church is situated at Water Lane. Btshop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 2JZ, tel.
01279 755610.
The members of the Elders, Meeling for the time being are recognised as the chanty trustees.
Those who seprfed from 1 January 2023 until the date this report was approved are..
Mrs A Hunter
Mrs J Pinnell
T￿aSurer
MrA Booth
Ms G Rhee
Mrs P Bayston
Mrs A M Groves
Mrs R Dickens
Mr R Buss
Mrs Michelle Czajkowski
Church Secretary
died January 2023
appointed June 2023
The church buildings are vested in the Synod Tmst having legal ownership of these premises
as trustees and hekl for the benefft of Water Lane URC in a￿OrdanCe V￿th the trusts
applicable to URC properties.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The activities of Water Lane URC are overseen by the Eklers meeting of the church in
accordan￿ wtth the provisions of The Strucaure of the Untted Reformed Church determined by
the General Assembly of the United Refomed Church and supplemented by the rules of
Water Lane Church. The goveming document of the registered charity is a statement adopted
by the Church Meeting on 1 March 2009.
The Elders, Meeting is responsible for the finanaai 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 gUIdan￿ on the lrfe and work of the church. The members of
the Elders. meeting and the minister in pastoral charge and ¢xmposed of up to 12 members of
Water Lane URC nominated, and elected. by Church Meeting. Elders seNe tor 5 years,
retired by rotation. their period of seDIKe may be extended by agreement of the Church
Meeting. There is no limit on the number of consecutive periods of seNice. The members of
the Elders, meeting are the trustees of the registered charty during therr per￿￿ of service as
Elders.
The Elders. Meeting met 10 times during the year. It is assisted in the administratron of the
Church and its property by Finance & Prq)ety Committee (currently 4 members)

Water Lane United Refom)ed Church Charlty
Charity Number 1129836
The Church Meeting met 3 times during 2023.
OBJECTIVES AND AcnvmES
Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2023
As a local congregation of the Unrted Reformed Churth, Water Lane Church seeks to advan
the Christian religion through its activities and the faiIrt￿$ offered to the (xjmmunrty by its
building and described more speCif￿allY below."
Object of the chaty
Pr￿laIM the Goc¥J News of the Kingdom of God
Teach, bapb'se and nurture new believers
Respond to human need by loving service
Seek to Iransfom unjust structures of ￿￿etY
Strive to safeguard the integnty of creation
The Elders, Meeting is aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on the Publ￿ benefit in
'The advan￿ment of rel￿10n for the public benrt and has regard to it in the administration of
the church.
The Elders. Meeting betreves that the church pr￿eS benefft to the public by:
1. Providing resources arKI facilities for public Varrship, pastoral care and spiritual. moral
and intellectual devebpment, both for the COngregat￿n and for anyone else who
wishes to benefit from what the church offers.
2. Promoting Christian values and Seprfl￿ by the members of the congregation to the
communty for the benefft of indivKluals arKI s• as a whole.
chU￿h Builthngs
The church and hall are let oirt to benefft the loc4 communty and to provKle funds for the
maintenance and upke8p of the burldings whilst providing funds for Outre&h.
Use of Volunteers
The dictionary definition of a volunteer is that of a person vtho offer5 service of their own free
will and at Water Lane this means everyone who is a member or regular attender at *Drship.
To be a Christian is to be a volunteer in the serfft of the Lord.
To the extent that Christians offer their se￿1￿ beyorKI the local church at synod or national
level they remain volunteers, but their seD4rce is in a more regional context. This indudes
those who srt on committees, those preach. teach and in any way contribute towards the
fiJrthefan￿ of the kingdom of God in the Unrted Reformed Church.
Most ministers of word and s&rament are paid diredly from the Finance offi￿ of the United
Reforned Church in London. Other than that, we are all volunteers.
Organisational Stnictu
The Unrted Refonrted Church is a conciliate organisation. The Govemment of the Church is
exercised through Church Meetings of Members. All major decisions (as required by the
constttution) are referred to the Church Meeting. Church Meetings take plao apprO￿rnately
every hvo months and there is an Annual Meeting of Church and cO￿regation. Extraordinary

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
meetings are called as required. The body responsible for the overall executive and pastoral
decisions is the Elders meeting which meets aPpr0￿MatelY On￿ a month. The Finan￿ &
Property Committee, wh￿h is responsible for administrative financial and property issues
meets every tsvo months. The Eklers review and decide whether to act on the
recommendations of the Finance & Property Committee.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The church continues to ¥tively welcome any persons wish to hear the Good News of
the lQngdom of Gcrtl. In line with many other churches in the UK membership has been in
gradual dedine. The Elders are aware of the changing profile of its congregation and are
investigating likely causes and opportunities for encouraging more indNiduals, families and
young people to worship wtth us.
The church has been in ministerial vacary throughout 2022 and 2023 and lo the date of this
report Wtth Rev. Nigel Uden appointed as our Interim M¢)derator. The church was part of the
WEBS Pastorate together with ￿)ngregatIonS in Stsnsted, Saffron Walden with Newport and
Clavering. WEBS is no longer operational due to the retirement of both serving ministers in
2021 and Stansted joining the Meth¢)dist circuit. Options for a new Mission Partnership with a
group of local URC churches are being explored at present time.
Following lockd¢7trvn restraints on operations of church and hall lettings, several user groups
dosed attogether or made attemative arrangements due lo the prospective dosure of the hall.
Opportunities lor fundraising have been slow to retum to pre-lockdown levels. Our major
fundraising effort is the bazaar in November. This was sutxessful and raised £636 for
charitable Causes.
Our Out￿aCh pro9raMff￿S also remain limited, particularly as our'in person, is on the
more senior member of congregation and c4)mmunity. Our no￿al pattem of aclivrty
indudes:
Providing finanoal contributions to Spear￿ Chrislian projects and through regular
communion collections for worthy causes.
Promoting 'Commttment for Lrfe. financial giving through Christian Aid partners
Occasional campaigning towards the goal of eradication of Third World debt and
poverty.
Being active members of Church Together in Bishop's Stortford, supporting ts agreed
activtties suth as the local street pastors.
Providing regular Coffee momings that are availabl8 to the communty.
Redevelopment of Chuth Estats
The Synod Trustees completed the sale of the Church Hall with East Herts District Council
(EHDC) at the end of September 2019. It is now leased back to the Churth at a peppercom
rent until such time as the land is required ft)r the EHDC Old River Lane development, which in
tum has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in scope. We nijw antiapate
retaining use of the Church Hall until at least April 2025. Proceeds of the Hall sale are held by
Synod Trustees with the intention of using the majority to fund the extension and
reconfiguration of the Church building to facrlrtale a wider range of use, together with
associated ￿Sts. In 2023 Synod agreed to release some of thss funding towards costs
atJSfKtated with the projed.
Planning pemiission for an extension and reconfiguration of the church was granted in Autumn
2022. Our inrtial costings for the Church Extension prior to the hall being sold indicated the
v￿rkS would be covered by the proceeds of the Hall sale. Htrwever, the more complex destgn

Water Lane United Refomied Church Chanty
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
required to meet planning ￿ncernS together with the recent rapid pri￿ increases in building
materials means this is no longer the case. The first phase of the v￿rkS incorporating the
inlemal works to the Church buikling (per removal, kitchen extension. new screen I vestry,
heating system, lighting system, sOund￿sual system, front doors of church) have now been
estimated and work is about to commence in autumn 2024. The knsted Building and Advisory
Commrttee have approved the ￿MoVal of pews and the design Con￿Pt$ but IMII still need to
approve some of the finer detail before works can commence. Once these V•fJrks are in
progress a review will be conduct&J regarding Phase 2 worf(s which relate to a side extension
- due to increase in costs this may n*J to be reduca in scope and may be subjec* to a new
planning application.
In late 2022 y￿ Su￿ssfullY applied for grant towards the works from the Town Counal, who
awarded us the Ma￿muM available sum of £50,000 based on the gtheme that received
anning consent. We are very grateful not only for the finance, but for the ctvic support for tho
project that it represents as rt is very much our intention to make the enhanc&J Church
building available for wider communty use. As we have moved away from building the entire
scheme in one phase as envisag￿ in our oTNJinal grant bid. we are liaising with the Council as
our plans evofve. Currently the Council continues to await the start of the first phase of our
project.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The charity has opted to pr(NJU￿ accounts on the Receipts and Payments basis for 2023,
taking advantage of the provisions of Section 133(1) of the Charrties Act 2011. The accounts
take the fomi of a Receipts and Payments a(￿Unt for 2023 and a Ststement of Assets and
Liabilities as at 31 De￿)ber 2023. These figures a￿ divided in columns be￿een the
separate categories of trust as indrcated as best practice by the Charity Commission and show
at the foot of the page the resulting changes in the tnjst totals. Subsequent notes give greater
detail.
The charrty finds rtself in something of a hiatus betsyeen the end of pandemic restrictions and
prosFectiv& dOSu￿ of the church hall, which has been deferred incrementally as the overal
plan for the town centre is reconsidered by the council. Hall and Church lettings have
increased over 2021 but have not truly retumed to pre-pandemic levels. It is not possible to
attract many new regular hall users given its prospective dosure Sin￿ the start of 2022 and
some existing users have relocat&J in anticipation of dosure. We are grateful to our lettings
secretsry for her stetling efforts in attracting new artd ad-hoc users. Local conservation party
are looking at having another operator for the Hall once we vacate the premisses.
We continued Io Work on our redevelopment project, paying out a further £6,000 on
professional fees in relation to the Church extension. This expenditure covered specialisl
architect and planning consuttant fees to help in deggning and presenting an extension that
was uttimately acceptable to the local conservats'on offi￿r and the planning authorrties. In
2023 Synod agreed to release some funds arising from the sale of the Church Hall towards the
professional fees incurred to date on the overall estate redevelopment project.
We lease an area of outdoor space to the owners of Water Lane Bar to accommodate their air
conditioning units. Ownetship changed in 2020 and the bar reopened in 2022. The previous
owners settled outstanding rent due in 2021. The lease has been renegottated bwth the new
owners and temis agreed eady in 2023. fr(Kn which point regular payments of £200 per month
have been made.
The overall deficit for the year of £8,111 ¢xn largely be attributed to two factors, costs incurred
towards the church devebpment of £6,000, and an increase in the energy costs for the hall
and the church. In 2023 Synod agreed to drawd￿ on funds originating from the sale of the

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
hall held in the Synod trust towards our costs ass(Kxated with the development. Separately
we were in receipt of a Synod grarrt in 2023 towards energy costs lo maintain our activities
going forward. On this basis the Elders are s*sfied that the ¢harty can continue with its
CUTrent objectrves and &tivtties for the foreseeatrAe future.
This report was approved by the Elders. Meeting on
signed on its behalf by
GAesuKI RhEC
CiuLr&- £ecA-<

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
I report on the financial statetncnts of Water Lane United RefonneAI Churth Charity for the year
ellded 31 De(xmber 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 17.
Respective respon8ibili¢ies
The trustces are reS[M)￿81blc for the pr¢paration of the financial statement% and considers that the audit
requirement of Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (th¢ Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility
to stat4 on the basis of prowlures specified in the G¢neTal Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners under Sectioo 145 (5) (b) of the Ac¢ wh¢ther particular matters bave wme to my
attention.
My exan)ination was caTried out iti accordartce with th¢ General Directions of the Charity Conmlissioners.
An ¢xamination Includes a review of the accounting records kept by th¢ church and a comparison of the
counts presented with those T￿orth. It also indudes consideration of any ullusual items or disclosur¢s
in the fmancial stat¢ment& and seeking explanations CODcernin8 any such matters. The prLKthes
undertaken do not provide all the ¢iryden¢e that would be rwuired in an audi¢ and CODwuendy I do not
express an 8uth't opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
Independent Examintr's ststemtnt
In comiection with exa[nintho￿ no matffiai matter5 in connection with the ¢xatniDthon came to my
attention which gave me cause to believe that in any mtsiaj respect..
The aC￿Unting records were not kept in ¥cordaDce with section 130 of the Chariti¢s xt or
The accounts do not acwrd with th¢ accounting records
I have no concerns and have corn¢ across no other matters in connection with the examination to which
attention should be drawn ij) order to ¢nable a propu undffstaDding of the ￿)unt$ to be reached.
Signed by the Ind¢[￿dent Examiner.
Hayden Watson Bsc (Hons) FCCA
The MHH Partnership
E15tr¢e House
Watson's Yard
Hlgh Street
Cottenham
CB24 8RX

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿mber 2023
Statement of Financial Activities
General Desgnated ￿st11Ct8d
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
Receipts
Note 2
Donations
Charitable a(*i*thtes
FUndrai￿ng (other
trading activity)
Investments
Other
17.766
14.451
355
19,989
16,433
2,389
22,381
19,402
1,753
47,235
47,235
7,CQ2
93,128
45.369
86,533
4,091
89,997
Paymenls
URC Ministy and
Missic
Other Ministy, Missic￿,
Worship & Fdlowship
Chur¢h maintenan￿ &
RLtnning Costs
Hall maintenan￿ &
Running Costs
Church Estate
Red8velopment
Raising Fund$
Donations
27.792
27,792
32,952
15.957
15,957
15,761
18,725
18,725
15,453
29.243
29.243
25,838
10,8C4)
2,921
2.921
2,921
101.238
3,330
104,134
98,317
Net Receipts l(Payments)
{11,7841
4,091
(4181 18,1111
114.138)
Draw down from investsnenls
15.CKKI
15,ChJO
Transfers beN¥een fLnds
4.(K17
14.0911
Bank and on call deposits at the
start of the year
18.586
928
19,514
33,652
Bank and on call deposits at the
end of the year
£25,810
£594 £26,403
£19.514

Water Lane United Refomed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at Year End
General t*nated Restrict6d
Funds
Funds
Funds
Total F￿r Peiic*Y
Funds
total funds
Monetary As80ts
Cash FuThJg
Debtors
Gift Recoverable
COIF deposil held
investment {Nole 61
Note 6
25.810
594
26,403
19,514
673
272
420
252
715
63,ClXJ
83,458
75.325
76,214
Uabllrti
Creditors
1.SSS
1,763
£73,760
£44
£74.649
£81,695
Assets retained for churth use are desuited Notes 7 and 8 of t￿ fina￿la1 slatementg.
Signed on bghaw of the Tnjstees..
Trustee
Date..

Water Lane United RefomHI Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the Accounts
A¢countlng Pollci•s
Recelpts and Payments Accountl
Water Lane United Refomied Church has opted to prodLth a slatemerrt of Receipts
Payments and a Statement of Assets and Liabilits"es in accordants with secb.on 133111 of the
Charities Act 2011, giv￿ that the dlaritys in¢))me, from all scyjrces, has not exoeded
£250,CQO.
Most income is rewved on a cash basis arvj il is the ￿L￿ch,5 normal ryaclice to pay invoices
on receipt
Freehold property
The trustees of the tyjildings ar#J the Guild H￿se ￿e the URC (Easlem Province) Tnjsl
hold them upon trust for wrFoses connected with Water Lane Untied Refcfftied Church.
The Guild H￿se is let lo long te￿ tenants. Rental receipts from this tenancy are received by
Water LarÈ United Reforned Church and are disdosed in th8 receipts and paym￿1 account.
Waier Lane United Reformed Churth is 8 registerod charity arvJ thus exempt from taxation in
respect of income and capit81 gains received to the extent that such Ir￿Me or gain$ are applied
lo exclusively c*aritable purFrf)ses. No tax tharges have arisen in the chanty.
Fund Structure Policy
The charity maintains a general unrestn.txed fund v*hich represents fvrKJs that arg available for
use at the diseretion of the TnJsl8es in furtfwance of the objects of the ch8niy. The charity
operalès on6 deS￿nated fund, the Administrats"v& Expense fund. Rastn'ct8d funds have been
provided to the tharity fcf partIC￿lar purFoses, and il is the policy of ts Trustees to monitor the
applic2ts.on of those fijnds in acwdance with the restriclions placaj upon them.
Analysi8 of Receipts
General Designated Restncted
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total PiiorPe170d
Funds Total Funds
Receipts from Donations and Legacies
Freewll (tsings
Income from leg*es
Communion collecb"c￿S
Commitment for
Other d¢xabons
Income lax re[L￿S
14.930
14,930
15,542
927
453
311
178
3,013
1,￿ 19.989
Income tax refijnds are daim&J urNJer Gift the Grfl Small Donation S¢h8me.
927
453
895
287
513
3,643
22,381
17.7e6
General Designakny Rest￿ Total hior Period
FuTrY
Funds
Funds
Funds Total Funds
R•¢olpts from Charitable Actfvities
Hire of the Church
Hir8 of the Church Hall
Car P8th"ng
Coffee Th)mings
1,519
9,327
1,519
9.327
1,896
11,410
3,570
2,526
19,402
269
14,451
1.983
2,252
16.433
10

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2023
The offering d fau'lttiés to thg 1x￿nMunIty falls vthin th8 c*¥itat4e cknpctives and activities of
the tharity.
Coffee momir@s are held as a b.me of fefiowship for mmbers of the ￿r￿ar8gatIOn and otrws
within the broader community. Receipts indLJJe the sale of bak&J goc¥Js provided by members
of the churth, donated Val￿ of which is 8Stimated at £600 {2022 £715).
General De*ggnated Restricted
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total Prior Period
Funds Total Funds
Money raising
Bazaar
Grft Stall
Bric-a-brac stall
318
1,284
1.435
1,753
1,435
2,389
The brwthc stall and bazaar relate mal&rially to the orNRrd sale of items donated by
members of the wigregation. Items are ty￿"CallY giv￿ on or near to the day of sale and it is
impractical to eth"m*e the fair value of suth ttems other than via sale sxoceeds.
1,5
2,784
636
Gen8rn1 t*nated RestniY8d
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
Investments
Guild Hwse R8nl
Corf Dep)srt Intwe
44.750
2,345
140
47,235
44,750
2,345
44,750
612
47,235
45,369
Other Rocelpts
Synod Energy Grant
Rent of outdoor spxe
Sundry incA)me
5,222
7,082
7,082
0￿ershiP of W*er La￿ Bar, v#ho rent the ¢xJtdc4)r spa¢8, changed in 2020, al which point
payments Ceased. The bar r8owed as Water Lane Lourtge in November 2022. The charrty
conclL#Jed negoli*"cffls for a lease the nv* ovmers in early 2023. Rent ha$ been received
from that dale onwards.
Analy8is of Payments
General ￿ks￿nated Rest￿ted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Total Prnr PeiKxI
Funds total funds
Ralsing Funds
Legal fees re outdoor
space
600
11

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
General Desgnated Restrtted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Total PriorPenod
Funds Tot81 Funds
Payments relating to Charitable Activi¢ie8
URC Ministy and
Allssion Fund
27,792
27,792
32.952
The Chwch ¢ontrrbLrtes lo the central URC ts)stS ¢Jf trainiro and providing rninislers
li￿lUdIng the centralised paymanl of sb"perxts. pensi¢)n eontribLrtions and other banofi1$
for ministers), runnir#J the dermyninatson the widor Missic￿ of the natic￿al chur(*i.
Other Alinisty, MISSK￿, Wornhlp & Felk>wship
WEBS expenses
Pulpjt Supply
1.257
Organist
Administrators
salary la)
Licenc£s and
subscriptions
Other difecl costs
Share of suFport costs
(see belth¥l
{70)
1,257
3,320
5,973
3.380
5.973
5,801
613
613
239
239
4.114
15.761
Total
15.957
15,957
Alaintenance and wnning costs- Church (b)
Repairs and renewals
&59
Utilities
8,814
CleanirwJ refuse
collection {40%)
Grounds
maintenan¢e140%)
Organ tuning ar¥J
maintonance
Other dire¢a costs
Share of SUFPOrt
o)sls (see be104V}
620
6,540
4,359
8.814
4,805
829
571
169
169
332
147
147
3,293
18,725
3,023
18,725
15,453
AlaInIen￿e0 andwnnlng costs- Hall Ib)
Rgpairs and renew81s
2,6
Utilities
14.545
Cleaning and refvse
collecti￿16￿)
7.207
Grounds160%)
maintenan
Oiher (*rect Costs
Share of
¢￿ts (see telow)
Total
2,6*
14.545
7,207
12,598
6,539
1.243
1.243
856
107
3,503
29,243
3.205
25.838
29.243
Church Estato
10,8C(J
Lk)nath)ns
2,921
2,921
3,330
Total Ex￿ndIture on
Charftable Activiti
97,717
2,921 1CiI,638
104,134
12

Water Lane United Reform&l Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
(8) The role of the paid &Jministrator is to supp)rt the Minister, Chw(* Sec¥et8ry and Elders in
thè Ministry, mi￿on, Wtrship and Fdlowship activities of the church.
Ibl The Lettings Secretary, Treas4Jrer and BcokkeeF*r ¥e all unpaid volunteers.
2023 Support Costs
Independent Acc￿nts
Examination 1."1..1
Office Costs 7..1.'2
Insurance 1..1'.1
Bank Charges 1:1."1
nisty
ChU￿h
H811
Total
1,620
2,103
7,385
243
11,351
1,472
2.462
81
210
2.462
81
421
2,462
81
3.503
2023
Church Estate
Church
Hall
Total
Professional costs
2022 Support Costs
Indep8ndent A(xoJnts
Examinatic￿ 1.'1.'1
Office costs 7."1.2
Insurance 1.'1'.1
Bank Charges 1.'1-.1
Total
Ministry
523
Church
Hall
Total
523
523
1.570
1,820
6,713
238
10,341
1,274
2,238
79
4,114
2,238
79
3,023
2,238
79
3,205
2022
Church Estste
R•deve1opn￿n¢
Professional c¥Jsts
Total
ni&ry
chU￿b
Hall
Total
10,8(KJ
10.8CQ
10,800
10,800
All costs ar& a11c￿ed equally acn)ss the IPYe8 C8tegC￿es. wth th8 ex¢gplion crf office costs
i¢h are split based C￿ esbmated usage and professional fees re propety are allocatod
across the thurch and hall where not direcuy attribLrt&X.
Paymfrnts to TnMt•OS
Phyllis BaystM received £ 3,320 (2022 £3.￿) in her role as church organist for vknich she
invol￿5 the monthty. Trustees other Ihan the ￿98n1$t re￿1V￿j no remuneration in the
year (21J23- nil. 2022- ntl).
During the year, trustees othw than the ministsr *ere ￿MbUr5￿3 £182.65 in aojregate in
respect of expenses incurred on t)ehalf of the thurch12022- £220.70). £13.80 was $p8nl
trust8e's behalf which was repaid within weeks.
The churth has b88n in vacancy throughout 2022 and 2023. Hence tse have r
ministerial expenses payable lo a tnjstee.
13

efonned Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
EnWoyn*nt Emoluments
Total FuTr*s
Part timo administrator
total funds
Emplty8es - part time administrat
5,973
5,801
General Dewnated Restncted
Fund
Fund
Fund
Bank and Cash
Exp8nsg AccoLtnt
Dewsil AccoL￿t
Petty Cash
Total Pnor Peiiod
Funds TotalFunds
12,
13,
594
12,e62
13.563
178
594 26,403
178
25.810
3,874
15,368
273
19,514
Debtors
Hall Lattings
Grft Ard R8coverat4•
Creditor¥
Creditors
Payroll taxes ¢
420
252
673
272
715
1,643
120
1,763
A88ets for Church Purpos88
For reasons explained in the ac¢ountin9 poiicies tho ch￿ch bLrilrfings are not tangible fixed
assets of the churth. FLY F%wpos8s Churth is insured for¥W £5.1million.
Other asws that the Church ¢Mis ara ¢cxnMen￿rata with the running of the c*ur¢h and
i￿￿￿e the ￿gan, one ejettrrc piarKS, church fittings (ineludiw pulpit, lec*em, communion table
and chairs, pews), chairs and lablos, kitchen ffttings and equipment and Offi￿ equipment
including a basic computer and a seCCrf4￿nd photocopier. As a non4)Jnformisl church, the
¢harity does r￿t own assets of intn'nsr¢ hith Ydlue as ittrns made of silvar or g￿d c¥ works
Invo8tmgnts
For reasons explained in the a¢(XJunting poiieitis the Guild H￿se is a tangible fixed asset of
the churth. Fcr inswanct wrF4)ses t￿ ¢￿ik1 HO￿ is insur8d for £1.3milli¢x. The Guild
House is held as an investment propty arKI generates a cash fl¢Av for the th￿"ty as shown in
the receipts and payment accourt
14

Water Lane United Refornied Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2023
The remaining inv05tmenl is COIF d8P)srt accourrt, tr￿ld on a long term basis, although
some drawd¢)wn$ are (Kujrring to fund the wofesS￿nal fees on churth redevelopment
project.
COIF
Total 2023
Total 2022
At 1 January 2023
Drav￿oWn in the year
At 31 De￿rnber 2023
63,OCQ
15,C
63,Ixo
15.CrfXI
63,CKJO
63,C4JO
Do¥lgnated Funds
The th￿ch OFerates one monetary de&gnat&J fund, the Admlnistratlve Expense Fund, with
the encouragement of Churth Meeliry. This ftjnd 1$ used lo ring fence the proceeds of sp8cific
fundraising activities undertaken pnncipally in ￿der to defray local &Jministralive expens*s.
Such funds are not laken into account in th8 ￿lCulatiOn of our Contribution to the wide URC
Ministry and Mission fund. 11 was agreed tw this dec4'si¢Jn could be reversed by consensus in
Church Meeting henc£ the fijnd is de￿nated ralhw than ￿$triCted. The surplus on this
fund is transferred at the end of each accowrting year {other in the unlikely event of sums
raised excÉeding lttal expenses).
Admlnistralib• E¥wse Fund
2023
2022
At l January 2023
Lknnations
355
Coffee
Charitablo Momiros
Pknngy
Raising
1.983
2,403
318
Stall
1,435
Total rncelpts
4,091
3,9)3
Payments
Transfer to
Gerwal
Fund
Transfer lo
Communion
Fund
Total translofS
3.818
4.091
3,9)3
As at 31 Decembor 2022
15

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
10
Rostrlctod F￿d8
Cha17table Fundra￿{
This fund rec￿dS monies raised specrfically fcf charities (outside of the Communion Fund
described below). funds arise as thè result of donab"ons, tax rewvered is also paid over
to the chanty. We hekl our annual bazw in November 2023.
Commilny8nt for Life
There is an annual aN)eal for Commitment for Life. a f￿d within th8 wder United Refcffii&J
Church. Donations collected in November aThJ Dec*mber and are rgmitted when the appeal
is complete.
CommunK)n FUTr
At every communion 8 t￿lectiOn is made for a speofic tr￿rity and t(th th8 donation and the
applioble lax recovered is PaKI to th8 tharity o)ncem&a.
The church aims to Pay over thnats.ons lo o11￿ charities indL*Jing rel8vant gift aid as soon as
praclicable after the donab.ons *e re￿Ved. This may lead to a negats.ve balanc* on a fund at a
point in ts.me when grft has been paid over Kyior to ￿'ng daimed and received by the Church.
Charltablo CommIth￿t Communlon
Total
Fundralslng
forLlle
Fund
2023
At l January 2023
Donatlons
Donations
Gift Aid
re￿Ved
125)
928
311
927
1.6
178
Fundrnislng Bazaar stalls
Total Receipts
Paid over
1,041
Paymènts
1,703
125
2,921
Transfer frtyn
administrative
expense fuThJ
As at 31 Decembèr 2023
Glft •ld reeovgrable
291
594
252
91
cha￿table Commitment Communion
Fundrniwng
ft•rLi1o
Fund
Tot
2022
At 1 January 2022
-25
31
Donatlons
Donations
Grft
313
18
287
69
1,496
215
Fundrnlslng Bazaar Stalls
Gfft Stall
Total Receipts
Paid ov
1.284
1,676
1,110
1.195
3,142
Payments
779
2,330
adrninislrab.ve
expense fund
As at 31 December 2022
Glft akl recovwab
85
953
73
-25
928
83
10.
16

Water Lane United Refomied Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Re￿pIentS of drM*i￿$ from Water Lane URC dLwing the year
2023 Donakn o
Charftable CommitnMnt
Fundraislng
for Lrf•
Fund
Fund
Communion General
Fund
Fund
Total
2023
Herts & Essex Ar Ambulanc*
MND ASS￿£110n
The Bible Soaety
British Red Cross
Cancer Research
Christian Aid
Shelter
Grove Cottagg
Mind
Isabel Hospice
Holy Trinity Night s￿tter
Refugee Council
YMCA
URC Commitment for Lrfe
350
318
323
211
49
113
21
51
259
113
21
51
657
318
657
318
125
125
Total
1,703
125
1,093
2,921
2022 Donations out
Charltable CommltnRnt
Fundraising
for Life
Fund
Fund
Communlon Genernl Total
Fund
Fund
2022
Holiday Bible Week
Bible Society
Brrtish Red Cross
The Woodland Trust
Mission Aviation Fell(ywshp
Mind
Shelter
Christian Aid
Bishop's Slortford FC￿ Bank
Isabel Hospice
Holy Trinity Nigm Shgmer
URC Commitment for Lrfe
Totsl
1,C(wJ 1,C
138
1.288
49
29
138
631
49
29
657
63
135
131
71
45
45
779
3*
1,195
1,C(Q 3,330
17

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Report and Financial Statements for the year ended
31 December 2023

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿mber 2023
Contents
Page
Charity Infonnation
Report of the Trustees
Independent Examiners Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Slatement of Assets aThJ Liabilities
Notes to the Finanual Statements
10
FRC Confidential

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Reference and Admlnlstratlve Information
Address of Princlpal Charlty
Watw L￿ United Refonn8d Churth Charity
Water L8rE
Bishop's Sttrtford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2JZ
Mlnlstor
(In vacancy)
Church Offl¢ers
Chwch Secretary- Gapsun RP
Church Treagser- Anne Hunt
Bankors
Lloyds Bank F4c
20 North Str8et
Bishop's Slortrord
Hertrordshire
CM23 2LN
Veale WasExo￿h Viz¥ds
Second Fl¢
3 PL•ce
Birmingham
812JB
Indapondent Examlner
Hayden Watson Bsc (Hons) FCCA
The MHH Partwship
Elslree House
Watson's Yard,
High Sireel,
Cottenham
CB24 8RX
Corporats Trusteo and Ag¢nt
Uniied Ref0M￿ Church Easlem Prownee Trust
36 Duxffwd Road
rttlesfc(d
Cambridge
CB22 4ND
FRC ConfKJential

Water Lane United Reformed Churth Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
TRUSTEES REPORT
The Trustees present their report and the independently examined finanaal ststements of the
charity tor the year ended 31 Decernber 2023. These are produ￿1 on the Reoipts and
Payments basis, taking •Jvantage of the provisions of Section 133(1) of the Charities Ad
2011.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Water Lane United Reforyned Church Charty is a kjcal church of the United Refomied Church
in Great Brttain, and is a member church of Eastem Synod of the Church. ft was registered on
27 May 2009 as Charrty Number 1129836.
Water Lane Church is situated at Water Lane. Btshop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 2JZ, tel.
01279 755610.
The members of the Elders, Meeling for the time being are recognised as the chanty trustees.
Those who seprfed from 1 January 2023 until the date this report was approved are..
Mrs A Hunter
Mrs J Pinnell
T￿aSurer
MrA Booth
Ms G Rhee
Mrs P Bayston
Mrs A M Groves
Mrs R Dickens
Mr R Buss
Mrs Michelle Czajkowski
Church Secretary
died January 2023
appointed June 2023
The church buildings are vested in the Synod Tmst having legal ownership of these premises
as trustees and hekl for the benefft of Water Lane URC in a￿OrdanCe V￿th the trusts
applicable to URC properties.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The activities of Water Lane URC are overseen by the Eklers meeting of the church in
accordan￿ wtth the provisions of The Strucaure of the Untted Reformed Church determined by
the General Assembly of the United Refomed Church and supplemented by the rules of
Water Lane Church. The goveming document of the registered charity is a statement adopted
by the Church Meeting on 1 March 2009.
The Elders, Meeting is responsible for the finanaai 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 gUIdan￿ on the lrfe and work of the church. The members of
the Elders. meeting and the minister in pastoral charge and ¢xmposed of up to 12 members of
Water Lane URC nominated, and elected. by Church Meeting. Elders seNe tor 5 years,
retired by rotation. their period of seDIKe may be extended by agreement of the Church
Meeting. There is no limit on the number of consecutive periods of seNice. The members of
the Elders, meeting are the trustees of the registered charty during therr per￿￿ of service as
Elders.
The Elders. Meeting met 10 times during the year. It is assisted in the administratron of the
Church and its property by Finance & Prq)ety Committee (currently 4 members)

Water Lane United Refom)ed Church Charlty
Charity Number 1129836
The Church Meeting met 3 times during 2023.
OBJECTIVES AND AcnvmES
Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2023
As a local congregation of the Unrted Reformed Churth, Water Lane Church seeks to advan
the Christian religion through its activities and the faiIrt￿$ offered to the (xjmmunrty by its
building and described more speCif￿allY below."
Object of the chaty
Pr￿laIM the Goc¥J News of the Kingdom of God
Teach, bapb'se and nurture new believers
Respond to human need by loving service
Seek to Iransfom unjust structures of ￿￿etY
Strive to safeguard the integnty of creation
The Elders, Meeting is aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on the Publ￿ benefit in
'The advan￿ment of rel￿10n for the public benrt and has regard to it in the administration of
the church.
The Elders. Meeting betreves that the church pr￿eS benefft to the public by:
1. Providing resources arKI facilities for public Varrship, pastoral care and spiritual. moral
and intellectual devebpment, both for the COngregat￿n and for anyone else who
wishes to benefit from what the church offers.
2. Promoting Christian values and Seprfl￿ by the members of the congregation to the
communty for the benefft of indivKluals arKI s• as a whole.
chU￿h Builthngs
The church and hall are let oirt to benefft the loc4 communty and to provKle funds for the
maintenance and upke8p of the burldings whilst providing funds for Outre&h.
Use of Volunteers
The dictionary definition of a volunteer is that of a person vtho offer5 service of their own free
will and at Water Lane this means everyone who is a member or regular attender at *Drship.
To be a Christian is to be a volunteer in the serfft of the Lord.
To the extent that Christians offer their se￿1￿ beyorKI the local church at synod or national
level they remain volunteers, but their seD4rce is in a more regional context. This indudes
those who srt on committees, those preach. teach and in any way contribute towards the
fiJrthefan￿ of the kingdom of God in the Unrted Reformed Church.
Most ministers of word and s&rament are paid diredly from the Finance offi￿ of the United
Reforned Church in London. Other than that, we are all volunteers.
Organisational Stnictu
The Unrted Refonrted Church is a conciliate organisation. The Govemment of the Church is
exercised through Church Meetings of Members. All major decisions (as required by the
constttution) are referred to the Church Meeting. Church Meetings take plao apprO￿rnately
every hvo months and there is an Annual Meeting of Church and cO￿regation. Extraordinary

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
meetings are called as required. The body responsible for the overall executive and pastoral
decisions is the Elders meeting which meets aPpr0￿MatelY On￿ a month. The Finan￿ &
Property Committee, wh￿h is responsible for administrative financial and property issues
meets every tsvo months. The Eklers review and decide whether to act on the
recommendations of the Finance & Property Committee.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The church continues to ¥tively welcome any persons wish to hear the Good News of
the lQngdom of Gcrtl. In line with many other churches in the UK membership has been in
gradual dedine. The Elders are aware of the changing profile of its congregation and are
investigating likely causes and opportunities for encouraging more indNiduals, families and
young people to worship wtth us.
The church has been in ministerial vacary throughout 2022 and 2023 and lo the date of this
report Wtth Rev. Nigel Uden appointed as our Interim M¢)derator. The church was part of the
WEBS Pastorate together with ￿)ngregatIonS in Stsnsted, Saffron Walden with Newport and
Clavering. WEBS is no longer operational due to the retirement of both serving ministers in
2021 and Stansted joining the Meth¢)dist circuit. Options for a new Mission Partnership with a
group of local URC churches are being explored at present time.
Following lockd¢7trvn restraints on operations of church and hall lettings, several user groups
dosed attogether or made attemative arrangements due lo the prospective dosure of the hall.
Opportunities lor fundraising have been slow to retum to pre-lockdown levels. Our major
fundraising effort is the bazaar in November. This was sutxessful and raised £636 for
charitable Causes.
Our Out￿aCh pro9raMff￿S also remain limited, particularly as our'in person, is on the
more senior member of congregation and c4)mmunity. Our no￿al pattem of aclivrty
indudes:
Providing finanoal contributions to Spear￿ Chrislian projects and through regular
communion collections for worthy causes.
Promoting 'Commttment for Lrfe. financial giving through Christian Aid partners
Occasional campaigning towards the goal of eradication of Third World debt and
poverty.
Being active members of Church Together in Bishop's Stortford, supporting ts agreed
activtties suth as the local street pastors.
Providing regular Coffee momings that are availabl8 to the communty.
Redevelopment of Chuth Estats
The Synod Trustees completed the sale of the Church Hall with East Herts District Council
(EHDC) at the end of September 2019. It is now leased back to the Churth at a peppercom
rent until such time as the land is required ft)r the EHDC Old River Lane development, which in
tum has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in scope. We nijw antiapate
retaining use of the Church Hall until at least April 2025. Proceeds of the Hall sale are held by
Synod Trustees with the intention of using the majority to fund the extension and
reconfiguration of the Church building to facrlrtale a wider range of use, together with
associated ￿Sts. In 2023 Synod agreed to release some of thss funding towards costs
atJSfKtated with the projed.
Planning pemiission for an extension and reconfiguration of the church was granted in Autumn
2022. Our inrtial costings for the Church Extension prior to the hall being sold indicated the
v￿rkS would be covered by the proceeds of the Hall sale. Htrwever, the more complex destgn

Water Lane United Refomied Church Chanty
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
required to meet planning ￿ncernS together with the recent rapid pri￿ increases in building
materials means this is no longer the case. The first phase of the v￿rkS incorporating the
inlemal works to the Church buikling (per removal, kitchen extension. new screen I vestry,
heating system, lighting system, sOund￿sual system, front doors of church) have now been
estimated and work is about to commence in autumn 2024. The knsted Building and Advisory
Commrttee have approved the ￿MoVal of pews and the design Con￿Pt$ but IMII still need to
approve some of the finer detail before works can commence. Once these V•fJrks are in
progress a review will be conduct&J regarding Phase 2 worf(s which relate to a side extension
- due to increase in costs this may n*J to be reduca in scope and may be subjec* to a new
planning application.
In late 2022 y￿ Su￿ssfullY applied for grant towards the works from the Town Counal, who
awarded us the Ma￿muM available sum of £50,000 based on the gtheme that received
anning consent. We are very grateful not only for the finance, but for the ctvic support for tho
project that it represents as rt is very much our intention to make the enhanc&J Church
building available for wider communty use. As we have moved away from building the entire
scheme in one phase as envisag￿ in our oTNJinal grant bid. we are liaising with the Council as
our plans evofve. Currently the Council continues to await the start of the first phase of our
project.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The charity has opted to pr(NJU￿ accounts on the Receipts and Payments basis for 2023,
taking advantage of the provisions of Section 133(1) of the Charrties Act 2011. The accounts
take the fomi of a Receipts and Payments a(￿Unt for 2023 and a Ststement of Assets and
Liabilities as at 31 De￿)ber 2023. These figures a￿ divided in columns be￿een the
separate categories of trust as indrcated as best practice by the Charity Commission and show
at the foot of the page the resulting changes in the tnjst totals. Subsequent notes give greater
detail.
The charrty finds rtself in something of a hiatus betsyeen the end of pandemic restrictions and
prosFectiv& dOSu￿ of the church hall, which has been deferred incrementally as the overal
plan for the town centre is reconsidered by the council. Hall and Church lettings have
increased over 2021 but have not truly retumed to pre-pandemic levels. It is not possible to
attract many new regular hall users given its prospective dosure Sin￿ the start of 2022 and
some existing users have relocat&J in anticipation of dosure. We are grateful to our lettings
secretsry for her stetling efforts in attracting new artd ad-hoc users. Local conservation party
are looking at having another operator for the Hall once we vacate the premisses.
We continued Io Work on our redevelopment project, paying out a further £6,000 on
professional fees in relation to the Church extension. This expenditure covered specialisl
architect and planning consuttant fees to help in deggning and presenting an extension that
was uttimately acceptable to the local conservats'on offi￿r and the planning authorrties. In
2023 Synod agreed to release some funds arising from the sale of the Church Hall towards the
professional fees incurred to date on the overall estate redevelopment project.
We lease an area of outdoor space to the owners of Water Lane Bar to accommodate their air
conditioning units. Ownetship changed in 2020 and the bar reopened in 2022. The previous
owners settled outstanding rent due in 2021. The lease has been renegottated bwth the new
owners and temis agreed eady in 2023. fr(Kn which point regular payments of £200 per month
have been made.
The overall deficit for the year of £8,111 ¢xn largely be attributed to two factors, costs incurred
towards the church devebpment of £6,000, and an increase in the energy costs for the hall
and the church. In 2023 Synod agreed to drawd￿ on funds originating from the sale of the

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
hall held in the Synod trust towards our costs ass(Kxated with the development. Separately
we were in receipt of a Synod grarrt in 2023 towards energy costs lo maintain our activities
going forward. On this basis the Elders are s*sfied that the ¢harty can continue with its
CUTrent objectrves and &tivtties for the foreseeatrAe future.
This report was approved by the Elders. Meeting on
signed on its behalf by
GAesuKI RhEC
CiuLr&- £ecA-<

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
I report on the financial statetncnts of Water Lane United RefonneAI Churth Charity for the year
ellded 31 De(xmber 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 17.
Respective respon8ibili¢ies
The trustces are reS[M)￿81blc for the pr¢paration of the financial statement% and considers that the audit
requirement of Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (th¢ Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility
to stat4 on the basis of prowlures specified in the G¢neTal Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners under Sectioo 145 (5) (b) of the Ac¢ wh¢ther particular matters bave wme to my
attention.
My exan)ination was caTried out iti accordartce with th¢ General Directions of the Charity Conmlissioners.
An ¢xamination Includes a review of the accounting records kept by th¢ church and a comparison of the
counts presented with those T￿orth. It also indudes consideration of any ullusual items or disclosur¢s
in the fmancial stat¢ment& and seeking explanations CODcernin8 any such matters. The prLKthes
undertaken do not provide all the ¢iryden¢e that would be rwuired in an audi¢ and CODwuendy I do not
express an 8uth't opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
Independent Examintr's ststemtnt
In comiection with exa[nintho￿ no matffiai matter5 in connection with the ¢xatniDthon came to my
attention which gave me cause to believe that in any mtsiaj respect..
The aC￿Unting records were not kept in ¥cordaDce with section 130 of the Chariti¢s xt or
The accounts do not acwrd with th¢ accounting records
I have no concerns and have corn¢ across no other matters in connection with the examination to which
attention should be drawn ij) order to ¢nable a propu undffstaDding of the ￿)unt$ to be reached.
Signed by the Ind¢[￿dent Examiner.
Hayden Watson Bsc (Hons) FCCA
The MHH Partnership
E15tr¢e House
Watson's Yard
Hlgh Street
Cottenham
CB24 8RX

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿mber 2023
Statement of Financial Activities
General Desgnated ￿st11Ct8d
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
Receipts
Note 2
Donations
Charitable a(*i*thtes
FUndrai￿ng (other
trading activity)
Investments
Other
17.766
14.451
355
19,989
16,433
2,389
22,381
19,402
1,753
47,235
47,235
7,CQ2
93,128
45.369
86,533
4,091
89,997
Paymenls
URC Ministy and
Missic
Other Ministy, Missic￿,
Worship & Fdlowship
Chur¢h maintenan￿ &
RLtnning Costs
Hall maintenan￿ &
Running Costs
Church Estate
Red8velopment
Raising Fund$
Donations
27.792
27,792
32,952
15.957
15,957
15,761
18,725
18,725
15,453
29.243
29.243
25,838
10,8C4)
2,921
2.921
2,921
101.238
3,330
104,134
98,317
Net Receipts l(Payments)
{11,7841
4,091
(4181 18,1111
114.138)
Draw down from investsnenls
15.CKKI
15,ChJO
Transfers beN¥een fLnds
4.(K17
14.0911
Bank and on call deposits at the
start of the year
18.586
928
19,514
33,652
Bank and on call deposits at the
end of the year
£25,810
£594 £26,403
£19.514

Water Lane United Refomed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at Year End
General t*nated Restrict6d
Funds
Funds
Funds
Total F￿r Peiic*Y
Funds
total funds
Monetary As80ts
Cash FuThJg
Debtors
Gift Recoverable
COIF deposil held
investment {Nole 61
Note 6
25.810
594
26,403
19,514
673
272
420
252
715
63,ClXJ
83,458
75.325
76,214
Uabllrti
Creditors
1.SSS
1,763
£73,760
£44
£74.649
£81,695
Assets retained for churth use are desuited Notes 7 and 8 of t￿ fina￿la1 slatementg.
Signed on bghaw of the Tnjstees..
Trustee
Date..

Water Lane United RefomHI Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the Accounts
A¢countlng Pollci•s
Recelpts and Payments Accountl
Water Lane United Refomied Church has opted to prodLth a slatemerrt of Receipts
Payments and a Statement of Assets and Liabilits"es in accordants with secb.on 133111 of the
Charities Act 2011, giv￿ that the dlaritys in¢))me, from all scyjrces, has not exoeded
£250,CQO.
Most income is rewved on a cash basis arvj il is the ￿L￿ch,5 normal ryaclice to pay invoices
on receipt
Freehold property
The trustees of the tyjildings ar#J the Guild H￿se ￿e the URC (Easlem Province) Tnjsl
hold them upon trust for wrFoses connected with Water Lane Untied Refcfftied Church.
The Guild H￿se is let lo long te￿ tenants. Rental receipts from this tenancy are received by
Water LarÈ United Reforned Church and are disdosed in th8 receipts and paym￿1 account.
Waier Lane United Reformed Churth is 8 registerod charity arvJ thus exempt from taxation in
respect of income and capit81 gains received to the extent that such Ir￿Me or gain$ are applied
lo exclusively c*aritable purFrf)ses. No tax tharges have arisen in the chanty.
Fund Structure Policy
The charity maintains a general unrestn.txed fund v*hich represents fvrKJs that arg available for
use at the diseretion of the TnJsl8es in furtfwance of the objects of the ch8niy. The charity
operalès on6 deS￿nated fund, the Administrats"v& Expense fund. Rastn'ct8d funds have been
provided to the tharity fcf partIC￿lar purFoses, and il is the policy of ts Trustees to monitor the
applic2ts.on of those fijnds in acwdance with the restriclions placaj upon them.
Analysi8 of Receipts
General Designated Restncted
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total PiiorPe170d
Funds Total Funds
Receipts from Donations and Legacies
Freewll (tsings
Income from leg*es
Communion collecb"c￿S
Commitment for
Other d¢xabons
Income lax re[L￿S
14.930
14,930
15,542
927
453
311
178
3,013
1,￿ 19.989
Income tax refijnds are daim&J urNJer Gift the Grfl Small Donation S¢h8me.
927
453
895
287
513
3,643
22,381
17.7e6
General Designakny Rest￿ Total hior Period
FuTrY
Funds
Funds
Funds Total Funds
R•¢olpts from Charitable Actfvities
Hire of the Church
Hir8 of the Church Hall
Car P8th"ng
Coffee Th)mings
1,519
9,327
1,519
9.327
1,896
11,410
3,570
2,526
19,402
269
14,451
1.983
2,252
16.433
10

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2023
The offering d fau'lttiés to thg 1x￿nMunIty falls vthin th8 c*¥itat4e cknpctives and activities of
the tharity.
Coffee momir@s are held as a b.me of fefiowship for mmbers of the ￿r￿ar8gatIOn and otrws
within the broader community. Receipts indLJJe the sale of bak&J goc¥Js provided by members
of the churth, donated Val￿ of which is 8Stimated at £600 {2022 £715).
General De*ggnated Restricted
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total Prior Period
Funds Total Funds
Money raising
Bazaar
Grft Stall
Bric-a-brac stall
318
1,284
1.435
1,753
1,435
2,389
The brwthc stall and bazaar relate mal&rially to the orNRrd sale of items donated by
members of the wigregation. Items are ty￿"CallY giv￿ on or near to the day of sale and it is
impractical to eth"m*e the fair value of suth ttems other than via sale sxoceeds.
1,5
2,784
636
Gen8rn1 t*nated RestniY8d
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
Investments
Guild Hwse R8nl
Corf Dep)srt Intwe
44.750
2,345
140
47,235
44,750
2,345
44,750
612
47,235
45,369
Other Rocelpts
Synod Energy Grant
Rent of outdoor spxe
Sundry incA)me
5,222
7,082
7,082
0￿ershiP of W*er La￿ Bar, v#ho rent the ¢xJtdc4)r spa¢8, changed in 2020, al which point
payments Ceased. The bar r8owed as Water Lane Lourtge in November 2022. The charrty
conclL#Jed negoli*"cffls for a lease the nv* ovmers in early 2023. Rent ha$ been received
from that dale onwards.
Analy8is of Payments
General ￿ks￿nated Rest￿ted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Total Prnr PeiKxI
Funds total funds
Ralsing Funds
Legal fees re outdoor
space
600
11

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
General Desgnated Restrtted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Total PriorPenod
Funds Tot81 Funds
Payments relating to Charitable Activi¢ie8
URC Ministy and
Allssion Fund
27,792
27,792
32.952
The Chwch ¢ontrrbLrtes lo the central URC ts)stS ¢Jf trainiro and providing rninislers
li￿lUdIng the centralised paymanl of sb"perxts. pensi¢)n eontribLrtions and other banofi1$
for ministers), runnir#J the dermyninatson the widor Missic￿ of the natic￿al chur(*i.
Other Alinisty, MISSK￿, Wornhlp & Felk>wship
WEBS expenses
Pulpjt Supply
1.257
Organist
Administrators
salary la)
Licenc£s and
subscriptions
Other difecl costs
Share of suFport costs
(see belth¥l
{70)
1,257
3,320
5,973
3.380
5.973
5,801
613
613
239
239
4.114
15.761
Total
15.957
15,957
Alaintenance and wnning costs- Church (b)
Repairs and renewals
&59
Utilities
8,814
CleanirwJ refuse
collection {40%)
Grounds
maintenan¢e140%)
Organ tuning ar¥J
maintonance
Other dire¢a costs
Share of SUFPOrt
o)sls (see be104V}
620
6,540
4,359
8.814
4,805
829
571
169
169
332
147
147
3,293
18,725
3,023
18,725
15,453
AlaInIen￿e0 andwnnlng costs- Hall Ib)
Rgpairs and renew81s
2,6
Utilities
14.545
Cleaning and refvse
collecti￿16￿)
7.207
Grounds160%)
maintenan
Oiher (*rect Costs
Share of
¢￿ts (see telow)
Total
2,6*
14.545
7,207
12,598
6,539
1.243
1.243
856
107
3,503
29,243
3.205
25.838
29.243
Church Estato
10,8C(J
Lk)nath)ns
2,921
2,921
3,330
Total Ex￿ndIture on
Charftable Activiti
97,717
2,921 1CiI,638
104,134
12

Water Lane United Reform&l Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
(8) The role of the paid &Jministrator is to supp)rt the Minister, Chw(* Sec¥et8ry and Elders in
thè Ministry, mi￿on, Wtrship and Fdlowship activities of the church.
Ibl The Lettings Secretary, Treas4Jrer and BcokkeeF*r ¥e all unpaid volunteers.
2023 Support Costs
Independent Acc￿nts
Examination 1."1..1
Office Costs 7..1.'2
Insurance 1..1'.1
Bank Charges 1:1."1
nisty
ChU￿h
H811
Total
1,620
2,103
7,385
243
11,351
1,472
2.462
81
210
2.462
81
421
2,462
81
3.503
2023
Church Estate
Church
Hall
Total
Professional costs
2022 Support Costs
Indep8ndent A(xoJnts
Examinatic￿ 1.'1.'1
Office costs 7."1.2
Insurance 1.'1'.1
Bank Charges 1.'1-.1
Total
Ministry
523
Church
Hall
Total
523
523
1.570
1,820
6,713
238
10,341
1,274
2,238
79
4,114
2,238
79
3,023
2,238
79
3,205
2022
Church Estste
R•deve1opn￿n¢
Professional c¥Jsts
Total
ni&ry
chU￿b
Hall
Total
10,8(KJ
10.8CQ
10,800
10,800
All costs ar& a11c￿ed equally acn)ss the IPYe8 C8tegC￿es. wth th8 ex¢gplion crf office costs
i¢h are split based C￿ esbmated usage and professional fees re propety are allocatod
across the thurch and hall where not direcuy attribLrt&X.
Paymfrnts to TnMt•OS
Phyllis BaystM received £ 3,320 (2022 £3.￿) in her role as church organist for vknich she
invol￿5 the monthty. Trustees other Ihan the ￿98n1$t re￿1V￿j no remuneration in the
year (21J23- nil. 2022- ntl).
During the year, trustees othw than the ministsr *ere ￿MbUr5￿3 £182.65 in aojregate in
respect of expenses incurred on t)ehalf of the thurch12022- £220.70). £13.80 was $p8nl
trust8e's behalf which was repaid within weeks.
The churth has b88n in vacancy throughout 2022 and 2023. Hence tse have r
ministerial expenses payable lo a tnjstee.
13

efonned Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
EnWoyn*nt Emoluments
Total FuTr*s
Part timo administrator
total funds
Emplty8es - part time administrat
5,973
5,801
General Dewnated Restncted
Fund
Fund
Fund
Bank and Cash
Exp8nsg AccoLtnt
Dewsil AccoL￿t
Petty Cash
Total Pnor Peiiod
Funds TotalFunds
12,
13,
594
12,e62
13.563
178
594 26,403
178
25.810
3,874
15,368
273
19,514
Debtors
Hall Lattings
Grft Ard R8coverat4•
Creditor¥
Creditors
Payroll taxes ¢
420
252
673
272
715
1,643
120
1,763
A88ets for Church Purpos88
For reasons explained in the ac¢ountin9 poiicies tho ch￿ch bLrilrfings are not tangible fixed
assets of the churth. FLY F%wpos8s Churth is insured for¥W £5.1million.
Other asws that the Church ¢Mis ara ¢cxnMen￿rata with the running of the c*ur¢h and
i￿￿￿e the ￿gan, one ejettrrc piarKS, church fittings (ineludiw pulpit, lec*em, communion table
and chairs, pews), chairs and lablos, kitchen ffttings and equipment and Offi￿ equipment
including a basic computer and a seCCrf4￿nd photocopier. As a non4)Jnformisl church, the
¢harity does r￿t own assets of intn'nsr¢ hith Ydlue as ittrns made of silvar or g￿d c¥ works
Invo8tmgnts
For reasons explained in the a¢(XJunting poiieitis the Guild H￿se is a tangible fixed asset of
the churth. Fcr inswanct wrF4)ses t￿ ¢￿ik1 HO￿ is insur8d for £1.3milli¢x. The Guild
House is held as an investment propty arKI generates a cash fl¢Av for the th￿"ty as shown in
the receipts and payment accourt
14

Water Lane United Refornied Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2023
The remaining inv05tmenl is COIF d8P)srt accourrt, tr￿ld on a long term basis, although
some drawd¢)wn$ are (Kujrring to fund the wofesS￿nal fees on churth redevelopment
project.
COIF
Total 2023
Total 2022
At 1 January 2023
Drav￿oWn in the year
At 31 De￿rnber 2023
63,OCQ
15,C
63,Ixo
15.CrfXI
63,CKJO
63,C4JO
Do¥lgnated Funds
The th￿ch OFerates one monetary de&gnat&J fund, the Admlnistratlve Expense Fund, with
the encouragement of Churth Meeliry. This ftjnd 1$ used lo ring fence the proceeds of sp8cific
fundraising activities undertaken pnncipally in ￿der to defray local &Jministralive expens*s.
Such funds are not laken into account in th8 ￿lCulatiOn of our Contribution to the wide URC
Ministry and Mission fund. 11 was agreed tw this dec4'si¢Jn could be reversed by consensus in
Church Meeting henc£ the fijnd is de￿nated ralhw than ￿$triCted. The surplus on this
fund is transferred at the end of each accowrting year {other in the unlikely event of sums
raised excÉeding lttal expenses).
Admlnistralib• E¥wse Fund
2023
2022
At l January 2023
Lknnations
355
Coffee
Charitablo Momiros
Pknngy
Raising
1.983
2,403
318
Stall
1,435
Total rncelpts
4,091
3,9)3
Payments
Transfer to
Gerwal
Fund
Transfer lo
Communion
Fund
Total translofS
3.818
4.091
3,9)3
As at 31 Decembor 2022
15

Water Lane United Reformed Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
10
Rostrlctod F￿d8
Cha17table Fundra￿{
This fund rec￿dS monies raised specrfically fcf charities (outside of the Communion Fund
described below). funds arise as thè result of donab"ons, tax rewvered is also paid over
to the chanty. We hekl our annual bazw in November 2023.
Commilny8nt for Life
There is an annual aN)eal for Commitment for Life. a f￿d within th8 wder United Refcffii&J
Church. Donations collected in November aThJ Dec*mber and are rgmitted when the appeal
is complete.
CommunK)n FUTr
At every communion 8 t￿lectiOn is made for a speofic tr￿rity and t(th th8 donation and the
applioble lax recovered is PaKI to th8 tharity o)ncem&a.
The church aims to Pay over thnats.ons lo o11￿ charities indL*Jing rel8vant gift aid as soon as
praclicable after the donab.ons *e re￿Ved. This may lead to a negats.ve balanc* on a fund at a
point in ts.me when grft has been paid over Kyior to ￿'ng daimed and received by the Church.
Charltablo CommIth￿t Communlon
Total
Fundralslng
forLlle
Fund
2023
At l January 2023
Donatlons
Donations
Gift Aid
re￿Ved
125)
928
311
927
1.6
178
Fundrnislng Bazaar stalls
Total Receipts
Paid over
1,041
Paymènts
1,703
125
2,921
Transfer frtyn
administrative
expense fuThJ
As at 31 Decembèr 2023
Glft •ld reeovgrable
291
594
252
91
cha￿table Commitment Communion
Fundrniwng
ft•rLi1o
Fund
Tot
2022
At 1 January 2022
-25
31
Donatlons
Donations
Grft
313
18
287
69
1,496
215
Fundrnlslng Bazaar Stalls
Gfft Stall
Total Receipts
Paid ov
1.284
1,676
1,110
1.195
3,142
Payments
779
2,330
adrninislrab.ve
expense fund
As at 31 December 2022
Glft akl recovwab
85
953
73
-25
928
83
10.
16

Water Lane United Refomied Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 December 2023
Re￿pIentS of drM*i￿$ from Water Lane URC dLwing the year
2023 Donakn o
Charftable CommitnMnt
Fundraislng
for Lrf•
Fund
Fund
Communion General
Fund
Fund
Total
2023
Herts & Essex Ar Ambulanc*
MND ASS￿£110n
The Bible Soaety
British Red Cross
Cancer Research
Christian Aid
Shelter
Grove Cottagg
Mind
Isabel Hospice
Holy Trinity Night s￿tter
Refugee Council
YMCA
URC Commitment for Lrfe
350
318
323
211
49
113
21
51
259
113
21
51
657
318
657
318
125
125
Total
1,703
125
1,093
2,921
2022 Donations out
Charltable CommltnRnt
Fundraising
for Life
Fund
Fund
Communlon Genernl Total
Fund
Fund
2022
Holiday Bible Week
Bible Society
Brrtish Red Cross
The Woodland Trust
Mission Aviation Fell(ywshp
Mind
Shelter
Christian Aid
Bishop's Slortford FC￿ Bank
Isabel Hospice
Holy Trinity Nigm Shgmer
URC Commitment for Lrfe
Totsl
1,C(wJ 1,C
138
1.288
49
29
138
631
49
29
657
63
135
131
71
45
45
779
3*
1,195
1,C(Q 3,330
17

Water Lane United Refomied Church Charity
Charity Number 1129836
Year ended 31 De￿mber 2023
INDEPENDENf EXAMINER'S REPORT
ANNUAL RF.PORT 2023
I report on the f]Dancial statettLents of Water tane United RefoTmed Church Clwity forthe year
ell(kd 31 DeLember 2023. wbich are set out on pages 8 to 17.
Respeclive respon8ibilitses
Th¢ tsUSte￿ are responsible for the prqwthon of the financial statements. and consitss that the audit
requirement of Section 144(2) of the CILarities Act 201 L (the Act) (kKs not apply. It is ]ny wnsibility
to statc, i)n th¢ b&sis of pr(K&au￿ specified in the Genernl DirectAOllS given by the Charity
Commissioners under Section 145 (5) (b) of th¢ AGL wIL¢tt￿r particular mattU8 have come to my
attention.
My examinthon was Garried out in accothct with the General Directions of tEe Charity Commissioners.
An eL￿nItiatiOn includes a rcview of the accounting kept by th¢ ¢bu￿h and a comparison of the
accounts presented with those r￿OrdS. It also includes c4)nsideration of any items or disclosure
undertaken do not provide all the evidenct that would be required in an audiL and con8equcntly I do not
express an audit opinion on th¢ vi¢w giv¢nby the financial statements.
Independent Examiner's statsment
Ill connection with my exam1th0￿ no matffi￿ matth in connection with tILe exami￿￿￿ c4me to my
attention wknch gave me Gause to believe that in any materid respe4X:
The accounting reeords w¢[¢ not kept in accord￿ with section 130 of the Chatities act or
Th¢ aw)unts do not acco￿ with the accounkng reix)rds
I have no concerns and have come acr0&8 no other matters in ¢onne¢tiott with the examinatson to which
attcntion should be drawn in Ord￿ to cJ]abl¢ a pro￿ ullder8tsnding of th¢ wwunts to be Teac1￿L
Si8ned by the Independellt Exami￿.
date: 18 >￿￿4
Hayden Watson Bsc (Hons) FCCA
Elstree House
Watson's Yard
High Street
CB24 8R