The Parish of Christchurch, Bushmead, Luton in the Diocese of St Albans Registered Charity no 1130499
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council
For the year ended 31[st] December 2023
As presented to the Church Annual General Meeting On 21[st] April 2024
Following Independent examination by
Mark Plane Whittaker Plane Ltd 78 Bute Street Luton LU1 2EY
Page 1
1.0 Objectives and activities of Christchurch Bushmead
1.1 Charitable Purpose
The Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Tim Madeley in promoting in the parish of Bushmead, Luton, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic and social and the maintenance of the church building for public use and worship.
1.2 Public Benefit Statement
The Parochial Church Council is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship within the building and to leading worship within the local primary schools within the parish. Worship sessions have also been arranged within local care homes.
Weekly church services are open to all who wish to join the regular congregation both on Sunday mornings and Wednesday lunchtimes when regular services are held and at times of the traditional festivals of Easter and Christmas. Children’s sessions are available every week.
In addition to church services social activities have been held that were open to the wider community. The building was let out on a regular basis and rentals increased during the year and are back around pre-Covid levels. Most hirers are local organisations (U3A, Kumon Maths or other non-Anglican churches).
1.3 Activities undertaken.
Regular worship is offered every Sunday morning and Wednesday morning with a regular attendance of 60 on Sundays and 12 on Wednesdays.
The other activities included:
Home study groups
Fitness Sessions
Mustard Seed Lunch Club (ended Dec 2023)
Men’s Breakfast
Ladies Breakfast
Youth and Children’s work
The Meeting Place
We have a pastoral support group that assist members of the church and community on a regular basis supporting people with illnesses, through bereavement and family hardship, but once again we have seen God at work through these endeavours.
Further details of these activities can be found within the Annual Report attached to this report.
Page 2
2.0 Achievements and Performance
The church employed one member of staff, the Vicar’s PA up until August 2023. The role involved supporting the Vicar in administrative tasks and looking after the hirers amongst many other things. After much discussion it was decided that on a trial basis these responsibilities would be shared across a number of individuals and that the church office would be ‘manned’ four mornings a week (Monday to Thursday) on a voluntary basis.
The church electoral roll for the period 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023 stands at 69 members, 32 of whom are resident within the parish and 37 who are non-resident.
The church can elect two members, who attend the Deanery Synod along with the Vicar. although one post remained vacant through 2023. We also have a church member who attends Deanery Synod as an elected Diocesan Synod member. The Vicar was Assistant Area Dean of Luton, but stepped down in the Autumn but works with the vocations team of the Diocese of St Albans as Assistant DDO encouraging and supporting Christians to explore their vocation and calling. One of our members of Deanery Synod is the Deanery Treasurer.
3.0 Financial Review
3.1 Reserves Policy
The PCC operates with a policy of holding approximately two months’ cash to meet the normal monthly expenditure of the church council.
3.2 Statement of year end amounts and reserves
| Total income | £ 114,541 |
|---|---|
| Total expenditure | £ 112,693 |
| Excess of Income over Expenditure | £ 1,848 |
| Total Funds available to the church at 1st January 2024 | £ 32,811 |
3.3 All Funds included.
The accounts include all funds that are run by the PCC.
3.4 Accounting Procedures
These accounts and the Gift Aid claim were prepared using accounting suites from Data Developments, namely MyFundAccounting and Donations Co-ordinator respectively. The financial statements produced at the end of this report have been downloaded from the MyFundAccounting package.
3.5 Statement of Going Concern
Page 3
The 2023 financial statements show an excess of income over expenditure of £1,848. Through this result, the strengthening of our room rentals post Covid 19 and the continued prudent use of funds, means the PCC remains optimistic of maintaining the balance between income and expenditure over the next few years.
3.6 Financial Commentary
2022 has been another recovery year following the effects of Covid 19.
Result
The result for the year to December 2023 was an excess of income over expenditure (i.e a ‘profit’) of £1,849.
Income
Our income was up by 16.2% on last year (£114,541 v £98,610) Although, if the Gift Day monies (and attributable Gift Aid) deferred from 2022 are excluded, the increase reduces to 6% the bulk of which related to a net increase in Charitable activities (room rentals, Mustard Seed, parochial fees etc).
The hope expressed in 2022 that room rentals might recover during 2023 was realised with income at £19,081 (2022 - £11,982) this took us back to pre-Covid 19 revenue levels.
There was no Gift Day in the year with an expectation that it would be postponed to the first half of 2024.
On behalf of the Vicar and PCC thank you to all who financially support Christchurch whether that be through regular or ad-hoc giving, and to all those who hire out our facilities which provides a strong revenue stream.
Expenditure
The 2022 Gift Day (which resulted in donations of £8,265 plus attributable Gift Aid) had been ear-marked for the refurbishment of the disabled toilet with any balance potentially being used to refresh the furniture in the foyer. However, the quotation exercise meant that the toilet refurbishment was not going to happen until 2023 (see below). After PCC discussion the remainder of the funds was veered away from furniture in the foyer towards upgrades and consultancy to improve the audio-visual provision in church (final cost £5,556).
Due to ongoing international events, e.g. Ukraine like most home and commercial organisations, ongoing supply issues and pricing uncertainties of electricity and gas, have increased costs substantially. In Christchurch’s case by over 150%, and this is even after the cancellation of one of the two large ‘backdating’ electricity bills (circa £1,700) claimed on the ’12 month limit on back-dating of utility costs’ ruling. To help manage usage we have placed ‘cages’ on a majority of radiator valves and installed a PIR in the disabled toilet as part of the refit.
In addition to routine servicing and repairs we incurred the following major repairs costs during the year
-
Disabled toilet refurbishment - £5,408
-
Lightening rod remedial work - £822
Page 4
-
Main Worship Area fitting of ceiling bulbs - £576
-
Soffits (barge boards around the roof) – this work was undertaken in December although it was initially envisaged to be done in Q1 2024) - £2,250
The catering supplies figure for the year includes £467 for a new fridge.
In August 2023 our administrator left and after much discussion it was decided that on a trial basis their responsibilities would be shared across a number of individuals and that the office would be ‘manned’ four mornings a week on a voluntary basis. This has obviously led to a salary and NI saving in the final part of the year.
Thanks once again to all those who care for the building and fabric of the church and my personal thanks obviously goes to Juliet Johnson who undertakes the book-keeping using our online accounting suite, and to Steve Brooks who manages the service collections and banking – I couldn’t do without them!
4.0 Structure, Governance and Management
4.1 Type of charity
The Parochial Church Council is an Excepted Charity
4.2 How trustees are recruited.
The trustees for the Charity are the members of the church that are ex-officio due to the office held (Vicar and Church Wardens) and those members who are elected by the members of the church on the Electoral Roll of the Parish to serve on the Deanery Synod and the PCC
5.0 Structure, Governance and Management
5.1 Registered name of Charity
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christchurch Bushmead, Luton
5.2 Working Title of Charity
Christchurch, Bushmead
5.3 Charity Registration Number
1130499
Page 5
5.4 Venue and Administrative Address
2, Hancock Drive Bushmead Luton LU2 7SF
5.5 List of Trustees
Reverend Tim Madeley - Vicar Mrs Wendy Peck – Churchwarden – appointed at AMP Dr David Dallinger – Churchwarden/Deanery Synod rep – appointed at AMP Mrs Christina Pearce Miss Julia Miller Mrs Betty Adhokorie Mrs Helen Roche Mrs Doreen Watts Mr Brendan Roche - Treasurer (co-opted to the PCC) Mrs Jane Watts – PCC secretary Miss Juliet Johnson Mrs Lynda Logan Mrs Carlie Duffy – appointed at APCM Mr Luke Molina – appointed at APCM Mrs Emma Molina – appointed at APCM**
-
Annual Meeting of Parishioners
-
** Annual Parochial Church Meeting
5.5 Volunteers
We could not operate as we do without a large group of volunteers who assist with the many facets of services, the daily running of the Church and the different activities that take place.
6.0 Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others.
There are no funds held on behalf of others.
Page 6
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees l Members of the Parochial Church Council of Christchurch Bushmead Luton I report on the account5 frjr the year ended 31st December 2023, which a set out on pages 8 to 14. Re$pe¢tfjve rnsponslbllltles of trustees and examinor The trustees are responsible frjr the preparation of the accounts. The trustees COnser that an audit Is not required for thi$ year under section 144121 of the Charrties Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Act) and that 8n independent examination is needed. The ¢harity'5 gross in¢onR exceeded £25.000 and l am qualffiied to undertake the examinatson by being a qualrfied rn8mber of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wa8 IICAEVV). Haviryj Satisf myseWthat the charity 1$ not suli'ect lo audit unc*er company law and is eligible for independent ex8minatDn. it is my responsibility to". ' examine the xcounis under $8Ction 145 of tht 2011 Act . to follow the prwedures lavj down in the genaral Direction5 given by the Charity Commissn under twjn 14515llbl of the 2011 Aet . to state whether particuL8r matters hav• come to my attention Basls of Independent 8xamIno$ report My exarninalion was carr out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission An ?xamination includes 8 review of the aecounling Fecords kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records 11 also includes ¢onsKleration of any unusual iterr6 or di5c105ure$ in the accounts, and seeking explanations trorn you a$ trustees cOerning any such matters. Th$ procèjures undertaken do not provth all the eVenCe that would be rtquired in an audit and consequentty no opinion is gwen as to whether the accounts pre8enl a'true and fair view, and the pOrt 1$ limited to thos? matters set out in the next statement. Independent examlnerfs Statement In cOnCtIon with my examination. no matter ha$ come to my attention.. 111 which gwes reasonable cau58 to believe that in any material sPeCt the requirern8nt8.' . to keep accounting record5 in accordance wth section 386 of the Compan$ Act 2006 and . to prepare wunts which accord wrth the accounting CordS and comply wth the a¢¢ounting r8quiremenls of tho 2011 Act have not been m8t or 121 to Whh. in my opinion, attention Should be drawn in orderto enabb a proper understanding ol the accounts to be rher1 MAP Narn8.' M8rk Plane Relevant piofe5sional qualfftstion or body.. ICAEW Addre5s'. 78 Bule Stet, Luton. LU12EY Date.. 2510312024 Page 7
Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other income Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Represented by Unrestricted General fund Designated Letton Hall Sunflower Project Youth Weekend |
92,231 - - 92,231 81,059 22,385 (207) - 22,178 17,476 - - - - - 118 - - 118 74 24 (10) - 14 - |
| 114,758 (217) - 114,541 98,610 - - - - 1,217 112,567 125 - 112,693 88,514 - - - - - |
|
| 112,567 125 - 112,693 89,731 |
|
| 2,191 (342) - 1,849 8,878 - - - - 83 - - - - (83) |
|
| 2,191 (342) - 1,849 8,878 |
|
| 29,569 1,394 - 30,962 22,084 |
|
| 31,760 1,051 - 32,811 30,962 31,754 - - 31,754 28,795 (295) - - (295) 329 144 - - 144 288 157 - - 157 157 |
Page 8
| Restricted | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agency collection | - | (393) | - | (393) | (176) | |
| Youth Work & Equipment | - | 1,444 | - | 1,444 | 1,570 | |
| Total funds | 31,760 | 1,051 | - | 32,811 | 30,962 |
Page 9
Balance Sheet
| As at 31/12/2023 As at 31/12/2022 |
|
|---|---|
| Fixed assets Tangible Assets Current assets Debtors Cash At Bank And In Hand Liabilities Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted Unrestricted - General Funds Designated Designated - Letton Hall Designated - Sunflower Project Designated - Youth Weekend Restricted Restricted - Agency collection Restricted - Youth Work & Equipment |
6,011 7,393 |
| 6,011 7,393 15,777 13,832 41,545 56,970 |
|
| 57,322 70,802 30,522 47,233 |
|
| 30,522 47,233 |
|
| 26,800 23,570 |
|
| 32,811 30,962 - - |
|
| 32,811 30,962 31,7549 28,795 (295) 329 144 288 157 157 (393) (176) 1,444 1,570 |
Page 10
32,811
30,962
Fund Totals
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| Class and nominal code | General | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Asset - Tangible Assets | ||||||
| Plant, equipment chairs & furniture | 4,835 | - | - | - | 4,835 | 5,612 |
| Musical & lighting equipment | 1,176 | - | - | - | 1,176 | 1,781 |
| Total | 6,011 | - | - | - | 6,011 | 7,393 |
| Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In Hand | ||||||
| Bank current account | 38,865 | 1,286 | 1,268 | - | 41,420 | 56,673 |
| Petty Cash | 125 | - | - | - | 125 | 298 |
| Total | 30,725 | 9,551 | 1,268 | **- ** | 41,545 | 56,970 |
| Current Asset - Debtors | ||||||
| Accounts Receivable | 15,057 | 720 | - | - | 15,777 | 13,832 |
| Total | 15,057 | 720 | - | **- ** | 15,777 | 13,832 |
| Liability - Agency Accounts | ||||||
| Agency collections | - | - | 217 | - | 217 | (31) |
| Total | - | - | 217 | - | 217 | (31) |
| Liability - Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In | One Year | |||||
| Accounts Payable | 28,305 | 2,000 | - | - | 30,305 | 47,264 |
| Total | 28,305 | 2,000 | - | **- ** | 30,305 | 47,264 |
| Net total assets | 31,754 | 6 | 1,051 | - | 32,811 | 30,962 |
| Represented by | ||||||
| General (Unrestricted) | 31,754 | - | - | - | 23,489 | 28,795 |
| Designated – Letton Hall | - | (295) | - | - | (295) | 329 |
| Designated – Sunflower Project | - | 144 | - | - | 144 | 288 |
| Designated – Youth Weekend | - | 157 | - | - | 157 | 157 |
| Restricted – Agency Collection | - | - | (393) | - | (393) | (176) |
| Restricted – Youth Work and Equipment | - | - | 1,444 | - | 1,444 | 1,570 |
| Total | 31,754 | 6 | 1,051 | - | 32,811 | 30,962 |
Page 11
Fund movement summary
| Fund | Opening | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | Gains/Losses | Journals | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gift Day | |||||||
| Designated | - | 8,265 | 8,265 | - | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | - | 8,265 | 8.265 | - | - | - | - |
| Sunflower Project | |||||||
| Designated | 288 | - | 144 | - | - | - | 144 |
| Sub-totals | 288 | - | 144 | - | - | - | 144 |
| General fund | |||||||
| Unrestricted | 28,795 | 102,328 | 99,370 | - | - | - | 31,754 |
| Sub-totals | 28,795 | 102,328 | 99,370 | - | - | - | 31.754 |
| Letton Hall | |||||||
| Designated | 329 | 4,165 | 4,788 | - | - | - | (295) |
| Sub-totals | 329 | 4,165 | 4,788 | - | - | - | (295) |
| Youth Weekend | |||||||
| Designated | 157 | - | - | - | - | - | 157 |
| Sub-totals | 157 | - | - | - | - | - | 157 |
| Youth Work and Equipment | |||||||
| Restricted | 1,570 | - | 125 | - | - | - | 1,444 |
| Sub-totals | 1,570 | - | 125 | - | - | - | 1,444 |
| Agency collection | |||||||
| Restricted | (176) | (217) | - | - | - | - | (393) |
| Sub-totals | (176) | (217) | - | - | - | - | (393) |
| Totals | 30,962 | 114,541 | 112,693 | - | - | - | 32,811 |
Page 12
Total
Analysis of income and expenditure
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year | |
|---|---|
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Planned Giving – Bank : Tax efficient Planned Giving - Envelopes : Tax efficient Planned Giving - Bank : Not tax efficient Planned giving - Envelopes : Not tax efficient Loose plate collections Donations - Tax efficient Donations - Not tax efficient Gift Day - Bank : Tax efficient Gift Day - Bank : Not tax efficient Funds for specific external causes Funds specific church activities Discretionary Fund Tax recoverable via Gift Aid Letton Hall Sunflower Project Donations and legacies Totals Income from charitable activities Parochial fees retained by PCC Room Hire Mustard Seed Meeting Place Events Miscellaneous Income from charitable activities Totals |
39,980 - - - 39,980 40,793 2,400 - - - 2,400 1,815 12,389 - - - 12,389 9,271 1,801 - - - 1,801 2,911 5,523 - - - 5,523 3,843 - - - - - 490 2,588 - - - 2,588 6,591 - 7,010 - - 7,010 100 - 1,255 - - 1,255 - - - - - - 159 300 - - - 300 20 37 - - - 37 184 14,783 - - - 14,783 12,497 - 4,165 - - 4,165 2,385 - - - - - - |
79,801 12,430 - - 92,231 81,059 489 - (207) - 282 1,629 19,081 - - - 19,081 11,981 1,500 - - - 1,500 2,880 464 - - - 464 315 812 - - - 812 239 39 - - - 39 432 |
|
22,385 - (207) - 22,178 17,476 |
Page 13
Other trading activities
Fund Raising Income
| un asng ncome Other trading activities Totals Investments Dividends Bank and building society interest Investments Totals Other income Other Income Other income Totals Income and endowments Grand totals EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds Mustard Seed Meeting Place Raising funds Totals Expenditure on charitable activities Expenses Clergy & vacancy costs Training/ Away days Parish Share Parochial Fees Pastoral Care Discretionary Fund Events - Church Letton Hall Sunflower Project costs Alpha Course Outreach Events & Publicity Caretaking & cleaner costs Routine cleaning & repairs Servicing & major repairs Utilities - Gas Utilities - Electricity Utilities - Water |
- - - - - - |
|---|---|
- - - - - - - - - - - - 118 - - - 118 74 |
|
118 - - - 118 74 24 - (10) - 14 - |
|
24 - (10) - 14 - |
|
102,328 12,430 (217) - 114,541 98,610 |
|
| - - - - - 1,217 - - - - - - |
|
- - - - - 1,217 16 - - - 16 51 - - - - - 80 53,876 - - - 53,876 52,909 - - - - - 928 220 - - - 220 49 100 - - - 100 - 639 - - - 639 120 - 4,788 - - 4,788 3,668 - 144 - - 144 174 116 - - - 116 - 687 - - - 687 1,399 2,440 - - - 2,440 2,310 1,560 - - - 1,560 1,349 5,512 5,408 - - 10,921 2,470 4,688 - - - 4,688 1,552 2,205 - - - 2,205 1,114 793 - - - 793 283 |
Page 14
| Insurance Catering Supplies Pension - Section 72 Youth & children’s work costs Youth work equipment Worship costs PA & Technical Depreciation 10% Giving Giving for specific external causes Gifts for visiting speakers Salary - Administrator NI & Pension - Administrator General Administration costs Telephone Licences Subscriptions DBS checks Sundry Admin Costs Governance costs examination/audit fee Expenditure on charitable activities Totals Other expenditure Other expenditure Totals Expenditure Grand totals |
928 - - - 928 864 1,880 - - - 1,880 882 - - - - - (6,700) 939 - - - 939 185 - - 125 - 125 40 1,694 - - - 1,694 1,426 3,166 2,857 - - 6,022 - 1,382 - - - 1,382 1,382 6,450 - - - 6,450 9,471 - - - - - 159 42 - - - 42 36 6,247 - - - 6,247 9,435 45 - - - 45 46 1,720 - - - 1,720 1,318 331 - - - 331 335 110 - - - 110 64 983 - - - 983 519 600 - - - 600 600 |
|---|---|
| 99,370 13,197 125 - 112,693 88,514 |
|
| - - - - - - |
|
| 99,370 13,197 125 - 112,693 89,731 |
Page 15
1. Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
Funds
General Church Funds represent the funds of the PCC and are not subject to any restrictions on their use and are available for application for the general purpose of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.
Where a fund is raised for a specific purpose, the assets are restricted and held to be used for the specific purpose for which the fund was raised. Any income earned on these assets is added to the fund.
The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body or those that are informal gatherings of church members.
Incoming Resources
Voluntary income and capital sources
Collections and donations are recognised when banked.
Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised and included in the financial statements as a debtor if not received at the year end.
Grants and legacies to the PCC are also accounted for when the funds are received. Fundraising for specific causes represents collections designated for those respective causes.
Income from investments
Interest is recognised when received.
Resources Used
Activities directly relating to the work of the Church
The Diocesan Parish Share is accounted for when payable. Any common fund unpaid at the year-end which has not been waived by the Diocese Board of Finance, is provided for in the financial statements as an operational (although not legal) liability and is shown within creditors on the Balance Sheet. At 31st December 2023, £19,346 of Parish Share was outstanding. (£11,715 re 2020 and prior and £7.631 re 2023)
Fixed Assets
Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings
Page 16
Consecrated land and beneficial property is excluded from the financial statements by S96 (2) (a) of the Charities Act 2011.
No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC. The PCC considers this to be inalienable property.
Equipment
Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £250 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided to represent the consumption of the asset at the following rates on a straightline basis:
| Asset Type | Depreciaton rate per annum |
|---|---|
| Equipment, chairs and furniture | 10% |
| Musical, PA and lightng equipment | 10% |
| Computers and IT equipment | 20% |
Current Assets
Amounts owing to the PCC at the year-end are shown as debtors less any provision for amounts that may prove to be uncollectable.
Current Liabilities
Current liabilities represent amounts to be paid as donations or grants (mission giving) to causes approved by the PCC, outstanding Parish Share or amounts owed for goods or services provided which are unpaid at the year-end.
2. Wages and Salaries
| Wages and Salaries Employer’s NIC |
2022 2022 £ £ 6,247 9,435 45 84 |
|---|---|
| 6,292 9,519 |
Page 17
The Reverend Tim Madeley is employed and paid by the Diocese and his employment costs are recovered by the Diocese through the Parish Share. During the year the church employed 1 (2021 – 1) member of staff, the Church Administrator.
3. Fixed Assets
| Cost Bought forward at the start of the year Additons during the year Disposals Carried forward at the end of the year Provision for depreciaton Bought forward at the start of the year Provision for the year Disposals Carried forward at the end of the year Net book value at 31 December 2022 Net book value at 31 December 2023 |
Equipment, chairs & furniture Musical & lightng equipment Computer and IT equipment Total 32,752 26,015 1,320 60,087 - - - - - - - - |
|---|---|
| 32,572 26,015 1,320 60,087 |
|
| 27,139 24,235 1,320 52,694 778 604 - 1,382 - - - - |
|
| 27,917 24,839 1.320 52.076 |
|
| 5,613 1,780 - 7,393 4,835 1,176 - 6,011 |
Page 18