Southernhay United Reformed Church known as Southernhay Church
Dix’s Field, Exeter, EX1 1QA southernhayurc@yahoo.co.uk www.southernhaychurch.org
Annual Report 2020
1. Personnel Trustees
Diane Burch (2022) Juliet Campling(2021) Michael Goddard(2021) Ted Guyver (2021) David Hogan(2021) Wendy Milne(2022) Alastair Logan(2021) John Scarfe (2020) Keith Stead(2021) John Thorndyke(2021) Amanda Harper
Date showing when present term of office comes to an end.
At each meeting, one of the Trustees is elected to chair the next meeting. Minister
Our new Minister, the Revd Amanda Harper was inducted in September 2016. The minister became ill during May and died of cancer on 26[th] November. An interim moderator, Revd Phil Nevard, was appointed in the autumn. Treasurer
John Thorndyke continues as treasurer, supported by the Finance group. Church Secretary
Keith Stead continues as secretary supported by a Secretarial Group of 6 other trustees.
2. Organisational Structure
The members of Southernhay United Reformed Church, Exeter, assembled in Church Meeting on 24[th] May 2011 have adopted a new Constitution of which the following is the opening paragraph (a full copy of the constitution was appended in 2012):
THE LOCAL AND THE WIDER CHURCH
Southernhay United Reformed Church (‘the Church’) is a local association for the public worship of God, Christian witness and service in accordance with the principles and usages of the United Reformed Church (‘the URC’). Admission to the full responsibilities and privileges of membership confers membership simultaneously in the Church and in the URC. The Church supports the wider councils of the URC through giving and participation, and shares in activity with other faith communities on an ecumenical basis.
The Church Constitution governs the conduct of meetings, elections and decision making. Church Meeting (now meeting every other month starting in January) is the decision making body within Southernhay Church. Elders’ Meeting (meeting monthly except for August) acts as the executive and constitutes the Trustees. The Finance Group and the Fabric Committee deal with day to day matters concerning routine financial matters and the buildings, reporting to Elders and Church Meeting.
Elders are elected annually at the AGM from among those who have been members for at least twelve months. An Elder serves for a three year term and may be re-elected for a further term and is then expected to take a sabbatical year. The rules allow for twelve Serving Elders; later modified to thirteen by Church Meeting. The Church Secretary is appointed from within the Elders Meeting and normally serves for six years. The Treasurers are appointed by the Church Meeting. There was no AGM in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
3. Public Benefit
The Church meets weekly on Sunday morning for public worship. On the first Sunday of the month the Service includes Holy Communion. There were no services after March 15[th] until one on the 13[th] December due to Covid restrictions.
A quiet area is set aside in the church for children.
The Church sponsors Scout, Cub and Beaver groups who parade at Harvest Service and attend the Christingle Service.
4. Objectives and Activities
Pastoral Care We have a Pastoral Friend scheme such that each member of the congregation has a Friend (an Elder or appointed Church Member) who keeps in contact with them especially in times of ill health. Open Doors sessions are held for two hours on three mornings a week during which anyone is welcome to come into the church, look around, rest a while or pray. These sessions were cancelled after March 13[th] .
Southernhay Child Contact Centre The Trustees of the Charity appoint the Management Committee and are represented on it. The Centre is run by a Co-ordinator and a team of trained volunteers, some being Southernhay members. Cancelled during lockdown.
Community Groups An Over 50’s club meet weekly . Also a number of community groups use our premises for their regular meetings including the Exeter Civic Society, RSPB and various exercise classes and dance groups. All cancelled during lockdown.
5. Achievements and Performance
The Church was unable to meet during most of 2020.
6. Plans for the Future
The church is looking faithfully about its future, as outlined in the Treasurer’s report.
7. Financial Review
2020 was dominated firstly by the Covid virus and then by the illness and subsequent hugely sad death of our Minister, Amanda Harper. As a result our opportunities for meeting for worship virtually ceased in March when the church first closed. The General Purposes income was £22,000 below budget, £17,000 of which was accounted for by the fall in lettings income. At the time of writing there is no certainty that many lettings will return and it will be an uphill struggle to balance the books in 2021 even if some degree of normality returns. Members and friends have been generous in their giving but this cannot even begin to compensate for the losses. There were savings of over £8000 on expenditure when the church was closed but many bills still needed to be paid to maintain the buildings. These include heating and lighting and the contribution to the Ministry and Mission fund which supports ministry in the URC nationally. Fortunately the COIF Ethical Investment Fund value has risen by another £5,200 which compensated to some extent and reduced the overall deficit to £6900 from the £11800 loss on the general fund.
Last year I wrote that we needed to think about the longer term viability of the church. This year the loss of our Minister and the size and age of the congregation reinforces the need to think hard about how long we can continue in our present buildings. This process has begun now with the help of our Interim Moderator, Phil Nevard.
SOUTHERNHAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
Registered Charity No 1130547
FINANCIAL REPORT 2020
Index
Report of Independent Examination Summary Statement of Financial Activities 1 Balance Sheet 2 Summary of Financial Activities A. Incoming Resources 3 B. Resources Expended 4 Movement of Funds 5 Details of Special Causes 6 Notes 7
Calculation of Net Expenditure for Ministry and Mission Fund
Southernhay URC Trustees at 31. 12. 20
Diane Burch, Juliet Campling, Michael Goddard, Ted Guyver, David Hogan, Alastair Logan, Wendy Milne, John Scarfe, Keith Stead, John Thorndyke
Treasurer’s Report
2020 was dominated firstly by the Covid virus and then by the illness and subsequent hugely sad death of our Minister, Amanda Harper. As a result our opportunities for meeting for worship virtually ceased in March when the church first closed. The General Purposes income was £22,000 below budget, £17,000 of which was accounted for by the fall in lettings income. At the time of writing there is no certainty that many lettings will return and it will be an uphill struggle to balance the books in 2021 even if some degree of normality returns. Members and friends have been generous in their giving but this cannot even begin to compensate for the losses.
There were savings of over £8000 on expenditure when the church was closed but many bills still needed to be paid to maintain the buildings. These include heating and lighting and the contribution to the Ministry and Mission fund which supports ministry in the URC nationally. Fortunately the COIF Ethical Investment Fund value has risen by another £5,200 which compensated to some extent and reduced the overall deficit to £6900 from the £11800 loss on the general fund.
Last year I wrote that we needed to think about the longer term viability of the church. This year the loss of our Minister and the size and age of the congregation reinforces the need to think hard about how long we can continue in our present buildings. This process has begun now with the help of our Interim Moderator, Phil Nevard.
John Thorndyke
18 January 2020
21 Barton Close Exton EX3 0PE
To The Elders Southernhay United Reformed Church Southernhay East EX1 1QD
Report of Independent Examination
I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ending 31[st] December 2020, which are set out on pages 1 – 7 of the Financial Statement.
As the Church Elders, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (The Act) do not apply.
I have examined the Income and Expenditure, the Statement of Financial Activities, together with the Balance Sheet and related schedules, set out on pages 1 – 7. My examination, which did not amount to an audit, was carried out in accordance with the General Directive issued by the Charity Commissioner for the independent examination of small charities.
During my examination of the records nothing has come to my attention which gives cause to believe that the requirements under the above Act have not been met. These are:
-
(1) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act;
-
(2) to prepare accounts which comply with the accounting records and meet the accounting requirements of the Act
Yours sincerely
Ian Harrison Independent Examiner
Date
SOUTHERNHAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, EXETER
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2020
FUNDS
| 2019 | 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | General | Designated | Restricted | TOTAL | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 91702 | TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 55,627 | 0 | 941 | 56568 |
| (see page 3) | |||||
| 73,252 | TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | 62,271 | 1,213 | 63484 | |
| (see page 4) | |||||
| --------------- | --------------- | ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ | --------------- | ||
| 18,245 | Surplus/Deficit for the year | -6,644 | 0 | -272 | -6916 |
| 65,505 | TOTAL CHURCH FUNDS B/FWD | 73,422 | 7,635 | 2,693 | 83750 |
| --------------- | --------------- | ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ | --------------- | ||
| 83,750 | TOTAL CHURCH FUNDS C/FWD | 66,778 | 7,635 | 2,420 | 76834 |
| Payment Written Off | -300 | ||||
| 4,601 | Special Category Ministry Account | 4,601 | 4601 | ||
| (see notes on page 2) | |||||
| -------------- | --------------- | ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ | -------------- | ||
| 88,351 | TOTAL FUNDS HELD | 71,379 | 7,635 | 2,420 | 81135 |
| ===== | ===== |
Page 1
SOUTHERNHAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, EXETER
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2020
| 2019 | 2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| DEPOSITS | ||||
| 13,094 | COIF Deposit Account | 13,128 | ||
| 53,610 | COIF Ethical Investment Fund | 58,846 | ||
| 21,122 | NatWest Reserve Account | 8,660 | ||
| 525 | NatWest Current Account | 500 | ||
| 88,351 | 81,134 | |||
| ===== | ===== | |||
| FUNDS AND RESERVES | ||||
| General Purpose | ||||
| 73,422 | Accumulated Fund | 66,779 | ||
| 73,422 | 66,779 | |||
| Designated Buildings Funds | ||||
| 6,787 | Buildings Fund | 6,787 | ||
| 6,787 | 6,787 | |||
| Other Designated Funds | ||||
| 848 | Contact Centre | Reserve | 848 | |
| 848 | 848 | |||
| Restricted Funds | ||||
| 2,397 | Healing Fund (Noblet) | 2,397 | ||
| 296 | Special Causes | 23 | ||
| 2,693 | 2,420 | |||
| ---------- | ---------- | |||
| 83,750 | TOTAL CHURCH FUNDS | 76,834 | ||
| Cheques Adjustments | (see note 1 below) | -300 | ||
| 4,601 | Special Category Ministry Account (see note 2 below) | 4,601 | ||
| 4,601 | 4,301 | |||
| ---------- | ---------- | |||
| 88,351 | TOTAL FUNDS HELD | 81,135 | ||
| ===== | ===== | |||
| NOTES | 1 A bounced che | que resulting in payment written | off |
1 A bounced cheque resulting in payment written off
2 The Special Category Ministry Fund is a restricted fund completely separate from the funds of the Church. It is currently in abeyance as there is no one in post.
Page 2
SOUTHERNHAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, EXETER
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
| 2019 | General | Designated | Restricted | TOTAL | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
£ | £ | |
| A. INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||||
| 1. OFFERINGS | |||||||
| 8,440 | Monthly Standing Orders | 9,913 | 9,913 | ||||
| 12,253 | Weekly Envelopes | 8,495 | 8,495 | ||||
| 2,913 | Loose | 714 | 714 | ||||
| 784 | Other Donations by Members & Frien | 1,231 | 1,231 | ||||
| 6,246 | Gift Aid claimed on the above | 5,070 | 5,070 | ||||
| 30,636 | 25,423 | ||||||
| 2. DESIGNATED & RESTRICTED INCOME | |||||||
| 0 | Buildings Fund | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 0 | Gift Aid claimed allocated to Building Fund | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 0 | Contact Centre Reserve | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 0 | Healing Fund | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 1,557 | Special Causes (Collected) | 708 | 708 | ||||
| 311 | Gift Aid to Special Causes | 233 | 233 | ||||
| 1,868 | 941 | ||||||
| 4. USE OF BUILDINGS | |||||||
| 28,410 | Standard Lettings | 10,391 | 10,391 | ||||
| 1,081 | Contact Centre (net) | 1,745 | 1,745 | ||||
| 75 | Southernhay Singers (net) | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2,900 | Church Groups | 720 | 720 | ||||
| 771 | Other Users | 900 | 900 | ||||
| 1,494 | Coffee Concerts | 220 | 220 | ||||
| 9,100 | Ground Rent (Berkeley House - net) | 9,100 | 9,100 | ||||
| 43,831 | 23,076 | ||||||
| 5. WEDDINGS & FUNERALS | |||||||
| 1,104 | Fees (net) | 120 | 120 | ||||
| 6 | Offerings at Weddings & Funerals | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 1,110 | 120 | ||||||
| 6. OTHER INCOME | |||||||
| 2,000 | Legacies, etc | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 213 | Cash Box (inc People & News) | 46 | 46 | ||||
| 364 | Refunds | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 978 | Sundry Receipts | 975 | 975 | ||||
| 864 | ManseCouncil Tax and Water Rate | 698 | 698 | ||||
| 9,737 | COIF Investment Gain | 5,237 | 5,237 | ||||
| 101 | Interest | 52 | 52 | ||||
| 14,257 | 7,008 | ||||||
| ----------- | ----------- | ---------- | ---------- | --------- | |||
| 91,702 | TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 55,627 | 0 | 941 | 56,568 | ||
| ====== | ====== |
Page 3
SOUTHERNHAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, EXETER
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
| 2019 | Footnotes | General | Designated | Restricted | TOTAL | 2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
£ | £ | |||
| B. RESOURCES EXPENDED | |||||||||
| 1. COSTS OF MINISTRY & WORSHIP | |||||||||
| 37,164 | Ministry & Mission | 33,708 | 33,708 | ||||||
| 0 | Travel Expenses | 1 | 4 | 4 | |||||
| 599 | Manse Telephone/Broadband | 228 | 228 | ||||||
| 28 | Books | 0 | |||||||
| 99 | Stationery | 0 | |||||||
| 338 | Other Expenses (inc Laptop) | 0 | |||||||
| 71 | Tax/NI | 99 | 99 | ||||||
| 686 | Visiting Preachers | 138 | 138 | ||||||
| 1,175 | Organists | 350 | 350 | ||||||
| 40,160 | 34,528 | ||||||||
| 2. CHURCH & HALLS | |||||||||
| 7,888 | Caretaker | 5 | 4,029 | 4,029 | |||||
| 3,095 | Fabric repairs | 2 | 3,296 | 3,296 | |||||
| 6,761 | Heat and light | 5 | 5,866 | 5,866 | |||||
| 500 | Water Charges | 572 | 572 | ||||||
| 594 | Telephone and WiFi | 5 | 543 | 543 | |||||
| 0 | Lightning Conductor | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 447 | Fire extinguishers | 5 | 260 | 260 | |||||
| 3,920 | Insurance | 5,063 | 5,063 | ||||||
| 447 | Organ and Piano Repairs | 2 | 327 | 327 | |||||
| 90 | Equipment | 100 | 100 | ||||||
| 875 | Cleaning materials | 5 | 283 | 283 | |||||
| 24,617 | 20,339 | ||||||||
| 3. MANSE | |||||||||
| 252 | Repairs | 2 | 1,213 | 1,213 | |||||
| 420 | Insurance | 451 | 451 | ||||||
| 2,431 | Council Tax and Water Charges | 2,426 | 2,426 | ||||||
| 3,103 | 4,090 | ||||||||
| 4. OTHER GENERAL PURPOSE FUND | |||||||||
| 141 | Resources | 151 | 151 | ||||||
| 179 | Flowers and Gifts | 234 | 234 | ||||||
| 0 | Web Site | 175 | 175 | ||||||
| 791 | Photocopying | 902 | 902 | ||||||
| 311 | Refreshments | 52 | 52 | ||||||
| 79 | Admin Sundries | 709 | 709 | ||||||
| 480 | Subscriptions & Licences | 509 | 509 | ||||||
| 400 | Donations | 4 | 182 | 182 | |||||
| 200 | ECC Chaplaincy | 4 | 400 | 400 | |||||
| 2,581 | 3,314 | ||||||||
| 5. DESIGNATED/RESTRICTED FUNDS | |||||||||
| 0 | Buildings Fund | 2 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 200 | Minister's Computer Fund | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | Contact Centre Reserve | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | Healing Fund | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 2,591 | Special Causes | 4 | 1,213 | 1,213 | |||||
| 2,791 | 1,213 | ||||||||
| ------- | ------ | ------ | ------ | ------ | |||||
| 73,252 | TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 62,271 | 0 | 1,213 | 63,484 | ||||
| ===== | ===== |
The footnotes refer to Synod designated 'Deductible' Items of Expenditure:
-
Ministers' Car Costs (Total £0)
-
Capital Works & Projects (Total £0)
-
Repairs & Decorations (Total £4,836)
-
Benevolent Gifts (Total £1795)
-
Expenses incurred in respect of Lettings (see page 3)
-
(Total £9836 of which 44.7% claimed = £4918 representing 35% of total letting receipts of £14051)
Page 4
SOUTHERNHAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, EXETER
MOVEMENT OF FUNDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
| Balance | Receipts | Gift Aid | Interest | Payments | Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.01.2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 31.12.2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General Purpose | ||||||
| Accumulated Fund | 73,422 | 50,506 | 5,070 | 52 | -62,271 | 66,779 |
| ----------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | |||
| Totals | 73,422 | 50,506 | 5,070 | 52 | -62,271 | 66,779 |
| Designated Buildings Funds | ||||||
| Buildings Fund | 6,787 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6,787 |
| ----------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | |||
| Totals | 6,787 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6,787 |
| Other Designated Funds | ||||||
| Contact Centre Reserve | 848 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 848 |
| ----------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | |||
| Totals | 848 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 848 |
| Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Healing Fund (Noblet) | 2,397 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,397 |
| Special Causes | 296 | 708 | 233 | 0 | -1,214 | 23 |
| ----------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | |||
| Totals | 2,693 | 708 | 233 | 0 | -1,214 | 2,420 |
| TOTALS FOR CHURCH FUNDS | 83,750 | 51,214 | 5,303 | 52 | -63,485 | 76,834 |
| Cheque Adjustments | -300 | -300 | ||||
| Special Category Ministry Acc | 4,601 | 0 | 0 | 4,601 | ||
| see note 1 on page 2 | ||||||
| ----------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | |||
| TOTALS HELD | 88,351 | 51,214 | 5,303 | 52 | -63,785 | 81,135 |
Page 5
SOUTHERNHAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, EXETER
DETAILS OF SPECIAL CAUSES FOR YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
| Balance |
Collected | Gift Aid |
Paid Out |
Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.01.2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 31.12.2020 | |
| £ |
£ | £ |
£ |
£ | |
| Commitment for Life | 23 | 201 | 35 | -246 | 13 |
| Christian Aid | 10 | 120 | 59 | -179 | 10 |
| St Petrocks (Coffee) | 49 | 181 | 139 | -369 | 0 |
| Advent 19 (AIMS Dawlish) | 214 | 206 | 0 | -420 | 0 |
| ---------- |
---------- | ------- | ---------- | ---------- | |
| 296 | 708 | 233 | -1,214 | 23 |
Page 6
NOTES
1. Accounting Policies. These Annual Accounts for Southernhay Church aim to comply with the provisions of the Charities Act 1993. This Act was passed with the aim of bringing about greater openness and transparency in the financial affairs of all charities. The regulations prescribe certain rules, procedures and format to ensure compliance and these have been adopted here.
The Statement format is taken from the Charity Commissioners’ Guidance literature and working definitions of the fund types as follows:
-
(a) General Purpose Funds may be used for any legitimate activity of the church without constraint.
-
(b) Designated Funds are funds which are held for the general purposes of the church but which have been separately ‘designated’ for specific purposes. They are funds which could be reallocated back into General Funds at any time if so decided by the Church Meeting.
-
(c) Restricted Funds have specific purposes from which monies may not be diverted and may have been established by Legacy or Deed.
The Annual Accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis. Any material expenditure paid after the year end will be included by way of a note to the accounts (there is none for 2020).
2. Depreciation Policy. All new items of equipment procured are written off in the year of purchase. As a result such items are not part of the Fixed Assets of the church and depreciation does not apply.
3. Employees of the Local Church and their Remuneration. There are no employees; the Church contracts out caretaking to a self-employed operator.
4. Local Trustees’ Expenses. No expenses were paid to any members of the Elders’ Meeting or the Finance and Fabric Committee except in the form of direct reimbursement of sums actually incurred and paid on behalf of the church.
5. Insurance. Church and hall premises at Southernhay were insured in 2020 as follows:
| Church Premises | £ 9,514,042 | |
|---|---|---|
| Contents | £ 253,299 | |
| --------------- | ||
| Total | £ 9,767,341 (2019 £9,310,547) | |
| The Cover for the manse at 6 Hill Close was: | ||
| Buildings and Contents of Common Parts £ 358,110 | ||
| Contents | £ 3000 | |
| -------------- | ||
| Total | £ 361,110 (2019 £348.628) |
6. Local Funds not under Church Control. The Treasurer is aware of the existence of small funds which fall within this category. Contributions are not received from the church nor are these funds subject to Church Meeting control. As a consequence, and with the agreement of the independent examiner, they have been excluded from the above Accounts.
Signed:
Date:
John Thorndyke, Church Treasurer
Page 7