St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore (Charity number 1130629) Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Full name The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore, alias Whitchurch
Other names by which the charity is known St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore, aka Whitchurch
Registered charity number 1130629
Organisation type Registered Charity
Principal office
c/o Whitchurch Rectory St Lawrence Close Edgware Middlesex HA8 6RB
Trustees
| rustees | |
|---|---|
| Fr Paul Reece | Rector and Chair PCC |
| Eric Ramsay | Churchwarden |
| SandySayer | Treasurer |
| Tudor Davies | Trustee |
| Paul Huntley | Trustee |
| Susan Huntley | Trustee |
| Ernest Sailor | Trustee |
| Leslie Hammond | Trustee |
| Bridget Johnson | Trustee |
| Brenda Eustace | Trustee |
| Sara-Jane Donovan | Trustee |
| Gareth Jones | Trustee appointed date 13/2/2024 |
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Independent examiner
Kevin Ogilvie of Charity Bookkeeping and Examination Services 13, Evelyns Close, Uxbridge, UB8 3LR
Governance and management
The charity is operated under the rules of its Governing document, the Parochial Church council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the current Parochial Church Council Measure. It is registered with the Charity Commission under registered charity number 1130629.
Overall management of the charity is the responsibility of the trustees who are elected under the rules of the Parochial Church council for corporate bodies established by the Church of England. Day to day activities of the charity are managed as described below.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. Deanery Synod members are ex-officio members of the PCC. The PCC consists of the Rector, the churchwardens, the treasurer, the secretary and other members. Most members are elected by members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church, but members may also be co-opted by invitation. All those who attend our services / members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Organisational Structure
The PCC aims to meet at least six times a year subject to holidays and other requirements. A standing committee consisting of the Rector and Officers, plus 2 others, if required, is appointed annually and has the power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings subject to directions given by the council.
Objectives and activities
The Charitable objects are promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church. Activities include regular public worship open to all, pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the bereaved, teaching Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups and supporting charities in the UK and overseas. Further details are shown below.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit
The main activities which benefit the public are the regular services open to anyone wishing to participate and ministry, collections from the congregation for various charities as outlined in the objects, the collection of food for the local food bank and the letting of church facilities for local groups and other Christian groups. The church is also open to visitors on a regular basis for private worship and to enjoy the church building itself which is of historic and artistic interest. The main beneficiaries are the general public and mankind.
Public benefit statement
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to consider and have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'.
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Summary of the achievements and performance during the period
Church Attendance
As of the recent renewal of the Church Electoral Roll, there are 62 parishioners listed, with 24 resident and 38 of them residing outside the parish boundaries. This marks a decrease from the previous total of 78. Our average Sunday attendance consists of 28 adults physically present in church at worship.
Review of the Year
We continue to be principally a sacramental church expressing its common life by gathering around the altar to celebrate The Eucharist. On weekdays, we have maintained an average of six communicants for the Tuesday morning Eucharist. Additionally, we have continued to sustain a full liturgical programme for Holy Week, Easter, and other significant festivals.
In 2024, our worship schedule consisted of one regular Sunday Eucharist and one mid-week Eucharist, along with additional services for festivals. The Rector also continues to say the Daily Offices in church. Our automatic tolling bell remains a constant reminder of our church’s liturgical and physical presence within the parish.
Throughout 2024 our parish website and Facebook page have continued to serve as valuable resources. We continue to offer a live stream service via Facebook whenever possible, and this has allowed us to reach not only our local congregation but also parishioners who have moved away.
Beyond our regular services, we continue to support our community in marking life's important milestones. Through baptisms, marriages, and funerals, we offer opportunities to thank God for the gift of life, to seek His blessing on marriages, and to commend the departed to His keeping.
Events are arranged on a regular basis such as Souper Sundays where we gather for a simple shared lunch and church members are encouraged to be fully involved in the life of the wider parish community and beyond.
Our Rector, Fr Paul Reece, dedicates 0.6 of his working week to his role as Chaplain of the Royal National Orthopaedic Trust, located within our parish. This arrangement, with the NHS covering 0.6 of his stipend, continues to alleviate some of our financial challenges, though not entirely. This shift in the Rector’s responsibilities has required greater involvement from the congregation in the dayto-day management of parish affairs.
Our Church Hall provides opportunities to engage with the local community. St Lawrence’s was able again to serve the community by providing halls which can be rented by individuals and organisations from outside the church community. We maintain a positive relationship with the local Community Payback Group, who continue to use the Hall for their work in the area.
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Our Challenges
Financial Constraints
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We are the stewards of an iconic and historic building, the only Continental Baroque Parish Church in the country.
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Our Church Hall continues to be in dire need of replacement.
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We are situated in a rapidly changing community, where 81% of the population belongs to ethnic minorities, predominantly of Hindu or Muslim faith, alongside those of no faith.
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Our congregational numbers have been affected by these demographic shifts.
Our Strengths
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We have a small but strong and committed congregation, united by a shared vision.
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Our Parochial Church Council (PCC) is supportive and engaged.
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We are custodians of an iconic and historic building.
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Our musical tradition is well-regarded.
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We remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God's guidance and presence as we navigate the future.
Financial review
The Parish maintains a General account, and this serves as the ordinary finances of the Parish, and this generated:
2024: £ 12,394 decrease in funds
2023: £92,084 increase
The main cause of the decrease in funds was the renewal of the security equipment. The cost of gas for heating also stands out.
NB: 2023 was an exceptional year due to receiving a legacy of £61,891.
Costs were higher, with significantly higher utilities costs and a higher contribution to the Common Fund, which was still lower than in former times due to the continuing work of our Rector as Chaplain of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
The income from property was maintained.
The Diocese of London are concerned that we maintain an acceptable level of giving to the Common Fund: in 2024 this was continued at a reduced level as the Rector has been working 0.6 of his time as Chaplain of the Royal National Orthopaedic Trust 2024 £ 34,650; 2023 was £32,578.
The development of a plan for a new hall requires full funding, both in Capital terms, and to guarantee appropriate levels of income to the Parish in the future. The PCC is not yet in a position to approve building a new hall because the funds to do so are too small and the financial arrangements which would be required have not yet been determined. However, options are being considered.
The total funds at the end of the period were £1,309,461 (2023: £ 1,321,528)
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Volunteers
We continue to be grateful to those who give voluntarily of their time to support St Lawrence’s. This could be considered as a variant of financial support, as “doing it ourselves” does save St Lawrence’s considerable expense.
Reserves Policy
The reserves policy is to hold sufficient funds to allow for the continuous provision of services and ministry, to maintain the church and to provide, in the longer term, for the replacement of the Church Hall. The trustees consider that the reserves are reasonable at the year-end. At year-end Cash reserves Including creditors and debtors etc., were as follows for each fund:
| New Hall: Unrestricted Restricted Fabric (Church Building) General Total |
2024 £115,639 £542,987 £45,922 £105,365 £809,913 |
2023 £110,106 £517,092 £71,488 £119,345 £818,031 |
|---|---|---|
This means we are able to meet 36 month’s Diocesan Common Fund at the 2024 rate of £34,650 p.a. out of the General Fund Reserves (2023: 42 months based on £33,881 p.a for the following year). The trustees consider this to be a reasonable level.
No new amounts were designated at the end of the reporting period. Further details of funds are shown in the notes to the accounts.
Financial Risks
The risks faced have been considered and methods of reducing the risks or mitigating them are outlined below:
Income levels either now or in the future may become insufficient to maintain current expenditure, during the building of a new hall. Our advice is that this risk may be covered using the unrestricted New Hall Fund to ensure normal expenditure is met during the building phase.
Our ability to increase our contribution to the Common Fund for London Diocesan Finances in future is at risk. This has been mitigated from 2021 by the Rector taking on the role of Chaplain of the Royal National Orthopaedic Trust which means that St Lawrence Church has been able to reduce its Common Fund contribution from 2021 onwards.
There has been a continued loss of income for most hall rentals. Efforts to find new rental income for the hall are being seriously hampered by the difficulty in finding suitable groups to rent the hall and the wish to re-develop the hall. We continue to encourage donations from the congregation for specific improvements to the church and churchyard. Other measures of this type will be considered on an on-going basis.
There remains a risk of thefts of lead from the church roof but this has been mitigated by the use of a security system which is in continuous use.
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Safeguarding and GDPR
The PCC has complied with section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 in relation to children and vulnerable adults. Our Parish Safeguarding Officer until October 2024 was the Rector but in October 2024 Brenda Eustace, a member of the congregation, was appointed to this role. Our policies are reviewed annually by the PCC and displayed on a noticeboard in the Church Hall. The main contact details are also displayed in the Church Entrance Hall and are accessible with one click from the welcome page on our website. We follow Diocesan guidelines in both areas.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signed Paul Reece_____ Date 30 / 10 / 2025 Fr Paul Reece, Trustee and Chair of the PCC
Signed Eric Ramsay__________ Date 30 / 10 / 2025 Eric Ramsay, Trustee and Churchwarden
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore for the year ended 31 December 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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The accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed ________ Date 30/10/2025 Kevin Ogilvie Charity Bookkeeping and Examination Services
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Table 1 : Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies £53,508 - - £53,508 - Income from charitable activities - - - - - Other trading activities £5,343 - - £5,343 - Investments £29,880 £27,664 - £57,544 - Other income - - - - - Total income £88,731 £27,664 - £116,395 - Expenditure on: Raising funds £165 - - £165 - Expenditure on charitable activities £95,095 - - £95,095 - Other expenditure £7,963 £25,566 - £33,529 - Total expenditure £103,223 £25,566 - £128,789 - Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer (£14,492) £2,098 - (£12,394) - Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in - - - - - Gross transfers between funds - out - - - - - Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets - - £326 £326 - Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use - - - - - Net movement in funds (£14,492) £2,098 £326 (£12,068) - Total funds brought forward £720,496 £586,811 £14,223 £1,321,529 £1,321,529 Total funds carried forward £706,004 £588,908 £14,549 £1,309,461 £1,321,529 Represented by Unrestricted General Fund £590,365 - - £590,365 £610,390 Designated Fund For Rebuilding Parish Hall Unrestricted £115,639 - - £115,639 £110,106 Restricted Agency collection - - - - - Fabric Fund - £45,922 - £45,922 £71,488 Fund For Rebuilding The Parish Hall - £542,987 - £542,987 £515,323 Endowment Begg Fund - - £3,935 £3,935 £3,847 Knott Fund - - £10,613 £10,613 £10,376 Total funds £706,004 £588,908 £14,549 £1,309,461 £1,321,529 |
£53,508 - - £53,508 - - - - - - £5,343 - - £5,343 - £29,880 £27,664 - £57,544 - - - - - - |
| £88,731 £27,664 - £116,395 - £165 - - £165 - £95,095 - - £95,095 - £7,963 £25,566 - £33,529 - |
|
| £103,223 £25,566 - £128,789 - |
|
| (£14,492) £2,098 - (£12,394) - - - - - - - - - - - - - £326 £326 - - - - - - |
|
| (£14,492) £2,098 £326 (£12,068) - |
|
| £720,496 £586,811 £14,223 £1,321,529 £1,321,529 |
|
| £706,004 £588,908 £14,549 £1,309,461 £1,321,529 £590,365 - - £590,365 £610,390 £115,639 - - £115,639 £110,106 - - - - - - £45,922 - £45,922 £71,488 - £542,987 - £542,987 £515,323 - - £3,935 £3,935 £3,847 - - £10,613 £10,613 £10,376 |
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Table 2 : Balance Sheet detailed
| Class and code Description |
As at 31/12/2024 As at 31/12/2023 |
|---|---|
| Fixed assets 6431 Fixtures and Fittings 6432 General Equipment 6440 Property Total Fixed assets Current assets 6501 HSBC current account 6502 Barclays Current Account 6510 CCLA (CBF) PCC General Deposit account 6511 CCLA (CBF) PCC Parish Hall account 6512 CCLA (CBF) PCC-Knott Fund 6513 CCLA (CBF) Begg Bequest Z05 Accounts Receivable Total Current assets Liabilities 6699 Agency collections Z04 Accounts Payable Total Liabilities Net Asset surplus (deficit) Reserves Excess/(deficit) to date Z01 Starting balances Z02 Gains/(losses) on investment assets Total Reserves Represented by Funds General (Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Endowment Total |
£1,348 £1,498 £2,498 £2,776 £485,000 £485,000 |
| £488,847 £489,274 £43,612 £90,843 £5,068 £3,075 £76,034 £76,034 £658,625 £625,429 £10,613 £10,376 £3,935 £3,847 £23,914 £24,228 |
|
| £821,801 £833,832 £106 - £1,081 £1,577 |
|
| £1,187 £1,577 |
|
| £1,309,461 £1,321,529 |
|
| (£12,394) - £1,321,529 £1,321,529 £326 - |
|
| £1,309,461 £1,321,529 £590,365 £610,390 £115,639 £110,106 £588,908 £586,811 £14,549 £14,223 |
|
| £1,309,461 £1,321,529 |
Table 3 : Fund movement summary
| Fund | Opening | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | Gains/Losses | Journals | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Begg | |||||||
| Endowment | £3,847 | - | - | - | - | £88 | £3,935 |
| Sub-totals | £3,847 | - | - | - | - | £88 | £3,935 |
| Fabric | |||||||
| Restricted | £71,488 | - | £25,566 | - | - | - | £45,922 |
| Sub-totals | £71,488 | - | £25,566 | - | - | - | £45,922 |
| Knott | |||||||
| Endowment | £10,376 | - | - | - | - | £237 | £10,613 |
| Sub-totals | £10,376 | - | - | - | - | £237 | £10,613 |
| New Hall | |||||||
| Restricted | £515,323 | £27,664 | - | - | - | - | £542,987 |
| Sub-totals | £515,323 | £27,664 | - | - | - | - | £542,987 |
| New Hall Unrestricted | |||||||
| Designated | £110,106 | £5,533 | - | - | - | - | £115,639 |
| Sub-totals | £110,106 | £5,533 | - | - | - | - | £115,639 |
| General | |||||||
| Unrestricted | £610,390 | £83,199 | £103,223 | - | - | - | £590,365 |
| Sub-totals | £610,390 | £83,199 | £103,223 | - | - | - | £590,365 |
| Totals | £1,321,529 | £116,395 | £128,789 | - | - | £326 | £1,309,461 |
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
Table 4 : Analysis of income and expenditure
| Total | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year |
|
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 0101 - Gift Aid - Bank £27,224 - - - £27,224 - 0110 - Gift Aid - Blue Envelopes £3,270 - - - £3,270 - 0201 - Other planned giving £5,903 - - - £5,903 - 0301 - Loose plate collections £1,242 - - - £1,242 - 0302 - Donations in Wall Slot £522 - - - £522 - 0303 - Donations via Bank Transfer £1,247 - - - £1,247 - 0501 - One-off Gift Aid gifts via White Envelopes £450 - - - £450 - 0502 - One-off Gift Aid donations £200 - - - £200 - 0550 - Donations appeals etc £81 - - - £81 - 0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid £9,600 - - - £9,600 - 0701 - Legacies £3,500 - - - £3,500 - 0901 - Other funds generated £270 - - - £270 - Donations and legacies Totals £53,508 - - - £53,508 - Other trading activities 1220 - Bookstall sales - fund raising £73 - - - £73 - 1240 - Church hall lettings - fund raising £5,076 - - - £5,076 - 1270 - Sale of Christmas Cards £181 - - - £181 - 1280 - Coffee contributions £14 - - - £14 - Other trading activities Totals £5,343 - - - £5,343 - Investments 1020 - Bank and building society interest £4,353 £5,533 £27,664 - £37,550 - 1030 - Rent from lands or buildings £19,994 - - - £19,994 - Investments Totals £24,348 £5,533 £27,664 - £57,544 - Income and endowments Grand totals £83,199 £5,533 £27,664 - £116,395 - EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 1730 - Costs of fetes & other events £165 - - - £165 - Raising funds Totals £165 - - - £165 - Expenditure on charitable activities 1910 - Common Fund £34,650 - - - £34,650 - 2101 - Working expenses of incumbent £120 - - - £120 - 2120 - Council tax £928 - - - £928 - 2130 - Parsonage house expenses £363 - - - £363 - 2310 - Church office - telephone £707 - - - £707 - 2320 - Organ / piano tuning £114 - - - £114 - 2330 - Church maintenance £9,606 - - - £9,606 - 2340 - Upkeep of services £3,074 - - - £3,074 - 2350 - Upkeep of churchyard £8,460 - - - £8,460 - 2360 - Administration £4,307 - - - £4,307 - 2370 - Visiting speakers / locums £360 - - - £360 - 2401 - Church running - electric £2,840 - - - £2,840 - 2410 - Church running - gas £22,845 - - - £22,845 - 2420 - Church running - water £38 - - - £38 - 2530 - Hall running - electricity £2,638 - - - £2,638 - 2550 - Hall running - insurance £1,872 - - - £1,872 - 2560 - Hall running - maintenance £661 - - - £661 - 2570 - Hall running - telephone £250 - - - £250 - 2580 - Hall running - water £663 - - - £663 - 2601 - Governance costs examination/audit fee £600 - - - £600 - Expenditure on charitable activities Totals £95,095 - - - £95,095 - Other expenditure 2375 - Organist Fee £300 - - - £300 - 2450 - Church running - security system £80 - £25,566 - £25,646 - 2460 - Church running expenses - Insurance £7,041 - - - £7,041 - 2595 - Hall running - consumables £451 - - - £451 - 2605 - Bank Charges £91 - - - £91 - Other expenditure Totals £7,963 - £25,566 - £33,529 - Expenditure Grand totals £103,223 - £25,566 - £128,789 - |
£27,224 - - - £27,224 - £3,270 - - - £3,270 - £5,903 - - - £5,903 - £1,242 - - - £1,242 - £522 - - - £522 - £1,247 - - - £1,247 - £450 - - - £450 - £200 - - - £200 - £81 - - - £81 - £9,600 - - - £9,600 - £3,500 - - - £3,500 - £270 - - - £270 - |
£53,508 - - - £53,508 - £73 - - - £73 - £5,076 - - - £5,076 - £181 - - - £181 - £14 - - - £14 - |
|
£5,343 - - - £5,343 - £4,353 £5,533 £27,664 - £37,550 - £19,994 - - - £19,994 - |
|
£24,348 £5,533 £27,664 - £57,544 - |
|
£83,199 £5,533 £27,664 - £116,395 - |
|
| £165 - - - £165 - |
|
£95,095 - - - £95,095 - £300 - - - £300 - £80 - £25,566 - £25,646 - £7,041 - - - £7,041 - £451 - - - £451 - £91 - - - £91 - |
|
£7,963 - £25,566 - £33,529 - |
|
£103,223 - £25,566 - £128,789 - |
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
1. Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and reporting by Charites: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)-(Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 192. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement
The charity opted to adopt Bulletin 1 published on February 2016 and therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.
Income and endowments
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Pension costs
The charity does not currently make any pension contributions as it does not have any employees.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore meets the definition of charitable company for UK corporation tax
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 part 11 of the corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value, of all tangible fixed assets with a cost exceeding £500 over their expected useful lives on a reducing balance basis.
The rates applicable are:
Buildings 0% Equipment 10% Furniture 10%
Investments
Fixed asset investments – Investment property is shown at the most recent re-valuation. Any aggregate surplus or deficit arising from changes in market value is transferred to the revaluation reserve. No revaluation has been done in the current year or the prior year as the Trustees do not feel it is cost effective to revalue the investment property.
Current asset investments are shown at market value at the year-end.
2. Donations and legacies
| Grants & Donations Legacies |
Unrestricted Funds £50,008 £3,500 £53,508 |
Restricted Funds - - - |
Total Funds £50,008 £3,500 £53,508 |
2023 £59,862 £61,891 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £121,753 |
A more detailed breakdown of donations and legacies is shown in Table 4
3. Income from charitable activities
| Primary purpose trading | Unrestricted Funds £0 £0 |
Total Funds £0 £0 |
2023 £0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0 |
This item is only included for compatibility with the previous year’s accounts.
4. Income from other trading activities
| Room hire Churchyard Fundraising events |
Unrestricted Funds £5,076 £0 £267 £5,343 |
Total Funds £5,076 £0 £267 £5,343 |
2023 £4,421 £0 £965 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £5,386 |
5. Investment income
| Interest Rental Income (properties) |
Unrestricted Funds £9,886 £19,994 £29,880 |
Restricted Funds £27,664 - £27,664 |
Total Funds £37,550 £19,9940 £57,544 |
2023 £22,850 £15,751 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £38,601 |
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
6. Tangible assets (analysis of opening & closing carrying amounts)
| Cost or Valuation At beginning of year Additions Disposals Valuations Depreciation & Impairment At beginning of year Disposals Depreciation Net Book Value At beginning of year At end of year |
Fixtures & Fittings £5,215 - - - £5,215 £3,717 - £150 £3867 £1,498 £1,348 |
General Equipment £30,062 - - - £30,062 £27,286 £278 £27,564 £2,776 £2,498 |
Total £35,277 - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| £35,277 | |||
| £31,003 £428 |
|||
| £31,431 | |||
| £4,274 | |||
| £3,846 |
7. Fixed asset investments
Investment property is shown at the most recent revaluation in Table 2 (under code 6440). The properties involved are the curate’s house and the church hall.
No revaluation has been done in the current year or the prior year as the Trustees do not feel it is cost effective to revalue the investment property.
8. Debtors
| Trade debtors Prepayments & accrued income Other debtors |
2024 - - £23,913 £23,913 |
2023 - - £24,228 |
|---|---|---|
| £24,228 |
The Other Debtors category covers Gift Aid that could be claimed at the end of each year but has not yet been claimed. This is due to Gift Aid being claimed on a donation approximately 2 years after that donation.
9. Current asset investments
The current listed investments are the Begg Bequest and the Knott Fund.
See the Balance Sheet (Table 2) and Fund Movement Summary (Table 3) for valuation and movement information.
10. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other creditors |
2024 £726 £355 £1,081 |
2023 £1,222 £355 |
|---|---|---|
| £1,577 |
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
11. Movements in funds
Movements in funds are detailed in Table 3, Fund Movement Summary. Note that the Revaluation Reserve has been merged back into the General Fund.
The distinctions between the various funds are outlined below:
The General Fund is the working cash of the PCC plus the property assets. The Fabric Fund is restricted for repairs and renewals to the church and its surroundings. The New Hall Fund is restricted for the building of a new hall. It has been funded by legacies, and also by the proceeds from the sale of the Whitchurch Institute. The Restricted for New Hall Fund may be spent on the design, planning approval, supervision, building and other costs arising from replacing the church hall. The two Endowment Funds; Begg and Knott bequest are held and are used for the purposes specified in their endowment which include maintenance of a grave and the church.
12. Analysis of net assets by fund
| Funds at 31/12/2024 Tangible assets Investments Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors* |
Unrestricted £3,846 £485,000 £23,914 £194431 -£1,187 £704,817 |
Restricted - - - £588,908 - £588,908 |
Endowment - £14,549 - - - £14, 549 |
Total £3,846 £499,549 £23,914 £783,339 -£1,187 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,309,461 |
- Amounts falling due within 1 year
Analysis of net assets by fund - prior year figures
| Funds at 31/12/2023 Tangible assets Investments Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors* |
Unrestricted £4,274 £485,000 £24,228 £206,800 -£1,577 £720,302 |
Restricted - - - £588,580 - £588,580 |
Endowment - £14,223 - - - £14, 223 |
Total £4,274 £499,223 £24,228 £795,380 -£1,577 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,321,528 |
- Amounts falling due within 1 year
13. Staff costs and numbers
There were no employees during the period and thus no staff costs. The rector is paid by the Church of England.
The average number of employees during the year was nil (2023:nil).
14. Trustees’ remuneration, benefits and expenses
None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity.
During the year under review the Rector was reimbursed a round sum of £3,000 to cover incidental expenses incurred on behalf of the Church. This sum is included in the analysis of costs under Upkeep of Services. No other trustee expenses have been incurred.
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
15. Related party transactions
There have been no related party transactions during the period.
16. Fees payable to independent examiner
During the period, the fees payable (excluding VAT) to the charity’s independent examiner Community Accounting Plus are analysed as follows:
| Independent examination | 2024 £600 £600 |
2023 £1,096 |
|---|---|---|
| £1,096 |
17. Annual commitments under operating leases
At 31 December 2024 the charity had non-cancellable commitments to the end of the operating leases, expiring as follows:
| Operating leases which expire: Within 1-2 years Within 2-5 years |
2024 £1250 - £1250 |
2023 £1,246 - |
|---|---|---|
| £1,246 |
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St Lawrence Church, Little Stanmore
18. Comparative information
For comparison purpose, the Statement of financial activities for the year-ended 31/12/2023 is presented as below:
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ Income (and endowments) from: Donations and legacies 121553 200 - Charitable activities - - - Other trading activities 5386 - - Investments 22706 15895 - Total 149645 16095 - Expenditure on: Common Fund / Parish costs 32904 - - Clergy, rectory, funeral and wedding expenses 3000 - - Upkeep of services 125 - - Upkeep of churchyard 6792 - - Independent examination 1096 - - Utilities 11579 - - Repairs and maintenance 2141 - - Professional fees - new hall - - - Cleaning - - - Insurance 9924 - - Telephone, internet & postage 256 - - Printing,stationery & copying 3274 - - Refuse 1790 - - Security 749 - - Depreciation 309 166 - Charitable giving 442 - - Sundry expenditure 332 - - Total 74713 166 - Net income/(expenditure) 74932 15929 - Other recognised gains/(losses): Gains/(losses) on investment assets - - 1223 Net movement in funds 74932 15929 1223 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 643793 572651 13000 Total funds carried forward 718725 588580 14223 |
Total 2023 £ 121753 - 5386 38601 165740 32904 3000 125 6792 1096 11579 2141 - - 9924 256 3274 1790 749 475 442 332 74879 90861 1223 92084 1229444 1321528 |
|---|---|
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