The United Reformed Church ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH REGISTERED CHARITY 1130767 TRUSTEES REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTENTS Page Trustees. Report Treasurerfs statement Independent Examine¢s report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of assets and liabilit Notes to the accounts 1-3 7-10
The United Reformed Church ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Trustees. Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Raference and administration details Address High Street St Neots, Cambndgeshire, PE19 1 BN Charity Registered No. 1130767 Interim Moderator Reverend S J Fender Elders (Trustees) who have served between 1 January 2024 to the date of this reporL" Mrs J Gibbs (Church setary) Mrs V Corrigan Mrs J Jones Mrs R Charter Mrs N Leckie Mr L McKenzie Mrs J Henderson MrPSBotha resigned 14 October 2024 appointed 20 October 2024 Structure, governance and management The church is a member church of the Unfted Refonned Church in Great Britain which was established by the 1972 United Reft)mied Church Acts. The church has ts ovm constitution which is approved by the Church Meeting. The Trustees consider the Church Meeting to be the decision-making body of the local church. The church was registered as a charity by the Charity Commission on 27 July 2009. Elders are nominated to serve as Trustees, subject to their being elected by receiving at least 750/0 of the votes cast at a Church Meeting. An Elder must have been a church member for 2 years before they are eligible for nomination. Reverend S J Fender continues to serve the church as Interim Moderator until a new Minister is called. The church is situated in the Eastem Synod of the United RefomEd Church. The Synod meets lce each year, and the church is represented by a Trustee or appointed Church Member. The church is involved in a number of local ecumenical activities. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility to consider the major risks to which the church may be exposed and take the neSSary measures to identsfy those risks and reduce them to an acptable level. Pa
Objectives and activities The principal objective of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Union of the United Reformed Church. The Trustees consider that the most appropriate way to meet this objective is to provide acts of worship and promote Christian teaching which is in accordan with the traditions of the United Refomed Church. The Trustees also recognise the irnportan of workj'ng closely with other churches in St Neots to develop ecumenical relationships wrth other Christian groups. The full accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 are set out on pages 5 to 10 of this report. The report of the Independent Examiner is set out on page 4. A Minister in post is paid a salary by the United Refomied Church. In the absen of a Minister the Trustees arrange for worship to be led by church members and visits.ng preachers. A preaching fee of £40 plus travelling expenses is offered to everyone who leads worship. Mrs J Gibbs led worship on 11 {2023.'15) separate occasions and was paid a total of £440 {2023.. £522) during the year. None of the other Trustees receFved payment for their sep4ices to the church and the Trustees also acknowledge the contribution from many people who are part of the lrfe of the church. Achievements and perforniance Acts of public worship normalty takes place each Sunday moming. Holy Communion is normally celebrated on the third Sunday in each month. Other acts of worship and teaching take place throughout the year. The church is actively involved in Churches Together in St Neots including the Fair Trade and Christian Centre, ACTIOS (Assists'ng Christian Teaching in Our Schools), St Neots Christian Aid Group, and is a weekly participant in the work of St Neots Foodbank by acting as a distribution centre. The Trustees a pleased to port that church life in 2024 has bn more actrve than the previous post£ovid years. As well as being open for public worship each Sunday the church uses YouTube to broadcast those services to members and friends who are unable to worship in person. The ServIS are streamed live, and they are also available using °catch up. through the church's website. and can also be viewed later. via YouTube. Elders, Meetings and Church Meetings a held using a Mixture of physical attendance and Zoom technology. Printed copies of the Sunday services have bn supplied to Members and Friends without IT technology. Church Membership stands at 42 and the average number attending Sunday worship is 36 {2023.'35), with an average of 27 viewng the Servi on YouTube. Tne cnurch Is currently In <Jiscussion wm fyvo otner Unrtea RefDrmeU Gnurches. and four Local Ecumenical Partnerships. with a view to setting up a Mission Partnership (The Mid Cambs Mission Partnership). on established, the Mission Partnership will call a Minister to serve the three United Reformed churches. and to work dosely wrth the teaders of the other churches in the group. Flnancial results for the year The costs of the church exceeded its income by £1,899. The nonnal actNities of the church showed a deficit of £11,486 but the fundraising schemes generated an income of £9,587. Full details are given in the Receipts and Payments account on page 5 and in the supporting notes on pages 7 to 10. The Trustees are pleased to report that the whole of the cost of replacing the lift was met by grants and donations. The urgent repair work to the Tower has been carried out but it is likely that repairs to the stonework will be expensive. The church is waiting for quotes for this work. In the meantime, the fund-raising group continues to look for potential SoUrS of grants from extemal donors and to identify projects that the church itself can use to raise money.
The policy on reserves Responsible financial stewardship calls for the Trustees to provide funds to enable the church to meet its liabilities as they fall due and to set aside a reasonable amount to cover costs that cannot be predicted. The Trustees consider that the equivalent of six months. normal expenditure is an appropriate amount. The level of reserves of the Unrestricted Fund at 31 December 2024 is acptable but the Trustees contsnue to look for ways of increasing income and restricting expenditure to at least maintain this level of reserves. In the event of the church having reserves that were greatly in excess of its needs, the Trustees would recommend that the church should make donations to support the activities of organisats'ons whose activrties were in sympathy wrth the objectives of the church. Declaration The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, Report above. Signed on behalf of the charty's Trustees Mrs Jenny Gibbs Church Secretary and Acting Chair of the Trustees 31 March 2025
ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 TREASURER'S STATEMENT I have prepared the accounts on pages 5 to 10 for the year ended 31 December 2024 from the accounting records of the church. W R Springbett Date: 31 March 2025 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST NEOTS UNrrED REFORMED CHURCH I report to the trustees of St Neots United Refomed Church (the Trust) on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024. which are set out on pages 5 to 10. Responslbllltles and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'Ihe ACY.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trusfs accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Secbon 145(5)(b) of the Act Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have me to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material spect. accounting records were not kept in SpeCt of the Trust as required by sects'on 130 of the Act,. or • the accounts do not accord with the accounb'ng reo)rds. I have no COnmS and have come across no matters in connection with the examination to which attention needs to be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. G Round BFP FCA st Neots Cambridgeshire Date.. 31 March 2025 Pa
ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMEpifs ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Note General Designated Restrtcted Fund Funds Funds Total Total for 2024 for 2023 RECEIPTS Offertory Income tax refunds under Gift Aid Fund raising and donations Room hire Rent from shop unit Bank interest and investment income Synod grant re Lrtility costs VAT reclaimed on Listed Places of Worship Monies raised for outside causes 20,993 6,057 20,993 6,057 11.804 6,516 17,359 1,144 22,675 7,364 40,340 8,478 10,313 1,065 1,463 1,340 11,804 6,516 17,359 1,144 180 180 Total receipts 52,069 11,804 180 64,053 93,038 PAYMENTS Ministry & Mission Fund Manse costs Interim Moderator and Worship Le8derfs expenses Church running costs Church cleaning Outreach Support for outside causes Maintenance of church building Special projects Costs of fund raising 25,992 25,992 25,008 70 391 14,285 6,670 2.985 391 14.285 6,670 2,985 180 13,233 2,179 37 208 14,160 6,973 2,763 180 10 13.233 2,957 23.375 2,179 37 Total payments 63,556 2,216 180 65,952 75,514 NET (PAYMENTS) I RECEIPTS (11,487) 9.588 (1,899) 17,524 TRANSFERS 8,988 (8,988) CASH FUNDS AT 1 JANUARY 2024 27.295 19,188 46,483 28,959 CASH FUNDS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 24.796 19.788 44,584 46,483 The notes on pages 7 to 10 fonn part of these accounts Page 5
ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND UABIUTIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Note General Fund Designat&J Restricted Funds Funds Total for 2024 Total for 2023 Assets used for Church purposes (value for insurdnce purposes) Held under ststutory trust Church building Shop unit 13 7.907,821 13 899,251 8.807,on 218,652 112,240 7,907,821 7,460,208 899,251 848,350 8,807,072 8,308,558 218,652 206,275 112,240 98,397 9,137,964 8,613,230 Organ Fumishings and e4uipment 13 9.137,964 Cash funds held COIF account Barclays account 17,490 2,298 17,490 27,094 18,637 29,846 24,796 24,796 19,788 44.584 46,483 Other assets (Money owed to the church) Gift Aid and GASDS receivable Room Hire VAT repayable Amounts repayable by Synod Accrued rent from shop unit 3.951 1.295 943 3,951 1.295 1,7C 4,248 499 763 50 264 6,189 763 6,952 5,061 Liabiliti88 (Money owed by the church) Repayable within 12 months Church running costs Gas, electriGty and water Church cleaning Outreach Rent receÉved in advan Fundraising chh Leadevs expenses Maintenance of church building 200 2 709 346 80 3,329 132 47 74 888 555 40 80 3,329 132 47 120 4,711 132 4,843 1,677 Approved by the Trustees on 31 March 2025 and sFned on their behalf by Mrs Jenny Gibbs The notes on pages 7 to 10 fonn part of these accounts Page 6
ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 1 Accounting policies The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Section 133 of the chariti.es Act 2011 using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities, and the United Refomed Church guidance. 2 Fund accounting Unrostricted funds may be used by the church for any of its ordinary purposes Deslgnated funds represent unrestricted funds that the church has set aside for specffic desunated purposes.. they can be transferred back into general funds by the decision of the Church Meeting. Fund name and purpose Balan ReIpts Payments in the year in the year Transfers in the year Balan clf Shop Rents COIF reserve - to provide funds should the shop unit become vacant 7.314 7,314 Fundraising for projects (see notes 3 and 11) 11,874 11,804 2,216 (8,988) 12,474 Total for Designated funds 19.188 11,804 8,988 19,788 Restrlcted funds represent income which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of a trust or bequest, or donats'ons or grants received or invited for a specific purpose. These funds can only be spent on the specific purpose for which they were grven. Any balance maIn}ng unspent must be carried forward as a balan on that fund for future expenditure on that specific purpose, or returned" rt cannot be absorbed into general fvnds. In the case of the lift, the amount spent in the previous year was £6,664. The Restricted Donations for the lift received in the year were for the whole cost of the lift and theTrustees consider that it is is appropriate to transfer this amount to General Reserves from which the payment of £6,664 was made in the previous year. With this exception, the Trustees consider that the onty restricted funds are tho* liable for retum rf unable to be spent The liability is extinguished when those funds are utilised as required. Fund name and purpose Balan Receipts in the year Payments In the year Transfers in the year Balance clf Repairs to The Tower 11.804 2,216 (8,988) 600 Total for Designated funds 11,804 8,988 600 Wilcox Trust The Wilcox Trust was estsblished in Australia on 3 March 1916 to give financial assistance towards providing a Manse for the Minister, using the investment income received in the year which was £101 (2023 £167). This is included in the figure for Bank interest and investment income on page 5. The Trustees of the church have no influence over the management of the Trust or of the distn"bution of the investment income. Consequently, the Trustees do not consider The Wilcox Trust to be an endowment fund belonging to the church, Page 7
ST NEOTS UNITED REFORhlED CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted Designated Funds Funds Restricted Funds Total for 2024 Total for 2023 3 Fundraising and donation8 Repairs to the Tower The Collaboration Choir The Benefact Trust Other donations Replacement of the lift Grant from Eastem Synod of the URC Grant from St Neots Town Counal The Bernard Sunley Foundation The Garfield Weston Foundation The Benefact Trust Other donations Christmas Tree Festival Gift Day Saturday and Sunday coffee Craft Group Spring Fayre Other donations and fundraising events Bequest from Tom Busby Bequest from Mike Colsell Donations for Newsletter (Outreach) 600 600 900 1,000 8,587 5,000 5,000 2,500 900 350 1,295 3,155 2,897 505 778 2,574 1,295 3,155 2,897 505 778 2,574 6,645 2,462 616 817 2,267 2,064 1,000 232 11,804 11,804 40,340 4 Monies raised for outslde causes {Restricted Fund) 'Youth for Chrisf, Appeal 180 180 180 180 S Manse costs Manse repairs 70 70 6 Interlm Moderatorfs I Worship Leaderfs expenses Interim Moderator Worship Leader 93 93 298 135 73 391 391 208 Page 8
ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted Designated Funds Funds Total Total for 2024 for 2023 7 Church running costs Insurance Heat, light and water Bookings Secretary Postage, stationery and telephone Legal and professional fees Communications ( Itc£n$ & broadband) Advertising 6.004 5.782 1.347 32 6,004 5,782 1.347 32 5,384 6,069 1,171 13 540 983 1,007 113 1,007 113 14,285 14,285 14,160 8 Outreach Pulpit Supply (see Note 16) Donations - Foodbank, CTSN. Actios Newsletter Worship materials 1.518 1,518 885 582 1,349 820 536 58 582 2,985 2,985 2,763 9 Support for outslde causes (rnstricted fund) 'Youth for Chrisf, Appeal 180 180 180 180 10 Malntenanca of church building Electrical repairs Maintenance contracts Plumbing repairs other repairs and maintenance New capital items and replaments Roofing repairs Lightning conductortest 3.389 1.243 1.280 835 1,242 5,244 3.389 1.243 1,280 835 1.242 5.244 232 1.199 175 504 13,233 13,233 2,957 11 Special projects Repairs to the Tower Replacement of the lift 2,179 2.179 7,676 15,699 2,179 2,179 23,375 Page 9
ST NEOTS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 12 Monetary assets The church monies are not held in separate bank accounts, but for the sake of clarity in these accounts the total of each account is allocated appropriately over the various funds. 13 Assets used for church purposes The church building and the shop unit are vested in URC Eastern Synod Trust as trUStS and are not church assets. They are held for the benefrt of St Neots United Refomed Church in accordan with the statutory trusts applicable to URC properties under the URC Acts. The valuations for the year ended 31 December 2024 are the insured values as at 25 March 2025. The twstees consider that these values are more relevant to these accounts than the insured values at 25 March 2024. The comparative figures shcw the insured values at 25 March 2024. 14 Assets held for church purposes URC Eastem Synod has not advised the church of any amount it ¥vas holding on behalf of the ¢hur¢h at 31 December 2024 (2023 £nil). The use of any such money would be decided by the Church 15 Rent deposlt account The lease of the shop at 20 Moores Walk was renewed in 2021 for 25 years. The tenant has paid a rent deposit currently standing at £3,610.00 (2023 £3,535.92). The money is held in a separate bank account. The tenant is entitled to the interest. The Trustees consider that the rent deposit account should not be included within these accounls as they do not expect the title to the amount in the rent deposf( account to pass to the church. q6 Payments to Trustees In the absence of a Minister the Trustees have arranged for worship to be led by church members and visiting preachers. A preaching fee of £40 plus travelling expenses is offered to everyone who leads worship. Mrs J Gibbs led worship on 11 (2023.15) separate casIOnS and was paid a total of £440 (2023: £522) during the year. None of the Trustees reCe1ved any payment for acting as Trustees. 17 Segregation of duties The Trustees are satisfied that there is an adequate system of intemal control. including segregation of duties and scrutiny over the income and expenditure of the church. Page 10
Unlted Refofmed Chur£h High Street, ST NEOTS, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1 BN 31 March 2025 Mr G Round BFP FCA The Maples Fydell Court, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1UJ Dear Sir, St Neots United Refornied Church: accounts for the year ended 31 Docember 2024 In accordance with the requirements of The General Directions, issued by the Chanty Commission, we are writing to confirm the following matters relating to your Independent Examination of the accounts and the accounting records in respect of the year ended 31 December 2024. All of the accounting records of St Neots United Refornd Church (Yhe church"), together wtth any other information which we reasonably feel might be relevant to your examination. have been made available to you. The accounting records coThectly reflect all of the receipts and payments for the church for the year. 2. We are satisfied that we have put in place and maintained adequate intemal financial controls. 3. We acknowledge our responsibilty to prepare accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act. 4. We are satisfied that the church is not required to prepare acctuals accounts or to have the accounts audited. 5. We confirm that the Unrestricted, Designated and Restricted Funds are correctty reported. We confirm that there are no Endowed Funds that need to be reported in the accounts. 6. The Trustees consider that the church has sufficient financial resources and anticipated income to enable it to meet its known and antF¢ipated commitments as they fall due for payment for a period of tsvelve months from the date of this letter. 7. We are not aware of any breaches of the constitution of the church. nor of any lrtigation, erther actÉve or anticipated, against the church or any other claim upon the assets of the thurch up to the date of this letter. 8. We are not aware of any matter that should be disclosed in the Report of the Trustees or the accounts that has not been appropriately disclosed therein. Signed on behalf of the Trustees Mrs Jenny Gibbs Church Secretary and Church Leader