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2020-12-31-accounts

Highgate United Reformed Church Report and Accounts

year ended 31st December 2020

HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Highgate United Reformed Church Pond Square Highgate London N6 6BA GOVERNING DOCUMENT Trusts distilled from the United Reformed Church Acts (1972 & 1981) and Scheme of Union (1972) 01/01/1973 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1131691 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Beth Chaudhary MANAGING THE CHARITY Rowena Courtney Robert Gorrie Dietrich Hauptmeier (Appointed October 2020) CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES URC Thames North Synod Trust KEY MANAGEMENT Rev David Currie INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jacob Farley ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Page 2-4 Trustees' Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 8-9 Notes

1

HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Objects of the charity

Thecharity, which is a church, is governed by Trusts distilled from the United Reformed Church Acts (1972 & 1981) and Scheme of Union (1972) 01/01/1973. It is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation. Thepurposeofthechurch, as defined in it's charitableobjectives is: Theadvancement of theChristian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Union of the United Reformed Church.

In planning the activities the Trustees and Elders have regard to theguidance on public benefit issued by the Charities Commision. During the past year the Church has continued its pursuit of this purpose by making availableto thepublic opportunities for Public Worship every Sunday of theyear, and additionally on special occasions as required by the Christian Calendar. When possible Worship has taken place in the Church building but in the faceof thegovernment restrictions on public gathering and public worship implemented as part ofefforts to control the spread of theCoronavirus theChurch has made availableservices and worship on line. The Church, through its minister and, within the government guidelines and restrictions in placeat any given time, its facilities, is availablefor baptisms, weddings and funerals to anyonewhom the Minister and Elders considers makes a genuine request for such services. Highgate United Reformed Church is active in encouraging its members and congregation to represent, individually, the intentions of the Church in the particular contributions they make not only to the immediate community, but also through paid or voluntary activity to the wider community.

In addition to public worship the Church and its congregation support weekly Bible Study meetings in members homes, periodic Bible Study after worship, and a weekly Christian Meditation Group in theChurch. As with Public Worship theseactivities havetaken placeon lineduring periods when Coronavirus restrictions have prevented face to face physical gatherings. The Church and its congregation are also active in practical support to the local community through financial contributions and volunteering with the Highgate Newtown Community Centrewith whom, when Coronavirus restrictions allow, a weekly Community Lunch is hosted and space provided for a Toddler Group, and Pathway which takes the Christian message into local schools. The C4WS Homeless Shelter, normally hosted on nights over the winter, was forced by the Coronavirus restrictions to operate this year from a single venue in central London. The Church made a financial contribution to C4WS.

2

Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements

2020 was dominated by the impact of Coronavirus and the restrictions which came from government efforts to control its spread. This impact began for our Minister when he had to change holiday plans at the last minute and catch one of the last flights out of Australia before lockdown. The Church building was closed for Worship but by adopting the Zoom platform immediately on line services were conducted from the following week and the childrens “Sunday’s Cool” shortly thereafter. These have both been very well received and widely supported with attendees joining from several other countries and participant numbers larger than recent physical congregations. Partly in response proper camera and streaming equipment was successfully installed in the Church, together with additional microphones. Virtual meetings became very important for the congregation during periods of lockdown and isolation, and the sense of fellowship and friendship has been enhanced by Sunday Evening Discussion Groups and the occasional Friday Night Social event. Despite the restrictions and difficulties of the year the Church has been strengthened by the appointment of a new Elder & Trustee and by a number of new members joining which has taken membership to its highest number for more than a decade. The project to refurbish the kitchen to better enable support for the Community Lunch was successfully completed with more than 50% of the cost covered by grants.

Financial review

Receipts for the year were £151k, £42k down on 2019. This was a principally due to a £36k (40%) fall in Church Lettings due to Coronavirus restrictions. The Ballet and the Nursery were both closed for a term and there was a 60% drop in other lettings. 2019 receipts were boosted by theinclusion ofmost ofthe £14k one off funding grants received for the Kitchen enhancement project. 2020 receipts were supported by some generous one off giving and an additional Gift Aid claim.

Payments for 2020 were£164k, a decreaseof£20k on 2019. Principal reductions were£9k lower professional fees inflated in 2019 due to Elthorne Road, £4k lower Administration Services due to reduced use of the buildings in lock down, and £7k lower Giving by the Church in order to reduce the size of the potential financial loss for the year. The £30k contribution to the URC Ministry & Mission was maintained. 2020 payments do includea £5k investment in equipment to support high quality on line streaming of worship and other events from the Church.

Theoverall result for 2020 was a loss of£13k which, as weare reporting on a Receipts and Payments basis, has resulted in a reduction in cash of £13k.

The charity has a budget to breakeven in 2021. This assumes a return to historic income levels while maintaining themajority of expenditureitems at 2020 levels. The budget assumptions for church lettings are likely optimistic and thereforeit is morelikely thecharity will again makea small loss in 2021. The trustees are continueto monitor incomeand expenditureand, ifit becomes necessary, will take measures to mitigatethe impact of COVID-19 on the charity’s free reserves.

Reserves policy

The Reserves Policy is to hold 50% of annual expenditure as a reserve. Currently this Reserve is set at £66k. Total payments in 2020 were£164k. £19k were from restricted funds leaving £145k unrestricted. £32k relate to the direct employment of a full time Minister which cost is supported by the designated Future Ministry Fund set up to fund the direct costs of the Charity employing its own full time Minister for theterm oftheir contract. This leaves 2020 General Fund payments of £113k. On that basis the Trustees consider that the general reserves remain at an appropriate level to enable the Church to continue its activities.

3

Governance & Organisational Structure

The Trustees meet as Elders, with the Minister, most months. Elders are appointed following a discernment process that ends with confirmation, or not, by Church Meeting. Elders also become Trustees. Under the leadership of the Minister Elders haveresponsibility for the management of theChurch delegated to them by Church Meeting which is thesovereign body. Church meetings areusually convened quarterly although when issues arise requiring more immediate consideration and decision additional meetings are called. TheElders delegate particular matters concerned with the upkeep and refurbishment of Church properties to the Management Committee. This Committee meets most months and when appropriate or helpful joint meetings with Elders are held.

Responsibilities of trustees

Charity law requires us as Trustees to preparefinancial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

Approval

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

………………………………………………………..

ROBERT GORRIEROBERT GORRIE

23/05/21 Date:_____

4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

I report to thetrustees on my examination oftheaccounts ofHighgate United Reformed Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2020 on pages 6 to 9 following.

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 2011 Act’).

I report in respect ofmy examination ofthecharity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the2011 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 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have cometo my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Jacob Farley ACA

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage EC1Y 8AB

26 MAY 2021

5

HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Unrestricted Funds
General Designated Restricted
Funds Funds Funds 2020 2019
Notes £ £ £ £ £
Income receipts
Donations & Legacies 20,836 - 3,100 23,936 19,635
Gift aid receipts 8,236 - - 8,236 4,155
Church Lettings 55,172 - - 55,172 91,520
Elthorne Road 60,000 - - 60,000 60,000
Fund Raising Events - - - - 2,955
Grants - - 2,000 2,000 12,100
Other 1,946 - - 1,946 2,981
Total receipts 146,191 - 5,100 151,291 193,346
Payments
Payments in relation to charitable activities
undertaken directly		 2 73,557 31,610 18,263 123,430 137,411
Contribution to URC Ministry & Mission
Fund		 30,000 30,000 30,000
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities
undertaken by others 3 6,000 - 4,395 10,395 17,075
Total payments 109,557 31,610 22,658 163,825 184,486
Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers
36,633 (31,610) (17,558) (12,535) 8,860
Transfers between funds 5 - 50,000
 50,000 - - -
Net movement in funds - 13,367
 18,390 - 17,558
 - 12,535
 8,860
Cash funds as at last year end 70,162 137,335 18,431 225,929 217,069
Cash funds at this year end A 56,795 155,726 873 213,394 225,929

The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.

6

HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes
A
Cash funds
Cash at bank with immediate access
Notice deposits
Petty cash
B
Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
C
Liabilities
Trade Creditors
Debtors & Prepayments
Fee for Independent Examination		 General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
56,795
155,726
-
-
-
-
56,795
155,726
3,625
-
-
-
3,625
-
1,083
-
15,000
-
1,200
-
17,283
-
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
£
873
-
-
873
750
-
750
-
-
-
-		 2020
£
213,394
-
-
213,394
4,375
-
4,375
1,083
15,000
1,200
17,283		 2019
£
225,929
-
-
225,929
4,144
4,757
8,901
853
18,520
2,000
21,373

D Assets retained for charity's own use

Freehold Property: theTrustees ofthechurch, manse buildings, and theElthorne Road property, arethe URC Thames North Synod Trust who hold them upon trust for purposes connected with HighgateURC. Expenditureincurred on thechurch and manse is written offin theyear it is incurred.

For insurance purposes the church buildings are insured by the church for £8,833,700 and the manse for £1,000,000. The church contents are insured by the church for £142,579. Elthorne Road is insured for £2,217,043 with the premium paid by the tenant.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf

Approval

------------ROBERT GORRIE 23/05/21

The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.

7

HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprisea statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicableaccounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds compriseunrestricted funds that havebeen set asideby thetrustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which areto beused in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Ministerial Costs (see note 2(a))
Administration Services
Cost of Church Activities (see note 2(b))
Legal & Professional Fees
Independent examination
Other costs
Ministerial Employment
Pulpit Supply
Ministerial Expenses
Manse Costs
Manse Maintenance
2
(b)
Cost of Church Activities comprise:
Church
Insurance
Utilities
Maintenance
Cleaning & Refuse
Organists & Music
Equipment Purchased
Other Running Costs
Junior Church Leader
Junior Church Costs
Training
Communications
Office Equipment & Supplies
Printing, Postage, Advertising, Computer
Telephones
3
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Pathway
Barnabas
HNCC
C4WS
Other		 Unrestricted Fun
General
funds
£
4,846
9,569
50,129
7,213
1,080
722
73,557
-
350
540
3,074
882
4,846
6,685
7,457
9,288
8,701
4,459
3,744
1,208
41,541
4,069
730
141
4,940
106
2,586
955
3,648
6,000
-
-
-
-
6,000		 ds
Designated
funds
£
31,610
-
-
-
-
-
31,610
31,610
-
-
-
-
31,610
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
18,263
-
-
-
18,263
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,100
413
-
3,750
-
18,263
-
-
-
-
-
1,598
2,797
4,395		 Total
2020
£
36,455
9,569
68,392
7,213
1,080
722
123,430
31,610
350
540
3,074
882
36,455
6,685
7,457
23,388
9,114
4,459
7,494
1,208
59,804
4,069
730
141
4,940
106
2,586
955
3,648
6,000
-
-
1,598
2,797
10,395		 Total
2019
£
53,505
13,855
50,922
16,599
1,500
1,030
137,411
30,710
650
867
2,953
18,325
53,505
6,909
8,213
9,077
9,642
4,823
309
1,497
40,470
5,242
609
204
6,055
557
2,715
1,125
4,397
8,000
2,500
886
3,248
2,441
17,075

8

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

4 Transactions with related parties

TheCharity employs D Currieas theFull timeMinister for theChurch. Heis not a Trusteeof theCharity. Thecosts ofhis employment, and in respect ofthe provision of accommodation (which is customary for ministers) so that they can better perform their duties, is shown in note 2 (a) above.

The total of donations funded by Trustees and related parties was £7,755 (2019 £5,110)

5 Movement of funds

vement of funds
General funds
Designated funds
Future Ministry
Reserves
Total Unrestricted General Funds
Restricted funds
C4WS
Hope Christmas Lunch
Other Charity Collections
Service Streaming Equipment
Grants for Kitchen Refurbishment
Total funds		 Balance at
31 Dec 2019
£
70,162
71,335
66,000
137,335
207,498
3,012
2,797
522
-
12,100
18,431
225,929		 Receipts
£
146,191
-
-
-
146,191
30
-
70
3,000
2,000
5,100
151,291		 Payments
£
109,557
-
31,610
-
-
31,610
-
141,167
-
2,011
-
2,797
-
-
3,750
-
14,100
-
22,658
-
163,825
-		 Transfers
£
50,000
-
50,000
-
50,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance at
31 Dec 2020
£
56,795.41
89,726
66,000
155,726
212,521
1,030
-
592
750
-
-
873
213,394

The two Designated Funds are firstly the Future Ministry Fund which is comprised of monies set aside to fund the payment of full time ministerial leadership, and secondly the monies set aside to meet the objectives of the Reserve Policy described in the Trustee Report.

The £50,000 transfer from General Funds to the Future Ministry Fund was agreed at the AGM on 12th July 2020. Another transfer will likely be proposed at 2021 AGM. The Restricted funds represent monies collected or received for particular causes or charities. The additional Grant received was from Beatrice Laing. The funds owed on the Service Streaming Equipment represent Gift Aid on the donations which will be claimed in 2021.

9