Highgate United Reformed Church Report and Accounts
year ended 31st December 2023
HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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 Zacky Choo Rowena Courtney (Resigned March 2023) Robert Gorrie Thomas Jenkins (Appointed March 2022) Iveta Olejkova (Appointed December 2023) CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES URC Thames North Synod Trust KEY MANAGEMENT Rev Jonathan Abernethy-Barkley INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA CA 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
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HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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 Commission. 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 theChristian Calendar. TheChurch , through its minister and its facilities, is available for baptisms, weddings and funerals to anyone whom 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, also available to view on-line, the Church and its congregation support regular Bible Study meetings in members homes or in the Church building, and a Christian Meditation Group meets on-line. TheChurch and its congregation are also active in practical support to thelocal community through financial contributions and volunteering hosting a weekly Community Lunch and through support of the Pathway organisation which takes the Christian message into local schools. The C4WS Homeless Shelter, is hosted on nights over thewinter, and staffed by volunteers. TheChurch also made a financial contribution to C4WS.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
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2023 was the first full year of Jonathan Abernethy-Barkley's Ministry and leadership of our Church. The Elders and Trustees would like to express their thanks to Jonathan for the energy, enthusiasm and leadership in his ministry. In March one of our senior Elders and Trustees, Rowena Courtney, stood down after many years of service and leadership. The congregation, elders and Minister all joined in expressing their thanks. It was also with many thanks that we welcomed Iveta Olejkova who agreed to join the Eldership and become a Trustee at the end of the year. Since the departure of our previous Junior Church leader in October 2022 various different approaches have been undertaken in search of appropriate leadership, including conversations with potential partners. In 2023 we were delighted to discover the solution was one of our own young adherents whose enthusiasm and talent is much appreciated by her students and their parents. In 2023 the partnership with Highgate Newtown Community Partnership to run a Community Lunch in the church once a week came to an end. Determined to continue this outreach to the community the Church applied for a grant from the National Lottery, was successful, and has successfully put in place a weekly Community Lunch of its own which has been running since the start of 2024. In 2023 C4WS extended their use of our building for the Winter Shelter to the whole season with half the period managed by volunteers from another north London church. In 2023 we became a monthly drop off venue for the "Baby Bank" organisation. To date this has been popular and successful.
Financial review
Receipts for the year were £154k. This was £8k down on 2022. Church lettings income fell by £14k reflecting theresidual impact ofthe Nursery tenant ofthe church hall that went into voluntary insolvency in July 2021 offset by increased activity from other users. At the end of 2023 the Church received an £8k grant from the National Lottery towards the costs of running a Community Lunch Programme in 2024.
Total payments for 2023 were £152k, down £10k on 2022. Most categories of expense were broadly unchanged on the previous year. There was maintenance expenditure in the chapel on new lighting and decoration in the lobby and hall. Some roofrepairs werecarried out in 2023 and this will bean area needing further attention over the next few years. The budget for 2023 had forecast a potential deficit of £28k. As a result the decision was taken to reduce Charitable Giving from Church Funds to £5k from £9k in 2022.
Overall there was a small surplus of £1k for 2023, very similar to the deficit of £1k in 2022. The 2023 result compared to what had been an assumed deficit budget ofmore than £28k. Theprincipal favourablevariances were the unbudgeted success with securing the £8k National Lottery grant towards the 2024 Community Lunch Programme, saving on budgeted professional fees from continuing to defer any new tenant for thehall, lower than feared increases in utility costs, and the decision to restrict Charitable Giving from Church funds.
Thecharity has a budgeted loss of £5k in 2024. This broadly assumes no significant changes from theactivity, receipts and costs of 20223. The trustees will continue to monitor the financial position and will manage controllable expenditure commitments and decisions on the use of space in the building in that context.
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 2023 were £152k. £33k relate to the direct employment of a full time Minister which cost is supported by the designated Future Ministry Fund. The 2023 balance of expenditurewas £119k and as such the Trustees view the current level of General Reserves as appropriate.
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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 Gorrie
Robert Gorrie (Oct 11, 2024 11:02 GMT+1)
………………………………………………………..
ROBERT GORRIE
Date:_____Oct 11, 2024
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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 2023 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
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.
Archie McDowall
11 Oct 2024
Archie McDowall (Oct 11, 2024 13:53 GMT+1)
Archie McDowall BA CA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage EC1Y 8AB
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HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted | Funds | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Restricted | |||||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Income receipts | |||||||||
| Donations & Legacies | 14,358 | - | 2,455 | 16,813 | 18,160 | ||||
| Gift aid receipts | 3,985 | - | - | 3,985 | 4,454 | ||||
| Church Lettings | 60,665 | - | - | 60,665 | 74,341 | ||||
| Elthorne Road | 60,000 | - | - | 60,000 | 60,000 | ||||
| Fund Raising Events | - | - | - | - | 3,533 | ||||
| Grants | - | - | 8,180 | 8,180 | - | ||||
| Other | 4,234 | - | - | 4,234 | 1,831 | ||||
| Total receipts | 143,242 | - | 10,635 | 153,877 | 162,319 | ||||
| Payments | |||||||||
| Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
2 | 81,381 | 33,394 | 952 | 115,726 | 121,710 | |||
| Contribution to URC Ministry & Mission Fund |
30,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
| Grants paid in relation to charitable activities | |||||||||
| undertaken by others | 3 | 5,000 | - | 1,660 | 6,660 | 11,100 | |||
| Total payments | 116,381 | 33,394 | 2,612 | 152,387 | 162,810 | ||||
| Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers | |||||||||
| 26,861 | (33,394) | 8,023 | 1,490 | (491) | |||||
| Transfers between funds | 5 | (33,394) | 33,394 | - | - | - | |||
| Net movement in funds | - | 6,533 |
- | 8,023 | 1,490 | - | 491 |
||
| Cash funds as at last year end | 81,115 | 174,116 | 1,195 | 256,426 | 256,917 | ||||
| Cash funds at this year end | 74,582 | 174,116 | 9,218 | 257,916 | 256,426 |
The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.
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HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access 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 £ £ 74,582 174,116 74,582 174,116 1,875 - 700 - 2,575 - 1,479 - 16,018 - 1,200 - 18,697 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 9,218 9,218 - - - - - - - |
2023 £ 257,916 257,916 1,875 700 2,575 1,479 16,018 1,200 18,697 |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256,426 | ||||
| 256,426 | ||||
| 2,800 1,815 |
||||
| 4,615 | ||||
| 1,894 15,420 1,200 |
||||
| 18,514 |
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 a declared value £9,834,615 and the manse for £1,000,000.
The church contents are insured by the church for £185,420. Elthorne Road is insured for £2,632,074 with the premium paid by the tenant.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
Approval
Robert Gorrie Oct 11, 2024 Robert Gorrie (Oct 11, 2024 11:02 GMT+1) ------------ROBERT GORRIE
The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.
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HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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 Community Lunch 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 £ 6,726 9,753 62,373 604 1,140 786 81,381 - 100 360 4,159 2,106 6,726 8,420 7,003 21,896 8,012 5,580 404 4,833 1,125 57,273 493 1,188 156 1,837 134 1,851 1,278 3,263 2,500 1,500 - 1,000 - 5,000 |
ds Designated funds £ 33,394 - - - - - 33,394 33,394 - - - - 33,394 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Restricted Funds £ - - 952 - - - 952 - - - - - - - - - - - - 271 681 952 - - - - 57 698 905 1,660 |
Total 2023 £ 40,120 9,753 63,325 604 1,140 786 115,726 33,394 100 360 4,159 2,106 40,120 8,420 7,003 21,896 8,012 5,580 404 5,104 1,806 58,225 493 1,188 156 1,837 134 1,851 1,278 3,263 2,500 1,500 57 1,698 905 6,660 |
Total 2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40,719 10,760 66,098 2,060 1,050 1,023 |
|||||
| 121,710 | |||||
| 27,324 400 6,506 2,298 4,191 |
|||||
| 40,719 | |||||
| 7,098 6,750 22,344 10,719 5,482 53 143 4,917 |
|||||
| 57,507 | |||||
| 2,494 656 84 |
|||||
| 3,234 | |||||
| 166 3,998 1,193 |
|||||
| 5,357 | |||||
| 6,000 1,500 - 2,130 1,470 |
|||||
| 11,100 |
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HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
4 Transactions with related parties
The Charity employs J Abernethy-Berkley as the Full time Minister 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 £5,080 (2022 £7,680)
| 5 Movement of funds General funds Designated funds Future Ministry Reserves Total Unrestricted General Funds Restricted funds C4WS Other Charity Collections Churches Together in Highgate Community Lunch Programme Total funds |
Balance at 31 Dec 2022 £ 81,115 108,116 66,000 174,116 255,231 698 57 440 - 1,195 256,426 |
Receipts £ 143,242 - - - 143,242 1,236 1,219 - 8,180 10,635 153,877 |
Payments £ (116,381) (33,394) - (33,394) (149,775) (1,379) (1,233) - - (2,612) (152,387) |
Transfers £ (33,394) 33,394 - 33,394 - - - - - - - |
Balance at 31 Dec 2023 £ 74,582 108,116 66,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174,116 | |||||
| 248,698 | |||||
| 555 43 440 8,180 |
|||||
| 9,218 | |||||
| 257,916 |
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 themonies set asideto meet theobjectives oftheReservePolicy described in theTrusteeReport. The£33,394 transfer from General Funds was made to reflect costs of Ministry paid in 2023.
The Restricted funds represent monies collected or received for particular causes or charities.
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