Charity number: 1131868
# **ADEYFIELD FREE CHURCH HEMEL HEMPSTEAD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED**
**31ST MARCH 2024**
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC**
## **CONTENTS**
|**CONTENTS**|**PAGES**|
|---|---|
|Trustees and officers|3|
|Annual Report|4 to 5|
|Independent Examiner's Report|6|
|Statement of Financial Statements|7|
|Balance sheet|8|
|Notes to the financial statements account|9 to 13|
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC**
## **Directors and Officers**
|**Charity Number**|1131868||
|---|---|---|
|**The board of Trustees**|Reverend P Stein||
||H Lewis||
||S Ford||
||P Stuart||
||P Annison||
||D Kerry||
||B Jackson|Resigned 2023|
||S Grimsdale||
||Y Davis|Appointed April 2024|
|**Church secretary**|H Lewis||
|**Registered office**|Adeyfield Free Church Centre||
||Maylands Avenue||
||Hemel Hempstead||
||Hertfordshire||
||HP2 4GZ||
|**Accountants**|Gilberts||
||Chartered Accountants||
||& Registered Auditors||
||Pendragon House||
||65 London Road||
||St Albans||
||Hertfordshire||
||AL1 1LJ||
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC**
## **Annual Report for the Year Ended 31st March 2024**
## **Administrative Information**
Adeyfield Free Church (Registered Charity No. 1131868) is a local church of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain (URC), and is a member church of Thames North Synod of the URC. It operates in conformity with their Scheme of Union and Governing Document as well as a local constitution (recently undated). At local level activities are under the direction of church meeting consisting of 45 members who have affirmed their Christian faith and support the objectives of the church.
Adeyfield Free Church continue to feel the impact of the substantial increase in utility costs and the effects of the current Cost of Living on the whole country.
The Church Office telephone number is 01442 260175 and 07933 570594
The members of the Elders' Meeting for the time being are recognised as the charity trustees. Those who served this year are as follows:
Minister: Rev Paul Stein (50 % scoping with St George's URC, Hemel Hempstead) Church Secretary: Heather Lewis
Elder: Shirley Ford —Treasurer Elder: Penny Stuart Elder: Pamela Annison Elder: Dave Kerry Elder: Brian Jackson Elder: Sue Grimsdale
## **Structure and Governance**
Church Meetings are held bi-monthly in addition to an Annual General Meeting. During this year the Trustees (Elders) have held meetings approximately once a month, with additional meetings to update our constitution and to discuss the future of the church and fundraising. These meetings take the format of time for prayer and then the business needed to progress the many tasks required to administer our building alongside any other activities and church related matters.
The Elders are aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit (contained in Charity Commission publication "The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit") and has regard to it in the administration of the Church. The Elders believe that the Church provides benefit to the public by:
• providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for the congregation and for anyone else who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers
• promoting Christian values and service by members of the congregation to the community, for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
Rev Paul Stein has been our pastor since November 2022. AFC share Paul with our sister church St George's URC.
Public worship is held in person each Sunday in the worship hall and small groups have continued to meet either in individuals houses or using one of the church meeting rooms. The church has seen activities for young people, children and outreach to the community continue to evolve this year and it has been a joy to see more young people once again frequenting the building.
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC**
## **Annual Report for the Year Ended 31st March 2024**
## **Review of Activities**
As a local congregation of the United Reformed Church, Adeyfield Free Church seeks to advance the Christian religion through its activities and the facilities offered to the community by its building, and described more specifically in its mission statement as 'Love Jesus, Love each other and Love our community”.
Members of the church and adherents meet on Sunday mornings for worship, including communion on the second Sunday of the month. Young people’s groups meet during the service times. Once a month we hold an all age service often celebrating occasions like Mother’s day or Harvest Sunday, Nativity and Christingle. Various mid-week small groups, meeting either weekly or fortnightly, encourage people to spend time in a social setting where the Bible is studied and pastoral needs are prayed for.
In March 2024 we opened our Community Space adjacent to the reception area. This is open to the community on two days per week as a ‘Meet & Eat’ offering refreshments, a warm space, toddler play area, toy library and space for crafts and activities. One day per week a ‘Senior Pals’ group meets here for refreshments and activities. We hope to extend the use of this area over the next few years.
Fingerprints, our well established Christian pre-school and nursery, has had an increase in attendance of children this year, especially from the new housing local to the building. Counselling at AFC continues to establish itself in the community as an affordable counselling service.
We continue to support local charity, Playskill, who have their head office in our building and hold weekly sessions in term time working with children 0 to 5 years with physical disability needs. Cubs and Beavers continue to meet in the building and the groups are weII attended. The church was asked to run additional events for Easter and Christmas for cubs and beavers from across Hemel Hempstead. Additional groups are planned, including Squirrels which cater for 4-6 year olds.
The church partners with Expressions Academy, an organisation which runs various activities from our building including Art socials, Bible journalling, Fitsteps dance classes and a Rock-a-bye Babies group for young mothers. They hope to run more holiday clubs and activities for young people in the future.
The carers' and toddlers' 'stay and play' group, Little Fish, continues to flourish and has recently started a waiting list for those wishing to attend. They hope to be able to run an additional session soon.This year we have supported Hightown Housing with an event for our local community. Other community events include celebration meals for Christmas and a summer BBQ. It is hoped to open up for more community based activities. The AFC Centre also provides spaces for many community activities run by outside groups including U3A and fitness classes.
Our pastor and the pastoral team oversee pastoral care and support for members and their families as well as for individuals and groups in the wider community. Several groups sponsored by the church include a majority of people who are not otherwise connected with the church.
Adeyfield Free Church is a member of Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead and links with other churches in supporting initiatives including Pray Hemel, which meets monthly at different venues, Other community projects include Christians Against Poverty (CAP), Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter (DENS), Foodbank and Liberty Tea Rooms and Community Hub. Support continues for individuals and organizations elsewhere in the UK and abroad with similar mission objectives of promoting the Christian gospel and serving those in need.
## **Redevelopment of Adeyfield Church**
We continue to be grateful to North Thames Synod for their ongoing guidance, help and support both financially and in practical matters.
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Elders of Adeyfield United Reformed Church**
I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 30 April 2024, which are set out on pages 4 to 10.
## **Respective responsibilities of Elders and examiner**
The church's Elders are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church's Elders consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the church and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Elders concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no audit opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements
- of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Pendragon House 65 London Road St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 1LJ
Richard Hattrell Gilberts Chartered Accountant
Dated 31 Janaury 2025
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC Statement of Financial Activities For the period ended 31st March 2024**
|**Note**
**Income from :**
Donations from regular offerings
2
Other donations and grants
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Investments
6
**Total Income**
**Expenditure on :**
**Charitable activities**
Support of outside causes
8
Ministry and mission
9
Activities directly relating to
MANSE running costs
the work of the Church
10
Church Running costs
11
**Total Expenditure**
**Net Income for the Period**
**Gains and Losses on Investments**
Unrealised gains / (losses)
**Net Movement in Funds**
Fund transfers
**Balance brought forward at 1st April**
13
**Balance carried forward at 31st March**
13|**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**& Designated**
**Funds**
**£**
53,232
85,055
-
38,765
367
177,419
8,936
45,025
2,475
6,021
88,509
150,965
26,454
-
26,454
1,015
78,781
106,250|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
4,975
31,041
-
-
-
36,016
-
-
-
-
32,631
32,631
3,385
-
3,385
1,119
28,148
32,652|**2024**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
58,207
116,097
-
38,765
367
213,436
8,936
45,025
2,475
6,021
121,140
183,596
29,840
-
29,840
2,134
106,929
138,903|**2023**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
62,254
16,942
-
32,737
111,933
8,743
42,564
2094
3,836
77,697
134,933
(23,000)
-
(23,000)
10,316
119,613
106,929|
|---|---|---|---|---|
All recognised gains and losses for the year are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.
The notes on pages 7 to 11 form part of these accounts.
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC Balance Sheet As at 31st March 2024**
|**Note**
**Current Assets**
Stocks
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
**Liabilities: Amounts falling due**
**within one year**
15
**Net Current Assets**
**Net Assets**
**Funds**
16
Unrestricted
Restricted|2,950
138,903
141,852
-|**2024**
**£**
141,852
141,852
109,076
32,776
141,852|5,161
106,929
112,090
-|**2023**
**£**
112,090
112,090
82,699
29,391
112,090|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Approved by the Elders on 28 Janaury 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
P Stein - Elder
P Stuart - Elder
The notes on pages 7 to 11 form part of these accounts.
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 31st March 2024**
## **1 Accounting Policies**
## **a) Basis of Preparation**
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) and the Charities SORP applicable to Smaller Charities. They are prepared under historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value.
## **b) Income**
## _Voluntary income_
- Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the church.
- Planned giving receivable under gift aid is recognised only when received.
- Income tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised.
- Grants and legacies to the church are accounted for only when received.
- Funds raised by the church are accounted for gross.
## _Other income_
Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.
## _Income from investments_
Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting year.
## _Gains and losses on investments_
Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at the balance sheet date.
## **c) Expenditure**
## _Allocation of expenditure_
Expenditure is charged directly to the appropriate category where possible. Certain items of office overhead costs which cannot be allocated directly are apportioned between the categories on a basis reflecting the estimated split of resources used.
## **d) Fund Accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the church elders in the furtherance of its general objectives.
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restriction imposed by donors or by the purpose of the appeal.
## **f) Investments**
Investments are valued at market value at the balance sheet date, and are kept up to date such that when investments are sold there is no gain or loss arising. As a result the Statement of Financial Activities only includes unrealised gains and losses arising from the revaluation of the investment portfolio throughout the year.
## **g) Current Assets**
Amounts owing to the church at the balance sheet date in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.
Cash at bank includes short term deposits held either with the Lloyds and Santander.
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) For the period ended 31st March 2024**
|**2**
**Donations from regular offerings**
Planned giving:
Offerings and gift aid donations
Income tax recoverable on gift aid
**3**
**Other donations and grants**
Donations and grants received
Monies raised for named causes
Synod Support
Refund Salaries
**4**
**Charitable activities**
Trading Income
**5**
**Other trading activities**
Church lettings
Manse income
**6**
**Income from Investments**
Interest and dividends
**7**
**MANSE running costs**
Council Tax, Water rates, Gas and Electricity
Manse maintenance & Expenses
Manse insurance|**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**& Designated**
**Funds**
**£**
41,932
11,300
53,232
10,569
8,470
65,000
1,016
85,055
-
38,765
-
38,765
367
367
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
2,475
-
-
2,475|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
1,980
2,995
4,975
21,041
10,000
-
-
31,041
-
-
-
-
-
-
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-|**2024**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
43,912
14,295
58,207
31,611
18,470
65,000
1,016
116,097
-
38,765
-
38,765
367
367
**2024**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
2,475
-
-
2,475|**2023**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
53,468
8,786
62,254
10,742
6,186
-
14
16,942
-
32,737
-
32,737
-
-
**2023**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
2,094
-
-
2,094|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) For the period ended 31st March 2024**
|**8**
**Support of outside causes**
DENS
Discovery
Expressions
Christians Against Poverty
Youth Across Hemel
Evangelical Alliance
Hardship
Good News for All
Tearfund
Through the Roof
Coffeemates
Churches Together
Samaritan's Purse
Community Action
Daniel Gitau
Joel & Claire Harri
Paul & Rose Harvey
Community Hire Donation Refund
Named Causes
**9**
**Ministry and mission costs**
Ministry & Mission Fund
Ministry expenses
**10 Activities directly relating to**
**the work of the Church**
Youth & Children's activities
Worship and Teaching
Social Ministry & Church Events
Beavers and Cubs|**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**& Designated**
**Funds**
220
1,075
122
1,800
700
80
-
150
200
150
150
40
179
-
800
1,650
1,525
95
8,936
8,936
40,084
4,940
45,025
470
602
1,964
2,985
6,021|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**2024**
**Total**
**Funds**
220
1,075
122
1,800
700
80
-
150
200
150
150
40
179
-
800
1,650
1,525
95
8,936
8,936
40,084
4,940
45,025
470
602
1,964
2,985
6,021|**2023**
**Total**
**Funds**
290
1,138
340
1,800
-
80
-
80
200
150
150
-
-
-
800
1,850
1,525
340
8,743
8,743
35,350
7,213
42,564
299
442
451
2,645
3,836|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) For the period ended 31st March 2024**
|**11**
**Church Running costs**
Service Charge
Health and Safety
General Maintenance + Contracts
Cleaning
Gas/Electricity
Insurance
Water
Church/Cafe Business Rates
Telephone
Cleaning Supplies
Stationery and photocopying
Other admin expenses
Website and Social Media
Licences and music
Payroll / Pension Fees / PAYE Tax
Ch Improvements/Café
Admin/Cln/Ctr Mgr Pay|**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**& Designated**
**Funds**
6,573
1,109
5,307
-
32,208
3,177
881
2,303
1,473
348
2,278
491
405
723
1,914
2,153
27,166
88,509|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
-
-
793
-
-
-
-
-
-
290
-
-
-
-
-
31,548
-
32,631|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
6,573
1,109
6,100
-
32,208
3,177
881
2,303
1,473
638
2,278
491
405
723
1,914
33,701
27,166
121,140|**2023**
**Total**
**Funds**
4,715
1,650
7,844
329
18,739
2,804
597
6,862
1,360
329
554
2,618
536
628
487
7,729
19,915
77,697|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **12 Tangible Fixed Assets for Church Use**
The manse at 78 Poynders Hill was sold by the trust in August 2022. The proceeds of this sale are lodged with URC Thames North Synod Trust. The church building at Maylands Avenue was handed over to the church on 20[th] December 2019. The building is vested in URC Thames North Synod Trust as trustees and is not a church asset. The building is held on a 999 year lease from Hightown Housing Association. The Shell and Core of the building is insured by the landlord. Tenant’s Improvements to the building is valued for insurance purposes at £3,908,428 and is insured by the church. The church contents are insured, by the church, for £115,452.
## **13 MONETARY ASSETS**
The church monies are not held in segregated accounts, but for the sake of this financial statement the total of each account is allocated appropriately over the various funds.
|Alliance & Leicester
Lloyds TSB Current #1
Deposit Account
**14**
**Debtors**
Other debtors
Gift Aid recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income|**2024**
**£**
83,646
55,257
-
138,903
**2024**
**£**
-
2,950
-
2,950|**2023**
**£**
47,601
6,583
52,745
106,929
**2023**
**£**
-
5,161
-
5,161|
|---|---|---|
## **Adeyfield Free Church URC Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) For the period ended 31st March 2024**
|**15**
**Statement of Funds**
**Unrestricted Funds**
General fund
Designated funds
AFCC Inc
Names Causes
Youth Fund
Total unrestricted funds
**Restricted Funds**
Building Fund
Total restricted funds
Total funds|**1 April**
**2023**
**£**
14,414
14,137
6,042
48,106
82,699
29,391
29,391
112,090|**Income**
**£**
157,399
7,379
12,561
-
177,339
36,016
36,016
213,355|**Expenditure**
**£**
(139,455)
-
(11,507)
-
(150,962)
(32,631)
(32,631)
(183,593)|**Fund trfs**
**£**
21,516
(21,516)
-
-
-
-
-|**Inv. gains**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**31 March**
**2024**
**£**
53,874
-
7,096
48,106
109,076
32,776
32,776
141,852|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Designated Funds**
Designated Funds represent unrestricted funds set aside by the church for specific designated purposes; they can be transferred back into general funds at the church's decision.
## **Restricted Funds**
The restricted funds all derive from bequests to the church, which had restrictions to be applied to the uses of the funds. These are as follows:-
Building fund - to be used for the maintenance of the church building.
The restricted funds are wholly represented by cash and other net current assets.