ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ROMSEY CHARITY
Registered No 1132706
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ROMSEY CHARITY Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2021
Page 1 – Introduction
The accounts are presented in a format that follows the requirements of the accounting regulations introduced by the Financial Reporting Standard for Charities (SORP FRS 102) with an annual income of less than £250,000 and interpreted, as approved, for religious orders. The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements
Pages 2-6 – Trustees Annual Report
These pages contain the annual report of the Trustees, which cover the following aspects: Administration, Organisation structure, Objectives, Achievements and Financial Review.
Page 7 – Balance Sheet
This page shows the Church’s assets and liabilities. The “tangible fixed assets”, comprising the church, hall, manse and caretaker’s residence, being vested in the United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust Limited as trustee, are not capitalized into the accounts
Page 8 – Statement of Financial Activities
This statement is a receipts and payments account and combines all of the Church’s funds together. It shows separate columns for the General Funds, Designated Funds and Restricted Funds, all of which are shown in detail on the subsequent pages.
Page 9 – General Fund
The General Fund represents the funds that can be used for any purpose without restriction. 2021 income/expenditure is compared with that for the previous year.
Pages 10 & 11 – Designated Funds and Restricted Funds
The Suspense Fund is the only Designated Fund. It is the aggregate of bequests, which do not have any restrictions on their use. The Church is free to bring such resources back into the General Funds if so wished.
Restricted Funds are those that can only be used for the purpose specified at the time the funds were received. They include: the Communion Fund (set aside for the assistance of those in hardship and used at the discretion of the Minister of the Church), the TWW Fund (a bequest by a former organist of the Church for the replacement/refurbishment of the organ), the Organ Fund (also for the replacement/refurbishment of the organ).
Page 12 – Notes to the Accounts
These notes provide technical information about the basis of preparation of the accounts.
Page 13 – Report by the Independent Examiner
This independent examination of the accounts is a requirement of the Charities Act 2011. Whilst less comprehensive than an audit, it is designed to be suitable for an organisation of the Church’s type and size.
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Trustees Annual Report for year ended 31 December 2021
The trustees present the annual report and accounts for Abbey United Reformed Church for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Reference and Administration
| Charity name | Abbey United Reformed Church Romsey Charity |
|---|---|
| Charity Registration No. | 1132706 |
| Contact Address | Abbey URC Romsey |
| The Abbey | |
| Romsey | |
| Hants SO51 8EL |
|
| www.abbeyurc.org.uk | |
| email: revd.mike13@gmail.com | |
| Trustees | The list of all trustees who served during 2020 and during 2021 until the |
| date of approval of this report in alphabetical order is as follows:- | |
| Sarah Beaman | |
| Angela Bevan | |
| Gillian Coates | |
| Carole Cox | |
| Derek Hiscocks | |
| Mike Perrott | |
| Shirley Smith | |
| Minister | Mike Perrott |
| Independent Examiner | Vantage Accounting |
| 6, St. Cross Road | |
| Winchester | |
| Hants. | |
| SO23 9HX | |
| Bankers | Nat West Bank plc |
| Market Place | |
| Romsey | |
| Hants | |
| SO51 8YS |
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Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The church is administered in accordance with the Governing Document issued by the United Reformed Church.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
Serving Elders and the Minister are the Charity Trustees. Elders are members of the church who have been chosen to serve because they have appropriate gifts and skills.
They are elected by Church Meeting and normally serve between one to three years after which they may seek re-election.
Organisational Structure
All members of the church constitute the Church Meeting which meets five times each year. Only church members may vote at the Church Meeting but non-members are welcome to attend.
Church Meeting lays down the procedures to be followed, which conform to the Scheme of Union of the United Reformed Church. The day to day running of the charity is delegated to the Elders Meeting.
The Elders’ Meeting is normally chaired by the Minister and generally meets monthly. The Elders Meeting is responsible for the spiritual affairs within the church as well as day to day operational matters and pastoral oversight of the congregation. Most affairs are delegated to their respective Committees which meet as required and report back to the Elders’ meeting who consider decisions as requested.
Abbey United Reformed Church, Romsey operates in Hampshire.
Objectives and Activities
The objective of the Charity 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 and has regard to the Charity’s Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The Charity provides regular public worship for all, promoting the Christian faith, teaching the faith to all ages, it offers training, nurture and activities for children and young people. It serves the community, giving pastoral care and support to members and others in need, particularly those in sickness, distress or poverty. It provides premises and resources for community groups and activities.
Due to the continuing Coronavirus Pandemic and resultant restrictions imposed on gatherings and services of worship, most of 2021 has seen a very different way of church life. As with so many other organisations, 2021 was a difficult year for Abbey United Reformed Church, Romsey.
Restrictions imposed because of the Pandemic meant that for most of the year our buildings were closed, or we were restricted in the activities they could offer. However, thanks to modern technology we were always able to offer a weekly Sunday service, with the first Sunday of each month also including the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Our monthly communion service in the more informal Page 3
setting of Abbey Hall Lounge also continued. During periods of shut down all these services were held on zoom, and all communion services necessitated the congregation providing their own bread and wine to reduce the risk of cross infection.
Our outreach activities were curtailed and at the end of the year we are beginning to evaluate how they can be resumed to be relevant to a different society than that enjoyed “pre-pandemic”. To ensure our fellowship remained in touch, revised arrangements continued to be offered for pastoral care and support through our pastoral networks.
A number of weddings and funerals were held during the year and many of the congregation, where possible continued to be actively involved in supporting other national and international charities outside of the church. The church continued to support other worthy causes wherever possible. The restrictions also meant that there were periods when our premises could not be used by groups wishing to hire them.
Our Minister and others also officiated at ten funeral services in the church or local crematoriums.
Achievements and Performance
In addition to our Minister leading services, worship has been led by lay Worship Leaders from within the congregation, other local churches and further afield. These included welcoming John Cooper from the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Chris Stratta from The Leprosy Mission.
We were able to hold our “Battle of Britain” services attended by representative from the Royal Air Force Association and Air Training Corps. We also welcomed Revd David Hinks, Lead Chaplain of HMP Winchester to our Prisoners Sunday Service in October.
We were pleased to offer our church facilities to the local Freedom Church, meeting weekly Sunday mornings in our hall whilst they were unable to use their usual meeting place. The also used the church for their Christmas Carol Service.
Unfortunately, due to increasing numbers of Covid sufferers, it was not possible to hold our traditional Christmas Candle-light service in the church, but, at short notice a zoom service was available in which people could participate.
Music during all these services was varied, using both piano and organ, as well as regularly having musical solos, further enhancing the worship.
Regular monthly Bible studies were held on zoom, these becoming weekly studies for Lent and other short periods when special themes were followed.
Attendances by young people were small in number, but the faithful few enjoyed some varied exploration of the Bible. Fund raising for their nominated charity A Rocha, also continued. We were fortunate during the summer to be able to hold services during which three young children were baptised.
Two lucky couples did manage to hold their weddings during the year, although several others again had to postpone their happy day to 2022.
Pandemic restrictions meant we continued to suspend some of our Outreach projects. These included Lunch Club for the lonely, Grand Fun for pre-school children and their carers, Table Tennis for activity,
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including several sessions each month for Dementia sufferers and their carers, and Badminton. Kettle’s On as a social gathering to meet new friends continued, but mainly by zoom. Linking in with the local Christian Bookshop who also receive used stamps on behalf of The Leprosy Mission we were able to present Chris Stratta with five boxes of used stamps and some stamp albums donated by the congregation and the townsfolk. Selling used stamps is a major source of fund raising for this charity.
Following the visit by Revd David Hinks, we started the process to register the church in Winchester Prison Welcome Directory. This directory is used to advise prisoners on their discharge which churches would welcome assisting them to readjust back to life in the community. Referrals are made to the Minister, in confidence, and are nor revealed to the wider congregation.
We were able to hold a Harvest Picnic in the local park to complement our Harvest Festival service. In the month before Advent, members of the congregation gradually collected bags of suggested items which resulted in 27 bags being given to Amber, a local charity supporting women entrapped into the sex trade, the Community Pantry, offering help to those on very limited budgets, and Romsey Young Carers supporting young people who provide care to older relatives.
Christmas special activities enabled donations to be sent to Crisis, the purchase of olive trees for Palestine. Toys were also donated to Southampton Social Services for distribution at Christmas. Throughout the year goods donated by the congregation were given to Romsey Food Bank and the Community Pantry. A small amount was also sent to Commitment for Life from donations for coffee served after the small number of services held in person.
The weekly News sheet and monthly church Magazine was sent to over 150 families and friends known to the church, with special Christmas cards being sent to those in Nursing Homes or known to be housebound. The Church Friends structure also helped keep pastoral news flowing with telephone calls being made when visits were not possible.
The Fabric of the church buildings, as always, offered its normal challenges but a Quinquennial review of the church and hall buildings was undertaken and its comments will be factored into the future maintenance programme.
Financial Review
The principal source of income is offerings made at church services and offerings by standing order made by members and attendees. Gift Aid is also claimed for donations made by taxpayers who have signed Gift Aid forms and the church also claims under the small donations scheme (GASDS). Total income for the year was £75,169, an increase of £20,314 from 2020. This large difference is mainly due to the receipt of an insurance claim of £9,000 for loss of income from letting our church and church hall in 2020 due to Covid 19 and the receipt of £16,658 from the sale of an investment of £10,034. The pandemic resulted in having to close the church and church hall for long periods though not as bad as 2020.
Outgoings reduced from £83,126 in 2020 to £75,460 in 2021 mainly due to lower property costs because of the closure of the church and church hall. We must focus on improving our day to day income and make further efforts to reduce costs.
Net fund balances at the end of 2021 were £158,254, a reduction of £291 from the £158,545 at the end of 2020.
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Reserves Policy
We would normally have aimed to have one year’s running costs in reserve but the large legacies and donations we have recently received have put our reserves above this level. The expenditure from reserves of £46,411 in 2015 highlights the need to make provision for future large outlays on our old buildings so the current level of our reserves is justified by the obligation we have to maintain and repair the old buildings, as well as the running costs to meet the objectives of the church.
In 2021 the General Fund reduced by £9,695, the Designated fund increased by £9,071 and the Restricted Fund increased by £333, an overall reduction of £291.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees:
Signature:
Full Name: Reverend Mike Perrott MA
Position: Minister & Chairman of Trustees
Date: 19[th] May 2022
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021
| 2020 | STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash Funds | ||
| 53,630.04 | National Savings | 53,635.40 |
| 16,129.94 | National Westminster Current Account | 29,191.87 |
| 5,142.07 | National Westminster Reserve Account | 1,142.35 |
| 4,504.80 | CAF current account | 4,408.80 |
| 79,406.85 | Total Cash Funds | 88,377.92 |
| Investments | ||
|---|---|---|
| 50,000.14 | M&G Charifund at Cost | 39,965.39 |
| (70,714.53) | Market value at 31December | (67,290.63) |
| 30,000.00 | CCLA COIF Ethical Investment at Cost | 30,000.00 |
| (32,238.04) | Market value at 31December | (37,036.04) |
| 80,000.14 | Total Investments | 69,965.39 |
| Liabilities | ||
| (360.00) | Outstanding music payments | |
| (502.00) | Magazine Advance Payments | (90.00) |
| (862.00) | Total Liabilities | (90.00) |
| 158,544.99 | NET ASSETS | 158,253.81 |
| REPRESENTING | ||
| 17,911.56 | General Funds | 8,216.26 |
| 118,142.19 | Designated Funds | 127,213.37 |
| 22,491.24 | Restricted Funds | 22,824.18 |
| 158,544.99 | 158,253.81 |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ROMSEY CHARITY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2021
| 2020 | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | General | Designated | Restricted | |
| Funds | Funds | Fund | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| 37,494.46 | Offerings including Gift Aid | 37,923.52 | 37,923.52 | ||
| 7,039.26 | Grants & Donations incl. Gift Aid | 11,579.28 | 8,549.28 | 3000.00 | 30.00 |
| 4,748.55 | Use of Premises | 7,260.81 | 7,260.81 | ||
| 1,545.19 | Fundraising | 1,014.32 | 1,014.32 | ||
| Collections for Others incl. Gift | |||||
| 1,389.14 | Aid | 775.70 | 775.70 | ||
| 1,044.00 | Manse maintenance grant |
||||
| 200.00 | Bank compensation | ||||
| Insurance claim | 9000.00 | 9000.00 | |||
| Gain from sale of Charifund Units | 6,623.27 | 357.60 | 5,280.50 | 985.17 | |
| 1,394.82 | Interest & dividends | 991.67 | 53.50 | 790.68 | 147.52 |
| 54,855.42 | Total Incoming resources | 75,168.60 | 64,159.03 | 9,071.18 | 1,938.39 |
| RESOURCES USED | |||||
| 42,636.00 | Ministry & Mission Contributions | 42,636.00 | 42,636.00 | ||
| 1,964.95 | Other Ministerial | 2,683.02 | 2,543.27 | 139.75 | |
| 31,082.41 | Premises Costs | 23,230.38 | 23,229.88 | ||
| 5,198.78 | Other Expenses | 5,445.18 | 5,445.18 | ||
| 1,889.14 | Donations to Charities | 775.70 | 775.70 | ||
| 355.00 | Piano & Organ | 690.00 | 690.00 | ||
| 83,126.28 | Total Resources Used | 75,459.78 | 73,854.33 | 0.00 | 1,605.45 |
| (28,270.86) | Net Incoming / (outgoing) | (291.18) | (9,695.30) | 9,071.18 | 332.94 |
| 186,815.85 | Balances at beginning of year | 158,544.99 | 17,911.56 | 118,142.19 | 22,491.24 |
| 158,544.99 | Balances at end of Year | 158,253.81 | 8,216.26 | 127,213.37 | 22,824.18 |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
GENERAL FUND
INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES USED
| INCOMING RESOURCES |
RESOURCES USED | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Offerings | Ministry | ||||
| Envelopes | 5,581.27 | 3,857.54 | M&M | 42,636.00 | 42,636.00 |
| Standing Orders | 22,612.00 | 25,963.00 | General Ministry | 301.51 | 1,052.12 |
| Loose Cash | 1,122.69 | 872.45 | Travel | 1,571.25 | 1,491.15 |
| Income Tax recovered | 8,178.50 | 7,230.53 | |||
| Premises Costs | |||||
| Donations | Manse Utilities | 1,182.79 | 1,392.08 | ||
| Individual & Community | 6,059.26 | 6,237.68 | Manse Council tax | 2,524.95 | 2,643.82 |
| Wedding & Funerals | 480.00 | 2,311.60 | Manse maintenance | 0.00 | 100.00 |
| Manse maintenance grant | 1,044.00 | 0.00 | Church Utilities | 2,634.48 | 1,778.39 |
| Church Insurance | 4,440.15 | 4,703.92 | |||
| Hall Lettings | 4,748.55 | 7,260.81 | Church Maintenance | 286.09 | 1,449.00 |
| Hall Utilities | 1,889.97 | 2,452.62 | |||
| Fundraising | Hall Insurance | 947.63 | 1,003.93 | ||
| Magazine | 1,049.45 | 797.32 | Hall Maintenance | 768.93 | 1,270.97 |
| Other fundraising | 495.74 | 217.00 | Caretaking | 4.404.25 | 3,178.90 |
| 1 Abbey Water Utilities | 638.11 | 368.63 | |||
| Other | 1 Abbey Water Insurance | 971.46 | 1,051.62 | ||
| Bank compensation | 200.00 | 1 Abbey Water Maintenance | 0.00 | 1,836.00 | |
| Insurance claim | 9,000.00 | ||||
| Gain from sale of Charifund | |||||
| Units | 357.60 | ||||
| Interest & Dividends | 224.62 | 53.50 | Other Expenses | ||
| Music | 1,681.88 | 2,254.65 | |||
| Administration & Other | 3,516.90 | 3,190.53 | |||
| Charity Donations | 500.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Total Incoming Resources | 51,796.08 | 64,159.03 | Total Resources Used | 70,896.35 | 73,854.33 |
| Deduct total resources used | 70,896.35 | 73,854.33 | |||
| Net incoming/(outgoing) | (19,100.27) | (9,695.30) | |||
| before transfers |
| Transfers to: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Designated Funds | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Restricted Funds | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total Transfers | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Net Incoming/(outgoing) | (19,100.27) | (9,695.80) |
| Balance in General Reserve | ||
| Fund at beginning of year | 37,011.83 | 17,911.56 |
| Balance in General | ||
| Reserve Fund at end of | 17,911.56 | 8,215.76 |
| year |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
DESIGNATED FUND
| 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Suspense | Suspense | |
| Fund | Fund | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||
| 500.00 | Legacies & Donations | 3,000.00 |
| Gain from sale of Charifund Units | 5,280.50 | |
| 982.82 | Interest & Dividends | 790.68 |
| 1,482.82 | Total Incoming resources | 9,071.18 |
| RESOURCES USED | ||
| 666.00 | Church electrical refurbishment | |
| 6,988.00 | Hall electrical refurbishment, vestibule & | |
| toilet redecoration, hall external painting | ||
| 633.60 | Manse electrical refurbishment | |
| 2,106.00 | 1 Abbey Water electrical refurbishment | |
| & external painting | ||
| 10,393.60 | Total Resources Used | 0.00 |
| (8,910.78) | Net Incoming / (outgoing) before | 9,071.18 |
| Transfers | ||
| 0.00 | Transfers | 0.00 |
| (8,910.78) | Net Incoming / (Outgoing) | 9,071.18 |
| 127,052.97 | Balances at beginning of year | 118,142.19 |
| 118,142.19 | Balances at end of year | 127,213.37 |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
RESTRICTED FUNDS
| 2020 | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Restricted | Communion | TWW | Organ | |
| Bequest | |||||
| Funds | Funds | Fund | Fund | Fund | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| 1,389.14 | Collections for Others inc. | 775.70 | 775.70 | ||
| Gift Aid | |||||
| Donations | 30.00 | 30.00 | |||
| Gain from sale of Charifund | 985.17 | 58.84 | 483.76 | 442.57 | |
| Units | |||||
| 187.38 | Interest & dividends | 147.51 | 8.81 | 72.44 | 66.27 |
| 1,576.52 | Total Incoming resources | 1,938.39 | 873.35 | 556.20 | 508.84 |
| RESOURCES USED | |||||
| 83.66 | Other Ministerial | 65.90 | 65.90 | ||
| 8.53 | Pastoral flowers (net) | 73.85 | 73.85 | ||
| 355.00 | Piano/Organ | 690.00 | 690.00 | ||
| 1,389.14 | Charity Donations inc gift | 775.70 | 775.70 | ||
| aid | |||||
| 1,836.33 | Total Resources Used | 1,605.45 | 915.45 | 0.00 | 690.00 |
| (259.81) | Net Incoming / (outgoing) | 332.94 | (42.10) | 556.20 | (181.16) |
| resources before Transfers | |||||
| Transfers | |||||
| (259.81) | Net Incoming/(Outgoing) | 332.94 | (42.10) | 556.20 | (181.16) |
| Resources | |||||
| 22,751.05 | Balances at beginning of | 22,491.24 | 1,220.64 | 11,040.94 | 10,229.66 |
| Year | |||||
| 381.05 | (inc, piano funds) | 26.05 | 26.05 | ||
| 22,491.24 | Balances at end of Year | 22,824.18 | 1,178.54 | 11.597.14 | 10,048.50 |
| 26.05 | (inc. piano funds) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
Notes to the Accounts
Note 1 – Accounting Policies
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice – “Accounting by Charities” with the exception of not including non-historic tangible assets.
1. Classification of Funds
Funds are classified according to the manner in which they are permitted to be spent.
The General Fund and the associated General Reserve Fund can be spent generally for furthering the religious and charitable work of the Church.
The only Designated Fund is the Suspense Fund. It is the aggregate of bequests or large donations to the Church that had not specified restriction on their use. This fund is used by the Church for sizable items of activity, which could be identified as being in memory of the donors. These funds can be returned to the General Fund at any time if the Elders or Church Meeting decide.
The Restricted Funds uses are limited to those purposes for which they were given, for example refurbishment of the organ, support of the needy, specific causes.
2. Tangible Fixed Assets
The Church, hall, manse and caretaker’s residence, being vested in the United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust Limited as trustee, are not capitalized into the accounts.
3. Investments
Investments are shown at cost and market value at 31[st] December.
4. Income and Expenditure
Income is included as cash when received.
Expenditure is recorded when payment is made.
5. Legacies/Donations
Income from legacies or donations is credited to the relevant fund in the year in which it is received. If not otherwise specified by the testator or donor, legacies are added to the Suspense Fund, donations mainly to the General Fund but on occasions to the Suspense Fund, if in the light of future plans it is deemed more appropriate by the trustees.
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
We report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year to 31st December 2021 as set out on pages 7
to 11 which have been prepared under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on
page 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As described on page 1, the charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements. You consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state on the basis of the procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5) of the Act whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiners report
Our 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 charity 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 your trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
-
1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act, have not been met; or
- 2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Vantage Accounting Services Limited Accountants
Date: 12.04.2022
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