ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ROMSEY CHARITY
Registered No 1132706
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ROMSEY CHARITY Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2025
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. 2024 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 and large donations, 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. In 2025’ a number of grants were received for buildings’ maintenance. Whilst these were specified for particular uses, they were fully utilised in year for those specified purposes so a new restricted fund was not created but these funds passed into and out of the Suspense fund.
Restricted Funds are those that can only be used for the purpose specified at the time the funds were received. They now 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) and 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.
Page 1
Trustees’ Annual Report for year ended 31 December 2025
The trustees present the annual report and accounts for Abbey United Reformed Church for the year ended 31 December 2025.
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 2025 and during 2026 until the date of approval of this report in alphabetical order is as follows:-
Sylvia Anderson-Lewis Sarah Beaman Angela Bevan Wai Chan Howard Coulson Carole Cox Mike Perrott
| Minister | Mike Perrott | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Examiner | Bell & Co. Chartered | Accountants | |
| Unit 1(c) | |||
| Chickenhall Lane | |||
| Eastleigh | |||
| Hants. | |||
| SO50 6PQ | |||
| Bankers | Nat West Bank plc | and | CAF Bank Ltd |
| 6, Market Place | 25, Kings Hill Avenue | ||
| Romsey | Kings Hill | ||
| Hants | West Mailing | ||
| SO51 8YS | Kent | ||
| ME194JQ |
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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 reelection.
Organisational Structure
All attendees of the church constitute the Church Meeting which meets four 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 an Elder or a 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 activities for children and young people from time to time. 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.
Achievements and Performance
In 2025 the church settled in to becoming part of the Southern Fellowship Group of Wessex URC Synod, sharing two Ministers between the six congregations within the group, namely Braishfield URC, Avenue St Andrews URC Southampton, Bitterne URC, Bitterne Park URC and Isaac Watts URC Southampton.
These six churches are working well together helping each other by sharing resources, occasional worship and social events. Common ground is beginning to be found to pool skills , especially across church buildings and safeguarding matters.
We continued to hold our weekly Sunday morning services of worship, the first Sunday morning of the month also offering the sacrament of Holy Communion to all believers. The first Sunday evening of each month usually sees a Bible Study on zoom which offers the opportunity to all
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Southern Fellowship Group to explore further the Gospel text set for the day. These Bible Studies were also held weekly throughout the seasons of Lent and Advent.
On Christmas Day we joined with our friends at Braishfield URC with them joining at Abbey URC, Romsey on the final service of the year.
In addition to the Christian festival celebrations, special Sunday morning services held during the year have included
-
uniting with the other members of the Southern Fellowship Group at Bitterne URC to celebrate the first anniversary of the churches coming together
-
our Rededication service giving all members an opportunity to renew their commitment to our Lord and the church fellowship when the newly elected Elders were also inducted
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our Community Awareness Service which focused on the work of a local youth charity Step by Step,
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the 363rd Anniversary of the church was celebrated by a Songs of Praise service led by one of our Elders, Howard Coulson
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our Synod Moderator leading the annual Battle of Britain Service with the local RAF Association and Air Cadets
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celebrating Harvest Festival with donated goods being given to the Romsey Community Pantry,
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hosting a Service of Remembering for the local Dementia Support Group,
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our annual All Souls service to which invitations were sent to the recently bereaved known to the church as well as being advertised though local social media. This proved more successful than previous years by being held during the afternoon and was followed by light refreshments.
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Inviting members of other churches within the Southern Fellowship Group to our traditional Advent Carol Service at which musical contributions were offered by the Hampshire Teachers’ Choir
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a special service learning about the work of the URC Commitment for Life project,
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our Toy Service at which members brought new toys for collection by Southampton Social Services for distribution on Christmas Day. In the weeks before Advent, members of the church also donated items for those calling on the services of Amber, a local charity based in Southampton offering support to ladies of the streets. These were blessed at this service before being given to a member of Amber who attended the service and spoke about its work.
Our traditional Christmas Candlelight Service was held on Saturday evening before Christmas, and again attracted families. We were delighted that members from two local choirs added their voices to the singing.
Links continued with the wider community and local charities with occasional updates about their work being included in church magazine articles. The church Table Tennis group also continued to welcome local sufferers of Dementia and their carers as well as church friends amongst its fellowship.
Throughout the year local organisations were asked to make small angels suitable for hanging on a Christmas tree. These then had a Christmas message attached and were blessed before being hung on the church railings for passing members of the public to take home.
A new initiative for Christmas was having a “Tree of angels”. People were asked to write on a paper angel the name of a loved one who had died, and to hang this on a Christmas tree in the church foyer. These names were included in the prayers at the church service after Christmas and will continue hanging in the Prayer Corner of the church until Easter. We also opened the church and served refreshments for those attending special evening Christmas events in the town.
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Within the wider Christian fellowship we shared in events organised by Churches Together in Romsey where the seven churches of the town united in acts of worship during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the World Day of Prayer, Good Friday Open Air Act of Witness and the town’s annual Remembrance Day commemorations in Romsey Abbey and Romsey Memorial Park. Participation in the three meetings of Churches Together in Romsey during the year and the monthly meetings of its churches’ worship leaders offered opportunities for exploring joint witness within the town as well as hearing from speakers of other organisations. The churches also joined together to provide a seasonal choir to sing hymns at local Care Homes and Nursing homes during Easter, Harvest and Christmas.
Support for national and international work was given through Christian Aid as the church joined with five other local churches to each host a lunch during the period of Lent, the proceeds from which were donated to Christian Aid, or for our Roman Catholic Friends, to their equivalent charity CAFOD. In addition, proceeds from coffee after Sunday services and members’ collection jars were given to the United Reformed Church Commitment for Life project which works closely with Christian Aid.
A basket was permanently available at the back of church for members to leave goods which were then given to Romsey Food Bank and Community Pantry. Collection receptacles were available for used postage stamps for the Wessex Cancer Trust, for foreign currency coins passed to the Children’s Society as part of their fundraising efforts, used printer cartridges for recycling and fund raising by The Muscular Dystrophy Society and used candles which the local Ukrainian Refugee Group melted back down to candles which were sent to the solders in the trenches back in Ukraine to be used for heat and light.
During the year, in conjunction with the Roman Catholic church, the United Reformed Church issued a booklet entitled “The Roman Catholic/URC Dialogue Group” which prompted the congregation to consider further ways in which we could engage with our neighbouring Roman Catholic friends.
Other outreach initiatives included the monthly “Chill Out Tuesdays”, an evening social event aimed at those working during the day who are lonely and seeking companionship, and the newly renamed The Social Cup, our weekly Warm Welcome Coffee mornings offered to all from Abbey Hall Lounge and the monthly BALM meeting for the bereaved.
The church has been used to host concerts by local groups, as well as the Romsey Chamber Music Festival. Many of these groups give their time free of charge and donate the proceeds of their concert to worthy causes. In addition, Abbey Hall and Abbey Hall Lounge is well used by approximately 20 local groups offering activities covering drama, music, and health as well as family parties and art exhibitions. We were very fortunate to receive the proceeds from two of these concerts to help towards church maintenance.
Our church buildings have presented problems, with reserves continuing to be used for repairs and maintenance, although the worship and outreach of the church have not been affected by these repairs.
Baptisms, weddings and funerals continued to be held on request to all, baptism services mainly being incorporated into the Sunday morning service. In total five children were baptised, one child was blessed, four couples were married and four funerals were held in the church, with the Ministers taking other funerals at the local crematorium.
Some members of the church are designated as Church Friends, these being encouraged to maintain contact with people within the fellowship. Both Ministers and other designated members
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also visited those in Care Homes or who were housebound, often taking them flowers on behalf of the church fellowship and offering home communion to them. Christmas and Easter cards were sent to friends no longer able to attend church activities so that they knew they are not forgotten whilst older members enjoyed a Sing-a-long and opportunity to chat and reminisce during our Annual Afternoon Tea.
Looking at the provision for youth, our Youth and Outreach Group considered ways in which we could provide friendship and Christian education to children and young people, there being no regular attenders to worship under the age of 21. Prior to Christmas the church hosted a children’s Christmas workshop which proved to be popular.
The church continues to look at its worship opportunities and is considering expanding its services of worship to meet the needs of a changing, increasingly secular society, as well as looking at its outreach to meet their social needs. It started looking at compiling a Community Audit which will be taken further in 2026.
Financial Review
The principal source of income is offerings made at church and offerings made by standing order made by church members and church 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). There is also income from letting the church and church hall.
Total income for the year was £116,882, an increase of £31,142 from 2024. In 2025 the church received grants of £25,626 and made a gain on sale of investments of £6,221. We are grateful to The National Lottery Communities Fund, Hampshire County Council Councillor Grant, Test Valley Borough Councillors’ Grant and Communities Asset Fund, Syder Foundation, Benefact Trust and Rotary Club of Romsey Test for these grants for work on the church and church hall. Outgoings increased from £123,501 in 2024 to £127,850 in 2025, an increase of £4,349 mainly due to the net cost of property repairs.
Reserves Policy
We would normally have aimed to have one year’s running costs in reserve but the large legacies we have received have put our reserves above this level. The expenditure from reserves of £46,411 in 2015 and the £92,597 cost or repairs in 2023 highlight the need to make provision for future large outlays on our old buildings so the current level of reserves is justified by the obligation we have to maintain and repair the old buildings as well as the running costs to achieve the objectives of the church.
Total Funds decreased in 2025 by £10,969 from £131,188 at the start of the year to £120,219 at the end of the year. The General Fund increased by £19,200, the Designated Fund reduced by £29,895. During the year £35,000 was transferred from the Designated Fund to the General Fund. The General Fund is our day to day income and expenditure and has been running deficits for a number of years. The Restricted Funds reduced by £274 due to repair costs of the church organ.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees: A Bevan Date: 7/06/2026
Full Name: Angela Bevan - Church Secretary & Trustee
Page 6
ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 2024 | STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash Funds | ||
| 8,426.57 | National Westminster Current Account | 7,123.62 |
| 2,614.05 | National Westminster Reserve Account | 2,643.22 |
| 3,809.21 | CAF current account | 2,988.81 |
| 48,205.74 | CAF Gold savings account | 47,645.61 |
| 63,055.57 | Total Cash Funds | 60,401.26 |
| Investments | ||
| 27,953.73 | M&G Charifund at Cost | 23,714.37 |
| (53,061.40) | Market value at 31December | (55,848.25) |
| 40,967.22 | CCLA COIF Ethical Investment at Cost | 36,428.16 |
| (47,058.05) | Market value at 31 December | (39,703.60) |
| 68,920.95 | Total Investments | 60.142.53 |
| Creditors | ||
| (275.00) | Wedding advanced payment | |
| (513.50) | Magazine Advance Payments | (179.50) |
| URC/Methodist Gaza Appeal | (145.00) | |
| (788.50) | Total Creditors | (324.50) |
| Debtors | ||
| 0.00 | Total Debtors | 0.00 |
| 131,188.02 | NET ASSETS | 120,219.29 |
| REPRESENTING | ||
| 30,762.82 | General Funds | 49,963.29 |
| 86,657.09 | Designated Funds | 56,761.85 |
| 13,768.11 | Restricted Funds | 13,494.15 |
| 131,188.02 | 120,219.29 |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ROMSEY CHARITY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2025
| 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | General | Designated | Restricted | |
| Funds | Funds | Fund | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| 37,619.91 | Offerings including Gift Aid | 38,364.69 | 38,364.69 | ||
| 14,387.51 | Grants & Donations incl. Gift Aid | 37,240.83 | 10,716.37 | 26,524.46 | |
| 21,329.24 | Use of Premises | 23,466.80 | 23,466.80 | ||
| 3,976.91 | Fundraising | 2,545.88 | 2,545.88 | ||
| Collections for Others incl. Gift | |||||
| 1,527.52 | Aid | 1,522.97 | 1,522.97 | ||
| 2024 Church Maintenance VAT | |||||
| recovery | 682.55 | 682.55 | |||
| Organ maintenance VAT | |||||
| recovery | 525.00 | 525.00 | |||
| Gain from sale of Charifund and | |||||
| CCLA units | 6,221.58 | 931.77 | 4,621.01 | 668.80 | |
| 3,684.00 | Braishfield ministerial 2020-23/24 | 982.70 | 982.70 | ||
| Southern Fellowship Ministerial | 2,670.48 | 2,670.48 | |||
| Outreach grant | 500.00 | 500.00 | |||
| 227.22 | Pilot’s account closure | ||||
| 2,987.51 | Interest & dividends | 2,158.03 | 323.23 | 1,602.82 | 231.98 |
| 85,739.82 | Total Incoming resources | 116,881.51 | 80,501.92 | 33,430.84 | 2,948.75 |
| RESOURCES USED | |||||
| 42,636.00 | Ministry & Mission Contributions | 39,999.96 | 39,999.96 | ||
| 2,883.15 | Other Ministerial | 5,492.49 | 5,262.75 | 229,74 | |
| Premises Costs less VAT | |||||
| 64,726.07 | recovered | 71,835.58 | 43,509.50 | 28,326.08 | |
| 9,248.62 | Other Expenses | 6.929.24 | 6,929.24 | ||
| 2,327.52 | Donations to Charities | 2,122,97 | 600.00 | 1,522.97 | |
| 1,680.00 | Piano & Organ | 1,470.00 | 1,470.00 | ||
| 123,501.36 | Total Resources Used | 127,850.24 | 96,301.45 | 28,326.08 | 3.222.71 |
| Net Incoming / (outgoing) | |||||
| (37,761.54) | before Transfers | (10,968.73) | (15,799.53) | 5,104.76 | (273.96) |
| Transfers | 35,000.00 | (35,000.00) | |||
| (37,761.54) | Net Incoming/(outgoing) | (10,968.73) | 19,200.47 | (29,895.24) | (273.96) |
| 168,949.56 | Balances at beginning of year | 131,188.02 | 30,762.82 | 86,657.09 | 13,768.11 |
| 131,188.02 | Balances at end of Year | 120,219.29 | 49,963,29 | 56,761.85 | 13,494.15 |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
GENERAL FUND
INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES USED
| INCOMING RESOURCES |
RESOURCES USED | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Offerings | Ministry | ||||
| Envelopes | 3,172.00 | 1,540.00 | M&M | 42,636.00 | 39,999.96 |
| Standing Orders | 25,868.00 | 27,633.00 | General Ministry | 1,149.20 | 1,859.97 |
| Loose Cash | 1,435.09 | 1,622.67 | Travel | 1,577.55 | 3,402.78 |
| Income Tax recovered | 7,144.82 | 7,569.02 | |||
| Premises Costs | |||||
| Donations | Manse Utilities | 1,281.42 | 1,239.52 | ||
| Individual & Community | 7,101.33 | 7,913.50 | Manse Council tax | 3.001.96 | 3.089.72 |
| Wedding & Funerals | 1,334.84 | 2,802.87 | Manse maintenance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Church Utilities | 5,640.48 | 6.256.85 | |||
| Hall Lettings | 21,329.24 | 23,466.80 | Church Insurance | 6,889.49 | 7.315.58 |
| Church Maintenance | 4,574.96 | 4,460.88 | |||
| Fundraising | Hall Utilities | 5,549.63 | 7.165.94 | ||
| Magazine | 708.58 | 969.74 | Hall Insurance | 1,161.48 | 1,220.90 |
| Other fundraising | 3,268.33 | 1,576.14 | Hall Maintenance | 3,374.13 | 3,442.46 |
| Caretaking | 4,047.00 | 4,342,50 | |||
| Other Income | 1 Abbey Water Utilities | 604.87 | 485.59 | ||
| 1 Abbey Water Insurance | 1,324.81 | 1,649.56 | |||
| 1 Abbey Water | |||||
| Outreach grant | 500.00 | Maintenance | 1,002.22 | 2,840.00 | |
| Southern Fellowship | 2,670.48 | ||||
| Gain from sale of Charifund | |||||
| & CCLA units | 931.77 | Other Expenses | |||
| Braishfield Ministerial | |||||
| expenses 2020-23/2024 | 3684.00 | 982.70 | |||
| Pilots account closure | 227.22 | ||||
| Charity Donations | 800.00 | 600.00 | |||
| Interest & Dividends | 707.64 | 323.23 | Music | 2,448.72 | 2,629.61 |
| Magazine (printing & | |||||
| electronic) | 1,220.45 | 1,200.04 | |||
| Administration & Other | 2,459.45 | 3,099.59 | |||
| Total Incoming Resources | 75,981.09 | 80,501.92 | Total Resources Used | 90,743.82 | 96,301.45 |
| Deduct total resources used | 90,743.82 | 96,301.45 | |||
| Net incoming/(outgoing) | (14,762.73) | (15,799.53) | |||
| before transfers | |||||
| Transfers | 35,000.00 | ||||
| Net Incoming/(outgoing) | (14,762.73) | 19,200.47 | |||
| Balance in General Reserve | |||||
| Fund at beginning of year | 45,525.55 | 30,762.82 | |||
| Balance in General | |||||
| Reserve Fund at end of | 30,762.82 | 49,963.29 | |||
| year |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
DESIGNATED FUND
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Suspense | Suspense | |
| Fund | Fund | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||
| 5,951.34 | Legacies. Grants & Donations | 26,524.46 |
| Gain from sale of Charifund & CCLA Units | 4,621.01 | |
| Church maintenance VAT recovery | 682.55 | |
| 1,978.89 | Interest & Dividends | 1,602.82 |
| 7,930.23 | Total Incoming resources | 33,430.84 |
| RESOURCES USED | ||
| 1,314.00 | Pigeon guano removal | |
| 2,781.30 | Church ceiling/roof refurbishment less VAT | |
| Church lighting | 2,750.00 | |
| 595.00 | Church Curtains | |
| 5,400.00 | Church organ pipe refurbishment | |
| 3,120.00 | Hall kitchen dishwasher | |
| Hall Lighting | 5,647.74 | |
| Hall/lounge roof repair | 17,228.34 | |
| 16,183.32 | 1 Abbey Water maintenance/decoration | 2,700.00 |
| 29,393.62 | Total Resources Used | 28,326.08 |
| (21,463.39) | Net Incoming / (outgoing) | 5,104.76 |
| Transfers | (35,000.00) | |
| (21,463.39) | Net Incoming / (Outgoing) | (29,895.24) |
| 108,120.48 | Balances at beginning of year | 86,657.09 |
| 86.657.09 | Balances at end of year | 56,761.85 |
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ABBEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ROMSEY CHARITY
RESTRICTED FUNDS
| 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Restricted | Communio | TWW | Organ | |
| n | Bequest | ||||
| Funds | Funds | Fund | Fund | Fund | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| 1,527.52 | Collections for Others inc. | 1,522.97 | 1,522.97 | ||
| Gift Aid | |||||
| Donations | |||||
| Gain from sale of Charifund | 668.80 | 31.95 | 636.85 | ||
| & CCLA Units | |||||
| Organ Maintenance | 525.00 | 525.00 | |||
| LPOWGS VAT recovery | |||||
| 300.98 | Interest & dividends | 231.98 | 11.08 | 220.90 | 0.00 |
| 1,828.50 | Total Incoming resources | 2,948.75 | 1,566.00 | 1,382.75 | 0.00 |
| RESOURCES USED | |||||
| 39.00 | Other Ministerial | 103.00 | 103.00 | ||
| 117.40 | Pastoral flowers (net) | 126.74 | 126.74 | ||
| 1,680.00 | Piano/Organ | 1,470.00 | 744.15 | 725.85 | |
| 1,527.52 | Charity Donations inc gift | 1,522.97 | 1,522.97 | ||
| aid | |||||
| 3,363.92 | Total Resources Used | 3,222.71 | 1,752.71 | 744.15 | 725.85 |
| (1,535.42) | Net Incoming / (outgoing) | (273.96) | (186.71) | 638.60 | (725.85) |
| resources before Transfers | |||||
| (1,535.42) | Net Incoming/(Outgoing) | (273.96) | (186.71) | 638.60 | (725.85) |
| Resources | |||||
| 15,303.53 | Balances at beginning of | 13,768.11 | 395.81 | 12,646.45 | 725.85 |
| Year | |||||
| 13,768.91 | Balances at end of Year | 13,494.15 | 209.10 | 13,285.05 | 0.00 |
Page 11
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. In 2025 a number of grants were received into and used in year from this fund. Whilst these were specified for particular uses, they were fully utilised in year for those specified purposes therefore a new restricted fund was not created.
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 2024 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:
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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.
Bell & Co Chartered Accountants
Date: 16.03.2026
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