Christ Church (URC)
Henley-on-Thames
Report and Accounts
Year ended 31 December 2023

Christ Church (URC)
Henley-on-Thames
Report and Accounts
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Index
Contents
Page
Trustees, Annual Report
Independent Examine¢s Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Aceounls
7-13

Christ Church
URC
Hènlo -on-Thamès
Trustees. Annual Re
ort
For the
ear ended 31 DeCem￿r 2023
The trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year for Christ Church Henley-on-
Thames United Reformed Church, charity number 1135595, of 48 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AG.
Oblacts of th• charlty
Thè charity is a trust with govèrning documènts being trusts distillèd from thè Unitèd Reformèd Church Acts11972
AND 19811 and Scheme of Union 1197210110111973. In practice it is govemed by The Manual of the Unrted
Reformed Church IURCI. The Manual is the handbook of the URC and covers the Basis of Union, the structure of
the URC and the rules of procedure for the conduct of the URC and its member churches.
The object of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance wf(h
the Scheme of Union of the United Reformed Church.
The trustees note that the Church is not a building, but a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and
backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ. the Son of God.The New Testament reveals the
Church as 8 communty of people. properly laughl and cared for. who by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were
also committed to love and ¢arè for each othèr and to bring a blessing to thè arèa in which thèy livèd. The
trustees, elders and members of Christ Church URC Henley are committed to the restoration of those New
Testament principles.lt is not alone in this, it is one of many Churches in the area, country and all over the world
that is re-discovering the excitement of knowing Jesus Christ.The vision is to see the people of Henley come into
this experience of knowing Jesus as their Lord. Saviour and friend.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows..
Sunday morning services of worship, prayer and teaching, incorpcirating age-appropriate activities for children
Refreshments after Sunday morning services for fellowship and enabling members and newcomers to gel to
know each other better
Sunday evening Bible Studies to delve deeper intr) God's Word and its relevance for our lives today, with several
attendees from other churches in Henley and the surrounding area
Mid-week homegroups for fellowship, prayer and Bible sludy
Monthly prayer meetings lo pray for our world, our country, our community, our church and ourselves
a new Teen Bible Study. started in response lo a request from 2 girls who used lo attend Messy Church. and
now regulady attended by more than 10 teenagers
Indian Summer to support people in the community coping with bereavement
Memory cafe to provide stimulating activities for those in the community suffering from loss of memory
FROGS- a parent and toddler group for the community, which includes a short Bible 310ry
Opén Housé- drop in lunches tspen to the public
Cc)ffee moming- open to the public
Cake & Co
cakes, games and chat especially aimed at those who might be lonely and apprecAative of
company, whether currently attending the church or not
Family pop-in
a new aclivty of games, crafts, Bible sloryl song8 aimed al families with children. whether
currèntly attènding thè d)ur¢h or not
The church also runs a community centre, managing rooms for hire for community activities induding Ibut not
exclusively) a pre-school nursery. Bluebells dementia care, concerts, dance lessons, Alcoholics Anonymous, Tai
Chi. and even 85 an election polling stslion. The church premises are also hired out weekly lo a local Church of
England for services on Sunday afternoc>ns.
Much of the charity management and activities are undertaken by volunteers and the charity could not operate
effectively without their efforts.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity
Commi55ion.
Page I

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Trustees. Annual Re
ort
Forthe
ear ended 31 December 2023
Stmcture, Governance and Management
Responsibility for setting policy and for determining the parameters within which the charity should operate rests with
the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. The Iruslees are elders in Christ Church URC
Henley. The Iruslees delegate responsibility for the day to day operation of the church centre to the Centre
Management Committee, and for the financial and fabric management of the church and centre to the Finance &
Fabri¢ Committee. New trusteeslelders are appointed from members of Christ Church URC Henley by a majority vote
at a church members, meeting.
The trustees during the year and at the approval dale of the accounts were David Church, Muriel Quinsac, Lynn Sayer,
Ann Richards, Joanne Freedman, Maureen Mclaughlin, Sheila Finney and Audrey Richardson. In addition Katrina
Judge served as a Iruslee until her resignation on January14, 2024.
Financial review
During the year income increased by £20k, lo £221 k, and expenditure increased by £4k, to £235k. As a result the
deficit for the year decreased by £16k, lo £14k and the charity's nel assets and nel current assets both decreased by
the same amount, to £114k.
The opening reserves for both the current and prior year have been re-stated lo reffect a prior year adjuslmenl
required as the result of a material error of £14k in relation lo the recording of designated donation liabilities and a
general bad debt provision since 2019. The comparatives presented In these accounts have been re-stated so that
they reflect a correction of the errors and a reconciliation wlh the reserves and results reported previously is detailed in
note 15 'Reconcilialion with previously reported funds,.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £30k Iwhieh
equates to 2 months of staff wages plus expected building maintenance costs over the next 12 months plus a small
contingency) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and l or expenditure vary adversely. At the
year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £126k and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
Key risks and uncertainties
The charity is exposed lo various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The Iruslees review the charity's
activities regularly lo identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measure5 to mitigate those
risks.
Page 2

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Trustees. Annual Re
ort
Forthe
ear ended 31 December 2023
Responsibilltles of trustees under charlty law
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees, annual report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclicel.
Charity law requires the trustees lo prepare financial slalements for each financial year which give a true and fair view
of the stste of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet dale and of its incoming resources and application of
resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial slatemenls, the
trustees are required to..
1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently",
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.,
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.,
4. state whether the applicable accounting stsndards have been followed, subject lo any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and
5. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the charity will
continue in operation.
The Iruslees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any lime
the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities
Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the
assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of f￿ud and other
irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the Iruslees and signed on their behalf by".
David Church
Dale.. 11 September 2024
Page 3

Independent Examiner's Report
TO THETRUSTEES OF
CHRIST CHURCH IURCI, HENLEY-ON-THAMES
I'the Charity'l
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Christ Church IURCI, Henley-on-
Thames for the year ended 31 December 2023 on pages 5 to 13 following, which have been prepared
on the basis of the accountin% policies set out on p8Res 7 to 8.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l.
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the
Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the
Charity Commission under section 1451511bl of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have Come to my attention in Connection
with the examination giving me cause to believe:
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act. or
the accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and
content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts 8nd Reports) Regulations 2008 other than
any requirement that the accounts give 8 'true and f8ir' view which is not 8 matter considered 8S
part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come aeross 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
re8ched.
Sarah Crispin ACA
Stewardship
1 Lamb's Passage
London
EC1Y8AB
Page 4

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Statement of Financial Activities
Includin
Income and Ex
enditure Account
for the ear ended 31 December 2023
As re-ststed
Total
Funds
31.12.22
Unrastrictsd Restricted
Funds
Funds
31.12.23
31.12.23
Total
Funds
31.12.23
Nots
In¢omo and endowmgnts from:
Donat￿nS, LegaC￿S and similarresouKes
74,117
15,000
89,117
86,208
Chantable 8Gtivities
Letting and Cafeteria income
Gift Day, other elc
105,035
26,398
105,035
26,398
95,632
18,775
Investments
260
260
126
Total
205,810
15,000
220,810
200,741
Expenditure on:
Chantabl$ &¢tivitNes
Cafeteria running costs
Other charitable activities
Govemance costs
14,958
202,838
1,800
14,958
217,838
1,800
12,254
214,965
3,150
15,000
Total
219,596
15,000
234,596
230,369
Net incomel Ilossl
113,7861
113,7861
{29,6281
Rg¢on¢lllatlon of Fund$:
Total funds brought forward
127,294
127.294
156,922
Total funds carried forward
113,508
113,508
127,294
Page S

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2023
As re-stated
31.12.22
Note
31.12.23
Current Assets:
Debtors
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Total current assets
12,642
125,848
25,944
126,726
138,491
152,670
Liabilities..
Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year
124,9831
125,3751
Total net assets
113,508
127,294
The funds of the charlty:
Unrestricted Funds
Unreslricled bul Designated Funds
Restricted funds
13
10
14
93,508
20,000
37,157
90,137
Total charity funds
113,508
127,294
Approved by the Elders on 11 September 2024 and signed on their behalf by=
David Church
Page 6

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Notes to the Accounts
ear ended 31 December 2023
for the
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of eslimalion for uncertainly
in the preparation of the financial slalemenls are as follows..
lal Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by
Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts In
accordance with the Financi81 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
IFRS 1021 Icharilies SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and
RepLJblic of Ireland IFRS 1021.
The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 Ilhe '2008 Regulalions'l requires charities
lo prepare their accounts in accordance with 'Accounling and Reporting by Charities.. Statement
of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005, but this accounting standard has since
been wthdrawn and h8s been replaced by the Charities SORP mentioned in the preceding
paragraph. The charity has prepared these financial statements in accordan￿ with the new
Charities SORP.. this departure from the 2008 Regulations Is believed lo be necessary for these
financial statements lo give a 'lrue and fair view,.
Christ Church IURCI meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and
liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise slated in
the relevant accounting policy notelsl.
Ibl Going Concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have
considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubl on the ability of the charty
lo continue as a going concern. The Iruslees have made this assessment for a period of al least
one year from the dale of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have
considered the charity's cash position and expected future incomel expenditure and the possible
implications should projected income and l or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The Iruslees have
concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to
continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing ils financial slalemenls.
Icl Income recognition policies
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are
met..
the charity has entillemenl lo the funds.,
any performance conditions allached lo the ilemlsl of income have been mel or are fully
within the control of the charity.,
there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income Is considered probable, and
the amount can be measured reliably.
Idl Taxation
The Charity is exempl from tax on ils charitable activities.
Page 7

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Notes to the Accounts
continued
for the
ear ended 31 December 2023
1. Accounting Policies (continued)
lel Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or Constructive obligation to make a payment to a
third party, il is probable that selllernenl will be required and the amount of the obligation can be
measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings..
Expenditure on Charitable aclivib.es comprise those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of
its activities and services for ils beneficiaries. 11 includes both costs that can be allocated directly
lo such activities and those costs of an indirect nature ne￿SSary lo support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with the constitutional and slatulory
requirements of the charity and include the independent auditor's or examiner's fees and costs
linked to the strategic management of the charity.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
In Tangiblg Fixgd Assgts
il The policy of the Centre is not to capitalise any qualifying expenditure in respect of Fixed
Assets for which the Centre is solely and directly responsible.
ill The properties comprising the Christ Church Centre are actualty owned by the United
Refomed Church Iwessexl Trust Limited.
Igl Fund accounting
General funds are unreslricled funds which are available for use al the discretion of the Elders in
furtheran￿ of the general objectives of the charty. Designated funds comprise unreslricled funds
that have been sel aside by the Elders for particular purposes. Reslricled funds are donations
which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors,. they include
donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects
Ihl Pension costs
The charity contributes to the National Employment Savings Trust INESTI which is a defined
contribution scheme.
Page 8

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Notes to the Accounts
continued
for the
ear ended 31 December 2023
2. Donations, Legacies and similar resources
As Te-ststed
Total
Funds
31.12.22
Total
Funds
31.12.23
Offertory
Donations and Legacies
Tax Recovered on Donations
53,800
20,252
15,064
89,117
51,642
19,924
14,642
86,208
Donations and legacies includes restricted grants of £15,00012022..£8,0001 comprising..
- a grant of £5,00012022. £8,0001 from the Wessex Synod of the URC towards wages of the church
community worker, which was fully utilised in each respective year.
a CAF donation of £10,000 lo be used to support required refurbishment of the electrical
infraslruclure12022.' £nil}, which was fully utilised in the year
3. Income from charitable activities
Total
Funds
31.12.23
Total
Funds
31.12.22
Letting income
Cafeteria income
85,345
19,690
105,035
79,405
16,227
95,632
4. Income from charitable activities - Other
Total
Funds
31.12.23
Total
Funds
31.12.22
Gift day
Other
15,495
10,903
26,398
9,815
8,960
18,775
5. Expenditure on charitable activities
Total
Funds
31.12.23
Total
Funds
31.12.22
Cafeteria Running Costs (including salaries)
14,958
14,958
12,254
12,254
Page 9

Christ Church
URC
Henle
n-Thames
Notes to the Accounts
continued
for the
ear ended 31 December 2023
6. Other charitable activities
As rewstated
Total
Funds
31.12.22
Total
Funds
31.12.23
lal Day-to-Day A¢tivitie$
Ministry and Mission
Minister's Expenses
Visiting Organists
Vislting Ministers
Community Worker
Memory Cafe
46,740
1,366
770
621
595
11,2291
48,862
46,749
1.400
705
311
426
11.9221
47,669
Ibl Other Cg$ts
Salaries and Etnploye¢s Nl loft1￿ staft)
Repairs and Renewals
Light. Heat and W8ter
Caretaking linduding salaries)
Estate & Gardening
Insurance
Postsge and Telephone
Sundry
Accountancy
Manse- Costs
Advertising and Promotion
Professional Fees
Printing, Stationery and Publications
58,684
35,375
27.021
11,092
8,489
7.289
1,112
4,875
4.944
4,999
1,113
811
3,172
168,976
61.662
34.477
24.790
11,795
2.527
6.346
2,256
4.664
8.414
5,4(
1.384
1.724
1.851
167.2
217,838
214.965
Costs of other charitable activities indudes.
costs of the church comtnunity worker within Salaries and Employer's Nl loffiTr stsffj which are partially covered by
grants from the Wessex Synod of the URC of £5,00012022." £8.0001 disclosed within donations and ￿g£¢leS in Note 2.
costs of electrical inspections and remedial work wthin Repairs and Renewals which are partialty covered by
a restricted CAF donation of £10,00012022. £nill disclosed within donations and legsues In Note 2.
7. Governance costs
Total
Funds
31.12.23
Totsl
Funds
31.12.22
Independent Auditoffs Remuneration
Independent Examine¢s Remuneration
3.150
1.800
1.800
3.150
8. Debtors
As re-stated
31.12.23
31.12.22
Tiade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Total debtors= falling due within on8 year
6,912
27
5.703
12,642
10,059
15.885
25,944
Page 10

Christ Church
URC
Henle
-on-Thames
Notes to the Accounts
continued
for the ear ended 31 December 2023
9. Creditors
As re-stated
31.12.23
31.12.22
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and defer￿d income
14,649
2,227
8,107
24,983
11,199
2,463
11.713
25.375
10. Unrestricted but designated funds
Futurg
Maintenance
Balance al 1 January 2023
90,137
Transfer froml Itol Unrestricted Funds
(70,1371
Balanca at 31 Dècémbèr 2023
20,000
The reserves policy was updated by the Elders during the year so that the fvture maintenance fund refiects
12 months of expected high and medium priority building repairs, with a small contingency for as yet unknown works.
The Elders keep under review the adeqLJ3ey and the purpose of this fund.
Unrestricted bul designated fund5 of £20,000 for future maintenance are represented by cash.
11. Related Parties
The Christ Ghurch Centre is part of Christ Church IURCI.The propertie5 are all actually owned by the United
Reformed Chur¢h Iwessexl Tru$l Limited.
No remuneration or expenses were paid to the ElderS￿rUsteeS during the year12022.'£Nill.
During the year the charity received donations totalling £19,75312022.' £16,408) from related parties (which
includes trustees, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
12. Staff Costs and Trustee Remuneration
The total staff costs in the year were as follows..
As re-stated
31.12.22
31.12.23
Salaries and Employe¢s National Insuran￿ Contributions
Employar's Pènsion Contributions
68,907
937
71,606
949
69,844
72,555
The average weekly number of staff employed during the year was as follows..
31.12.23
31.12.22
Administrative- actual headcount
Administrativè- full timè equivalènt
No employee re￿IVed remuneration of more than £60.000 in the current or previous year.
No eldersltrustees received employment benefits for performing their duties in either the current or
preceding year
Page 11

Christ Church
Henle
-on-Thames
Notes to the Accounts
continued
for the ear ended 31 December 2023
URC
13. Unrestricted general funds
As re-stated
Unrestricted
Funds
31.12.23
Balance al 1 January 2023
Income
Expenditure
Fund transfer
Balance at 31 De￿mber 2023
37,157
220,810
1234,5961
70,137
93,508
Repr￿ented by=
Cash al Bank and in Hand
Debtors
Creditors
105,848
12,642
124,9821
93,508
14. Restricted funds
Community
Worker
Electrical
Works
Restricted
Funds
Balance al 1 January 2023
Income
Expenditure
alance al 31 December 2023
5,000
15,0001
10,000
110,0001
15,000
115,0001
Represented by:
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Restrcited fund3 compri5e'.
- a grant of £5,00012022.' £8,000) from the Wessex Synod of the URC towards wages of the church community
worker, which was fully utilised in the year.
a CAF donation of £10.000 to be used to support reqUI￿d refurbi$hmenl of the ele¢tri¢al infraslru¢ture12022." £nill,
which was fully ulilised in the year.
15. Reconciliation with previously reported funds
During the year the charity identified a material error in the results reported previously. Four'designaled donation
creditors, originats'ng from donations received prior to February 2019. and tc)talling £11,104, have no associated
liabilib.es and hence should not have been held as creditors in the balance sheet. In addition. these donations
received were either not restricted or have been fully utilised in accordance with their original restriction, and hence
thé surplus crèditors ean bè released into unrestrietèd funds. In addib"on. a genéral bad dèbt piovision of £3.000 that
has been carried since at least January 2019 is not justified as there are no specific bad debts and there is no history
ol receivables not being paid even if sometimes they are paid late. These corrections need to be made as a prior year
adjuslmenl (prior to the comparative period of 2022 as they originate from 20191 lo avoid the current year results being
incorrectly shown as a small profit rather than a loss of £13,786.
In addition. the giant received from the Wessex Synod of the URC for church community worker wages was
previously incorrectly netted against the wages to which il relates. This has been re-stated in the comparative figures
in these accounts so that the grant is shown as income as required under the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 under which
these accounts are prepared. This has no impact on previously reported reserves.
The comparatives presented in these accounts have been re-stated so that they reflect a correction of the error and
a reconciliation with the reserves and results reported previously follows..
Page 12

Christ Church
URC
Henle
on-Thames
Notes to the Accounts
continued
for the
ear ended 31 December 2023
15. Reconciliation with previously reported funds (continued)
Re¢on¢lllatlon of reserves
2022
2021
Previously reported reserves, at 31 December
113,190
142,818
Adjuslmenls arising from correction of an error in the previous period..
Creditors.. falling due within one year- re release of designated donations
Debtors - re general provision for bad debts reversal
11,104
3,000
11,104
3,000
Re-stated reserves, at 31 December
127,294
156,922
Reconciliation of results
2022
Previously reported results
129,6281
Adjustments arising from the correction of an error in the previous period..
Donations, legacies and similar reSoUr￿s- community worker grant
Other charitable activities - re community worker wages
8,000
18,0001
Re-stated results
129,6281
Page 13