OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

2024-12-31-accounts

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

CHARITY INFORMATION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Trustees

David Church Muriel Quinsac Lynn Sayer Ann Richards Joanne Freedman Maureen Mclaughlin Katrina Judge (resigned 14/1/24) Sheila Finney (resigned 13/10/24) Audrey Richardson (died 13/11/24) Sara Davies (appointed 1/12/24)

Key Staff

Rev Glyn Millington Tom Carberry

Custodian Trustees

United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust Limited

Governing Document

Deeds of Trust distilled from the United Reformed Church Acts (1972 AND 1981) and Scheme of Union (1972) 01/01/1973

Charity Registration Number

1135595

Principal Address & Registered Office

46 Reading Road Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AG

Independent Examiner

Nick Spear ACCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB

Bankers

Barclays Bank HSBC Bank

Contents Page
Charity Information 1
Trustees' Annual Report 2-4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Accounts 8-14
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives 15

Page 1

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames Trustees' Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2024

The trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year for Christ Church Henley-onThames United Reformed Church, charity number 1135595, of 46 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AG.

Objects of the charity

The charity is a trust with governing documents being trusts distilled from the United Reformed Church Acts (1972 AND 1981) and Scheme of Union (1972) 01/01/1973. In practice it is governed by The Manual of the United Reformed Church (URC). 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 with 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 a community of people, properly taught and cared for, who by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the area in which they lived. The trustees, elders and members of Christ Church URC Henley are committed to the restoration of those New Testament principles.It 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:

The church also runs a community centre, managing rooms for hire for community activities including (but not exclusively) a pre-school nursery, Bluebells dementia care, concerts, dance lessons, Alcoholics Anonymous, Tai Chi, and even as an election polling station. The church premises were also hired out weekly to a local Church of England for services on Sunday afternoons until April 2025.

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 Commission.

Page 2

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames Trustees' Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Structure, 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 trustees are elders in Christ Church URC Henley. The trustees 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 & Fabric Committee. New trustees/elders 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 date of the accounts were David Church, Muriel Quinsac, Lynn Sayer, Ann Richards, Joanne Freedman and Maureen Mclaughlin. In addition Katrina Judge served as a trustee until her resignation on 14 January 2024, Sheila Finney served as a trustee until her resignation on 13 October 2024, and Audrey Richardson served as a trustee until her death on 13 November 2024. Sara Davies was appointed as a trustee on 1 December 2024 and continues to serve at the approval date of the accounts.

Financial review

During the year income decreased by £6k, to £217k, and expenditure decreased by £21k, to £216k. As a result the deficit from the prior year of £14k decreased by £15k to result in a surplus of £1k, and the charity's net assets and net current assets both increased by the same amount, to £115k.

To assist a meaningful comparison of current year income and expenditure to prior year, the comparatives for prior year have been re-stated to reflect:

Reserves policy

The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £30k (which 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 / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £104k and the charity is complying with its reserves policy. Ideally the trustees would like to hold unrestricted cash to cover approximately 6 months of unrestricted expenditure (CY £107k), whilst recognising this is not always feasible.

Key risks and uncertainties

The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.

Page 3

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames Trustees' Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Responsibilities of trustees under charity 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 Practice).

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

  1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

  2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

  3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

  4. state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures

disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

  1. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to 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 fraud and other irregularities.

Approval

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

David Church

_______ David Church (Sep 10, 2025 22:45:21 GMT+1) David Church

Date: Sep 10, 2025

Page 4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames ('the Charity')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 6 to 15 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 8 to 9.

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 2011 ('the Act').

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 145(5)(b) 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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Nick Spear

Nick Spear (Sep 11, 2025 10:32:04 GMT+1)

Nick Spear ACCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Page 5

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
Funds
Note
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
3
116,941
Charitable activities
4
92,564
Investments
5
724
Other income
6
5,486
Total income and endowments
215,715
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
7
214,324
Total expenditure
214,324
Net income/(expenditure)
1,391
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
113,508
Total funds carried forward
13
114,899
Restricted
Funds
£
1,305
-
-
-
1,305
1,305
1,305
-
-
-
As re-stated
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
118,246
103,789
92,564
118,679
724
260
5,486
304
217,020
223,032
215,629
236,818
215,629
236,818
1,391
(13,786)
113,508
127,294
114,899
113,508

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.

The notes on pages 8-14 form part of these accounts.

Page 6

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
Funds
Note
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
9
22,364
Cash at bank and in hand
10
104,427
126,791
CREDITORS: Amounts falling
due within one year
11
(11,892)
Net current assets / (liabilities) and net assets/ (liabilities)
114,899
FUND BALANCES
13
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
94,899
Designated funds
20,000
114,899
Total
Funds
2024
£
22,364
104,427
126,791
(11,892)
114,899
94,899
20,000
114,899
Total
Funds
2023
£
12,643
125,848
138,491
(24,983)
113,508
93,508
20,000
113,508

The financial statements were approved by the Elders and were signed on its behalf by:

David Church

David Church (Sep 10, 2025 22:45:21 GMT+1) --------------------------------------David Church Date: Sep 10, 2025

Charity number: 1135595

The notes on pages 8-14 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Statutory Information

The charity is a trust registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charity's registered number and principal address can be found on the Charity Information page.

2 Accounting Policies

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.

The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the '2008 Regulations') requires charities to prepare their accounts in accordance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005' but this accounting standard has since been withdrawn and has been replaced by the Charities SORP mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The charity has prepared these financial statements in accordance with the new Charities SORP; this departure from the 2008 Regulations is believed to be necessary for these financial statements to give a 'true and fair view'.

The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.

a) 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 doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees 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 its financial statements.

b) Income

Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.

Income from donations and legacies includes:

Income from charitable activities represents income receivable from hiring the church and community centre premises to community groups, income receivable from catering services supplied in the community centre, and income receivable as fees for attending community worker led activities. All activities are supplied in furtherance of the charity's charitable objects.

Investment income represents bank interest.

Page 8

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2 Accounting Policies (continued)

c) Expenditure

Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.

The cost of raising funds is not significant and has not been separately disclosed.

Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.

d) Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted 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.

e) Tangible fixed assets i) The policy of the Charity is not to capitalise any qualifying expenditure in respect of Fixed Assets relating to the buildings or permanent fixtures and fittings. Any qualifying expenditure in excess of £5,000 on other fixed assets shall be capitalised and depreciated at an appropriate rate based on the expected useful life of the assets.

ii) The properties comprising the Christ Church Centre are actually owned by the United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust Limited.

f) Pension scheme arrangements The charity contributes to the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) for its employees, which is a defined contribution pension scheme. Obligations for contributions to this scheme are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of this scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.

g) Taxation The charity has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.

h) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.

3
Donations and legacies
Regular offerings
Adhoc donations
Gift Day
Other grants receivable
Legacies receivable
Gift aid recoverable
2024
£
50,626
26,473
19,066
-
5,000
17,081
118,246
As re-stated
2023
£
53,950
13,480
15,495
5,800
-
15,064
103,789

Page 9

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Income from charitable activities
Community worker activity fees
Letting income
Catering income
2024
£
4,662
69,225
18,677
92,564
As re-stated
2023
£
4,219
94,770
19,690
118,679

5 Investment income

Bank interest

6 Other income

Write back of aged balances on receivables Other income

2024
£
724
724
2024
£
5,165
322
5,486
2023
£
260
260
As re-stated
2023
£
51
253
304

Page 10

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7 Charitable expenditure

7
Charitable expenditure
a
Costs incurred directly on specific activities
Ministry and Mission
Minister's Expenses
Visiting Ministers and Organists
Community worker salary and expenses
Catering costs (incl salaries)
Grants payable (note 7c)
b
Costs incurred on support & administration
Governance costs
Independent examiner's fee
Salaries and expenses (office staff)
Temporary staff
Repairs and Renewals
Light, Heat and Water
Caretaking (including salaries)
Estate & Gardening
Insurance
Accountancy
Manse - Costs
Professional Fees
Security
Advertising and Promotion
Printing, Stationery and Publications
Postage and Telephone
Sundry
Total expenditure
2024
£
46,811
1,570
664
15,477
13,968
78,491
3,105
81,596
1,860
1,860
41,330
1,314
12,980
27,942
11,719
8,798
8,321
6,450
5,382
914
1,814
2,011
1,684
936
579
134,033
215,629
As re-stated
2023
£
46,740
1,366
1,391
15,879
15,457
80,833
1,800
82,633
1,800
1,800
43,895
-
35,375
27,021
11,092
8,489
7,289
4,944
4,999
811
467
1,113
3,172
1,112
2,606
154,185
236,818

The fee payable to the independent examiner for examining the accounts was £1860 (2023: £1800); in addition the charity paid £397 (2023: £nil) to Stewardship for payroll bureau services.

c Grants payable

Grants for the relief of poverty
The comparatives for the previous year are as follows:
Grants for the relief of poverty
The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised:
Henley on Thames Churches Debt Centre
TEAR Fund
Institutions
£
3,105
3,105
Institutions
£
1,800
1,800
Individuals
£
-
Individuals
£
-
2024
£
1,800
1,305
3,105
2024
£
3,105
3,105
2023
£
1,800
1,800
2023
£
1,800
-
1,800

Page 11

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration

The average monthly number of employees during the year was 5 (2023: 6). The average monthly number of full time equivalent staff during the year was 2 (2023: 3). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.

No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.

The charity's key management comprise the trustees and the key staff named on the Charity Information page.

During the year key management and trustees received employment benefits totalling £nil (2023: £nil).

In addition the charity incurred expenditure totalling £5382 (2023: £4999) in respect of the customary provision of accommodation to Rev. Glyn Millington, who is a member of key management, so that he could better perform his duties.

9 Debtors

Falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Gift aid recoverable
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Total debtors
2024
£
8,803
2,734
-
10,827
22,364
2023
£
6,912
3,555
27
2,149
12,643

10 Cash at Bank and in Hand

Cash at bank with immediate access
Petty cash
2024
£
104,263
164
104,427
2023
£
125,530
318
125,848

11 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals
2024
£
5,586
795
5,510
11,892
2023
£
14,649
2,227
8,107
24,983

12 Pension commitments

During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £332 (2023: £937) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes. Pension contributions owing at the balance sheet date were £74 (2023: £nil).

Page 12

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

13 Funds

During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:

Designated Funds
Future Maintenance Fund
General Unrestricted Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
TEAR Fund
Aggregate of funds
Opening
balance
2024
£
20,000
20,000
93,508
113,508
-
-
113,508
Incoming
resources
2024
£
-
-
215,715
215,715
1,305
1,305
217,020
Outgoing
resources
2024
£
-
-
(214,324)
(214,324)
(1,305)
(1,305)
(215,629)
Transfers
in the year
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Gains and
losses
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Closing
balance
2024
£
20,000
20,000
94,899
114,899
-
-
114,899

Analysis of net assets by fund

The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:

Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year
General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
22,364
-
84,427
20,000
(11,892)
-
94,899
20,000
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
2024
£
22,364
104,427
(11,892)
General
funds
£
22,364
84,427
(11,892)
94,899
114,899

Page 13

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

13 Funds (continued)

In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:

Designated Funds
Future Maintenance Fund
General Unrestricted Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Community Worker Fund
Electrical Works Fund
Aggregate of funds
Opening
balance
2023
£
90,137
90,137
37,157
127,294
-
-
-
127,294
Incoming
resources
2023
£
-
-
208,032
208,032
5,000
10,000
15,000
223,032
Outgoing
resources
2023
£
-
-
(221,818)
(221,818)
(5,000)
(10,000)
(15,000)
(236,818)
Transfers
in the year
2023
£
(70,137)
(70,137)
70,137
-
-
-
-
-
Gains and
losses
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Closing
balance
2023
£
20,000
20,000
93,508
113,508
-
-
-
113,508

Analysis of net assets by fund

In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:

Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year
General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
12,643
-
105,848
20,000
(24,983)
-
93,508
20,000
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
2023
£
12,643
125,848
(24,983)
General
funds
£
12,643
105,848
(24,983)
93,508
113,508

The designated Future Maintenance Fund contains 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 adequacy and the purpose of this fund.

The restricted TEAR Fund was a collection taken for TEAR Fund, an evangelical relief and development charity whose objectives are in line with those of the charity, and which was fully utilised in the year.

In the prior year there were additional restricted funds for a grant of £5,000 from the Wessex Synod of the URC towards wages of the church community worker, and a CAF donation of £10,000 to be used to support required refurbishment of the electrical infrastructure, both of which were fully utilised in the prior year.

14 Transactions with related parties

During the year:

There have been no transactions with related parties during the year.

Page 14

Christ Church (URC) Henley-on-Thames

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Other income
6
Total income and endowments
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities:
7
Total Expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
13
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13
General
Designated
2024
2024
£
£
116,941
-
92,564
-
724
-
5,486
-
215,715
-
214,324
-
214,324
-
1,391
-
-
-
1,391
-
93,508
20,000
94,899
20,000
Unrestricted funds
Restricted
2024
£
1,305
-
-
-
1,305
1,305
1,305
-
-
-
-
-
Total
2024
£
118,246
92,564
724
5,486
217,020
215,629
215,629
1,391
-
1,391
113,508
114,899
General
Designated
2023
2023
£
£
88,789
-
118,679
-
260
-
304
-
208,032
-
221,818
-
221,818
-
(13,786)
-
70,137
(70,137)
56,351
(70,137)
37,157
90,137
93,508
20,000
Unrestricted funds
Restricted
2023
£
15,000
-
-
-
15,000
15,000
15,000
-
-
-
-
-
Total
2023
£
103,789
118,679
260
304
223,032
236,818
236,818
(13,786)
-
(13,786)
127,294
113,508

Page 15