FARNHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY (Number 1138055)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
This report includes information required by the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting by Charities 2005 as applicable to charities entitled to prepare accounts on the receipts and payments basis.
ADM'NISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Farnham United Reformed Church is a local church of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain, and is a member church of the Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church. Farnham United Reformed Church is situated at South Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QU. Since 1 September 2018 it has operated wholly in conjunction with Farnham Methodist Church as a Local Ecumenical Partnership, known as The Spire Church, Farnham.
The Charity Trustees who served from 1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021 are: The Revd Philip Simpkins The Revd. Michael Hopkins Mr Roy Beard Mr Alan Crook Mr Roy Davenport Mrs Sue Dawson Mrs Jane Foxwell Mrs Sue Lang Mrs Helen McConnell Mrs. Alison Noakes Miss Ann Pook Mrs Heather Richards Mr Ian Sargeant Mr Nick Savill The Revd Howard Sharp (resigned 31 August 2021) Mrs Margaret Johnson (appointed 1 September 2021) Miss Frances Skerratt Mrs Janet Stone
The Church building at the junction of South Street and Victoria Road, and the Manse at 23 Hillary Road, are vested in the United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust Ltd. as trustees and held for the benefit of Farnham United Reformed Church in accordance with the trusts applicable to United Reformed Church properties.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Since 1 September 2018, Farnham United Reformed Church formed a Local Ecumenical Partnership, called The Spire Church Farnham, with Farnham Methodist Church (a charity currently excepted fromregistration). All worship and day-to-day activities have been handled by the two churches working together in The Spire Church since that date. Farnham United Reformed Church and Farnham Methodist Church both continue to exist as legal entities, but they share a completely common membership roll, and all their governance responsibilities have been formally delegated to The Spire Church. The trustees of The Spire Church are also trustees of the general funds of Farnham United Reformed Church. During 2020 a process of consolidation and simplification of funds and accounts began.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Spire Church, through which Farnham United Reformed Church operates, expresses its objectives thus: The Spire Church exists to help people experience the love of God through Jesus.
The trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in "The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit" and had regard to it in the administration of the Church. The trustees believed that, the Church provided benefit to the public by providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for the congregation and for anyone else who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers; promoting Christian values and service by members of the congregation to the community, for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
During the period of these accounts public worship was offered, the Gospel was preached, and the sacraments administered.
Study Groups took place.
Pastoral care was offered by the Ministers and others.
Members of the Church served the Community in a wide variety of roles, both within and beyond the Church.
The Spire Coffee bar and groups for toddlers, children, young people and adults, are open to everyone. Rooms were made available for community use when not required for church use, requesting contributions towards the running of the Church to cover costs. Likewise charges in the coffee bar are kept as low as possible to encourage community use and fellowship as well as covering operating costs and making donations to other charities.
We have sought to improve our welcome to people, to enhance the premises, and to engage with the cultural life of the community to promote spiritual values.
We continued to work with all other local churches, specifically other churches in Farnham, and local Methodist and United Reformed Churches.
Plans for the refurbishment and development of the building, known as the Pilgrim Project, have developed considerably.
The coronavirus pandemic had a major effect upon the work of the charity during much of the year.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
During the period, the Accounts show that the church had a surplus in its funds of £66,508, compared to a deficit of £17.936 the previous year. Because of the consolidation of funding into the Spire Church, and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, while these accounts are wholly accurate, they only show a part of the operation a combined entity.
This report was approved by the Trustees at their meeting on 29 September 2022 and authorised the Minister and Church Secretary to sign off the accounts and report.
Michael Hopkins Minister
Alison Noakes Church Secretary
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Sectlon A Independont Examlnerfo Report Farnham United Reformed Church Report to the trusteèsl members of On a¢counts for the year 31 De¢ernber 2021 ended Charity no lif any) 1138055 Set out on pages 3&4 I report to the lrnslees on my examinalion of the anIS ol the above ehantyllhe Trust") lor the year ended 3111212020 As the chanty Injstees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation Rtsponsibllities and ol the ac£ounts in accordance wlh the reqLtiremenls ol the Charities Ad basis of report 20111-Ihe Acl"). I report In respeci ol my examination of the Tnjst's accounts carried out under section 145 01 the 2011 Ad and in carying out my examination. I have followed the applicable Diredions given by the Charrty Commission under section 14515llbl of ihe Aci. I have corneted My examination. I confim that no material matters have come lo my attention lolher than that dis¢lose(1 telow'l in connection th Ihe examination which gNe$ me Cause lo beheve that in, any material respect.. ac¢ountir¥J record$ **re not kepl in awdance %wth sects'on 130 01 the Act or the awnts do not accord with accounting records Independent examinèr's statement I have r4) concerrffj and have me across no olher matters in connects'on th the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order lo enable proper understarKling ol the a¢UnIS lo te reached Ple8S8 t& the wonls in the br8ckels rfthey nol appty. Slun. Date: Nam•: Michael Williamson Rèlèvant profe$$ion81 qualificationlsl or body Ilf any): Addrnss: 8 Glyswood. Famham. GU10 4TN IER October 2018
SectFon B Dls¢lo*urn Only complele It Ihe examiner needs 10 highlighl mailers ol concern (see CC32, Independent examinalion ol charity accoun15" direclion5 and guidance lor examiners). Give here brief detsils of any items that the èxaminer wishes to di3cIo IER October 2018
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