Independent Examiner’s Report the PCC of Holy Trinity Much Wenlock and Bourton
I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 which are set out on pages 2 to 7.
Respectve Responsibilites of PCC and Examiner
The church’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church’s trustees consider that an audit is not requested for this year under section I44(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to: -
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Examine the accounts (under section I45 of the 2011 Act)
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by The Charity Commissioners under I45 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
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Basis of Independent Examiners report
My examination was conducted in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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To keep accounting records in accordance with section I30 of the 2011 Act; and
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirement of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
23[rd] May 2024 Jill Robinson, BSC, BFP, ACA Field House, Bourton, Much Wenlock TF13 6QE
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Much Wenlock with Bourton
Registered Charity No. 1142708
Statement of Financial Affairs
For year ending 31[st] December2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted & | ||||
| Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Fund | Fund | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income From: | ||||
| Donations & legacies | 95,262 | 7,371 | 102,633 | 105,078 |
| Charitable Activities | 4,610 | 4,610 |
8,224 | |
| Other related activities 22,684 | 22,684 |
18,507 | ||
| Investment | 2,107 | 400 | 2,507 | 751 |
| Other income | 60 | 60 | 93 | |
| __ ____ | __ | __ | ||
| Total income | 124,723 | 7,771 | 132,494 | 132,653 |
| Expenditure on: | ||||
| Raising funds | 493 | 493 | 713 | |
| Charitable activities | 4,171 | 4,171 | 3,166 | |
| Other expenditure | 114,494 | 6,910 | 121,404 | 129,216 |
| _____ | __ | _____ | ___ | |
| Total expenditure | 119,158 | 6,910 | 126,068 | 133,095 |
| Net income/expenditure 5,565 | 861 | 6,426 | (442) | |
| Choir & Bellringers accounts removed | (7,181) * | |||
| Totals brought forward. 45,607 | 78,766 | 124,373 | 131,996 | |
| __ _ | _____ | ____ | ||
| Totals carried forward. 51,172 | 79,627 | 130,799 | 124,373* |
- The 2022 accounts included accounts owned by the Bellringers and Choir. These have been removed from the balance sheet to provide an accurate comparison with 2023. See Note A.
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Much Wenlock with Bourton
Registered Charity No. 1142708
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| CURRENT ASSETS Bank Current accounts Bank Deposit account Bank CCLA account Cash in Hand Debtors & Prepayments Less Current Liabilities Represented by: - General Designated Mission 2,119 Fabric 6,460 Restricted Bourton 16,971 Sharpen 3,600 Fabric 51,685 Bells 7,371 |
2023 £ 2,311 102,457 25,075 40 2,500 132,383 (1,584) 130,799 42,593 2,119 7,668 8,579 19,617 3,600 55,549 79,627 130,799 |
2022 £ 4,599 98,708 31,079 40 4,585 139,011 (14,638) 124,373 35,820 9,787 78,766 124,373 |
|---|---|---|
- The 2022 accounts included accounts owned by the Bellringers and Choir. These have been removed from the balance sheet to provide an accurate comparison with 2023. See Note A
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Much Wenlock with Bourton
Registered Charity No. 1142708
Statement of Financial Affairs for year ending 31[st] December 2023
| General Unrestricted Income £ Giving 48,458 Gift Day 2,155 Charitable collections 4,610 Funerals/Weddings 4,774 Tax refunds 15,234 Donations 17,861 Grants 4,280 Fees 8,408 Fund Raising (Bells) Legacy etc 2,500 Herald 14,276 Sundry 60 Bank Interest 2,107 Total 124,723 Expenditure Distribute Charities 4,171 Charitable giving Parish Promise 66,296 Staff 8,694 Team expenses 1,406 Mission expenses 200 Utilities 8,860 Insurance 5,072 Cleaning 726 Repairs Churchyard Maint. 5,624 Sanctuary exp. 256 Bellringers exp. 32 Choir exp. 207 Admin exp. 497 Herald exp. 14,462 Fund raising 493 Sundry 954 Total expenditure 117,950 Movement 6,773 |
2023 Designated Restricted Total Unrestricted Funds Funds £ £ £ 48,458 2,155 4,610 4,774 15,234 17,861 4,280 8,408 7,371 7,371 2,500 14,276 60 400 2,507 7,771 132,494 4,171 66,296 8,694 1,406 200 8,860 5,072 726 1,208 4,036 5,244 2,874 8,498 256 32 207 497 14,462 493 _ 954 1,208 6,910 126,068 (1,208) 861 6,426 |
2022 Total Funds £ 53,978 2,101 2,419 3,073 15,530 17,479 8,478 8,224 3,893 1,500 15,133 93 752 132,653 3,166 252 65,272 6,717 2,750 452 7,296 4,497 248 9,783 13,496 499 32 1,205 950 13,756 712 2,012 133,095 (442) |
|---|---|---|
Notes to the Financial Statement or year ended 31[st] December 2023
It was decided that since the two churches were combined some time ago into a single PCC, the accounting needed to be consolidated. The Bourton bank accounts are now closed, with the money held in the combined Much Wenlock and Bourton bank account. The separate Bourton accounts are marked as such. Bourton is not a separate charity, so Gift Aid must be reclaimed through Much Wenlock.
The previous ten bank accounts have been consolidated into five.
The simplification of the accounting will continue into 2024, with plans to dramatically reduce the excessive complexity of previous accounting.
Notes to the 2023 accounts:
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A. Until now, the balance sheet included two bank accounts for the choir and bellringers. These are owned and operated by those two groups and the PCC has no control over them and has no say in how the money is raised or spent. It was agreed that they should not be on our balance sheet. We consulted the Diocesan finance director, who confirmed that they needed to be removed from our balance sheet.
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B. The Bellringers have been successful in raising funds for the future repairs to the bells. Most of the almost £25,000 raised is promised to the Bellringers including various grants, once the total has been reached. A much smaller sum is held by the PCC and is marked as being for the bells. A deposit was paid in March 2024 of £6,681 by the PCC from the money held by the PCC in order to facilitate commencement of the work.
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C. An initial 50% payment has been made for the decoration of the tower at Bourton. This amounted to £3,150. The balance will not be due until the work has been completed.
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D. The PCC had loaned £2,500 to Much Wenlock Ecclesiastical Society. This was outstanding at year end but repaid in March 2024.
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E. The increase in staff costs relates to a change of church cleaner, with the new incumbent working longer hours.
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1) The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, governing the accounts of PCCs and with the Regulations “true and fair view” provisions.
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2) Unrestricted Funds
These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for its own use or spending on a future project.
3) Restricted Funds
These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes.
Sharpen restricted fund is a legacy that must be spent on the upkeep of a grave in the Town Cemetery.
The Much Wenlock Fabric fund is a legacy from one parishioner to be spent on the upkeep of the building.
The Bourton restricted fund was a legacy for the upkeep of the churchyard.
4) Designated and Restricted Funds
| As at Income 01/01.23 £ £ Designated Bell Ringers Choir Fabric 7,668 Mission 2,119 Total 9,787 Restricted Sharpen 3,600 Bellringers 7,371 Fabric Much Wenlock 55,549 144 Churchyard Bourton 7,531 256 Fabric Bourton 12,086 ______ Total 78,766 7,771 |
Expenditure £ 1,208 _ 1,208 4,008 2,902 6,910 |
As at NOTES 31/12/23 £ Nil A Nil A 6,460 2,119 8,579 3,600 7,371 51,685 7,787 9,184 79,627 |
|---|---|---|
5) Staff Costs
| Wages and salaries Average no. of employees |
2023 £8,694 2 |
2022 £6,717 2 |
|---|---|---|
During the year, the PCC employed a Director of Music and a cleaner (both parttime) but no payments were large enough to attract social security costs and no pension contributions were made.
6) Related Parties
There were no employee benefits to key management personnel in the current or previous years.
No payments or expenses were paid to any PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related persons.
7) Analysis of Transfer between Funds
There were no transfers between funds.
8) Current Assets and Prepayments
| Debtors (unrestricted funds) Tax recoverable Prepayments Fees Other debtors Liabilities falling due in one year. Accruals utilities Other creditors Receipts in Advance |
2023 £ 2,500 2,500 1,584 1,584 |
2022 £ 2,489 984 242 870 4,585 3,262 3,896 7,480 14,638 |
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