Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church – Trustees Annual Report for 2019
Land and property
The Trust owns no property. The church building is vested in the Mersey Province Trust which holds the property for the benefit of Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church. The church’s share of the manse holds on trust most manses for the benefit of the churches within the Synod. Minor maintenance costs are borne by the three churches within the pastorate (See later) in proportion to their share of ministry. Large items of expenditure are borne mainly by the Province Trust.
Ministry
On 1[st] August 2019 the ministry vacancy came to an end when Catherine Atkinson was ordained and inducted to the newly expanded pastorate which now includes Ormskirk Street, Haresfinch and Rainford URCs. Ministry is shared in proportions 50% Ormskirk Street, 25% Haresfinch and 25% Rainford. Costs of ministry and manse are met in the same proportions; the Ormskirk Street treasurer responsible for payment and receiving repayment in the same proportions.
Services of Worship and Pastoral Care
Until the induction of Rev Catherine Atkinson, the arrangements continued as before. The church had Rev Peter Lyth as interim moderator, but his workload prevented him from regular attendance. However his main role was to assist with finding and making arrangements for the induction of a new minister. As a candidate, Mrs Atkinson received a large majority of members’ votes at Rainford and Ormskirk Street and a unanimous call to Haresfinch. We are grateful for the priority given by our Synod Moderator to finding a new minister and her inspiring ordination and induction service.
The three churches in the pastorate now share one minister and she leads worship in proportion to each church’s share but this is a flexible arrangement to allow for the requirement to attend training sessions for newly ordained ministers and annual leave which the churches attempt to share in proportion, again flexibly. Visiting ministers and the members of each church provide worship leaders as needed. This arrangement has worked well up to and including Christmas.
Each church holds midweek services and worship events and most are led by members with the minister leading occasionally. More work is needed on the future planning of these and other midweek services. More collaboration will ensue in the year to come to provide more worship and joint services particularly at festival times.
The minister provides pastoral care according to need. Each church provides most pastoral care through its Elders with the minister providing end of life and serious illness care. She also officiates at all funerals, weddings and baptisms.
The church hall at the Haresfinch church was destroyed in an arson attack and a complete rebuild, replacing a wooden building with a normally constructed building will begin in 2020 and that will take priority for the minister during rebuilding but particularly after commissioning. She will hopefully be freed to concentrate on the new mission opportunities.
Outreach
Our outreach to our Primary School has continued with our minister now joining the team to lead assemblies. Our outreach to those who use rooms within the church has continued to strengthen and our Local Church Leader is to lead encouraging more church members to get involved. In particular the church continues to give active support to St Helens Youth Brass Ban and that support is eagerly returned by the Band and its young members and their parents. Support of the St Helens Sinfonietta has also continued even after the death of their founder and musical director, Alan Free who was a church member. The new musical director is the same man as holds the same position with the Band so relationships should continue and shows signs of enhancement.
We still collect for St Helens Foodbank and two of our members are enthusiastic volunteers. Street Pastors continue to use our premises as a meeting point in late evenings without any charge.
Care of the Environment
We continue to build on our active implementation. The replacement heating system has bee installed and is working well. The church now has more control and it is possible through zoning to heat areas in use without heating the whole building but just maintaining background heating. Replacement lighting has been installed in more areas and savings are evident. Further replacements are planned for 2020.
Waste management has been improved and waste collection is better managed.
Finance
The accounts have been kept in accordance with Charity Commission requirements and independently examined by qualified accountant. Payments continue and now include ministerial expenses according to our share of 50%. They have been as expected but may vary as the new ministry progresses. We will be responsible additionally for payment of expenses in connection with further training for new ministers.
Spending is monitored monthly by Elders at their monthly meetings. Regular and detailed reports are given with clear explanations. Elders rarely need to seek clarification and find only evidence of good stewardship and adherence to financial guidelines.
The continuing improvements to the building are properly justified and managed. The special appeal for funds to replace the heating system has proved adequate, ending up with
a small surplus. Regular updates have been given to the church on the progress of the work and the payments made.
Data Protection
The church continues to follow guidance and participates in training. To the best of our knowledge and belief we follow all compulsory guidelines. Appropriate members participate in training and implement new advice. Appropriate insurance continues in force to insure against risk to the church and its Eldership and members.
The same information is given to users and updated. A church directory has not yet been produced due to failure of a number of members failing to respond to requests for agreement to publication and illness of the compiler. It is hoped to complete the task in early 2020. However no details will be published without consent.
Safeguarding
The church policy which complies with URC and Synod guidelines is communicated to all users of the building and the policy explained. All organisations dealing with young people (eg Guides) and all organisations for vulnerable people (incl Mental health, Dementia Etc) have their own policies with which we agree. DBS checks of all staff and any relevant volunteers are carried out. It is likely that more volunteers will require checks in 2020.
There have been no major incidents during the whole of 2019
ORMSKIRK STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, STHELENS
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| 2020 INCOME £ Direct Giving 44,164 Endowment and Investment 7,766 Capital Gift Fund 2,860 Internal Donations 300 Use of Rooms 28,178 Other Income - Coffee 1,048 Other Income - Other 2,476 Special Appeals :- Income 1,111 Less Donations (1,111) - 86,792 EXPENDITURE Ministry 28,606 Wider Work 899 Church Expenses - Wages and Utilities 33,035 Church Expenses - Other Items 13,836 Fabric Maintenance - Church 13,763 90,139 Net Surplus of (Expenditure) Over Income (3,347) GENERAL RESERVE Balance at 1 January 42,994 Surplus of (Expenditure) Over Income (3,347) 39,647 Realisation of 313 units held by United Reformed Church (Mersey Provence) Trust Limited 11,074 Transfer from Heating Fund 550 Balance at 31 December 51,271 2020 ASSETS £ Cash at Bank / Brokers HSBC Deposit Account 24,315 Royal Bank of Scotland 6,098 Investec 4,176 HSBC 40,046 Petty Cash 150 74,785 REPRESENTING BALANCES ON THE FOLLOWING FUNDS General Reserve 51,271 Music Festival Fund 1,427 Youth and Education Fund 7,249 Benevolent Fund 1,278 Capital Gift Fund 10,274 Organ Fund 3,286 Heating Fund - 74,785 BALANCE SHEET AS AT DECEMBER 2020 |
2019 £ 36,191 7,866 4,146 950 64,678 4,331 2,863 2,279 (2,279) - 121,025 29,753 154 52,511 16,914 21,077 120,409 616 38,396 616 39,012 - 3,982 42,994 2019 £ 15,891 5,501 16,233 42,844 150 80,619 42,994 1,724 7,478 2,100 21,734 2,888 1,701 80,619 |
2019 £ 36,191 7,866 4,146 950 64,678 4,331 2,863 2,279 (2,279) - 121,025 29,753 154 52,511 16,914 21,077 120,409 616 38,396 616 39,012 - 3,982 42,994 2019 £ 15,891 5,501 16,233 42,844 150 80,619 42,994 1,724 7,478 2,100 21,734 2,888 1,701 80,619 |
|---|---|---|
| 121,025 | ||
| 29,753 154 52,511 16,914 21,077 |
||
| 120,409 | ||
| 616 | ||
| 38,396 616 |
||
| 39,012 - 3,982 |
||
| 42,994 | ||
| 2019 £ 15,891 5,501 16,233 42,844 150 |
||
| 80,619 | ||
| 42,994 1,724 7,478 2,100 21,734 2,888 1,701 |
||
| 80,619 |
1
ORMSKIRK STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, STHELENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
1. Church premises at Ormskirk Street, St Helens
Valued for insurance during 2020 at £5,248,522
2. Stock held for general purposes and valued at
| ock held for general purposes and valued at | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nominal units 313 Investments held by United Reformed Church (Mersey Provence) Trust Limited (Repaid during year) ock held for capital and other purposes and valued at Corporate Bonds UK Equities Property Bond International Equities Alternative Assets |
2020 £ - - 2020 £ 16,138 39,936 13,215 25,182 7,188 101,659 |
2019 £ 12,507 |
| 12,507 | ||
| 2019 £ 6,103 37,392 13,722 28,568 6,271 |
||
| 92,056 |
3. Stock held for capital and other purposes and valued at
All of the above properties are vested in the United Reformed Church (Mersey Province) Trust Limited
4. Organ, furniture and equipment in the church premises
Valued for insurance during 2020 at £1,203,077130
5. Members and Adherents
| Number of Members Number of Adherents 6. Special Appeals Donations made from Income from Special Appeals were as follows Willowbrook Hospice Income to be distributed |
69 11 80 2020 £ 1,060 51 1,111 |
69 12 |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | ||
| 2019 £ - - |
||
| 2,279 |
These Accounts were agreed by the Elders on 8 April 2021
C Knight - Treasurer
R Newby - Church Secretary
2
ORMSKIRK STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, STHELENS
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the Trustees of Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church, St Helens (Charity Number 1145831) on the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 set out on pages 1 to 7
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2020
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity 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 Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed 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 material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act or;
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
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
Dated 8 April 2021
Geoffrey T. Johnson Chartered Accountant 33 Park Brook Lane Shevington Wigan WN6 8AF
3
ORMSKIRK STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ST HELENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
INCOME
| DIRECT GIVING Freewill Offering Loose Collections Income Tax Refunds on Covenants Subscriptions and Donations ENDOWMENT AND INVESTMENT Investments held by United Reformed Church (Mersey Provence) Trust Limited Allanson Charity Cross Trust Ravensdale Trust CAPITAL GIFT FUND Alternative Assets UK Equities International Equities Property Bond Corporate Bonds INTERNAL DONATIONS Luncheon Club Mixed Fellowship Mums & Tots Ladies Guild OTHER INCOME - OTHER Funeral Fees Phone & Photocopier Fundraising Events Sale of Cards/Books etc. Sundry Income Car Park |
2020 £ 34,527 1,115 7,212 1,310 44,164 201 965 600 6,000 7,766 84 1,101 807 510 358 2,860 250 - - 50 300 199 165 2,000 112 - - 2,476 |
2019 £ 26,343 1,789 6,876 1,183 |
|---|---|---|
| 36,191 | ||
| 418 848 600 6,000 |
||
| 7,866 | ||
| 71 1,667 1,099 521 788 |
||
| 4,146 | ||
| 600 300 50 - |
||
| 950 | ||
| - 755 1,410 303 20 375 |
||
| 2,863 |
4
ORMSKIRK STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ST HELENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
EXPENDITURE
| MINISTRY Ministry and Mission Contributions Ministers Expenses Manse Council Tax Manse Water Charges Manse Telephone Manse Maintenance Pulpit Supply WIDER WORK OF THE CHURCH Annual Donations to Charities CHURCH EXPENSES Wages Insurance Gas Electricity Water CHURCH EXPENSES - OTHER ITEMS Printing, Stationery and Postage Organ and Choir Telephone Maintenance Office Machines etc. Fees etc. Cleaning Materials etc. Worship Contribution From Allansons Library Fund Sundries Contribution From Allansons Library Fund FABRIC MAINTENANCE - CHURCH Central Heating - Servicing & Repairs Alarm Maintenance Building Survey Automatic Door Maintenance & Repairs Lift Maintenance & Repairs Miscellaneous New Carpet For Gallery Convert Lighting to LED Sale of Gas Cookers Removal of Gas Meter Blinds Drain Repairs & Cleaning Health & Safety Redecoration of Gallery Painting of Entrance Hall & Coffee Bar Roof Fund Install New Ovens Ground Maintenance |
1,455 - |
2020 £ 21,698 2,202 3,354 491 574 - 287 |
|---|---|---|
| 28,606 | ||
| 899 | ||
| 22,593 3,104 4,110 3,061 167 |
||
| 33,035 | ||
| 1,098 1,618 1,143 3,731 400 3,697 1,455 694 |
||
| 694 - |
||
| 13,836 |
5
ORMSKIRK STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ST HELENS
MUSIC FESTIVAL FUND FOR YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2020
| Balance brought forward Bank Interest Income Expenditure Balance carried forward |
2020 £ 1,724 1 158 1,883 456 1,427 |
2019 £ 1,544 1 942 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,487 763 |
||
| 1,724 |
YOUTH AND EDUCATION FUND FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2020
| Balance brought forward Bank Interest Income Expenditure Balance carried forward |
2020 £ 7,478 4 1,201 8,683 1,434 7,249 |
2019 £ 7,241 4 1,338 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,583 1,105 |
||
| 7,478 |
BENEVOLENT FUND YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| Balance brought forward Income Bank Interest Annual Distribution - Allansons Charity Expenditure Benevolent Payments Balance carried forward Balance brought forward Add Sale Of Investments Purchase of Investments 31,949 Brokers Charges 711 Balance carried forward THE BALANCE IS REPRESENTED BY THE FOLLOWING BANK ACCOUNTS Royal Bank of Scotland Investec CAPITAL GIFT FUND YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 |
2020 £ 2,100 2 676 678 1,500 1,500 1,278 2020 £ 21,734 21,200 42,934 243 32,660 779 |
2019 £ 2,002 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 594 |
||
| 598 | ||
| 500.00 | ||
| 500.00 | ||
| 2,100 | ||
| 2019 £ 6,178 16,578 |
||
| 22,756 1,022 |
||
| 10,274 6,098 4,176 10,274 |
21,734 | |
| 5,501 16,233 |
||
| 21,734 |
6
ORMSKIRK STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ST HELENS
ORGAN FUND YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| 2020 £ Balance Brought Forward 2,888 Add Donations Received 396 Bank Interest 2 398 3,286 2020 £ Balance Brought Forward 1,701 Transfer from General Reserve - 1,701 Add Donations Received - Income Tax Refund - Evans Trust - Congregational & General Trust - St Helens Trust - Bank Interest - 1,701 Less Consultants Fees - Replacement of Heating Equipment 1,701 1,701 Transfer to General Reserve - 1,701 Balance Carried Forward - 2020 £ Afternoon Fellowship 144 Flower Fund 204 Mixed Fellowship 161 Mother & Toddler 371 Catering Committee 76 Social Group 200 Ladies Guild 72 1,228 OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH ACCOUNTS CHURCH ORGANISATIONS HOLDING MONEY HEATING REPLACEMENT FUND YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 |
396 2 |
2020 £ 2,888 398 |
1,631 2 |
2019 £ 1,255 1,633 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,286 | 2,300 66,333 |
2,888 | ||
| 2020 £ 1,701 - |
2019 £ 22,115 - |
|||
| 1,701 - - - - - - |
22,115 15,660 4,002 18,000 12,000 2,500 39 |
|||
| 1,701 1,701 |
74,316 72,615 |
|||
| 1,701 - |
68,633 3,982 |
|||
| - | 1,701 | |||
| 2019 £ 144 154 145 390 232 1,957 119 |
||||
| 1,228 | 3,141 |
7
Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church Finance Report for the year 2020
2020 has been an exceedingly difficult year with the onset of the Covid Pandemic. As a result of the closures over the year, this has had a detrimental effect on our finances. Unfortunately, this has continued into 2021, but hopefully, with the new vaccines, things will return to some form of normality soon.
General Fund had a deficit of £3,347, which taking into consideration the year we have had is not a bad result.
The General Fund is used for the day to day running of the church and excludes specialised funds such as Benevolent, Youth & Education, Music and Organ.
As mentioned, we had an overall deficit with our income being down by £34,233 which represented a fall of 28%. We started 2020 with a General Fund of £42,994. At the end of the year, we started 2021 with a General Fund of £40197, excluding the £11,074 in respect of the realisation of units from Mersey Provence Trust Fund which was closed.
In examining the different income accounts in the General Fund, we find: -
Direct Giving Increased by £7,973 (+22%)
This is due to the generosity of our members, who despite no Church services ensured their donations were forwarded.
NOTE: The different aspects of Direct Giving were: -
FWO +£8,184 (+31%) Loose Collection -£674 (-28%) Gift Aid Tax Refund +£373 (+5%) Donations +£127 (+11%)
Endowment and Investment income was: -
Capital Gift Fund Income reduced by 31% Internal Donations reduced by 68% Endowment and Investment decreased by 1%
Use of Rooms
Use of Rooms remains a large part of our income. In 2020, we had reduced income of £28,178 which was a reduction of £36,500 or 56% on the previous year. As you will be aware this was due to organisations who had vulnerable members having to close and the several lockdowns we experienced throughout the year. This unfortunately has continued into 2021.
-2-
Coffee Mornings income was down by £3,283 (-76%)
Other Income was down by £387 (-14%)
Fund raising contributed £2,000 and again we are indebted to the Social Group for achieving this. Most of this donation came from events which were held before March 2020 and there have not been any events since then, meaning there is a loss on income. The gifts from other Church organisations, in these difficult times, are also appreciated.
In turning to expenditure, this decreased by £30,270 (-25%).
Ministry & Mission Contributions -18%
Ministerial expenses +248%
- This is the first full year for our Minister.
Wages -37%
-
We were able to claim back 80% of some of the wages under the Government Furlough Scheme. In addition, we have not yet replaced the Afternoon Caretaker who left us at the end of 2019.
-
Gas -40%
-
With the reduced use of the building, due to lockdown, we have had a reduction in use of gas. However, it is difficult to determine the exact figure as the meter was changed during the year and this has a different method of calculation, as opposed to the old meter. In addition, some of the billing from Total Gas and Power was delayed until into 2021.
Electricity -37%
- Electricity usage was down by 61%%. The new LED lighting is showing a benefit in usage. Again, delayed billing influenced the figures.
Water -91%
- This was due to a billing error on the part of United Utilities who took a large amount in the previous year and this has meant we have a large credit.
| Printing, Stationery &Postage | -60% |
|---|---|
| Maintenance Office Machines etc +21% | |
| Cleaning etc | -13% |
| Fabric Maintenance | -35% |
-3-
The balances in the other funds are: -
Music Fund £1,427 (-17%)
-
Loss of our Organ Recitals and other concerts resulted in this reduction.
-
Youth & Education Fund £7,249
-
Once again this has been used to subsidise the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows in the payment of their annual fees, purchase of flag for Guides and transport sponsorship for Queens Park School.
Benevolent Fund £1,278
- Funds from this account were used to support Ronald McDonald House, Christian Aid, Lebanon Appeal and St Helens Young Carers.
Organ Fund £2,888
- This is an important fund which will help towards the cost of major work which will be required in the next few years. I would recommend we endeavour to supplement this fund through donations and fund raising.
Investments
Mersey Provence Trust was closed by Synod and we received £11,074 on sale of units. Subject to approval, this could be used towards the roof repairs.
Other Stock value increased to £101,659 following the purchase of new investments, as mentioned in 2019 report.
At end of 2020 we were in a reasonable financial position, although as mentioned above, we did suffer considerable reductions in our income which were partly offset by reduced expenditure. It is difficult to predict 2021 trends, but we do have to be aware that we are faced once again with major expenditure on our roofs. It is therefore essential that we control our finances carefully, to ensure we do not end the year with a large deficit.
Following the decision of the Supreme Court, I am currently compiling a claim for loss of income under our insurance, but at this point cannot predict any figures.
On behalf of the elders, my thanks once again go to the congregation and users of our premises for their financial support in this exceedingly difficult year. This is very much a job for teamwork and my personal thanks go to Ian Thomas, Christine Hickman, David Hickman, Anne Greatorex, John Currie, Tony Whalley and those who assist with the weekly count. They all contribute towards the financial responsibility on behalf of the Church.
Copeland Knight Congregational Treasurer
April 2021