2023-12-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 1st January 2023 To 31st December 2023

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1157857 Charity's principal address Ipswich Street Stowmarket Suffolk Postcode IP14 1AD

Stowmarket United Reformed Church

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not **for whole year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	The Revd Robert Sheard	Chair		Church Meeting
	Mr Brian Hewitt	Secretary	From 1stJuly 2023	Church Meeting
	Miss Anne Scarff	Treasurer		Church Meeting
	Mrs MaryDurrant			Church Meeting
	Mrs Janet Webb			Church Meeting
	Mrs Helen Freeman			Church Meeting
	Mr John Webb			Church Meeting
	Mrs Jane Gurney			Church Meeting
	Mrs Margaret Jackson			Church Meeting
	Mrs Joyce Gardiner			Church Meeting
	Mrs Lois Muller			Church Meeting
	Mr Keith Scarff			Church Meeting
	Mrs Linda Baxter			Church Meeting
	Mrs Monika Sudirgo			Church Meeting
	Mrs Pauline Gosling			Church Meeting
	Mrs Irene Martin		Until 27thNov 2023	Church Meeting
	Mrs Michaela Farmer			Church Meeting
	Mrs Margaret Clarke			Church Meeting

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

	Name	Dates acted if not for whole year
	Eastern Synod URC

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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address
Independent examiner	Matthew Aldous	Matthew Aldous, 5 Market Place, Stowmarket, Suffolk
		Ip14 1DT
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document Constitution

• (eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted Trust (eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods Elected by Church Members at Church Meeting. (eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

• policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;

• the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;

• relationship with any related parties;

• trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Activities of the church are overseen by the Elders’ Meeting of the Church in accordance with the provisions of The Structure of the United Reformed Church determined by the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church and supplemented by the Stowmarket URC constitution.

The Elders’ Meeting is responsible for the financial administration of the Church, the care and maintenance of Church premises and the manse. The Elders report to the Church Meeting (all church members are entitled to attend) which has overall decision making and gives general guidance on the life and work of the Church.

Groups (Buildings, Finance, Ministry and Social/Outreach with Fundraising) look at aspects of church matters and report to the Elders meeting.

The Finance Group review financial practice using guidance from Charity Commission. A Financial review was held in November 2023 based on cc8.

The Elders of the church are Church Members and Trustees. Elders normally serve a 3year period and then are able to be re-nominated. All Elders, and therefore Trustees, are nominated by Church Members and elected at a Church Meeting.

The Minister is a Trustee and is the Chair of the Trustees.

The Church is a congregation of the United Reformed Church.

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All major insurable risks are subject to normal churches’ and employees’ insurance.

An annual review of the Safeguarding policy is carried out.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

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 have regard to the guidance by the Charity Commission on Public Benefit. The Charity is a Public benefit Entity - we are set up to benefit the general public. Our activities include: Providing regular public worship for all. Promoting the Christian Faith. Teaching the faith to all ages. Providing training, nurture and activities for children and young people. Serving the community. Giving pastoral care and support to members and others in need, particularly those in sickness, distress or poverty. Providing premises and resources for community groups and activities. We are not aware of any detriment or harm resulting from the implementation of our purposes. We have one Trustee who is employed by the church as an Administrator. The role pre-dates her appointment as Trustee. Our Minister is paid expenses incurred in the fulfilment of his ministry. Otherwise, no Trustee benefitted from work at the church and there were no personal benefits paid to Trustees. .

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Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

We rely on volunteers for our activities. In addition to Bible study and coffee mornings they also run our Fundraising activities.

• policy on grantmaking;

• policy programme related investment;

We do not offer grants.

We regularly review our finances to maximise them.

• contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

We provided regular Public Worship for all. The worship is led by trained Summary of the main ministers, or lay people who adhere to the central messages of the Christian achievements of the charity faith. We continue to offer our services on Zoom. during the year We promoted the Christian faith. We taught the Faith to all ages through Services, Meetings, Bible study groups, and Children’s Activities. Children’s activities include: Family Church, “Messy Church” and “Open the Book”, the latter involves a group from the Church enacting Bible stories at one of the local Primary Schools.

We served the Community by providing opportunities for quiet reflection when we were able to do so. We provided a location for baptisms, weddings and funeral services, irrespective of whether the individuals have strong Christian beliefs, or not. We supported the Stowmarket Food Bank. We provided a venue for a Charity Christmas Day dinner. . We provide opportunities for the community to come together over refreshments. Our coffee mornings are warm spaces available to the community. We continued to give pastoral care and support to members and others in need, particularly those in sickness, distress, or poverty We provided premises and resources for community groups and activities. The Church allowed a Dance School, Choirs, U3A, and other organisations to use part(s) of the church premises. Organisations hired part of the premises for a variety of events and activities. A number of Concerts have been held on our premises. Fundraising events for Church funds are also held. Some Charity enterprises were offered facilities free of charge or at a reduced rate.

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Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the

charity’s policy on reserves

We retain £10,000 in our accounts as reserves to meet unexpected demands of a general nature. Designated funds are held for :Growth; Improvement; Projects; Building; Commitment for Life; Organ; and Pirmasens. In addition we have historic Restricted funds for Local Needs Benevolent; Coupland; Foord;

Details of any funds materially in deficit

NONE

Further financial review details (Optional information)

The principal sources of income are through free will offerings, hire of premises and fundraising.

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

A proportion of our income (approx. 1/3[rd] ) is used exclusively for Ministry and Mission within the wider URC.

• the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);

We use TSB and CAF banks.

• how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;

• the key objectives of the charity; For 2023 Income was £88764 and expenditure £104875. A number of

• • investment policy and repairs to the building and the boiler; the increase in oil prices; and the need for professional help with Finances resulted in Reserves being

• objectives including any ethical used.

• investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

During the year we appointed a new Secretary.

Despite a loss in income we are a going concern.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s) Anne Maureen Scarff

Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Treasurer etc) Date 31/3/2024

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Stowmarket URC Charity, Registered Charity No 1157857 Stowmarket United Reformed Church

Ipswich Street

Stowmarket

Suffolk, IP14 1AD

End of Year Financial Statements

Year ending 31[st] December 2023

Accounts based on Accrual Accounting FRS102 SORP 2015

The accounts are prepared in accordance with Charity Law

January 2024

The United Reformed Church Stowmarket - 1157857

Statement of Financial Activities

For the period from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

	Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Prior year
	funds	funds	funds	funds	total funds
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies	41,841	90	—	41,931	41,354
Other trading activities	22,308	—	—	22,308	18,794
Investments	5,709	—	—	5,709	4,605
Other income	18,815	—	—	18,815	24,547
Total income	88,674	90	—	88,764	89,301
Expenditure on:
Raising funds	137	—	—	137	—
Expenditure on charitable activities	52,638	381	—	53,019	48,241
Other expenditure	51,718	—	—	51,718	58,280
Total expenditure	104,493	381	—	104,875	106,521
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer	(15,818)	(291)	—	(16,110)	(17,219)
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in	4,538	—	—	4,538	5
Gross transfers between funds - out	(4,538)	—	—	(4,538)	(5)
Other recognised gains / losses
Net movement in funds	(15,818)	(291)	—	(16,110)	(17,219)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward	164,189	11,672	—	175,861	193,081
Total funds carried forward	148,370	11,381	—	159,751	175,861

Statement of Cashflows has not been included, as they are not required due to thresholds.

There are no related party transactions

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown

Page 1a

The United Reformed Church Stowmarket - 1157857

Statement of Financial Activities

For the period from 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022

	Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Prior year
	funds	funds	funds	funds	total funds
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies	41,343	11	—	41,354	40,970
Other trading activities	18,794	—	—	18,794	10,055
Investments	4,605	—	—	4,605	4,181
Other income	23,906	—	—	23,906	28,379
Total income	88,650	11	—	88,661	83,586
Expenditure on:
Expenditure on charitable activities	47,199	401	—	47,601	37,986
Other expenditure	58,280	—	—	58,280	53,221
Total expenditure	105,479	401	—	105,881	91,207
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer	(16,829)	(390)	—	(17,219)	(7,620)
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in	5	—	—	5	10,000
Gross transfers between funds - out	(5)	—	—	(5)	(10,000)
Other recognised gains / losses
Net movement in funds	(16,829)	(390)	—	(17,219)	(7,620)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward	181,018	12,063	—	193,081	200,702
Total funds carried forward	164,189	11,672	—	175,861	193,081

Statement of Cashflows has not been included, as they are not required due to thresholds.

There are no related party transactions

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown

Page 1b

The United Reformed Church Stowmarket - 1157857

Balance sheet (Summary) As at: 31 December 2023

	As at 31/12/2023 £	As at 31/12/2022 £
Fixed assets Tangible assets Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted Unrestricted - General fund Designated Designated - Improvement Fund Designated - Project Fund Designated - Haughley Fund Designated - Growth Fund Designated - Commitment for Life Fund Designated - Pirmasens Fund Designated - Organ Fund Designated - Pastorate Fund Restricted Restricted - Local Needs Benevolent Fund Restricted - Coupland Fund Restricted - Foord Fund Funds of the charity	14,464 14,464 3161 142,354 145,516 228 145,287 159,751 159,751 18,522 — 114,467 — 8,500 256 494 4,377 1,752 2,080 231 9,068 159,751	21,859 21,859 3,180 150,955 154,135 133 154,002 175,861 175,861 22,212 2,291 123,867 — 8,500 — 494 4,377 2,446 2,010 231 9,430 175,861

Note: Trustees agreed that Restricted and Designated Funds are correct Accounts agreed

Signed on behalf of the Trustees ……………………………………………………………… Date ………………………… Revd: Robert Sheard Chairman

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown

Page 2

The United Reformed Church Stowmarket - 1157857

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) As at: 31 December 2023

Class and nominal code	General	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Last year
Fixed assets - Tangible assets
FA032014 : Balcony Rails	—	—	—	—	—	588
FA042014 : Staging	—	—	—	—	—	485
FA102020 : Kitchenette	—	8,996	—	—	8,996	10,496
FA2013 : New Church Chairs	—	—	—	—	—	1,217
FA2017 : HP Photocopier	—	—	—	—	—	242
FA2020 : Church Technology	—	2,310	—	—	2,310	4,620
FA2021 : New Church Microphone	—	3,157	—	—	3,157	4,209
and Camera
Total	—	14,464	—	—	14,464	21,859
Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand
C30 : CAF General Cash Account	(125,457)	116,357	10,099	—	1,000	1,000
C31 : CAF Gold Account	45,764	(3,047)	389	—	43,106	56,581
C34 : CAF Pastorate Account	—	1,752	—	—	1,752	2,446
C36 : TSB Petty Cash Account	9,348	321	1,120	—	10,790	6,072
C37 : TSB Business Instant Access	85,706	—	—	—	85,706	84,855
Savings
Total	15,361	115,383	11,609	—	142,354	150,955
Current assets - Debtors
Z05 : Accounts Receivable	3,161	—	—	—	3,161	3,180
Total	3,161	—	—	—	3,161	3,180
Liabilities - Agency accounts
6699 : Agency collections	—	—	228	—	228	133
Total	—	—	228	—	228	133
Net total assets	18,522	129,847	11,381	—	159,751	175,861

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown

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The United Reformed Church Stowmarket - 1157857

Analysis of income and expenditure Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

						Total
	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	This year		Last year
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies
B7 - Local Needs Benevolent Fund	—	—	90	—	90		11
D1 - Donations Received	—	—	—	—	—		2,694
F3 - Freewill Offering	36,463	—	—	—	36,463		34,571
G6 - Gift Day	5,122	—	—	—	5,122		3,945
W3 - Commitment for Life	—	256	—	—	256		132
Donations and legacies Totals	41,585	256	90	—	41,931		41,354
Other trading activities
C1 - Coffee Mornings	2,746	—	—	—	2,746		2,337
P8 - Premises Letting	16,676	—	—	—	16,676		14,776
S1 - Special Fund Raising Events	1,575	—	—	—	1,575		547
S5 - SHCT (Cycle Ride)	178	—	—	—	178		150
W2 - Wide Horizons	1,132	—	—	—	1,132		983
Other trading activities Totals	22,308	—	—	—	22,308		18,794
Investments
I12 - Int on Manse account at Synod	3,821	—	—	—	3,821		3,790
I5 - Int on TSB Business Instant Access	850	—	—	—	850		355
I6 - Interest on CAF Gold a/c	824	—	—	—	824		249
I7 - Interest on CAF Cash a/c	2	—	—	—	2		0
Y1 - Yaxley Trust	210	—	—	—	210		208
Investments Totals	5,709	—	—	—	5,709		4,605
Other income
F4 - Funerals	—	—	—	—	—		300
G8 - Grant	2,405	—	—	—	2,405		—
I1 - Income Tax Gift Aid Refund	7,688	—	—	—	7,688		7,522
L2 - Loss of 2020/21 Income Insurance	—	—	—	—	—		7,478
Claim
M8 - Miscellaneous Income	200	—	—	—	200		640
P28 - Pastorate Group Income	—	7,159	—	—	7,159		6,796
T1 - Transfers from Pastorate	1,295	—	—	—	1,295		1,809
W4 - Worship Misc:	66	—	—	—	66		—
Other income Totals	11,655	7,159	—	—	18,815		24,547
Income and endowments	81,259	7,415	90	—	88,764		89,301
Grand totals

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown

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Expenditure

Raising funds
S03 - Special Fund Raising Events	29	—	—	—	29	—
T03 - Training	50	—	—	—	50	—
W02 - Wide Horizons	58	—	—	—	58	—
Raising funds Totals	137	—	—	—	137	—
Expenditure on charitable activities
A05 - Church Office	863	—	—	—	863	894
B07 - Local Needs Benevolent Fund	—	—	19	—	19	—
C020 - Church Projects Expenditure	—	—	—	—	—	433
D01 - Donations Made	282	—	—	—	282	30
F06 - Foord exp	—	—	361	—	361	401
M010 - Manse Costs not shared from	7,001	—	—	—	7,001	3,992
1/10/12
M04 - Ministerial Costs/Expenses	1,365	—	—	—	1,365	1,374
M09 - Miscellaneous Exp	32	—	—	—	32	1,550
O03 - Organ & Piano Upkeep	150	—	—	—	150	362
O1 - Organist	2,240	—	—	—	2,240	2,080
P010 - Premises Water	562	—	—	—	562	499
P012 - Office Equip wef 1/1/20	38	—	—	—	38	—
P013 - Pulpit Supply	880	—	—	—	880	696
P027 - Heating Repairs	3,438	—	—	—	3,438	528
P03 - Premises Cleaning	733	—	—	—	733	357
P04 - Premises Electricity	3,853	—	—	—	3,853	2,173
P05 - Premises Fire Precautions	820	—	—	—	820	649
P06 - Premises Repair	4,062	—	—	—	4,062	6,103
P07 - Premises Heating	11,669	—	—	—	11,669	12,936
P09 - Premises Telephone/Broadband	1,430	—	—	—	1,430	1,614
S06 - Sound Equipment	225	—	—	—	225	—
S07 - Salaries	11,834	—	—	—	11,834	10,582
W03 - Commitment for Life	—	—	—	—	—	132
W04 - Worship Miscellaneous	1,153	—	—	—	1,153	850
Expenditure on charitable	52,638	—	381	—	53,019	48,241
activities Totals
Other expenditure
B01 - Bookkeeper	1,547	—	—	—	1,547	322
B08 - Bank Charges	60	—	—	—	60	82
D03 - Depreciation	242	7,153	—	—	7,395	8,104
E01 - Employee Income Tax Paid	855	—	—	—	855	594
I02 - Insurance	5,385	—	—	—	5,385	5,109
M07 - Ministry & Mission fund	24,396	—	—	—	24,396	32,856
P028 - Pastorate Group Expenditure	—	7,853	—	—	7,853	6,995
T01 - Transfers to Pastorate account	4,223	—	—	—	4,223	4,215
Other expenditure Totals	36,711	15,006	—	—	51,718	58,280
Expenditure Grand totals	89,486	15,006	381	—	104,875	106,521

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown

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Paid employees

Staff Costs

Paid employees Staff Costs
Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) Other employee benefits Total staff costs	This year £	Last year £
	11834	10583
	0	0
	0	0
	0	0
	11051183483101 11005	10583

Band	Number of employees
£2000 to £6000	1
£6000 to £10,000	1

Average head count in the year The parts of the charity in which the employees work		This year Number	Last year Number
	Fundraising	-	-
	Charitable Activities	0.62	0.62
	Governance	-	-
	Other	-	-
	Total	0.62	0.62

The church used the services of one part-time cleaner to clean the premises, and a part-time Church Administrator to run the Church Office.

We do not run a defined contribution Pension Scheme

Trustee expenses.

There was no trustee’s remuneration in the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Fees for examination of the accounts

The independent examiner fees.

Independent examiner’s fee	2023	2022
	300+vat	300+vat

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Tangible Fixed Assets

At the beginning of the year 1/1/2023 Additions Revaluations Disposals Transfers At end of the year 31/12/2023 Basis* Rate At beginning of the year 1/1/2023 Disposals Depreciation At end of the year 31/12/2023 Net book value at the beginning of the year Net book value at the end of the year 2023	Freehold land & buildings £	Fixtures, fittings and equipment £	Total £
	19703	41620	61323
	0.00	0.00	0.00
	0.00	0.00	0.00
	55792	13987	69779
	0.00	0.00	0.00
	19703	41620	61323
	SL	SL	SL
	10%	10% &20%	10% & 20%
	8618	30845	39463
	0.00	0.00	0.00
	2088	5308	7396
	10706	36153	46859
	11085	10775	21860
	8997	5467	14464

Items 1, 2 and 3 listed below are assets held by the URC (Eastern Province) Trust as the Custodian Trustees of these assets and hence these items do not appear in the balance sheet of this church. Fixtures, fittings and equipment purchased since 1[st] January 2001 have been capitalized, subject to the following:

• (a) The item has a value >£1000 (previously> £500)

• (b) The item does not represent a maintenance, or replacement item.

• (c) If the item is a gift of equipment,or money to purchase equipment it must add significantly

to the existing overall value of the church premises, or have a significant immediate realisable value.

1. The Freehold and contents in the Church in Ipswich Street.

2. The Freehold of the Manse in Temple Road.

3. £117k invested by the Synod in COIF Bank. (The income alone is expendable, allowable by existing URC policy- may be subject to change).

The church does not have a policy for revaluation of assets .

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Debtors and prepayments

Please complete this note if the charity has any debtors or prepayments.

Analysis of debtors Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors Total	2023 £	2022 £
	0.00	0.00
	1379	1258
	1782	1922
	3161	3180

Creditors and accruals

Please complete this note if the charity has any creditors or accruals.

Analysis of creditors Bank loans and overdrafts Accruals and deferred income Taxation and social security Other creditors Total
	Amounts falling due within oneyear
	2023 £	2022 £
	0.00	0.00
	0.00	0.00
	0.00	0.00
	0.00	0.00
	0.00	0.00

There is no Security over assets:

Endowment and Restricted Funds

The church has no Endowment Funds

Grant-making policy

Grants made to institutions in a given year are agreed at a Church Meeting.

Page 8

Stowmarket URC Charity Independent Examiner’s Report Year ending 31[st] December 2023

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Stowmarket URC Charity

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Stowmarket URC Charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees 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 all the applicable directions given by the Chairty 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust 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.

Matthew Aldous

Matthew Aldous FMAAT 5 Market Place STOWMARKET Suffolk

11th April 2024