ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
Accounts – 31[st] December 2023
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
(A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)
Charity number: 1159042 Company number: 08983424
Accounts – 31[st ] December 2023
INDEX
1-3. Report of the Directors and General Information 4. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees 5. Statement of Financial Activities 6. Balance Sheet 7-12. Notes to the Accounts
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 ( Continued)
The Directors are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of charitable company for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the charities Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland; FRS 102) issued in October 2019.
Reference and Administration Details
The charity’s name is St Paul’s Church Worcester.
Charity Registration Number: 1159042 Company Number: 08983424 Registered Office: St Paul’s Church St Paul’s Street Worcester Worcestershire WR1 2BH
Directors and Trustees
The Directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law. The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Dorothy Burnett Chair C Stacey Peter Boyd (resigned 27 May 2023) Doreen Porter Linden John Burnett Rhian Anstey John Micah (appointed 12 June 2023)
The Church management is vested in these Trustees who comprise duly appointed or elected Leaders of the Church. Dorothy Burnet is Chair and the other Officer is Mr C Stacey.
Objectives and Activities
The main objects of the charity are:
-
a) The advancement of the Christian Religion by the proclamation and furtherance of the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ the Lord and the preaching and teaching of the Word of God by the Church in accordance with the Statement of Fundamental Truths of Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland as approved by the General Council from time to time (the Statement).
-
b) Such other charitable purposes as shall further the attainment of the above objects of the Church or any of them.
-
c) The furtherance of the other charitable work of the Church consistently with the Statement.
-
d) The furtherance of the work of Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland and the promotion of the spiritual teaching and the maintenance of the Statement and the promotion of religious observances that manifest the Statement.
-
e) Outreach into the community of the City of Worcester supporting and caring for those in need.
Achievements and Performance
In planning the activities of the charitable company the Trustees have considered the Commission’s guidance on
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 ( Continued)
public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the enhancement of religion.
Having added a second service towards the end of 2022 the numbers attending the church on a Sunday have steadily increased during 2023 with around 160 people regularly attending across the two services. In addition to our Sunday services all our weekday groups have continued to grow and thrive and there are now fifteen groups run by St Paul’s supporting not only regular church goers, but also those from the wider community. In addition to our ongoing activities of parents and toddler groups, lunch clubs for older people, community coffee mornings, English as a foreign language classes, Knit & Natter, and Saturday morning football, we have added a group for those wishing to enjoy time together at the cinema, theatre or visiting a restaurant. Oasis, a group offering support to the bereaved, has also recently restarted. In total the church is used by more than 400 people each week. We continue to explore ways in which to connect with our local community. All our activities are assessed and reviewed to ensure they remain in line with our vision and values.
With the growth in church numbers and associated activity two further paid staff appointments have been made in the areas of safeguarding and pastoral administration. Our Children’s Pastor has recently stepped down to explore other opportunities, and, while we will look to appoint the right person as a replacement, we are confident that there is an extremely capable team in place who will continue to build on the excellent provision for the children.
Throughout 2023 the church had six trustee/directors. There is a wide breadth of knowledge and experience within the trustee team, and we continue to look to increase the number of trustees should an opportunity arise. Over the course of the last 12 months all policies and governance documents have been reviewed and amended where appropriate.
Financially the church is in a sound position with our congregation continuing to be generous in their giving. We continue to plan for the future of the property and have begun to explore the possibility of purchasing the building. Over the last year a quinquennial report on the state of the building, together with a five yearly check on the electrics have been conducted. As a result, the wiring in the building has been upgraded where required and a fire alarm system installed. We report against an annual budget to gauge how our finances are at any point in time. Our intention is to stay linked to the AOG family, and several visiting pastors and church leaders have attended St Paul’s. This maintains an openness and accountability to the way in which our church functions. Our links with other church leaders in the city of Worcester remain strong, and it has been our privilege to host a number of well attended joint services with other City churches.
We look forward to the coming year and beyond with a sense of excitement and feel we are well equipped to deal with the challenges and opportunities presented to us.
Financial Review
There was a surplus for the year in general funds of £27,189. Our general fund income from Tithes and Offerings (our principal source of funding) for the year was £147,996 (including Gift Aid) compared to £138,137 for 2022 so this income has continued to grow. General fund income Tithes and Offerings also benefited from a legacy of £71,698 in 2023.Income from Activities (General and Restricted) was £32,731 for the year compared to £22,838 in 2022 as restrictions from Covid 19 still affected part of 2022.
We have no fundraising activity as such; however our policy is that all events and functional areas of the church must break even on their activities.
As with any charity, there are items of expenditure which we have very limited control over i.e the insurances. However, we have a Budget in place and account activities are managed on the SAGE accounts system so that we have good monthly review and control processes in place.
The areas described as “Church Activities” includes Children, Youth and Citycare which form part of what we see as core purpose for our work and are areas we want to support and sustain wherever possible.
The building continues to be a concern regarding the liability for repair going forward and the Trustees have taken
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 ( Continued)
advice on this matter. Repairs will be carried out on a needs must basis and a plan is to be developed for the long term future.
We have no concerns about the viability of the charity and its functioning as such into the future.
Reserves Policy
The Building Reserve Account can only be expended by agreement of the Trustees.
The directors have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves taking account of the main risks to the organization. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 2 and 3 months of expenditure. The directors consider that this should be £40,000 in general funds based on 2023 expenditure. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirement of the charity and the directors are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. As at 31 December 2023, general funds stood at £134,613, £4,453 funds the fixed assets of the charity which leaves £130,160 as available working capital of which £8,905 is designated for building repairs. The present level of the reserves available to the charity are therefore now £80,000 above the level required. The trustees transferred £40,000 to a deposit account with The Kingdom Bank to ensure the 2/3 months reserves are not utilized on general running expenses.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
St Paul’s Church Worcester is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 7[th] April 2014. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute amounts not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of winding up.
The Directors of this company are Mr LJ Burnett, Mr C Stacey, Ms R Anstey. Mrs D Burnett, Mr J Micah and Mrs D Porter. The company number is 08983424.
Appointment of Trustees
The directors keep the composition of the board under review and will seek to appoint additional members with appropriate skills and expertise should the need arise. Interested parties are given details of the background of the charitable company in order to make them aware of current activities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the Small Companies Regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Approved by the directors on 22[nd] May 2024 and signed on its behalf by:-
Dorothy Burnett - Director
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of St Pauls Church Worcester (the charitable company) for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity’s trustees (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
A P Williams FCCA A J Carter & Co Chartered Accountants
22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB
2024
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
Statement of Financial Activities (including an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31[st] December 2023
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other 5 Total incoming resources Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities 6 Other Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ 219,694 8,872 228,566 23,343 9,388 32,731 897 - 897 243,934 18,260 262,194 - - - 216,745 18,366 235,111 - - - 216,745 18,366 235,111 27,189 (106) 27,083 - - - 27,189 (106) 27,083 107,424 3,439 110,863 £134,613 £3,333 £137,946 |
Total Funds 2022 £ 147,517 22,838 840 |
|---|---|---|
| 171,195 | ||
| - 169,674 - |
||
| 169,674 | ||
| 1,521 - |
||
| 1,521 109,342 |
||
| £110,863 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
BALANCE SHEET
as at 31[st] December 2023
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 11 Investments Total fixed assets Current assets Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 13 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors:falling due after more than 1 year Provisions for liabilities Total net assets 14 The funds of the Charity Restricted income funds 15 Unrestricted income funds 15 Revaluation reserve Total unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
2023 £ 4,453 - 4,453 4,340 137,061 141,401 7,908 133,493 137,946 - £137,946 3,333 134,613 - 134,613 £137,946 |
2022 £ 5,936 - |
|---|---|---|
| 5,936 | ||
| 3,983 109,637 |
||
| 113,620 8,693 |
||
| 104,927 | ||
| 110,863 - |
||
| £110,863 | ||
| 3,439 | ||
| 107,424 - |
||
| 107,424 | ||
| £110,863 |
For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors Responsibilities
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the act with respect to the accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the Small Companies Regime within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These accounts were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 22 May 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:
Dorothy Burnett – Director
The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] December 2023
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of Preparation
- The financial statements have been prepared in accordance the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Reporting Financial Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
- b) Public Benefit Entity
St Paul’s Church Worcester meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
- c) Going Concern
The Directors consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
- d) Income Recognition Policies
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
-
The charity has entitlement to the funds;
-
any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
-
there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
-
the amount can be measured reliably.
Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
- e) Interest Receivable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
f) Fund Accounting
- Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the Charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for the particular areas of the Charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity.
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
-
g) Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT
-
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
- h) Tangible Fixed Assets
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on the reducing balance basis as follows:
Asset Annual Category Rate Furniture and equipment 25% Reducing balance
- i) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
-
j) Cash at Bank and in Hand Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
-
k) Creditors and Provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
2. Legal Status of the Charity
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.
| 3. Income from donations Gifts and donations Grants |
2023 £ 227,366 1,200 £228,566 |
2022 £ 142,417 5,100 |
|---|---|---|
| £147,517 |
Of the £228,566 received in 2023 £8,872 was restricted funds and £219,694 unrestricted funds of which £71,698 was a legacy.
(Of the £147,517 received in 2022 £9,380 was restricted funds and £138,137 unrestricted funds)
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
4. Income from charitable activities
| Income from charitable activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Youth & Football Children’s Work CityCare Other |
2023 £ 5,007 199 26,657 868 £32,731 |
2022 £ 1,154 - 21,684 - |
| £22,838 |
Of the £32,731 received in 2023 £9,388 was restricted funds and £23,343 unrestricted funds. (Of the £22,838 received in 2022 £6,417 was restricted funds and £16,421 unrestricted funds.)
- Income earned from other sources
| Income earned from other sources | ||
|---|---|---|
| Room hire Other income Interest |
2023 £ - 7 890 £897 |
2022 £ - 535 305 |
| 840 |
Of the £897 received in 2023 £Nil was restricted funds and £897 unrestricted funds.
(Of the £840 received in 2022 £Nil was restricted funds and £840 unrestricted funds.)
- Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
| Salaries and remuneration Gifts to mission Ministry gifts Travel Insurance Utilities Property costs Rent/Hire of premises Office costs Worship and resources Conferences and training Church activities Sundry expenses Accountancy Legal and professional Bank charges Depreciation Independent Examination Total |
2023 Total £ 100,071 10,196 7,139 295 4,753 14,768 26,615 2,500 11,273 2,183 3,945 42,273 104 4,995 1,131 277 1,483 1,110 £235,111 |
2022 Total £ 67,344 7,048 310 255 4,502 9,813 13,896 2,500 9,681 1,857 1,725 41,493 170 4,751 983 257 1,979 1,110 |
|---|---|---|
| £169,674 |
Of the £235,111 expenditure in 2023, £216,745 was unrestricted and £18,366 restricted funds (Of the £169,674 expenditure in 2022, £150,249 was unrestricted and £19,425 restricted funds.)
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
7. Net income/(expenditure) for the year
| This is stated after charging: Depreciation Independent examiner's fee Accountancy services Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses Salaries and wages Social security costs Statutory Maternity Pay recovered Pension Costs Recruitment Costs |
2023 £ 1,483 1,110 4,995 2023 £ 97,818 - - 2,253 - £100,071 |
2022 £ 1,979 1,110 4,751 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 £ 65,593 - - 1,751 - |
||
| £67,344 |
- Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses
No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Of the charity trustees, C J Stacey, received remuneration of £8,389 and £3,663 of work related expenses reimbursed in the year to 31 December 2023. Dot Burnett received £37,624 and had £1,349 of work related expenses reimbursed and Peter Boyd received £6,000 as a gift for past services and had £567 expenses reimbursed. LJ Burnett is connected to Dot Burnett. No other trustees were paid or had work related expenses reimbursed.
Trustees donated £21,960 to the Charity
9. Staff numbers
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Number | Number |
| 9.00 | 7.16 |
- Corporation tax
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost: As at 1 January 2023 Additions As at 31 December 2023 Depreciation: As at 1 January 2023 Charge for year As at 31 December 2023 Net book value: As at 31 December 2023 As at 31 December 2022 12. Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Gift aid 13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals |
Furniture & equipment £ 99,800 - 99,800 93,864 1,483 95,347 £4,453 £5,936 2023 £ - - 4,340 £4,340 2023 £ 4,631 3,277 £7,908 |
Total £ 99,800 - |
|---|---|---|
| 99,800 | ||
| 93,864 1,483 |
||
| 95,347 | ||
| £4,453 | ||
| £5,936 | ||
| 2022 £ - 200 3,783 |
||
| £3,983 | ||
| 2022 £ 4,736 3,957 £8,693 |
ST PAULS CHURCH WORCESTER
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
14. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Total |
General Designated Restricted Fund Funds Funds £ £ £ 4,453 - - 124,823 8,905 3,333 (3,568) - - £125,708 £8,905 £3,333 |
Total £ 4,453 137,061 (3,568) |
|---|---|---|
| £137,946 |
15. Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
| Citycare General restricted Total Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds General fund Building fund Total |
Balance Incoming Resources Funds 1.1.2023 resources expended 31.12.2023 £ £ £ £ 3,083 7,677 (7,311) 3,449 356 10,583 (11,055) (116) |
|---|---|
| £3,439 £18,260 £(18,366) £3,333 |
|
| Balance Incoming Resources Funds 1.1.2023 resources expended 31.12.2023 £ £ £ £ 98,519 243,934 (216,745) 125,708 8,905 - - 8,905 |
|
| £107,424 £243,934 £(216,745) 134,613 |
Name of unrestricted fund
Description, nature and purposes of the fund
General fund Building fund
The 'free reserves' after allowing for all designated funds.
In preparation for refurbishment works as necessary