2024 Report and Accounts for the Trustees of The United Church of St Paul's Balsall Heath (Anglican & URC) Also known as Balsall Heath Church Centre
Aim and Purposes
The Trustees of The United Church of St Paul's Balsall Heath (Anglican & URC) also known as Balsall Heath Church Centre (The Church Council) have the responsibility of cooperating with the Vicar/Minister in promoting the ecclesiastical parish of St Paul's Balsall Heath, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical The Church Council is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of Balsall Heath Church Centre, 100 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, B12 9JU.
Objectives and Activities
The Church Council is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our community at Balsall Heath Church Centre. The Church Council maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our community through:
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Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; and developing knowledge and trust in Jesus.
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Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
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Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of Balsall Heath Church Centre and its grounds.
Financial Review
Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £49,486 of which £10,142 were unrestricted voluntary donations. Total receipts on restricted funds were £6,347 and are detailed in the Financial Statements. £50,863 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from Balsall Heath Church Centre.
The net result for the year was a deficit in receipts versus payments of £1,377 on unrestricted funds. The General Funds of the Church were improved by an increase in value of the COIF Investment Fund of £5,626 The value of these funds is largely immaterial in the accounts until such time they need to be liquidated. The balance of the General Fund carried forward at 31[st] December was £204,325
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Reserves Policy
It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments. This is equivalent to £15,000. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies.
Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of the Church Council is set out in the Constitution. The membership of the Church Council consists of the Vicar/Minister, nine elected Trustees and up to two co-opted Trustees. All those who attend our services members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll or URC Membership Roll and stand for election to the Church Council.
The Church Council members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the Church and parish including deciding on how the funds of the charity are to be spent. New members receive initial training into the workings of the Church Council
Administrative Information
The United Church of St Paul's Balsall Heath (Anglican & URC) also known as Balsall Heath Church Centre is situated in Balsall Heath, Birmingham. It is part of the Diocese of Birmingham within the Church of England and of the West Midlands Synod within the United Reformed Church.
The correspondence address is The Parish Office, Balsall Heath Church Centre, 100 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 9JU. It is registered charity, number 1160049.
Church Council members who have served at any time from 1 January 2023 until the date this report was approved are:
Elected members: Ms Jasmine Browne Mr Alester Burke Rev Peter Bound Mr John Christopher Mr Selwyn Inniss Mrs Anne Laugharne Ms Maggie Norris Mrs Ann Samuel Mr Ivor Samuel
Approved by the Church Council and signed on their behalf by Anne Laugharne (Treasurer).
Signed ________ Anne Laugharne
Dated
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