CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY PORTSMOUTH & CHICHESTER
ANNUAL TRUSTEES REPORT FOR 2024 FINANCIAL YEAR
19[th] October 2025
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Owing to work commitments (and the schedule of building work taking place) Gerry has been providing a steadily reducing level of support with the gardening and maintenance over the last year. As he has to fit everything around his job and has difficulty scheduling his time around our needs we do now have other options open to us where necessary.
-
Quentin fulfilled the role of Librarian for 3 days per week in Portsmouth & 1 day per week in Chichester throughout 2024. As Cora has been covering Tuesdays since late June, Quentin currently covers Wednesdays and Thursdays in Portsmouth & Chichester on Fridays (all days between 11 am and 3 pm). The Westminster Fund covers payment for his hours in Portsmouth but not his travel expenses (and the rate that he receives makes allowance for his travel costs).
-
Portsmouth continues to provide in-person services on the 1[st] & 3[rd] Sundays of the month; Chichester provides an in-person service on the 2[nd] Sunday of the month. Wednesday Testimony meetings run by Portsmouth & Chichester CCS take place via zoom on the 2[nd] & 4[th] Wednesdays of the month at 7 pm. On all other Sundays and Wednesdays members & attendees can access in-person or zoom meetings via the internet.
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The merger between the two Societies is now virtually complete – though there are still one or issues to finalise with the accounts – and we do now need to have additional signatories to the Lloyds Bank account.
-
Our primary objective throughout much of the 2024 calendar year was to upgrade and repurpose the former Sunday School for Church Services. As you are all aware, this was a significant piece of work to join the Reading Room to the back of the Sunday School with the inclusion of a kitchen, accessible toilet and separate office area. The work took around 6 months to complete and everyone has been overwhelmingly happy with the outcome.
-
The success with the building has now led us to go on to complete phase 2 with the upgrade to the Reading Room, and I hope you will agree that this is now very much improved (though not complete yet and currently being re-furnished).
-
Financially, as you will see from the accounts, we ended the year with over £1 million in the bank once the value of the properties is removed; as at 26[th] September our total liquid assets stood at £1,056,225.60 - and so we continue to be financially sound.
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We are very grateful to Angie Bishop (who has taken over from Anthea Butler) for overseeing our financial transition with the merger of the two Societies, together with the setting up of investment accounts and preparation of final year accounts. Once our accounts have been agreed, our Annual Return must be completed by month end.
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Linda Alanko continues to fulfil the role of COP for the South East Region and we are grateful to her for visiting us last week.
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I’d like to offer special thanks to Cora for her hard work and commitment to progressing the Reading Room; it is making a tremendous difference and wouldn’t have happened without her determination. I also think that we owe a special debt of gratitude to Rodney for everything he does at Chichester & Tricia for maintaining the Wednesday meetings.
-
Finally, a thank you to everyone for their valuable contribution in all areas
Signed:
Date:
19.10.25
Name (Chair of Board): Richard Soutar
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth)
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Charity Number: 1166463
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Contents
| Charity Information…………………………………………… | 3 |
|---|---|
| Trustees………………………………………………………… | 3 |
| Trustees’ Report…………………………………………….. | 4 - 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report…………………………. | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities…………………………... | 7 |
| Balance Sheet……………………………………………........ | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts……………………………………….. | 9 - 11 |
Page 2
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Charity Information
Charity name: Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Charity registration number: 1166463 Address: 178 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9DP
Trustees
Richard Soutar (appointed 01 January 2007, reappointed 21 Jul 2025)
Cora Magee (appointed 06 December 2020, reappointed 21 Jul 2025)
Vivienne Baron (appointed 01 September 2019, reappointed 21 Jul 2025)
The Trustees are pleased to present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Page 3
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
The Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees for this Society are known in the by-laws under the Church’s Constitution as “The Board”.
Status
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth) is a registered Charity (number 1166463). The name was changed as at 31 January 2024 in terms of the merger with Christian Science Society, Chichester, a registered Charity (number 1029527)
Constitution and Objectives
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester is a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts. It has a written constitution and is wholly autonomous.
Its object is to maintain and spread the truth given in the Bible and “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and Leader of the Christian Science movement.
Policies, Activities, Achievements and Developments
The Society currently holds two in-person church services on the first and third Sunday of the month at Portsmouth and one in-person service on the second Sunday of the month at Chichester.
The Society hosts twice monthly Wednesday Testimony meetings online on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
There are Reading Rooms located at both the Portsmouth and Chichester sites; the Portsmouth Reading Room is open 3 days per week (Tue - Thu) and Chichester is open 1 day per week on a Friday. They are both open for 4 hours per day from 11am to 3pm.
As at 31 January 2024 the Trustees of Christian Science Society, Chichester signed a vesting declaration to vest their property and all cash and investment assets, in the Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth, charity registration number: 1166463).
The Trustees intention was to merge together both Societies and all unrestricted property (within the meaning of section 306(2) of the Charities Act 2011). The property was transferred as at 31 January 2024 and cash and investment assets will be transferred during the next financial year.
The name of the society (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth) was changed to the Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester at the same time that the vesting document was signed and the property was vested, to reflect the merger together of the two societies.
Page 4
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Review of Financial Activities
The main financial cost incurred this year was for a major renovation of the building in Portsmouth and amounted in total to £112,012. Approximately 40% of this cost was previously received from Eastbourne Society as a donation for that purpose.
The renovation was deemed necessary by the Trustees to improve the facilities, general appearance and safety of the building. A program of works contract was agreed with a local contractor in the area as well as a local electrician. The building work took approximately 6 months to complete.
The main income this year has been from rentals, funding from a Westminster Grant Fund towards the Reading Room upkeep and Building Society investments. Costs have mainly been incurred for the running of the Reading Room, volunteers’ reimbursements and maintenance of the property and grounds.
Statement of the Board’s Responsibilities
The Board are required under the constitution of the charity to prepare financial statements for each financial year of the charity and of its results for that period.
The Board are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Accounting Policies
The accounting policies are detailed in the notes to the accounts.
Trustees known as The Board
Those who have served or are currently serving as members of the Board are shown in the Charity Information page.
Date signed as authorised by the Trustees: 19 October 2025
……………………………………………… …………………………………………….
Richard Soutar
Cora Magee
Page 5
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
Report to the trustees of Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 7 - 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: ……………………………………………. Date: 19 October 2025
Name:
Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):
Angela Bishop
AICPA & CIMA
Address:
271 Yardley Wood Road Birmingham B13 9JL
Page 6
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Statement of Financial Activities
| Note Income Collections and donations Rentals Reading room sales Other Income Westminster Grant Funding Investment income: Interest received Income from investments Total income Expenditure Costs of raising funds: Reading room costs Charitable activities Total expenditure Excess of income over expenditure Gain on investment Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds b/fwd Movement in funds Increase/(decrease) in property value Value of property vested Funds c/fwd |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 1,980 22,225 171 1,294 9,360 35,030 3,940 - 3,940 38,970 18,910 10,752 29,662 9,308 - 9,308 1,083,300 9,308 - 1,600,000 2,692,608 |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 893 21,613 158 1,221 9,360 |
|---|---|---|
| 33,245 48 - |
||
| 48 | ||
| 33,293 17,343 25,785 |
||
| 43,128 | ||
| (9,835) - |
||
| (9,835) | ||
| 1,067,744 (9,835) 25,391 - 1,083,300 |
All activities of the Charity are classified as
continuing. Signed as authorised by the Trustees
………………………………………… ………………………………………
Page 7
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| Note Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 3 Investments Current assets Debtors Cash and bank balances Total current assets Current liabilities Amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Less long-term liabilities Total funds carried forward Represented by: The funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total charity funds Signed as authorised by the Trustees ………………………………………… |
2024 £ - 109,607 |
2024 £ 2,583,751 - 108,857 2,692,608 - 2,692,608 2,692,608 - 2,692,608 ……………… |
2023 £ - 221,396 |
2023 £ 871,739 - 211,561 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109,607 750 |
221,396 - |
|||
| …………… | ||||
| 1,083,300 - |
||||
| 1,083,300 | ||||
| 1,083,300 - |
||||
| 1,083,300 | ||||
| ………… |
Page 8
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
1 Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The Society meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
It is assumed that the charity as a going concern/ it has sufficient available resources (financial, volunteers and support) to continue the operations that it carries out at present and those that are planned for the foreseeable future.
Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably.
In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the staff and trustees is not recognised. On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
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.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. At present, all the funds of the charity are included in this category.
Page 9
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
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 particular areas of the charity's work.
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.
The charity is not registered for VAT and irrecoverable VAT on expenditure is charged as a cost against the activity for which that expenditure was incurred.
No trustees received any remuneration or salary in the year, nor were any expenses paid by the charity to members of the Board in respect of their duties as trustees of the charity.
Allocation of support costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs and governance costs which support the Society's activities.
Tangible fixed assets
The property has not been depreciated.
At the year end, the Society owned two properties situated in Portsmouth and Chichester:
-
178 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9DP valued at £983,751
-
1 Whyke Lane, Chichester valued at £1,600,000
The Chichester property is included at a valuation as agreed by the Trustees of the Christian Science Society, Chichester on 10 February 2022, based upon an offer they received to purchase the building. As at 31 January 2024 the Trustees of the Christian Science Society, Chichester signed a vesting declaration to vest the property and all cash & investment assets, in the Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester.
The Trustees intention was to merge together both Societies and all unrestricted property (within the meaning of section 306(2) of the Charities Act 2011). The property has been transferred as at 31 January 2024 and the remaining cash & investment assets will be transferred thereafter in the next financial year ending 31 December 2025.
Investments
Investments are included at year end market value.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes all bank accounts and cash on hand.
Page 10
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
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.
Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value.
2 Legal Status of the Charity
The charity is an independent charity, registered at the Charity Commission under Charity Number 1166463.
3 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost Balance b/fwd Add: Vestment of property Add: Improvements Balance c/fwd Depreciation Balance b/fwd Charge for the year Balance c/fwd Net book value at 31 December 2024 Net book value at 31 December 2023 |
Total £ 871,739 1,600,000 112,012 2,583,751 - - - 2,583,751 871,739 |
178 London Road £ 871,739 - 112,012 983,751 - - - 983,751 871,739 |
1 Whyke Lane £ - 1,600,000 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,600,000 - - |
|||
| - 1,600,000 - |
4 Staff Expenses
Trustees received no expenses, remuneration, salaries or benefits in the period.
Page 11
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth)
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Charity Number: 1166463
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Contents
| Charity Information…………………………………………… | 3 |
|---|---|
| Trustees………………………………………………………… | 3 |
| Trustees’ Report…………………………………………….. | 4 - 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report…………………………. | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities…………………………... | 7 |
| Balance Sheet……………………………………………........ | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts……………………………………….. | 9 - 11 |
Page 2
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Charity Information
Charity name: Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Charity registration number: 1166463 Address: 178 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9DP
Trustees
Richard Soutar (appointed 01 January 2007, reappointed 21 Jul 2025)
Cora Magee (appointed 06 December 2020, reappointed 21 Jul 2025)
Vivienne Baron (appointed 01 September 2019, reappointed 21 Jul 2025)
The Trustees are pleased to present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Page 3
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
The Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees for this Society are known in the by-laws under the Church’s Constitution as “The Board”.
Status
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth) is a registered Charity (number 1166463). The name was changed as at 31 January 2024 in terms of the merger with Christian Science Society, Chichester, a registered Charity (number 1029527)
Constitution and Objectives
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester is a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts. It has a written constitution and is wholly autonomous.
Its object is to maintain and spread the truth given in the Bible and “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and Leader of the Christian Science movement.
Policies, Activities, Achievements and Developments
The Society currently holds two in-person church services on the first and third Sunday of the month at Portsmouth and one in-person service on the second Sunday of the month at Chichester.
The Society hosts twice monthly Wednesday Testimony meetings online on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
There are Reading Rooms located at both the Portsmouth and Chichester sites; the Portsmouth Reading Room is open 3 days per week (Tue - Thu) and Chichester is open 1 day per week on a Friday. They are both open for 4 hours per day from 11am to 3pm.
As at 31 January 2024 the Trustees of Christian Science Society, Chichester signed a vesting declaration to vest their property and all cash and investment assets, in the Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth, charity registration number: 1166463).
The Trustees intention was to merge together both Societies and all unrestricted property (within the meaning of section 306(2) of the Charities Act 2011). The property was transferred as at 31 January 2024 and cash and investment assets will be transferred during the next financial year.
The name of the society (formerly Christian Science Society, Portsmouth) was changed to the Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester at the same time that the vesting document was signed and the property was vested, to reflect the merger together of the two societies.
Page 4
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Review of Financial Activities
The main financial cost incurred this year was for a major renovation of the building in Portsmouth and amounted in total to £112,012. Approximately 40% of this cost was previously received from Eastbourne Society as a donation for that purpose.
The renovation was deemed necessary by the Trustees to improve the facilities, general appearance and safety of the building. A program of works contract was agreed with a local contractor in the area as well as a local electrician. The building work took approximately 6 months to complete.
The main income this year has been from rentals, funding from a Westminster Grant Fund towards the Reading Room upkeep and Building Society investments. Costs have mainly been incurred for the running of the Reading Room, volunteers’ reimbursements and maintenance of the property and grounds.
Statement of the Board’s Responsibilities
The Board are required under the constitution of the charity to prepare financial statements for each financial year of the charity and of its results for that period.
The Board are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Accounting Policies
The accounting policies are detailed in the notes to the accounts.
Trustees known as The Board
Those who have served or are currently serving as members of the Board are shown in the Charity Information page.
Date signed as authorised by the Trustees: 19 October 2025
……………………………………………… …………………………………………….
Richard Soutar
Cora Magee
Page 5
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
Report to the trustees of Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 7 - 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: ……………………………………………. Date: 19 October 2025
Name:
Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):
Angela Bishop
AICPA & CIMA
Address:
271 Yardley Wood Road Birmingham B13 9JL
Page 6
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Statement of Financial Activities
| Note Income Collections and donations Rentals Reading room sales Other Income Westminster Grant Funding Investment income: Interest received Income from investments Total income Expenditure Costs of raising funds: Reading room costs Charitable activities Total expenditure Excess of income over expenditure Gain on investment Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds b/fwd Movement in funds Increase/(decrease) in property value Value of property vested Funds c/fwd |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 1,980 22,225 171 1,294 9,360 35,030 3,940 - 3,940 38,970 18,910 10,752 29,662 9,308 - 9,308 1,083,300 9,308 - 1,600,000 2,692,608 |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 893 21,613 158 1,221 9,360 |
|---|---|---|
| 33,245 48 - |
||
| 48 | ||
| 33,293 17,343 25,785 |
||
| 43,128 | ||
| (9,835) - |
||
| (9,835) | ||
| 1,067,744 (9,835) 25,391 - 1,083,300 |
All activities of the Charity are classified as
continuing. Signed as authorised by the Trustees
………………………………………… ………………………………………
Page 7
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| Note Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 3 Investments Current assets Debtors Cash and bank balances Total current assets Current liabilities Amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Less long-term liabilities Total funds carried forward Represented by: The funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total charity funds Signed as authorised by the Trustees ………………………………………… |
2024 £ - 109,607 |
2024 £ 2,583,751 - 108,857 2,692,608 - 2,692,608 2,692,608 - 2,692,608 ……………… |
2023 £ - 221,396 |
2023 £ 871,739 - 211,561 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109,607 750 |
221,396 - |
|||
| …………… | ||||
| 1,083,300 - |
||||
| 1,083,300 | ||||
| 1,083,300 - |
||||
| 1,083,300 | ||||
| ………… |
Page 8
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
1 Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The Society meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
It is assumed that the charity as a going concern/ it has sufficient available resources (financial, volunteers and support) to continue the operations that it carries out at present and those that are planned for the foreseeable future.
Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably.
In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the staff and trustees is not recognised. On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
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.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. At present, all the funds of the charity are included in this category.
Page 9
Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
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 particular areas of the charity's work.
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.
The charity is not registered for VAT and irrecoverable VAT on expenditure is charged as a cost against the activity for which that expenditure was incurred.
No trustees received any remuneration or salary in the year, nor were any expenses paid by the charity to members of the Board in respect of their duties as trustees of the charity.
Allocation of support costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs and governance costs which support the Society's activities.
Tangible fixed assets
The property has not been depreciated.
At the year end, the Society owned two properties situated in Portsmouth and Chichester:
-
178 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9DP valued at £983,751
-
1 Whyke Lane, Chichester valued at £1,600,000
The Chichester property is included at a valuation as agreed by the Trustees of the Christian Science Society, Chichester on 10 February 2022, based upon an offer they received to purchase the building. As at 31 January 2024 the Trustees of the Christian Science Society, Chichester signed a vesting declaration to vest the property and all cash & investment assets, in the Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester.
The Trustees intention was to merge together both Societies and all unrestricted property (within the meaning of section 306(2) of the Charities Act 2011). The property has been transferred as at 31 January 2024 and the remaining cash & investment assets will be transferred thereafter in the next financial year ending 31 December 2025.
Investments
Investments are included at year end market value.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes all bank accounts and cash on hand.
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Christian Science Society, Portsmouth and Chichester Accounts for the year to 31 December 2024
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.
Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value.
2 Legal Status of the Charity
The charity is an independent charity, registered at the Charity Commission under Charity Number 1166463.
3 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost Balance b/fwd Add: Vestment of property Add: Improvements Balance c/fwd Depreciation Balance b/fwd Charge for the year Balance c/fwd Net book value at 31 December 2024 Net book value at 31 December 2023 |
Total £ 871,739 1,600,000 112,012 2,583,751 - - - 2,583,751 871,739 |
178 London Road £ 871,739 - 112,012 983,751 - - - 983,751 871,739 |
1 Whyke Lane £ - 1,600,000 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,600,000 - - |
|||
| - 1,600,000 - |
4 Staff Expenses
Trustees received no expenses, remuneration, salaries or benefits in the period.
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