Welwyn Garden City United Reformed Church Church Road Welwyn Garden City AL8 6PR Registered Charity Number 1167010 


## **CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

This report includes information required by the Charities (Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 and the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting by Charities 2013 as applicable to charities entitled to prepare accounts on the receipts and payments basis. 

However, in view of Charity Commission limits, a ‘one-off’ legacy in the form of a Stewardship grant from one of our long-serving members, resulted in a significant increase in our income for 2023. This has meant that the Church Charity has had to change to an ‘accruals’ system of accounting rather than the simpler ‘receipts and payments’ basis of previous years with all the book-keeping and verification issues that this entails. This situation will have to continue for at least 2024 as well. 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

As a local congregation of the United Reformed Church, Welwyn Garden City United Reformed Church seeks to advance the Christian religion through its activities and the facilities offered to the community by its building, and described more specifically in its mission statement which remains unchanged: 

## **Our mission is to be an open, welcoming fellowship, providing a Christian Hub where all people can find friendship and support as we learn to love God and each other and work together in our community and the wider world.** 

The Elders’ Meeting is aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in “The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit” and has regard to it in the administration of the Church. 

The Elders’ Meeting believes that the Church provides benefit to the public by: 

- providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care, and spiritual, moral, and intellectual development, both for the congregation and for anyone else who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers, 

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- promoting Christian values and service by members of the congregation to the community, for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole, and 

- providing a Community Hub offering a variety of activities which contribute to strong local community and individuals’ well-being and which link well to our Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s community aims. 

## **Aims and Purposes** 

Welwyn Garden City United Reformed Church (hereinafter WGC URC), its Eldership and Minister promote the mission of the whole Church to foster in the congregation, concern for witness and service to the community, evangelism at home and abroad, Christian education, ecumenical action, local inter-church relations and the wider responsibilities of the whole Church. 

WGC URC is committed to fulfil these aims by enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church by providing a variety of worship experiences, helping people to put their faith into practice through exploring faith, prayer, and the Bible. 

In planning the diary for the year, the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit is considered and in particular the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. 

Our normal pattern of activities include: 

- worship, prayer and exploring the Bible to enable people to learn about their faith and develop their knowledge of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, 

- pastoral care for our Church family and wider community, 

- making opportunities for mission and outreach, and 

- providing social and leisure activities for individual and community well-being. 

WGC URC offers a range of different worship experiences during each month throughout the year, which are open to all, and all are welcome. There is a balance of traditional worship, engaging with prayer, hymns, and preached sermons and more modern conversational and sung worship with modern tunes; worship for all ages in the form of family services is offered as well as evening sessions of Christian Meditation. 

The above statements remain true and are unchanged from the report for 2022. 

2 



## **Background to the year** 

The Charity Report for 2022 from the Trustees reported again that after a period when the activities of WGC URC were severely curtailed due to the pandemic of Covid-19 we - in common with most other organisations - hoped that 2023 would see us returning to normal. In fact, for the most part this has proved accurate. 

Normal Sunday worship has continued without interruption throughout 2023, and the general sense that things were getting back to normal grew as the year passed. 

Whilst we have gone back to times as they were before Covid-19, the reliance on Zoom for meetings still continues enabling participants, who for whatever reason were not in WGC, could still join meetings rather than offering apologies for non-attendance. The comforts of Zoom at home are welcomed by the elderly who dislike turning out on winter evenings and dislike driving in the dark. To this extent, Zoom meetings will almost definitely continue well into the future. 

The slowness of previous organisations who used our building to return is being turned around gradually, this is evidenced by a slight increase in our premises lettings in our accounts. 

Because of the long break caused by the pandemic, members have become older, and many have decided not to resume their previous duties. This was inevitable and puts greater strain on those who remain, and as happened last year, there seems to be a general reluctance on younger folk to take on responsibilities when they do not have to. 

Nevertheless, 2023 proved a successful year on the whole through the challenging work of the Elders and volunteers and we have grown closer to and work well in partnership with our fellow Pastorate Churches, namely Harpenden URC and Wheathampstead United Church (also URC). 

Our previous Minister, Rev. Jane Weedon retired at the end of September 2021, WGC URC had been in what is termed ‘vacancy’. Seeking a new Minister is only permissible under URC rules when a vacancy is declared, and the recruiting process can begin. And after a whole year, our vacancy was declared in the autumn of 2022. 

Rev. Jim Dalgleish was appointed as our Interim Moderator by the URC Thames North Synod to steer us through the vacancy process. As expected, any new Minister will be appointed to the Local Area Group of about a dozen Churches, called Heartland, but with particular responsibility for the three Pastorate Churches named above. 

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Our joint Pastorate Profile was already in place detailing the buildings and particular characteristics of the three Churches, which with a lot of other information was submitted to URC Church House and made available to existing Ministers through their payslips and to any other suitable enquirers who might be currently in other posts or newly qualified. 

At the end of 2022, we were hopeful that the vacancy process would deliver us a new Minister. 

Local Churches hear about potential candidates via their Interim Moderator from a meeting of all thirteen Synod Moderators and the details are shared with the respective congregations. 

WGC URC had two enquirers, the first was soon discounted where the candidate seemingly very well qualified was not prepared to relocate. Commuting daily from Bristol to WGC would not have been practical. 

The second candidate met all of our expectations and was invited to visit the three Churches over a weekend, undergo a Q & A session, and ‘preach with a view of being called’. A combined Church Meeting was unanimous in the vote to appoint Rev. Martyn Neads as the Minister for the Heartland Local Area Group with particular responsibility for the pastorate Churches of Harpenden, Wheathampstead and WGC. Which we were very delighted that he decided to accept. He and his family relocated from Dorset during 2023, choosing to live in the Manse at Harpenden, it being larger and better located than that at WGC. The WGC Manse continues to be let on a long-term basis. 

Rev. Martyn was inducted at a service at WGC on Saturday, 9 September 2023, attended by the Thames North Synod Moderator, the Interim Moderator, local dignitaries, and other Church visitors followed by a celebratory afternoon tea, enjoyed by all. 

## **Achievements and Performance** 

Average Sunday attendance over the full year of normal Sunday worship totalled 46 people, 10 up compared to 2022, but down on the average of 58 just before the pandemic. 

Because of frailty, we have a number of members who have chosen to remain on Zoom and others are happy to receive a copy of the full script of the service including the sermon delivered or posted to them during the preceding week. These few folks are not included in the total of 46 people worshipping in person. 

Holy Communion has reverted to being in person on the first Sunday of each month without fail and is always well attended. 

4 



Being without a Minister (except for the last quarter of 2023) has meant more combined services with our other Pastorate Churches and continuing with reliance on lay preachers from elsewhere; and more importantly we have made more use of home-grown talent in our own worship team. 

Presently, Rev. Martyn preaches at WGC on the first two Sundays in the month, and at Harpenden on the other two. The fifth Sunday in any month is always a Joint Pastorate service with the venue alternating. 

We have added a further two of own Elders to those authorised to preside at Communion in addition to the two persons at the end of 2023. 

Weekly Bible Study groups restarted in person, but Christian Meditation remains on Zoom. 

Memorable services during the year included those when we welcomed new joiners into membership, visits by the Synod’s  Discipleship Enabler, the London City Mission for overseas work, the Coronation celebrations. Special services, separate from Sunday morning worship, included Time to Remember, Longest Night, Pet services, Café afternoon worship, etc. There were the normal Christmas and Easter worship services. 

Wendy Lidgate, our Children and Families Worker, employed using a Synod grant, continued to do a remarkable job in staying connected with our young families and making them feel still involved even if family circumstances preclude attending Sunday worship. 

Other Church groups and events such as community coffee mornings, tea dances, Knit and Natter group, Thursday Club for older folk have been operating throughout the year. 

Similarly, Elizabeth Laing, our Mission Enabler kept our community outreach work expanding; our partnership with Sainsbury’s, the supermarket opposite the Church, continued and as a congregation we have increased our cash giving to provide our local New Zion Food Bank with money to buy milk and other fresh goods. 

Liz also continues to support Homestart and many other similar support charities, not least two Dementia support groups. On the other hand, some NHS support groups and Alcoholics Anonymous closed down during the lockdown and have not returned. 

Within the URC Thames North Synod, we are grouped with a dozen other Churches in what is called the Heartland group. This group extends west to include St. Albans, Luton, and Dunstable. Joint Local Area Group events are scarce because of the distances of travel involved. 

5 



WGC URC holds monthly Elders’ Meetings, all on Zoom in 2023, and quarterly Church Meetings in person in Church, but available on Zoom for people unable to attend, who can still vote on important matters. Postal votes and proxy voting are precluded by our constitution, as a result Zoom attendance has proved to be a benefit. 

## **Mission and Outreach, etc.** 

The WGC URC 2023 Year Book contains reports from all our Church groups with the exception of that from the Flower and Décor team, a copy of the Year Book accompanies the 2023 Trustees’ annual report. 

## **Flower and Décor team** 

The blessings from the floral displays we enjoy every Sunday are twofold as we send these flowers out to members of our church family to let them know we are thinking of them. They may be unable  to attend  due to  frailty or  illness,  recently bereaved  or  simply celebrating a special  event. The  joy  these  flowers  bring  to  the  recipients  cannot  be underestimated and we are fortunate to have people who donate to the Flower Fund and make this possible. 

Donations also enable us to create displays in church for Easter, Harvest and Christmas 

Since taking over the Flower Fund and Rota thirty years ago, 2023 was the first time it didn’t run with a surplus to carry over to 2024 and church funds had to cover the deficit. I am hoping more people who have not donated in the past will support the Flower Fund by donating in 2024. 

I would also love to see more people joining us to display the flowers for Sunday Worship and help with the bigger church celebrations. Currently we are a team of three. We would happily support anyone who enjoys flowers and would like to try it. 

Joyce Nicolson, Margaret Richardson, and Mary Sartin. 

## **Finance Review for 2023** 

Full details of our finances for the year are included in the Accounts, which have been independently verified and a copy of which accompanies this Trustees’ annual return. They have been produced on an ‘accruals’ basis, for the reason explained on the first page of this report. 

Our surplus over the financial year was £29,735 due in part to our sustained giving, a drawdown from trust funds, increased premises hire and Manse rental as well as catch-up grant payments from Synod. 

6 



We claim Gift Aid wherever permissible. 

One of our biggest overheads is the payment we make to URC “head office” through what is called the Ministry and Mission contribution. The annual amount paid by monthly direct debit is calculated by a formula method, which becomes our set target for the year. We are proud that consistently over the years we have always met the pledge to meet our given target. 

## **Employees and volunteers** 

Lee Nicholls has completed his first year as our new Caretaker, Wendy Lidgate continues in her role as our Children’s and Young Families’ Worker, her term and grant funding extends through to 2025. Allison Giles does valuable work as our Church Administrator without whom it would be difficult to operate efficiently; Liz Laing is our Mission Enabler and is our connection with all those beyond the Church walls, her influence is extensive, but we are mindful that Liz wishes to return to Scotland and rejoin her family. 

So many other people volunteer in varying ways and for different Church groups, from people serving coffee, to playing the piano, reading the lesson from the Bible each week, arranging flowers, welcoming worshippers and we are grateful to them all, they are too numerous to mention individually. 

## **Membership** 

At the end of 2022, the membership roll showed 76 members with approximately 25 regular attendees who are not Church members. In 2023 two members passed away, but we welcomed five new members into fellowship, together with our new Minister. As a result, the roll at 31 December 2022 stood at 80 members. 

## **Redevelopment plans** 

We have plans to redevelop our building, and extend at the rear, for which we have planning permission which lapses in 2025. This will provide vastly improved kitchen and toilets and greater circulation space, opening up the building and with direct access to our outside space. During 2023, we suffered a number of setbacks not least the fact that our mechanical and electrical consultant began withdrawing from the scheme. The project team is working to find savings to bring the estimated cost back within our available funds. We continue with fund-raising by holding special events and are formulating grant applications. We hope for better news in 2024. 

7 



Our plans incorporate various ECO-friendly measures which we try to carry through in our routine maintenance work. We have replaced old electric panel heaters with modern low surface temperature units. 

## **Other notable events** 

In 2023, we held a WGC Male Voice Choir concert to raise funds for Christian Aid Week and our Christmas Fayre collected cash for our local Hospice, founded by one of our former members. Our Christmas collections went to pay for spaces at Crisis at Christmas. 

## **Administration** 

WGC URC is a local church of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain and a member of the Thames North Synod. Charity details given at the head of this annual report. 

Our website is www.wgcurc.org.uk which is kept up to date for public viewing. 

The Church Office remains open on Wednesday to Friday mornings when staff are available. 

The Church building itself and our Manse at 49 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JQ are vested in the URC Thames North Trust company as trustees and held for the benefit of WGC URC in accordance with the trusts applicable to URC properties. 

WGC URC registered in 2016 as Charity Number 1167010. 

## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

The activities of WGC URC 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 URC and supplemented by the constitution of WGC URC. 

The governing document of the registered charity is a statement adopted in a Church Meeting. 

The Church Meeting (of all members wishing to attend) and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit provides direction on the life and work of the Church. 

On a day-to-day level, the Elders’ Meeting is responsible for the financial administration of the Church, and the care and maintenance of Church premises and The Manse. Pastoral care of our members, adherents and friends is the responsibility of the Minister (when we have one) and of the Elders and partly delegated to Pastoral Friends. 

Elders, who have to be approved in a vote at Church Meeting before being ordained, are elected to serve for three years, and can continue for a further term. 

8 



They retire by rotation and are eligible for re-election after a one-year break. Co-option of former serving Elders is permitted. 

The Elders’ Meeting is responsible for reviewing Church policies from time to time, deciding if changes have become necessary and whether a new policy is required to keep up to date. 

Production of a Staff Handbook, embodying all our employee policies, is still in production. 

WGC URC publishes a bi-monthly Church Magazine for all three Pastorate Churches. 

The members of the Elders’ Meeting are recognised as the charity trustees. 

At the end of 2023, these were: 

Minister (vacant until the final quarter) – Rev. Martyn Neads 

Joyce Nicolson – Elder and Joint Church Secretary 

Philip Read – Elder and Joint Church Secretary 

Cherylle Cooper – Elder 

Derek Groves – Elder (non-serving Elder co-opted back into the Eldership) 

John Mortimer – Elder 

Adegbemiga Onasile – Elder 

Matthew Read – Elder 

Helen Kaye, another non-serving Elder continued as Church Treasurer for the whole of 2023. 

Sanjay Jayaraj and Sharon John were both Elders, but resigned in September 2023 upon relocating abroad for work reasons, we hope to welcome them back at some stage. 

9 



This report was approved by the Eldership: 

………………………………………………………………………… Mrs. Joyce Nicolson, Joint Church Secretary 

Date        ………… October 2024 

…………………….…………………………………………………..  Mr. Philip Read, Joint Church Secretary 

Date        ………… October 2024 

10 



WELWYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charlty Number 1167010
Page 1
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Unrestricted Fun(Is
General
Designated
Rgstricted TOTAL
Funds
2023
TOTAL
2022
Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
Activities ft>r generating funds
Invè5tmgnt incorne
In¢omlng resoure
Stewardship Grant lone offj
Total incomlng r980urc•8
46,571
38,585
330
55
3.361
3,746
15.293
113.198
62.194
67.236
151.838 130.172
3,361
2.397
128.491
217,393 199.805
443.665 ' 443,665
572.156
661,058
85,156
85.156
3,746
199,805
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities
URC Ministry and Mission Fund
Ministerial costs
Employee costs
Cost of church activrties
Donations passed on
Projects
Build Plannillg
Governan￿ costs - indepèndent examiner
Re¥ources expended
25,248
4,984
15,486
34,149
25.246
4,984
77.615
75,046
44.869
42,297
5,645
3.294
14,978
20.396
20,052
14.403
50
50
193,439 180.122
24,636
62,129
5.625
4,586
10.728
20.052
5.095
803
4,250
10
50
84,422
5,898
103.120
Net Incoming1 l outgoingl resource
before investment galnslllossèsl and transfe
734
-2,152
489,037
467,619
19.683
Net 9ainsllossesl on Investments
5,780
5.780
-7.432
Net incoming Ilou¢going1 resources
before transfers
734
3.629
469,037
473,399
12,251
Gross Transfers between fund8
-1,840
-2,160
Net movemgnt in fund6
-1.1C
7.629
466,877
473,399
12,251
Total funds l>lfwd. 1 January 2023
17.681
36,103
68,635
122,418
Total funds elfwd. 31 December 2023
16,574
43.732
535.511
595.818

WEL¥VYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charity Number 1167010
Page 2
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
Unr•8trict•d Funds
General
Desi9nated
Restrlcted
Fund8
TOTAL
2023
TOTAL
2022
Note
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Prepayments
8ank and Cash B8lance8
WGC Deposit Account
Investmenls
3,560
1.091
16,918
27,4(
30,966
1.091
84,800
415,000
78,604
72,824
610,461 122.418
12
13
14
15
3,227
64.654
415.000
38.100
545.160
49,594
40,505
43,732
21,569
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Credit015 payable wrthin one year
TOTAL NET ASSETS
16
4,995
15.483
9.648
535.512
14,643
594,727 122,418
43,732
THE FUNOS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted income funds
Restricted Income funds
TOTAL FUNDS
16.574
43.732
60.306
53.784
535.512
68.635
595.818 122.418
535.512
535,512
16.574
43.732
APPROVED BY CHURCH MEETING
ANO SIGNED ON BEHALF BY
ON

WELWYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charoty Numbèr 1167010
Page 3
1. Accounting Policies
1 a Basis of Accounling
The financial slalemenls have been prepared in accordance with Slalement of Recommended Practice..
Accounting and Reporting by Charities ISORP 20051 issued by the Charity Commission, and the United
Reformed Church guidance. The accruals basis of accounting has been adopted, and the principal
accounting policies sel out below are applied consistently.
1 b Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the ¢hur¢h in furtheran￿ of its charitable
objectives.
Restricted funds are subjected lo restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor, or contained
in the terms of a grant.
1c Assets
Freehold proFerty.' The Trustees of the church and manse buildings a￿ the Thames North Synod
Trust who hold them upon trust for purposes connected with We￿n Garden City URC.
Expenditure incurred on the church and manse is written off in the year rt is incurred.
Fixed assets this yeaf are wrrtten oft in the year of purchase This the first year Ihal the accruals
basis of accounting has been used as a result of one large charitable grant arising from a donalion
from one of our congregation.
1d Incoming Resources
All voluntary giving is included in the financial statements for the period in which it is received.
Donations under Gift Aid plus the associated lax recovery are recognised as income when the
donation is received.
Legacies are accounted for when their receipt is certain and can be property quantified.
All other income is generalty recognised when rt is receivable.
le Resour￿$ Expended
The URC Ministry & Mission Fund contribution is paid regularty and is included in the financial slalemenls
for the year lo which it relates.
Resources expended are ￿COgnised in the period to which they are incurred and include allributsble
VAT which cannot be recovered. They are allocated to the particular activty to which they relate.
Governance costs represent direct expenditure on the governance of the church, including th8 production
and ir¢dependenl scrutiny of these financial statemenls.
1 f Taxation
As part of the United Reformed Church, the church is an excepted charity within the meaning of the Taxes
Acls. Accordingly it is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income and capital gains received
lo the extent that such income or gains are applied lo exclusivety charitable purposes. No provision for
laxalion has been made in these financial statements.
1 g Volunteers
The church is a beneficiary of many volunteers who give their lime and skills for the benefrt of the church.
This benefit is greatly appreciated bul is not quantifiable in monelary terms
Note .'As the accounts have changed from Receipts and Payment to Accrual Accounting then last yearfs
figures are based on Receipts and Payments.

WELIAVN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charlty NuM￿r 1167010
Page 4
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Unrestrtcted Funds
Gèneral
Designated
Restrlcted
Fund¥
TOTAL
2023
TOTAL
2022
2. Voluntary income
Trthes and Offerings
Gift Aid refunds
Gifts
Special collections I sent onwards)
Legaaes
35.043
10.253
1,275
9,692
1,770
2,089
1,741
44.735
12,023
3,694
1,741
43,367
8,665
2.842
1,918
10,443
67,236
330
46.571
Nol& . Grft aid indudes an estimate(J amount accruad from 2023 but not yèt rec8ivad
330
15,293
62.194
3. Actlvltles for generatlng funds
Syno(1 grants for Children and Mission empbyees.
Wewn Haffield Borougtt Council grant
URC Vision 2020 g¢ant
National Lottery grant
Synod outstanding grant payments
Premises hire
OJGC Manse rental
rundraising
Orawdown trom Vvoodhall Lane Synod Trust
rrsiifance claim -car park barrièr
Fluwers donations
Sundry incomelcafé, Chatter and Totsl
51,204
1,560
51,204
1,560
59,898
2.000
9,804
7,494
14,540
7.494
34,3(H)
18,825
7,296
28.777
19.760
18,825
30.518
16,065
4.393
55
7.241
28.777
3.779
1,347
990
1,036
2,725
1Jfi.838 130.172
1,347
1,036
113,198
38.585
55
4. Charltsble grant- Stewardshlp
-, his purpose of Ihi5 grant is the church building redevelopment. An amount of £415,OCX) is on deposrt in a WGC URC Oeposrt account
neld at Thames North Synod Trust and wll be used to pay the building invoices
5. MINISTRY & MISSION FUND
The church contributes to the central URC costs of training and providing ministers (including the centralised
payrnent of stipends, pension contribution5 and other benefrts for rninislers), iunning the denomination, and
the wder mission of the national church.
6. Mlnisterlal Costs
WGC Manse rental contribution to Harpenden URC and contributM?n lo Harpenden Manse expenses l Minister's expenses
7. Cost of Church Actlvltles
Church costs
Utilities Icouncil Tax
Insurance
Maintenance of buildings
Cleaning
Jrounds
Licenses
Cialeringlevents
Worship expen¥e$ In¢ Inductlon 8ervl¢tr
Flowers
Communieation•
printin9
office support Ismall office equip
telephone, broadband
5.269
3.917
671
5.437
4.209
12.516
10.152
961
731
1,328
2,219
979
3.917
6,718
10.834
3,082
5,08S
1,633
39
10.795
3,082
3C
6.411
1.156
219
1,360
1.461
6,640
10
793
3,219
357
34.149
386
161
1,179
3.380
357
44.869
907
2.539
319
42,297
5095
5625

WELIVYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charlty Numbèr 1167010
Page 5
8. Oonattons passed on
Special collections whid) arè passed to organi5ation5 e.g. Isabel Hospi￿, Crisis , Christian
9. Projècts
Projects include new ekctric heaters for the rn8in hall. new blinds ,secondary glazing. sound system
10. Bulld Plannlng
Payments to arthitects and consultants
Unrestrtcted Funds
Gèneral
Dèslgnat•d
Restrlcted
Funds
TOTAL
¢2023
TOTAL
2022
11. D¢btorn
Grft recovèrable
Premises Hire
Outstanding giant for Children and famity work
Outstanding grant from Thames North Synod
3,rM)D
560
19.911
7.494
30.966
560
19.911
7,494
27,406
3,560
12. Prnpaymeb)ts
Prepaid License5 for Churdi Music and Insur8nce for the Manse
13. Cash at Bank lex WGC ogposit Account I
Bank cuirenl account
Savings Account
Flowèi Account
10,809
6.309
358
2.889
4,947
88.801
7,020
77.780
8,759
40,823
16,918
84.800
49.594
14. WGC Deposlt account
This sum is held in a Garden Cty URC Deposit account at Thames North Synod Trust
15. Investments
Juprter Investments
COIF Investments
2,543
37,962
40,505
12.560
25.540
38.100
15,103
63.502
78.604
14,666
58,158
72.824
16. Current Uabllltl
Credrtors payab￿ within one year
utilrties and Supplies
HMRC
Crisis Don81ion
Isabel H05pice
Electric Healers
Grounds
Harpenden Ministerial expenses
Cleaning
481
128
1.300
7,741
126
1,300
7,741
1,696
1,288
1,6
1,288
4,995
9,648
14.643

WELVIYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charfty Number 1167010
Page 6
GENERAL FUND
This fund has no reStr￿tionS on its use
DESIGNATED FUNOS
Benevolent Fund this hold5 mongy for use to 5VPPQrt individuals with emergency fijnds. The Elders administer this fund
Maintenance Fund thi5 is established lo fund the maint&iance ol the church and manse premises., rt
has regular budgeted transfers from thtr Gene[81 Fund The maintenance is supervised by the Building Team
A sum of £4000 was transferred from General lun¢J In Dec 2023 for use in 2024
Car Fund this is held to provide a ministers ca¥ rf req¢Jired
Reserve Fund - holds the reserves ol the church
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Big Build fundrais• - money raisèd in 2023 onwards for the building redevelopment
uilding fund fund used to Captu￿ grants and gifts for building redevelopment
Christmas Fayre- 50% given to Isabel HospKe, 50% transferred to Build fundraising
Legacy Fund- being used to replace healers in the church
Magazinè- Oonations to support m8g#zine printing
Fabrfc for use in general church fabric updates
Flower Fund- providing weekty church Ilowers from don8li¢)ns
Lottery grant- was used to support the weekty Teapot café
Mlssion Dev fund- Thames North Syno(J grant and churth pledges for employing a Missti)n workèr
New keys liablllty- held lor future key deposrt retums
Chattèr and Tots Fund- donations received at Weekty Toddler group Surplu5 transferred to Big Build fundT8ising
Community Café . donations received at weekly café . Surplus transferred to Big Build fundraising
Special Collèctions- collections sent onwards lo e.g. Cri$i$, Christian Aid. 1$8bel Hospice
Support for Mission fund - hokls donation given to support outreach Mission wo
Synod outstandlng grants- backdated general gr8nt mgney from Thame5 North Synod
Welwyn Harfleld BC communlty Grant- grant being used to provide new sound eqLtipment
child￿￿, Youth, Famlly Fund - grant from Thames North Synod and pledges to support thè Children and Famity wtstk$r
BIF
Incom•
Exp•ndliure
Tran8l•r GalnslLo881 CIF
General fund
DESIGNATED
Benevolent Fijnd
Car Fund
Maintenan
Reserve Fund
RESTRICTED
Bèck To Wo
8ig Build fundraising
BkJ.Iding Fund
Cty,nslmas Fayre
17,681
85,156
-84.422
-1,840
16.574
385
-813
37
10.IXIO
9.824
23,871
10.(KM)
10,909
14,729
-5.085
4.000
3,361
5.780
1.000
10.172
460.027
7,387
472.719
2.756
2,865
1,232
-2,474
6.128
2.457
10.443
210
9.577
-20.052
-2,739
-7.741
-347
-3,832
-1.300
4.369
-24.824
2.702
Magazines
F8bric
Flower Fund
Loilery grant
Mission Development
New keys liability
Oroanisation Chatter an¢J Tots
01ganisation Communty
Speaal Collections
Support fund for Mission outreach
Syno(J outstanding grant received
WHBC Cornrnullity Grant
Children . Youth . Famity
Total8
14,895
1.287
20,64Q
6.529
14.539
235
958
659
-2,160
24.735
14.450
235
610
145
675
85
1,741
-1.023
-1.741
.3CM)
2,775
2.475
7.494
565
14.997
5,780 595.818
7,494
1,580
36.686
661.058
-995
-34,799
-193,439
13,110
122.418
in addrtton Ihe Th8me5 North Synod TTUSt hohls money from sale ol Woodhall Lane from wh￿h the church can requesi drawdown
The total held 81 end of December 2023 was £444,663

WELYIYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charity Nurnbgr 1167010
Page 7
TREASURER'S STATEMENT
I have Frepared the financial statements on pages 1 to 6 for the year ended 31 Decembe*r from the
accounting records ol the church.
Helen Kaye
Oate
%{Lk(a
l(F
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
I report on the financial statements of Vvelwgn Garden City URC f￿ the year endèd 31 D8c&mbèr 2023. which
8re set out on pages 1 to 8
Respectl¥e responslbSlltles
The church is responsible for the preparation of the financial ststements, and ￿nSiderS that the audit
requirement of Section 43121 ol the Charilies Act 1993 (the Act) does not appty. It is my rèsponsibility to
state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charty Commissioners
under Section 4317llbl of the Act, whether particular matters have ¢omo lo my 8tt&ntion.
Basis of Indo￿ndent Examinerfs report
My examination was earned tsul In accordance with GÈnèr81 Directions of the Charty Commissioner3.
An examination includes a review ol the accounting records kept by the church an(J a comparison of the
accounts presented wth thos8 ie¢ord5. 11 incudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosLtres
n the financial statements, an¢J seeking explanativ'.)s concerning any such rnatter5.
The procedures undertaken do not provt(Se all the eviden￿ that would be requifed in an audit, and Consequent￿ I do not
expre5$ an audrt opinH)n on the view given by the financial statements.
Independent Examlnefs statement
To ￿j￿A
Signed
Date
I |Lt121¥
Narne and Address of the Independent Exarniner
I txj
Q-LX .

WELWYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charlty Number 1167010
Page 1
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Unrestricted Fun(Is
General
Designated
Rgstricted TOTAL
Funds
2023
TOTAL
2022
Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
Activities ft>r generating funds
Invè5tmgnt incorne
In¢omlng resoure
Stewardship Grant lone offj
Total incomlng r980urc•8
46,571
38,585
330
55
3.361
3,746
15.293
113.198
62.194
67.236
151.838 130.172
3,361
2.397
128.491
217,393 199.805
443.665 ' 443,665
572.156
661,058
85,156
85.156
3,746
199,805
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities
URC Ministry and Mission Fund
Ministerial costs
Employee costs
Cost of church activrties
Donations passed on
Projects
Build Plannillg
Governan￿ costs - indepèndent examiner
Re¥ources expended
25,248
4,984
15,486
34,149
25.246
4,984
77.615
75,046
44.869
42,297
5,645
3.294
14,978
20.396
20,052
14.403
50
50
193,439 180.122
24,636
62,129
5.625
4,586
10.728
20.052
5.095
803
4,250
10
50
84,422
5,898
103.120
Net Incoming1 l outgoingl resource
before investment galnslllossèsl and transfe
734
-2,152
489,037
467,619
19.683
Net 9ainsllossesl on Investments
5,780
5.780
-7.432
Net incoming Ilou¢going1 resources
before transfers
734
3.629
469,037
473,399
12,251
Gross Transfers between fund8
-1,840
-2,160
Net movemgnt in fund6
-1.1C
7.629
466,877
473,399
12,251
Total funds l>lfwd. 1 January 2023
17.681
36,103
68,635
122,418
Total funds elfwd. 31 December 2023
16,574
43.732
535.511
595.818

WEL¥VYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charity Number 1167010
Page 2
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
Unr•8trict•d Funds
General
Desi9nated
Restrlcted
Fund8
TOTAL
2023
TOTAL
2022
Note
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Prepayments
8ank and Cash B8lance8
WGC Deposit Account
Investmenls
3,560
1.091
16,918
27,4(
30,966
1.091
84,800
415,000
78,604
72,824
610,461 122.418
12
13
14
15
3,227
64.654
415.000
38.100
545.160
49,594
40,505
43,732
21,569
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Credit015 payable wrthin one year
TOTAL NET ASSETS
16
4,995
15.483
9.648
535.512
14,643
594,727 122,418
43,732
THE FUNOS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted income funds
Restricted Income funds
TOTAL FUNDS
16.574
43.732
60.306
53.784
535.512
68.635
595.818 122.418
535.512
535,512
16.574
43.732
APPROVED BY CHURCH MEETING
ANO SIGNED ON BEHALF BY
ON

WELWYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charoty Numbèr 1167010
Page 3
1. Accounting Policies
1 a Basis of Accounling
The financial slalemenls have been prepared in accordance with Slalement of Recommended Practice..
Accounting and Reporting by Charities ISORP 20051 issued by the Charity Commission, and the United
Reformed Church guidance. The accruals basis of accounting has been adopted, and the principal
accounting policies sel out below are applied consistently.
1 b Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the ¢hur¢h in furtheran￿ of its charitable
objectives.
Restricted funds are subjected lo restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor, or contained
in the terms of a grant.
1c Assets
Freehold proFerty.' The Trustees of the church and manse buildings a￿ the Thames North Synod
Trust who hold them upon trust for purposes connected with We￿n Garden City URC.
Expenditure incurred on the church and manse is written off in the year rt is incurred.
Fixed assets this yeaf are wrrtten oft in the year of purchase This the first year Ihal the accruals
basis of accounting has been used as a result of one large charitable grant arising from a donalion
from one of our congregation.
1d Incoming Resources
All voluntary giving is included in the financial statements for the period in which it is received.
Donations under Gift Aid plus the associated lax recovery are recognised as income when the
donation is received.
Legacies are accounted for when their receipt is certain and can be property quantified.
All other income is generalty recognised when rt is receivable.
le Resour￿$ Expended
The URC Ministry & Mission Fund contribution is paid regularty and is included in the financial slalemenls
for the year lo which it relates.
Resources expended are ￿COgnised in the period to which they are incurred and include allributsble
VAT which cannot be recovered. They are allocated to the particular activty to which they relate.
Governance costs represent direct expenditure on the governance of the church, including th8 production
and ir¢dependenl scrutiny of these financial statemenls.
1 f Taxation
As part of the United Reformed Church, the church is an excepted charity within the meaning of the Taxes
Acls. Accordingly it is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income and capital gains received
lo the extent that such income or gains are applied lo exclusivety charitable purposes. No provision for
laxalion has been made in these financial statements.
1 g Volunteers
The church is a beneficiary of many volunteers who give their lime and skills for the benefrt of the church.
This benefit is greatly appreciated bul is not quantifiable in monelary terms
Note .'As the accounts have changed from Receipts and Payment to Accrual Accounting then last yearfs
figures are based on Receipts and Payments.

WELIAVN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charlty NuM￿r 1167010
Page 4
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Unrestrtcted Funds
Gèneral
Designated
Restrlcted
Fund¥
TOTAL
2023
TOTAL
2022
2. Voluntary income
Trthes and Offerings
Gift Aid refunds
Gifts
Special collections I sent onwards)
Legaaes
35.043
10.253
1,275
9,692
1,770
2,089
1,741
44.735
12,023
3,694
1,741
43,367
8,665
2.842
1,918
10,443
67,236
330
46.571
Nol& . Grft aid indudes an estimate(J amount accruad from 2023 but not yèt rec8ivad
330
15,293
62.194
3. Actlvltles for generatlng funds
Syno(1 grants for Children and Mission empbyees.
Wewn Haffield Borougtt Council grant
URC Vision 2020 g¢ant
National Lottery grant
Synod outstanding grant payments
Premises hire
OJGC Manse rental
rundraising
Orawdown trom Vvoodhall Lane Synod Trust
rrsiifance claim -car park barrièr
Fluwers donations
Sundry incomelcafé, Chatter and Totsl
51,204
1,560
51,204
1,560
59,898
2.000
9,804
7,494
14,540
7.494
34,3(H)
18,825
7,296
28.777
19.760
18,825
30.518
16,065
4.393
55
7.241
28.777
3.779
1,347
990
1,036
2,725
1Jfi.838 130.172
1,347
1,036
113,198
38.585
55
4. Charltsble grant- Stewardshlp
-, his purpose of Ihi5 grant is the church building redevelopment. An amount of £415,OCX) is on deposrt in a WGC URC Oeposrt account
neld at Thames North Synod Trust and wll be used to pay the building invoices
5. MINISTRY & MISSION FUND
The church contributes to the central URC costs of training and providing ministers (including the centralised
payrnent of stipends, pension contribution5 and other benefrts for rninislers), iunning the denomination, and
the wder mission of the national church.
6. Mlnisterlal Costs
WGC Manse rental contribution to Harpenden URC and contributM?n lo Harpenden Manse expenses l Minister's expenses
7. Cost of Church Actlvltles
Church costs
Utilities Icouncil Tax
Insurance
Maintenance of buildings
Cleaning
Jrounds
Licenses
Cialeringlevents
Worship expen¥e$ In¢ Inductlon 8ervl¢tr
Flowers
Communieation•
printin9
office support Ismall office equip
telephone, broadband
5.269
3.917
671
5.437
4.209
12.516
10.152
961
731
1,328
2,219
979
3.917
6,718
10.834
3,082
5,08S
1,633
39
10.795
3,082
3C
6.411
1.156
219
1,360
1.461
6,640
10
793
3,219
357
34.149
386
161
1,179
3.380
357
44.869
907
2.539
319
42,297
5095
5625

WELIVYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charlty Numbèr 1167010
Page 5
8. Oonattons passed on
Special collections whid) arè passed to organi5ation5 e.g. Isabel Hospi￿, Crisis , Christian
9. Projècts
Projects include new ekctric heaters for the rn8in hall. new blinds ,secondary glazing. sound system
10. Bulld Plannlng
Payments to arthitects and consultants
Unrestrtcted Funds
Gèneral
Dèslgnat•d
Restrlcted
Funds
TOTAL
¢2023
TOTAL
2022
11. D¢btorn
Grft recovèrable
Premises Hire
Outstanding giant for Children and famity work
Outstanding grant from Thames North Synod
3,rM)D
560
19.911
7.494
30.966
560
19.911
7,494
27,406
3,560
12. Prnpaymeb)ts
Prepaid License5 for Churdi Music and Insur8nce for the Manse
13. Cash at Bank lex WGC ogposit Account I
Bank cuirenl account
Savings Account
Flowèi Account
10,809
6.309
358
2.889
4,947
88.801
7,020
77.780
8,759
40,823
16,918
84.800
49.594
14. WGC Deposlt account
This sum is held in a Garden Cty URC Deposit account at Thames North Synod Trust
15. Investments
Juprter Investments
COIF Investments
2,543
37,962
40,505
12.560
25.540
38.100
15,103
63.502
78.604
14,666
58,158
72.824
16. Current Uabllltl
Credrtors payab￿ within one year
utilrties and Supplies
HMRC
Crisis Don81ion
Isabel H05pice
Electric Healers
Grounds
Harpenden Ministerial expenses
Cleaning
481
128
1.300
7,741
126
1,300
7,741
1,696
1,288
1,6
1,288
4,995
9,648
14.643

WELVIYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charfty Number 1167010
Page 6
GENERAL FUND
This fund has no reStr￿tionS on its use
DESIGNATED FUNOS
Benevolent Fund this hold5 mongy for use to 5VPPQrt individuals with emergency fijnds. The Elders administer this fund
Maintenance Fund thi5 is established lo fund the maint&iance ol the church and manse premises., rt
has regular budgeted transfers from thtr Gene[81 Fund The maintenance is supervised by the Building Team
A sum of £4000 was transferred from General lun¢J In Dec 2023 for use in 2024
Car Fund this is held to provide a ministers ca¥ rf req¢Jired
Reserve Fund - holds the reserves ol the church
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Big Build fundrais• - money raisèd in 2023 onwards for the building redevelopment
uilding fund fund used to Captu￿ grants and gifts for building redevelopment
Christmas Fayre- 50% given to Isabel HospKe, 50% transferred to Build fundraising
Legacy Fund- being used to replace healers in the church
Magazinè- Oonations to support m8g#zine printing
Fabrfc for use in general church fabric updates
Flower Fund- providing weekty church Ilowers from don8li¢)ns
Lottery grant- was used to support the weekty Teapot café
Mlssion Dev fund- Thames North Syno(J grant and churth pledges for employing a Missti)n workèr
New keys liablllty- held lor future key deposrt retums
Chattèr and Tots Fund- donations received at Weekty Toddler group Surplu5 transferred to Big Build fundT8ising
Community Café . donations received at weekly café . Surplus transferred to Big Build fundraising
Special Collèctions- collections sent onwards lo e.g. Cri$i$, Christian Aid. 1$8bel Hospice
Support for Mission fund - hokls donation given to support outreach Mission wo
Synod outstandlng grants- backdated general gr8nt mgney from Thame5 North Synod
Welwyn Harfleld BC communlty Grant- grant being used to provide new sound eqLtipment
child￿￿, Youth, Famlly Fund - grant from Thames North Synod and pledges to support thè Children and Famity wtstk$r
BIF
Incom•
Exp•ndliure
Tran8l•r GalnslLo881 CIF
General fund
DESIGNATED
Benevolent Fijnd
Car Fund
Maintenan
Reserve Fund
RESTRICTED
Bèck To Wo
8ig Build fundraising
BkJ.Iding Fund
Cty,nslmas Fayre
17,681
85,156
-84.422
-1,840
16.574
385
-813
37
10.IXIO
9.824
23,871
10.(KM)
10,909
14,729
-5.085
4.000
3,361
5.780
1.000
10.172
460.027
7,387
472.719
2.756
2,865
1,232
-2,474
6.128
2.457
10.443
210
9.577
-20.052
-2,739
-7.741
-347
-3,832
-1.300
4.369
-24.824
2.702
Magazines
F8bric
Flower Fund
Loilery grant
Mission Development
New keys liability
Oroanisation Chatter an¢J Tots
01ganisation Communty
Speaal Collections
Support fund for Mission outreach
Syno(J outstanding grant received
WHBC Cornrnullity Grant
Children . Youth . Famity
Total8
14,895
1.287
20,64Q
6.529
14.539
235
958
659
-2,160
24.735
14.450
235
610
145
675
85
1,741
-1.023
-1.741
.3CM)
2,775
2.475
7.494
565
14.997
5,780 595.818
7,494
1,580
36.686
661.058
-995
-34,799
-193,439
13,110
122.418
in addrtton Ihe Th8me5 North Synod TTUSt hohls money from sale ol Woodhall Lane from wh￿h the church can requesi drawdown
The total held 81 end of December 2023 was £444,663

WELYIYN GARDEN CITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Charity Nurnbgr 1167010
Page 7
TREASURER'S STATEMENT
I have Frepared the financial statements on pages 1 to 6 for the year ended 31 Decembe*r from the
accounting records ol the church.
Helen Kaye
Oate
%{Lk(a
l(F
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
I report on the financial statements of Vvelwgn Garden City URC f￿ the year endèd 31 D8c&mbèr 2023. which
8re set out on pages 1 to 8
Respectl¥e responslbSlltles
The church is responsible for the preparation of the financial ststements, and ￿nSiderS that the audit
requirement of Section 43121 ol the Charilies Act 1993 (the Act) does not appty. It is my rèsponsibility to
state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charty Commissioners
under Section 4317llbl of the Act, whether particular matters have ¢omo lo my 8tt&ntion.
Basis of Indo￿ndent Examinerfs report
My examination was earned tsul In accordance with GÈnèr81 Directions of the Charty Commissioner3.
An examination includes a review ol the accounting records kept by the church an(J a comparison of the
accounts presented wth thos8 ie¢ord5. 11 incudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosLtres
n the financial statements, an¢J seeking explanativ'.)s concerning any such rnatter5.
The procedures undertaken do not provt(Se all the eviden￿ that would be requifed in an audit, and Consequent￿ I do not
expre5$ an audrt opinH)n on the view given by the financial statements.
Independent Examlnefs statement
To ￿j￿A
Signed
Date
I |Lt121¥
Narne and Address of the Independent Exarniner
I txj
Q-LX .