TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD: 1 JANUARY 2023 TO 31 DECEMBER 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS
Charity name:
THE UNITED CHURCH OF ST MARK
Other names charity known as:
ST MARK’S CHURCH
Registered charity number:
1176784
Charity’s Principal address:
Great Tattenhams Epsom Downs Surrey KT18 5RB
Names of Trustees
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLIN BATTY | CHAIRMAN AND CHURCHWARDEN |
|||
| DES WILLIAMSON | MINISTER | |||
| MARTIN TRENAMAN | TREASURER | |||
| JOHN MILLER | STEWARD | |||
| JANET WILLOCK | STEWARD | |||
| MARK ROBINSON | CHURCHWARDEN | |||
| MEL BRACEY | SAFEGUARDING OFFICER | |||
| LIZ TOWNSEND | CHILDREN’S AND FAMILIES’ WORKER |
|||
| KEITH NELSON | ||||
| SHEILA BATTY | ||||
| DAVID WILLOCK |
12 ROSALYN BIRCH 13 EMMA SEARS 21/05/23 – 14[ELIZABETH LORD ] 31/12/23 21/05/23 – 15[SUSAN HIGGINS ] 31/12/23 21/05/23 – 16[DAWN CALLAWAY ] 31/12/23
All trustees served for the year the report covers
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Type of governing document:
Constitution 30 April 2017
How the charity is constituted: Association
Trustee selection method: Elected by membership
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objects of charity:
To advance the Christian Faith in the local community, by
-
Celebration of public worship
-
Teaching of Christian faith
-
Mission and evangelism
-
Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved
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Provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including, but not restricted to the elderly, the young, and other groups with need
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The support of other charities in the UK and abroad
The Church would not exist without the contribution made by members who volunteer their time. Volunteers provide time in all areas of the church’s activities, including governance.
Policy on Safeguarding
The Church has a Safeguarding Policy that is agreed by the Trustee’s every year. In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy and the Methodist Church Policy, the church is committed to the safeguarding, care, and nurture of everyone within our community.
All Trustees, and volunteers that work with children and vulnerable adults are required to be trained in safeguarding best practice through the Church of England or Methodist Church.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE IN 2023
Messy Church
Monthly worship for children and their families during term time including activities, worship and a meal.
Messy Munchkins
A weekly meeting place for children under 5 and their carers, for activity, fun and support, in a Christian environment.
Messy Bundles
A weekly meeting place for parents and carers and babies for support and friendship.
Worship
A varied pattern of worship is provided which requires a great deal of preparation by Rev Des Williamson and the Worship team. Many people are involved in our worship including preachers and worship leaders, musicians, singers and projector and sound operators.
Pastoral
The church pastoral team cares for those in need, they meet together to share concerns to make sure the right support is provided to those who need it. The team visits elderly, housebound, the sick and bereaved and anyone who would value a listening ear.
Community Cinema
Films are shown mostly on Sunday evenings in the winter months, in 2023 11 screenings took place.
Tattenhams Market
In 2023 the Market was held on 6 occasions providing a variety of different stalls from stallholders who rent a table for the market. The church provides refreshments, it is a good way to connect with the community.
Charitable donations
In 2023 over £2,000 was raised for local, national and overseas charities. More details are included in the financial report.
St Mark’s Food Club
The Food Club was launched in 2021 to provide an opportunity for local residents who need to save on their household spending due to low income or financial difficulties.
Community Lunches
A team provide lunch on a Saturday once a month to people in the community who would otherwise be eating alone, or who may find it difficult to provide a lunch for themselves. The church provides
an opportunity for people to come together over a meal to socialise, to chat, and to have an enjoyable time with others from the community. Contributions are made by those that are able to, which results in a donation being made to the church at the end of the year.
Community Garden
The garden was established in 2023 from initial grant funding from Banstead Primary Care Trust. A space has been created within the church grounds for the local community to be involved in gardening, and developing the garden. It has also provided a space for local people to come together for gardening, but also provide a peaceful space for relaxation.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
1. In 2023 a deficit was recorded of £1,977 on the general fund, and a deficit of £10,132 overall. The deficit of the Children’s and Families’ Worker Fund was £11,003, the fund was used up in full in 2023, and there was an additional cost of £1,270 on the General Fund.
The overall deficit has been reduced due to funding received in the year for the Community Garden. The amount the in the Community Garden Fund at the end of 2023 was £6,091.
We need around £361 each day to cover the ongoing costs of St Mark’s.
2. Parish Share and Circuit Assessment
The parish share payable in 2023 was £70,419, an increase of £2,547 (3.75%) on 2022. Circuit assessment payable in 2023 was £1,850, an increase of £300 (19%) on 2022.
3.
Planned giving
The overall planned giving increased slightly in 2023, by £2,659 (8.3%).
The church does not receive any funding from the government or other statutory body. The church running costs are just over £2,500 per week, and this needs to be financed by giving, donations and the church’s income generating activities (eg hall hire, Market and Community Cinema).
We need more people to join one of the church’s planned giving schemes. Regular giving is the core of the church’s income, and means we can plan and do things with confidence.
We are grateful to the generosity of all church members who are in one of our planned giving schemes and give regularly for the work of the church.
I would urge you to join other members of the church who give in one of our planned giving schemes, if you do not already do so.
Parish Giving Scheme
The Parish Giving Scheme at St Marks continues to be the most efficient way to give, both for the giver and church administration. There are 23 givers who give this way, including regular giving to the CFW fund. Givers agree for their giving to St Marks to be collected by direct debit which is passed to the church a few days later with gift aid added. Givers also have the opportunity for their giving to increase with inflation once a year, and the majority of PGS givers opt for this which enables the church’s income to grow each year. All members of the church are encouraged to give through the scheme.
Details of the Parish Giving Scheme can be found by following the link from the giving page on the Church website.
4.
Tax recovered
The amount the church is able to recover in 2023 was 25p for every £1 of gift aided income.
A total of £10,242 was recovered for the General Fund from planned giving as well as some donations, including card donations made in church and online. This includes £1,659 recovered through the Small Donations Scheme. A further £2,613 was recovered for the CFW Fund from CFW giving and donations.
Total tax recovered in 2023: £13,068.
5. Donations
The church receives donations from groups who use the church building.
Total donations to the General Fund in 2023 was £10,162, including:
Sing £1,400 Include Choir £400 Food Club £1,000 Guides and Rainbows £400 Christmas Together £250 Community Lunches £200 Art Exhibition £204 Food Club £825 (for church providing Warm Hub) Relax Kidz £210 Pitstop £420 Energy Support from Diocese £1,000
The remaining donations were from individuals including 2 donations of £1,000 or more.
6. Charitable Donations
The following donations were made to charitable organisations, either through fundraising events, collections at services, or from church funds:
Circuit Connexional Funds
£165
An amount of £240 is also donated to the Bible Reading Fellowship, the umbrella organisation behind Messy Church, from Messy Church contributions.
A sum of £2,453 was raised for Christian Aid from the Quiz which was held at St Mark’s in May 2023.
7. Tattenhams Market
The Market has been running since October 2012, a monthly market with external stallholders paying a fee to have a table (increased to £12 per market from 2023). The Church provides refreshments.
The market took place on 6 occasions in 2023. The total proceeds was £3,608 (£2,591 in 2022), of this £1,836 was taken from refreshments, and the remainder from stallholder fees.
8.
St Mark’s Community Cinema
A total of 11 screenings took place in 2023 (13 in 2022), a total of £1,459 (£1,372 in 2022) was received from donations and refreshments (less expenses). A further £379 was received on gift aid claimed on Cinema donations through the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme.
9. Messy Church and Messy Munchkins
Messy Church (monthly) has been running at St Marks since 2009, and Messy Munchkins (weekly) was added in 2017.
The combined net income from these groups was £2,406 (£1,853 in 2022).
10. Income from Investments
The Church receives interest at differing rates for funds invested.
| Invested with | Value of investment £ 31/12/23 |
Interest rate in 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge and Counties Bank |
85,318 | 2.60% - 4.50% |
| Skipton BS | 11,000 | 2.15% -3.45% |
Total interest income in 2023, £3,894 (£1,667 in 2022).
Interest was also received from CAF Bank balances (1.15% - 2.50%)
All institutions that hold church funds are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which offers protection of up to £85,000 in case of occurrences that prevent the institution honouring requests to withdraw funds.
11.
Fees from Weddings and Funerals
The Church receives fees for Banns and a proportion of fees from Weddings and Funerals. In 2023 fees were received for 2 Banns (2 in 2022), 8 Funerals (5), and 1 wedding.
Additionally, a sum of £155 was received from the Diocese. Following a change to the way fees from Funerals held at a crematorium are distributed to parishes, it was agreed that a sum should be redistributed to parishes based on the number of funerals conducted.
Total fees received for Church in 2023: £747 (£583 in 2022).
12. Children’s and Families’ Worker (CFW)
Liz Townsend was appointed in September 2008.
In 2023 the regular giving with gift aid provided £14,310 (£13,423 in 2022).
An additional successful grant application was made to Community Foundation for Surrey at the end of 2022 for £10,000, this was received in 2023.
The total cost of Children’s and Families’ Work in 2023 was £36,584.
Total income to CFW Fund:
| Regular Giving Gift Aid Grant Fund at 31 December 2022 Charged to Fund in 2023 Income received in 2023 Deficit charged to General Fund |
11,697 2,613 10,000 |
|---|---|
| 24,310 11,003.12 -36,583.73 24,310.50 1,270.11 |
|
| 0.00 |
Due to the CFW Fund running out of money in 2023, the deficit of £1,270.11 has been charged to the General Fund. It is important for regular giving to the CFW Fund, in the form of planned giving to continue and increase in order for this ministry to continue at St Marks.
The ECC has committed to fund Children’s and Families’ Work at St Marks until at least December 2024.
13. Payments received from credit card and debit card
Donations and payments by card can be made in church using a self service giving device. Card giving can also be made from the giving page on the Church website.
A total of £4,873 was received from card payments in 2023 (£5,029 in 2022), including £160 (£1,635 in 2022) from the website. The card processing fee for these payments was £55.51 (average fee 1.1%).
14. Purchase of replacement data projector
In December 2023 the church data projector needed to be replaced. The data projector is in a fixed position in the church and is used to project all images at Sunday services, and other services. The original projector had been used continually since 2007.
The cost to supply and fit the replacement projector was £3,900. This expenditure was agreed by ECC.
It was agreed to ask the congregation for contributions towards the cost. Contributions for a total of £1,150, was received, as well as £212.50 gift aid on these contributions.
£
| Total cost Less contributions Less gift aid on contributions Net requirement from church funds |
3,900.00 -1,150.00 -212.50 |
|---|---|
| 2,537.50 |
It was agreed that the net cost of the projector to be provided by the Maintenance Fund.
15. Other Restricted Funds
Christmas Together
The event to serve a Christmas Day lunch took place once again at St Marks in 2023. Expenses of £555 were charged to the Christmas Together Fund. This included a contribution of £250 to the General Fund to cover the cost of energy and other expenses incurred by the Church for the event.
Maintenance Fund
The fund is in place following building work completed in 2011. The following costs were charged to the fund in 2023:
| Boiler repairs Painting of outdoor cross Replacement data projector (net) Fund at 31 December 2022 Charged to Fund in 2023 Fund at 31 December 2023 |
920.00 250.00 2,537.50 3,707.50 33,602.12 -3,707.50 |
|---|---|
| 29,894.62 |
Community Garden
The St Mark’s Community Garden was established in 2023 to provide a garden for the local community to be involved in. It has created a space for local people to come together, get involved in growing vegetables and flowers, and to relax, and enjoy the garden.
Grant funding of £10,400 was received from the Banstead Primary Care Trust.
| Funding from Banstead PCT Charged to fund in 2023 Fund at 31 December 2023 |
10,400.00 -4,309.01 6,090.99 |
|---|---|
16. Reserves Policy
This Reserves Policy deals with the following Funds only:
Unrestricted Fund – General Fund
Restricted Fund – Children’s and Families’ Worker Fund
Restricted Fund - Maintenance Fund
| Church’s Reserves at 31 December 2023: Unrestricted Funds - General Fund Restricted Fund - CFW Fund Restricted Fund - Maintenance Fund |
£ 61,615 0 29,894 |
|---|---|
| 91,509 |
Policy
General Fund
We aim to hold sufficient reserves in our general fund to cover 6 months expenditure, ie £49,000.
The Church needs to be able to cover its monthly commitments (eg Parish Share of £6,284 per month in 2024), and be in a position to fund future year deficits, if necessary, of the general fund.
The Church also needs to be in a position to fund any unexpected building maintenance to ensure that all areas of the building remain safe and secure for all users of the building.
Children’s and Families’ Worker Fund
The fund is used to pay the St Mark’s Children’s and Families’ Worker (through the Circuit Payroll) salary, expenses and other CFW costs. Regular giving from the congregation and gift aid is credited to the fund. Total CFW Fund commitments are approximately £3,000 per month.
Regular income to the fund is not sufficient to meet financial commitments. The Church Council has made a commitment to fund the work to December 2024, using the general fund when necessary.
Maintenance Fund
The fund is in place following the original building work completed in 2011.
ECC agreed that the fund can be used to cover essential maintenance costs. In 2023 a sum of £3,708 was charged to the fund.
Total Reserves Requirement:
| 6 months General Fund expenditure 6 months CFW Fund Expenditure Provision for unscheduled building maintenance |
49,000 18,500 10,000 |
|---|---|
| 77,500 |
THE UNITED CHURCH OF ST MARK
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL Funds Funds 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES £ £ £ 54,431 15,339 69,770 Voluntary Income 4,140 - 4,140 Activities for generating funds 1,667 - 1,667 Income from Investments 19,653 - 19,653 Church Activities 2,844 1,035 3,879 Other Incoming Resources 82,734 16,375 99,109 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED 84,751 42,240 126,991 Church Activities 150 - 150 Charitable grants and donations 84,901 42,240 127,141 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED -2,167 -25,865 -28,032 NET INCOMING RESOURCES 0 0 0 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 82,552 53,996 136,548 BALANCES B/FWD 1 JANUARY 2023 63,592 45,946 109,538 BALANCES C/FWD 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ 59,503 16,188 75,690 5,267 - 5,267 3,894 - 3,894 25,888 - 25,888 - 24,473 24,473 |
|---|---|
| 94,551 40,661 135,212 |
|
| 96,363 48,816 145,179 165 - 165 |
|
| 96,528 48,816 145,344 |
|
| -1,977 -8,155 -10,132 0 0 0 63,592 45,946 109,538 |
|
| 61,615 37,791 99,406 |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023
| TOTAL 2022 £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ £ |
Restricted TOTAL Funds 2023 £ £ £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income Planned giving: 41,552 Gift Aid donations 12,848 Tax recovered 1,050 Non gift aid donations 2,576 Cash collections 383 Messy Church 2,003 Messy Munchkins 375 Sunday Coffee 8,983 Donations 69,770 Activities for generating Funds 178 Derby Day Car park 2,591 Tattenhams Market 1,372 Community Cinema 4,140 Income from investments 1,381 Interest on Cambridge and Counties 263 Interest on Skipton BS 23 Interest on CAF Bank Accounts 1,667 Church Activities 19,070 Hall lettings 583 Fees from weddings and funerals 19,653 Other incoming resources - Grant funding for CFW Fund - Grant from PCT for Community Garden - Grant from Waitrose for Christmas Together - Grant from Surrey CC for tables and chairs - Grant from VARB for chair refurbishment 2,844 Support from Diocese 290 Fundraising for CFW Fund 61 Crowdfunding for CFW Fund 424 Funding received for Broadband 260 Christmas Together 3,879 99,109 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES |
32,865 10,242 1,657 1,886 - 2,441 448 9,963 |
59,503 5,267 3,894 25,888 0 |
10,452 2,826 1,245 - 481 13 - 1,170 16,188 75,690 - - - 0 5,267 - - - 0 3,894 - - 0 25,888 10,000 10,400 1,000 1,073 2,000 - - - - - 24,473 24,473 |
| 200 3,608 1,459 |
|||
| 3,172 559 164 |
|||
| 25,141 747 |
|||
| - - - - - - - - - - |
|||
| 94,551 | 40,661 135,212 |
| TOTAL 2022 £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ £ |
Restricted TOTAL Funds 2023 £ £ £ |
|---|---|---|
| RESOURCES EXPENDED Church Activities Ministry: 67,872 Diocesan Parish Share 1,550 Circuit Assessment 833 Vicar's expenses 40 Deanery Synod 335 Other Ministry costs 36,246 Children's and Families' Work 437 Messy Church 96 Messy Munchkins 107,409 Charity Giving: 150 Methodist Connexional Funds 150 Property running costs 2,286 Building Maintenance 1,526 Equipment and Materials 6,711 Utilities 1,921 Insurance 2,657 Hall cleaning 15,102 Worship: 372 Resources 95 Piano and organ tuning and repair 75 Altar requisites 542 Resourcing and Training - Posters and leaflets 179 Lunches and refreshments 158 Baptism cards, books, and resources 12 Other 349 Sundry expenses 71 Card fees 81 Bank charge 71 DBC Admin charge 137 Other misc expenses 360 Other resources expended 364 Christmas Together - Community Garden - Replacement Projector 2,440 Food Club balance transferred 424 Church Broadband 3,229 127,141 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED |
70,419 1,850 1,116 - 128 1,270 35 - 74,818 165 165 928 2,310 12,366 2,079 2,732 20,416 366 165 175 706 41 52 - - 93 56 60 86 130 331 - - - - - |
- - - - - 35,314 481 13 35,808 110,626 - 0 165 1,170 3,073 - - - 4,243 24,659 - - - 0 706 - - - - 0 93 - - - - 0 331 555 4,309 3,900 - - 8,764 8,764 |
| 96,528 | 48,816 145,344 |
| BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 2022 £ CURRENT ASSETS 85,186 Cambridge and Counties Bank 4,820 CAF Bank balances 21,000 Skipton Building Society 6,761 Debtors and prepayments 117,766 CURRENT LIABILITIES -8,228 Creditors - amounts falling due in one year 109,538 NET CURRENT ASSETS 109,538 TOTAL NET ASSETS Represented by Unrestricted Funds 63,592 General Fund Restricted Funds 11,003 Children's and Families' Worker Fund 33,602 Maintenance Fund 1,340 Christmas Together Fund 0 Community Garden 109,538 |
£ 85,318 10,092 11,000 2,992 |
£ 99,406 |
|---|---|---|
| 109,402 -9,996 |
||
| 0 29,895 1,805 6,091 |
||
| 99,406 61,615 37,791 |
||
| 99,406 |
………………………………… Martin Trenaman MAAT Treasurer
………………………………… Colin Batty Chairman, Ecumenical Church Council
………………………………… Rev Des Williamson Minister
………………………………….
Anthony Hallett Independent Examiner
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2023
| 2022 £ Income 30,814 Planned giving - GA 10,163 Tax recovered 1,050 Planned giving - non GA 2,576 Cash collections 10,943 Other donations -54 Messy Church (net) 1,907 Messy Munchkins (net) 1,667 Interest 19,070 Hall lettings 583 PCC fees from weddings and funerals 2,591 Tattenhams Market 1,372 Cinema 82,680 Total Income Expenditure 67,872 Parish Share 1,550 Circuit Assessment - CFW cost - General Fund 833 Vicar expenses 40 Deanery Synod 335 Other Ministry 74.69 Altar requisites 372 Worship 95 Organist/musicians and tuning 150 Grants and Giving 349 Education Training, mission - Maintenance 1,526 Equip and mats 6,711 Utilities 1,921 Insurance 2,657 Cleaning 360 Sundry 84,847 Total Expenditure -2,167 Surplus/(Deficit) for Year |
2023 £ 32,865 10,242 1,657 1,886 10,611 -35 2,441 3,894 25,141 747 3,608 1,459 |
|---|---|
| 94,517 70,419 1,850 1,270 1,116 0 128 175 366 165 165 93 928 2,310 12,366 2,079 2,732 331 |
|
| 96,494 -1,977 |
Independent Examiner’s Report to the members/trustees of the Ecumenical Church Council (ECC) of The United Church of St Mark, Tattenham Corner.
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Respective responsibilities of the ECC and the examiner
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; or
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to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed
Tony Hallett
5 April 2024
DECLARATION
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee’s report above.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
| Signatures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full names | COLIN BATTY | MARTIN TRENAMAN |
| Position | CHURCHWARDEN | TREASURER |
| Date | 16 SEPTEMBER 2024 |