Bolton Villas United Reformed Church Charity Registered Charity: 1180791
part of the United Reformed Church
Trustees annual report & financial statement for the year ending 31 December 2023
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Trustees' report for the year ended December 2023
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors
| ference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors | ference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors | ference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors |
|---|---|---|
| The trustees during the fnancial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: | ||
| Name | Position | |
| Rev. Ashley Evans | Senior Pastor/Chair Of Trustees | Resigned January 2024 |
| Margaret Merriweather | Chair of Trustees/Elder | |
| Karen Charlesworth | Church Secretary | Resigned November 2023 |
| Marguerite Sobol | Church Treasurer/Elder | |
| John Brookes | Church Secretary/Elder | |
| Kathleen Evans | Elder | Resigned November 2023 |
| Jean Flerin | Elder | |
| Richard Haley | Elder | Resigned November 2023 |
| Zara Grainger-Jones | Elder | Appointed March 2024 |
| Sarah Hayley | Elder | Appointed March 2024 |
Charity Number
Bolton Villas United Reformed Church was an excepted Charity, but became a registered Charity, number 1180791 with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 22 November 2018.
Charity Address:
Bolton Villas Family Church, Livingstone Road, Wrose, Bradford, BD2 1PZ
Bankers
Current Account - Co-operative Bank, P.O. Box 250, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
Independent Examiner
Andrew Russell, APR Accountancy Services, Shan House, 80-86 North Street, Keighley, BD21 3AF
Structure, governance and management
The Charity is a trust distilled from the United Reformed Church acts (1972 and 1981) and Scheme of Union (1972) adopted 19 June 2008. The Trustees are responsible for the charity, though delegate dayto-day running to the senior leadership team.
Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees
The Trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.
The Charity's Objectives
The object of the Charity is the advancement of the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the scheme of union of the United Reformed Church.
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Objectives & Activities
The Charity's main activities, achievement and performance
2023 saw the Church continue with a range of activities involving use of the building.
During January to March and again in November and December we ran Winter Warmers on Wednesdays at teatime where people came along for free food and friendship. This was part of our aim to reach out to support our local community. We also registered as a Warm Space for which we received funding via Bradford Council.
In March we again hosted Inn Churches, providing breakfast, an evening meal and a bed for the night for homeless people for a week.
At Easter we celebrated our risen Lord Jesus Christ with a Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter services.
In May we held a Coronation celebration lunch.
In July we held a coffee morning in aid of the local Foodbank.
In August we held a barbecue to reach out to our families, friends and local community.
In October our Harvest and Hunger Lunch supported both the Foodbank and Caring for Life (a Christian charity in Yeadon, north Leeds).
A Comedy Night was held in November with a Christian comedian and a full house. This event was supported financially by the URC’s Yorkshire Synod. This was followed by our usual range of Christmas celebration services plus carols at the local pub as a united venture with the other local churches. We also focused this year on collecting large amounts of Socks and Chocs for the Bradford Soup Run who support the homeless in Bradford.
Throughout the year, Encounter Nights have continued on a regular/quarterly basis, dedicated to prayer praise and worship. There have also been a number of mens’ events at other local churches that members of our fellowship have attended and that we have supported financially.
Our ongoing youth work has involved activities on 5 nights per week including a new Monday night group that was set up in February together with Bradford Council. We also started a Friday teatime group for younger children. From June onwards we have added another Youth worker to our small team working with our Youth Pastor. There are some volunteers from church who work with the children, but more volunteer help would be beneficial for our youth work.
Throughout the year, our work with Refreshed (our cafe/charity shop which is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) increased significantly in terms of the number of local people who attended requiring the addition of extra seating space. Customers come mainly to eat in the cafe but also to shop with us. The number and relevant skills of volunteers continues to be a challenge. Income from this activity is proving to be vital for the general running of the Church and to support the work of our Youth Pastor.
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Objectives & Activities (continued)
Changes in personnel
In October our Pastor, Rev Ashley Evans informed us that he will be changing roles to continue to work with the Yorkshire Synod as Evangelist but also taking on a similar role with West Midlands Synod. Therefore he will have left Bolton Villas Family Church in February 2024. This will impact our finances in terms of the reduced amount we will have to pay to the Synod next year and also expenses related to the manse.
With the treasurer having stepped down in 2022 we have now brought a small team together looking into all aspects of Income and Expenditure with an external accountant providing support and management accounts. From April onwards our financial management was transferred to Quickbooks under his guidance. We continue to look at small grants to support these changes and building fabrication repairs, but at the moment we have not been as successful as we would have wished.
Following the resignation of the previous Church Secretary, the roles have been divided between the remaining Elders with the intention of reviewing the situation in early 2024.
Future plans
In early 2024 we plan to run a Leading Your Church Into Growth (local) course which will help us to review our current situation and hopefully inform us of what plans to put in place moving forwards. At forthcoming Church Meetings as a fellowship we are also intending to appoint a Mission Enabler from within our fellowship to encourage us in our outreach going forward, and intending to elect additional Elders to help lead the fellowship.
Public Benefit Statement
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of the Christian Faith.
Safeguarding
Bolton Villas Family Church takes it duties under the Children Act 2004 seriously. During 2023 a new Safeguarding Officer was appointed. If a reasonable suspicion is raised about the protection of a child under the age of 18 years or of any adult seen to be at risk, then the Church will undertake its duties using its procedures. The Church has a policy to vet all those who have the responsibilities for the care of children and adults at risk within areas of its responsibilities to comply with the Protection of Children Act 1999.
Financial review
In January the Elders were informed that Saturday Seniors had closed and their funds were dispersed to 3 local, 2 national and 1 international charities.
In February the congregation was challenged concerning their giving as income was not covering expenditure. This was successful and our finances were much improved after a shortfall earlier in the year.
However, there is still a recognition of the need to find additional funding sources especially for our youth work, but the challenge is to find people with the relevant time and skills to carry out this work.
Income
Our income has increased in 2023 compared with 2022 mainly due to increased giving/fundraising/donations; additional income from Refreshed; and additional income from the use of our building. Grants received included a further grant from the Yorkshire Synod’s Mission Fund to enable us to continue to employ our Youth Pastor.
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Financial Review (continued)
Expenditure
Expenditure has increased slightly in 2023 compared with 2022 but has been kept under control by the decision to put a number of building repairs on hold, especially the replacement of our bargeboards. It is hoped to be able to carry this out in 2024.
Payments to the Synod Mission and Ministry fund have decreased due to a slight reduction in our overall membership.
Refreshed’s expenses increased as a result of increased activity, especially in the cafe, but these increased expenses were outweighed by the increased income.
With great rejoicing by the end of 2023 we have paid off our 25 year Kingdom Bank loan after only 14 years. This was achieved by an increase in the monthly amounts paid plus the final closure payment. Thanks were expressed to those who have contributed towards the repayment over many years. Those members have been encouraged to transfer their giving to general Church funds, though there is also a plan to create a new fund in 2024 to support the various projects of repair and replacement that are needed throughout the building.
In October it was agreed to no longer continue to repair the minibus which was subsequently sold. One significant item of expenditure was an examination of the flat roof to check for RAAC (which was fortunately not found).
Church Meeting agreed to increase pulpit fees especially in light of our own Pastor Rev Ashley Evans being more in demand elsewhere during 2023.
We continue to give generously to outside causes through our tithing/regular disbursements and one off giving mainly through Communion offerings.
Overall
We continue to be challenged to balance our desire to undertake more activities against having sufficient funds and also personnel to support those aspirations, especially in relation to our youth and children’s work.
Reserves Policy
The charity’s free cash reserves at the year end were £50,754 (2022 - £46,828), which includes designated funds of £35,200 (2022 - £32,902). It is the Trustees policy to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds (if possible), which equates to at least three months payments, equivalent to £29,316 to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. The balance of £50,754 held of free cash reserves funds at the year-end exceeded this target.
Funds held as agent on behalf of others
At the year-end no funds were held on behalf of other organisations that had been received but hadn’t been transferred to them, this is classed as Agency Income & Expenditure.
Future Considerations
Whilst we continue to be challenged about balancing our funds and personnel against our aspirations, the Trustee have reassessed the charity’s ability to continue for the next 12 months and have concluded that no material uncertainties exist that cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to meet its liabilities as they occur.
Signed on behalf of the board of Trustees:
Margaret Merriweather Marguerite Sobol Chair of Trustees Church Treasurer Date:
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Independent Examiner's report
Independent examiner’s report to The Trustees of Bolton Villas United Reformed Church Charity
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of The Trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name: Andrew Russell FFA FMAAT
Date:
APR Accountancy Services Shan House 80-86 North Street Keighley BD21 3AF
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Notes Receipts Tithes and offerings Fundraising and donations Monies raised for outside causes 3 Gift Aid repayments Refreshed café and shop Property income Grants received Other incoming resources Bank interest Programme activity income Total Receipts Payments Synod mission & ministry fund Employment & travel expense 4 Church running costs 5 Programme activity costs 6 Support of outside causes 7 Church buildings & other assets 8 Refreshed café and shop Loan repayments Total payments Net receipts (payments) Transfers between Funds Net receipts (Payment) after transfers Cash Funds at 1 January 2023 2 Cash Funds at 31 December 2023 |
Unrestricted £ 31,485 663 - 7,205 - 3,573 3,008 3,355 - 780 50,069 20,352 6,211 13,581 2,123 240 4,892 - - 47,399 2,670 (1,042) 1,628 13,926 15,554 |
Designated £ 125 2,355 - - 23,015 - 1,380 4,211 32 - 31,118 - 6,575 369 4,669 4,839 4,776 5,903 2,731 29,862 1,256 1,042 2,298 32,902 35,200 |
Restricted £ 7,918 1,682 - 2,079 - - 20,000 - - - 31,679 - 25,574 2,232 5,098 - - - 7,100 40,004 (8,325) - (8,325) 9,741 1,416 |
2023 £ 39,528 4,700 - 9,284 23,015 3,573 24,388 7,566 32 780 112,866 20,352 38,360 16,182 11,890 5,079 9,668 5,903 9,831 117,265 (4,399) - (4,399) 56,569 52,170 |
2022 £ 37,668 3,020 5 10,017 20,206 1,639 25,116 5,934 14 2,242 105,861 22,080 39,161 17,822 10,697 2,311 11,013 4,712 8,949 116,745 (10,884) - (10,884) 67,453 56,569 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Note Monetary assets Bank and cash accounts Deposit accounts Total monetary assets Agent Payments held on behalf of others Other assets Gift aid recoverable Assets used for Church purposes Minibus Church Building 9 Manse Building 9 Liabilities Loan outstanding from Kingdom Bank 10 Independent examiner's fee Electricity |
Unrestricted £ 15,554 - 15,554 - 6,396 625 - 160 - |
Designated £ 35,200 - 35,200 - 493 - - - - |
Restricted £ 1,416 - 1,416 - 1,911 - - - - |
2023 £ 52,170 - 52,170 - 8,800 625 - 160 - |
2022 £ 54,049 2,520 56,569 14 9,303 625 9,115 990 725 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Signed on behalf of the board of Trustees:
Margaret Merriweather Marguerite Sobol Chair of Trustees Church Treasurer Date:
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Notes to support accounts
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1 Accounting policies The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis. There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
-
Taxation As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates. Unrestricted funds may be used by the church for any of its ordinary purposes.
-
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds represent income which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of a trust or bequest, or donations or grants received or invited for a specific purpose. These funds can only be spent on the specific purpose for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent must be carried forward as a balance on that fund for future expenditure on that specific purpose, or returned; it cannot be absorbed into general funds.
Fixed assets
Consecrated property and movable church furnishings
Consecrated and benefice property of any kind is not included in the Accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
| 2 Fund Accounting Restricted funds Defibrillator Communion Offerings External Organisation Donations HUB project Youth Pastor fund Youth Work - GAP Year Youth Work - Harry & Mary Youth Work - Winter Warmer Total for restricted funds Designated funds Adam & Eve fund Disbursements Hardship fund HUB project Inn Churches fund Minister fund Outreach fund Refreshed previous Saturday Seniors fund Youth Pastor fund Youth Work - GAP Year Total for designated funds Unrestricted funds Total overall Funds |
B/Fwd. £ 942 5 24 - 1,851 2,500 2,000 2,419 9,741 398 - 1,260 21,726 - - - - 2,543 4,475 2,500 32,902 13,926 56,569 |
Receipts £ - - - 7,100 23,579 - 1,000 - 31,679 - - 2,240 23,015 240 3,961 1,630 - 32 - - 31,118 50,069 112,866 |
Payments £ - 5 - 7,100 25,430 2,131 3,000 2,338 40,004 - 1,440 930 8,921 - 9,418 1,100 - 2,575 3,393 2,085 29,862 47,399 117,265 |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - - - (398) 1,440 - (18,996) - 5,457 - 13,539 - - - 1,042 (1,042) - |
C/Fwd. £ 942 - 24 - - 369 - 81 1,416 - - 2,570 16,824 240 - 530 13,539 - 1,082 415 35,200 15,554 52,170 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fund details are listed over the Page
Bolton Villas Family Church
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Notes to support accounts (continued)
Fund details
Adam & Eve fund Defibrillator Disbursements External Organisation Donations Hardship fund HUB project - DES HUB project - RES Inn Churches fund Minister fund - DES Outreach fund - DES Refreshed previous Saturday Seniors fund Youth Work - GAP Year - DES Youth Work - GAP Year - RES Youth Pastor fund - DES Youth Pastor fund - RES
Funds held from previous Mother and Toddlers project for future use Funds held for the installation and ongoing maintenance of a Defibrillator Regular donations given from Church resources to External organisations Funds from Donations given specifically to external organisations Used to support members of the congregation in financial difficulty Funds raised through Refreshed Café & Shop, used for Mission & Church projects Funds raised through donations for the repayment of the Kingdom Bank Loan Funds held for the Inn Churches activities Holding area for Minster & Synod Evangelist expenses Funds raised for outreach projects Remaining funds held from prior year Refreshed Café & Shop surplus Funds held By Saturday Seniors for 60+ group Church allocated support for the Project prior to appointment Project, grant funding for youth work Funds held to support youth work Donations & Grant funding for Youth Pastor salary
| 3 Monies raised for outside causes Mission fund_2_ Total raised for outside causes 4 Employment & travel costs Salary, PAYE & employment expenses Mileage & travel costs Ministers expenses Youth Pastors expenses Total employment & travel costs* |
Unrestricted £ - - 6,038 91 82 - 6,211 |
Designated £ - - 1,942 3,774 859 - 6,575 |
Restricted £ - - 25,313 261 - - 25,574 |
2023 £ - - 33,293 4,126 941 - 38,360 |
2022 £ 5 5 35,862 3,116 168 15 39,161 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trustees remuneration & expenses
No trustee received any trustee related expenses during this year or the previous year.
John Brookes, a trustee of the church, is employed as a cleaner and received gross wages of £6,397 in that role and not his role as a trustee.
Though Rev Ashley Evans was a trustee he was an employee of the National United Reformed Church, not the local Church. He was however paid expenses for his role as minister but not his role as trustee & Synod Evangelist.
| 5 Church running costs Gas and electricity Water Insurance Stationary & printing Publicity Purchase of equipment Subscriptions Cleaning equipment & materials Accountancy Pulpit fees Telephone/ internet Health and safety Other admin expenses Total church running costs |
2,837 325 2,628 145 660 482 903 610 2,892 434 1,320 133 212 13,581 |
- - - - - 73 - - - - 296 - - 369 |
2,232 - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,232 |
5,069 325 2,628 145 660 555 903 610 2,892 434 1,616 133 212 16,182 |
3,473 971 3,606 1,236 811 620 1,296 812 780 - 1,683 - 2,534 17,822 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
*2 Where appropriate Mission Funds are categorised as Agency payments.
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Bolton Villas Family Church
| 6 Programme activity costs Activity Travel Costs Children's activities Youth activities Training & Study Material Other events Total programme activity costs 7 Support of outside causes Age UK Annual disbursements Bible Society Caring for Life Leprosy Mission MacMillan Cancer Support Marie Curie Other donations Prayer for Bradford Bradford North foodbank We See Hope Total support of outside causes 8 Church buildings & other assets Property repairs Gardening Manse maintenance & related expense Total maintenance of church buildings |
Unrestricted £ - 174 - 250 1,699 2,123 - - - - - - - 240 - - - 240 4,477 415 - 4,892 |
Designated £ - - 3,464 - 1,205 4,669 406 - 240 1,038 406 406 407 930 120 646 240 4,839 288 - 4,488 4,776 |
Restricted £ 71 - 4,855 60 112 5,098 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
2023 £ 71 174 8,319 310 3,016 11,890 406 - 240 1,038 406 406 407 1,170 120 646 240 5,079 4,765 415 4,488 9,668 |
2022 £ 1,761 355 2,091 2,198 4,292 10,697 - 150 240 600 - - - 254 120 707 240 2,311 6,352 387 4,274 11,013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 Assets used for Church purposes
The church building is vested in the Congregational Union as trustees and are not church assets. It is held for the benefit of Bolton Villas Family Church in accordance with the statutory trusts applicable to URC properties under the URC Acts.
For insurance purposes the church building & external storage unit are insured by the church for £3,105,542. The Church contents are insured by the church for £202,705.
The Church has a 10% share of the Manse with the remaining 90% vested in the United Reformed Church (Yorkshire Province) Trust Limited.
For insurance purposes the Manse property is insured jointly by the Trust & the Church for £522,490.
- 10 A loan of £nil (2022 - £9,115) is secured on the church building and is included within these accounts as the liability to repay the loan is that of Bolton Villas Family Church.