## **Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 31 August 2024** ## **LEASIDE CHURCH WARE - 1181223** ## **Leaside Walk, East Street, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9BT** ## **Trustees at 31 August 2024** Ernest Bossé, Stephen Brazier, Wendy Cooper, Gill Davis, Christine Edwards, Julia Gristwood, Tony Gubb, Pauline Pickering, Elizabeth Stockdale, Graham Watson. ## **Structure** The charity structure reflects the two Christian denominations comprising Leaside Church (the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church). Trustees are the members of the Church Council which meets bi-monthly. Each is elected by Church Meeting to serve for three years, after which they may stand down or be eligible for re-election. Church Meeting of all members is held three times a year, one of which is the AGM when Trustees are appointed. ## **Activities, achievements and performance** Leaside has a reputation as a welcoming and caring church. Throughout the year, it continued to advance the Christian faith, living out discipleship in worship, teaching and mission. It endeavoured to ensure its charitable purpose was carried out in new, inclusive and relevant ways. Leaside works closely with other churches in Ware and participates in united services, including for the Week of Christian Unity, Good Friday, World Day of Prayer, and Remembrance Sunday. _Enabling the celebration of public worship, open to all_ The church was open for public worship throughout the year with the option to join by Zoom remaining. Existing audio-visual facilities were upgraded. Services continued to be varied and well supported, with an increasing number attending regularly. _Giving pastoral support to the congregation, those on the fringes of the church family and others in the wider community as needs are made known_ Throughout the year, the minister and group of pastoral carers ensured regular contact, especially with those in the congregation in particular need, and more widely. The minister and pastoral carers met together regularly. _Providing facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, particularly through the weekly community drop-in, including bereavement support_ An increasing variety and number of groups continued to use the premises during the week, including the Kindergarten. Particularly appreciated was the very popular weekly community drop-in, with refreshments, bric-a-brac, and ‘The Listening Place’ for those in need of bereavement support. Regular visitors included a group of special needs young adults with their carers. It remained a very well supported and worthwhile part of the church’s outreach to the community. We appreciated the concern shown by the Police Community Support Officer who visits regularly. Basic safety measures were kept in place for all users of the premises. _Involvement of members in a number of different outreach activities in the town including Street Pastors, Ware Food Bank, and Fairtrade Town._ Supported by the church, members of the congregation continued to be very actively involved during the year, particularly with the increasing need for the Food Bank. ## _Holding community fundraising events_ In December we hosted the Ware Christmas Tree Festival, with a wide variety of community groups, including schools, and a range of organisations, bringing a tree to display. The Prayer Tree gave visitors opportunity to add their concerns. During Ware Carnival in July we held our popular Strawberry Tea. Charitable donations were received on both occasions. _Enabling support to other charities in the UK, including local initiatives, and overseas._ Collections for charity were taken during the monthly Holy Communion services and on other occasions as appropriate. ## **Future plans** The church will seek the guidance and support of Synod staff as it considers where its future mission is leading. Consideration will be given to employing a caretaker, and a Mission Enabler, with funding support from the wider Ecumenical Area. ## Leaside Church Meeting 17.03.2024 ## Minutes **Present:** Graham Watson; Wendy Cooper; Christine Edwards;Julia Gristwood; Gill Davis;Stephen Brazier, Chris Tilbury, Heather Twidle, Ed O’Connor, Mary Pick, Christine Davison, Rosemary Stannard, John Seager, Pam Pentney, Tony Gubb, Keith Street, Jennifer Cameron, Marion Darville, Doreen Green, Rev Jo Clare-Young, Pauline Pickering (Minutes and chair) **Apologies:** Elizabeth Stockdale, Rev. Ernie Bossé,John Amos, Robyn Bossé,Chris Winney, Alison Brazier. **Opening Devotions:** Pauline led in a prayer for guidance. **Minutes of meeting05.11.2023.** Accepted **Matters Arising and notice of AOB:** None _(the focus of the meeting is Mission and Purpose so the usual agenda will not apply)_ **Welcome Rev. Jo Clare-Young:** Jo introduced herself as a URC minister who is currently responsible for Training and Mission at URC Synod. She is currently visiting all the Churches in the region to talk about mission and going forward. She used the Bible story from John 21 ‘cast your net on the other side’. Jo asked the Church to concentrate on firstly what is working well and not to fall into the trap of doing what we’ve always done. She stressed that individuals can’t do this alone, that we are a team. Jo then asked the meeting to focus on what we are currently good at: Tuesday mornings for coffee, bereavement support and Bric a Brac. Very friendly Supportive We are a family Good buildings in a good location 1 High usage and broad networks Charitable Community events – Christmas Tree Festival, Strawberry Tea. Part of the community Commitment to worship Solid worship team Zoom Rev Ernie Bossé and his wife Robyn Jo then asked us to think about what we can do more of to utilize the talents we have, what can we build on? What are we enthusiastic about? God and sharing God’s Love Less talking and more doing and being Our organist What is currently happening in our town? We need to go out into the deep waters which is going to be scary. Over the next few weeks we need to look around and sharpen our awareness of what would benefit our town. Prayer is a good place to start. In the John reading the disciples called in the other boats to help them with the catch. What are other Churches doing and doing well. How can we complement each other. Perhaps smaller groups could get together to map the town and identify where we can be of service. God will provide Time, Money and Personnel. Perhaps a permanent prayer tree in the town? Practical help for people. Mobile Laundrette? Jo asked if we had three wishes as a church: A caretaker Enthusiasm More people Possibly employ someone for mission and outreach 2 Time for God offers opportunities to gap year students – this might be something to look into. Someone to liaise with local groups Talk to people. Closer links with Leaside Under Fives Kindergarten. We need to hear the voice on the beach, and to allow ourselves to stop and admire the view, then get together with ideas. It is suggested that smaller groups are formed to look at the way forward in more specific detail. Meeting closed at 12.45 with a vote of thanks to Jo. Next Meeting: April 3[rd] 7.30pm Council. 3 ## **Leaside Church** ## **End of Year Financial Statements** ## **Year ending 31[st] August 2023** _Page 1_ ## • **Statement of Financial Activities** ||**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**| |---|---| |**Income and endowments from:**
Donations
Investments
Other income
Offerings
Manse
Lettings
Development Scheme
Spec Collections
Fund Raising
Communion Fund
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Other expenditure
Ministry
Manse
Mission
Church
Halls
Development Scheme
Building Maintenance
Worship
Communion Fund
Utilities
**Total expenditure**
Gains / losses on investment assets
**Net income / (expenditure) resources before**
**transfer**
**Transfers**
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out
**Other recognised gains / losses**
Gains on revaluation, fxed assets, charity's own use
**Net movement in funds**
**Total funds brought forward**
**Total funds carried forward**
**Represented by**
**Unrestricted**
General fund
**Designated**
Building Contingency
Development
Legacy
Petty Cash
**Restricted**
Communion Fund
Development Fund
IA TRUST
Manse Fund
Special Collections
**Endowment**
Isabel Adams transfer|1,877
—
—
1,877
586
5,394
—
—
5,394
240,789
19,359
9,530
—
28,889
12,380
31,429
—
—
31,429
29,980
346
—
—
346
32,572
33,657
—
—
33,657
32,436
—
—
—
—
—
—
430
—
430
838
3,258
—
—
3,258
3,384
—
971
—
971
467| ||**95,323**
**10,932**
**—**
**106,255**
**353,434**
4,634
5,000
—
9,634
3,243
21,000
—
—
21,000
18,000
346
—
—
346
23,620
382
—
—
382
893
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
12,384
—
12,384
6,349
27,245
—
—
27,245
24,540
367
—
—
367
2,088
—
833
—
833
426
22,196
—
—
22,196
14,598| ||**76,172**
**18,217**
**—**
**94,390**
**93,759**
—
—
—
—
—| ||**19,150**
**(7,285)**
**—**
**11,865**
**259,675**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—| ||**19,150**
**(7,285)**
**—**
**11,865**
**259,675**| ||**171,111**
**(215,815)**
**240,000**
**195,296**
**(64,379)**| ||**190,262**
**(223,100)**
**240,000**
**207,161**
**195,296**
74,961
—
—
74,961
65,811
5,000
—
—
5,000
5,000
100,300
—
—
100,300
100,300
10,000
—
—
10,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
178
—
178
41
—
(248,760)
—
(248,760)
(236,376)
—
15,948
—
15,948
11,418
—
8,952
—
8,952
8,952
—
580
—
580
149
—
—
240,000
240,000
240,000| _Page 2_ ## **Balance sheet** |**Class and code**
**Description**|**This year**
**Last year**| |---|---| |**Current assets**
5000
HSBC Current Account
5025
Cash in Hand
5050
Barclays Current Account
5100
CFB Deposit Account
5150
Petty Cash
**Total Current assets**
**Liabilities**
8000
Eastern Synod loan
8100
HAEBEA Loan
8200
Congregation Loans - 1 year
8300
Congregation Loans - 2 years
8400
Congregation Loans - 3 years
8500
Congregation Loans - 5 years
8600
Congregation Loans - 10 years
**Total Liabilities**
**Net Asset surplus(defcit)**
**Reserves**
Excess / (deficit) to date
Z01
Starting balances
**Total Reserves**
**Represented by funds**
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
**Total**|18,733
24,478
—
—
—
2,184
188,427
168,633
—
—| ||**207,161**
**195,296**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—| ||**—**
**—**| ||**207,161**
**195,296**| ||11,865
259,675
195,296
(64,379)| ||**207,161**
**195,296**
74,961
65,811
115,300
105,300
(223,100)
(215,815)
240,000
240,000| ||**207,161**
**195,296**| ## **Statement of assets and liabilities** ||**General Designated**
**Restricted Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**| |---|---| |**Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand**
HSBC Current Account -
Barclays Current Account -
CFB Deposit Account -
Petty Cash -
**Totals**
**Liabilities - Creditors: Amounts falling due**
**after more than one year**
Eastern Synod loan -
**Totals**
**Grand total**|35,509
(150)
(16,625)
—
18,733
24,478
—
—
—
—
—
2,184
39,602
115,300
33,524
—
188,427
168,633
(150)
150
—
—
—
—| ||**74,961**
**115,300**
**16,899**
**—**
**207,161**
**195,296**
—
—
240,000
(240,000)
—
—| ||**—**
**—**
**240,000**
**(240,000)**
**—**
**—**| ||**74,961**
**115,300**
**(223,100)**
**240,000**
**207,161**
**195,296**| Note1 IA TRUST restricted fund is allocated to Ware Food Bank _Page 3_ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl | Leaside Church members of On accounts for the year ended 31" August 2023 Charity no (if any) 1181223 Set out on pages '.Der I I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trusf} for the year ended 3110812023 Responsibilities and As th8 charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act-}. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}Ib) of the Act. I have cornpleted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have ome to my altenlion (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with Ihe examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no COn￿M$ and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of th6 accounts to be reached Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 16IK 2015 Name: IS i oPHglK L-IVJ AJtsTON. Relevant professional qualificationls) OT body lif any): Address: 76 s TA￿91￿A0 AOAO lÈ•iFoiuJ 4Qi3 iH IER October 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complete ifthe examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (sée CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018