2023-12-31-accounts - York Unitarians CIO

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YORK UNITARIANS no. Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1181531

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements of York Unitarians CIO

for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

YORK UNITARIANS CIO

Charity registration number

1181531

Trustees, 2022-2023

Chairperson:	David Zucker
Secretary:	Jenny Jacobs
Treasurer:	Richard Brown
Members:	Joan Sinanan
	John Issitt
	Laura Cox
	Sue Catts
	Meike Dux-Harrap (to 18/10/23)
	Rev. Nicky Jenkins(from 18/02/24)

Constitution and Objects

York Unitarians CiO is a Charitable incorporated Organisation governed by its Constitution passed on 18"' March 2018.

The Object of York Unitarians CIO ("the Congregation" ) is the advancement of religion in accordance with the usages and practices of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, and for other charitable purposes that the Trustees may from time to time determine.

Address

York Unitarians St Saviourgate Unitarian Chapel 31 St Saviourgate York YO18NQ

Bankers

CAF Bank

Independent Examiner

Madeleine Kirk

Chair’s Report

I opened my report last year referencing the war in Ukraine and the fact that in the previous year I had suggested that by the time the report was read in March 2022 the war might be over. Yet not only does that dreadful war continue unabated but we are li�� in our lifetimes; the most obvious is in Gaza but there are so many others largely ignored in which lives no less valuable (all lives are of equal worth) seem to be ignored – no demonstrations, no calling for action, no apparent interest. Still just as I called last year for us not to forget the Uyghurs, and the peoples of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen, it is with deep regret that I must do so again. The world is broken, and it is for us, of all faiths and none, �� soc�� shout loudly against injustice and not permit the voices of love to be drowned out by the voices of hate. Many of us were very moved on 18 February 2024 when Rabbi Elisheva and Rasha Salah El-Din by their example demonstrated what can be done to bring people and peoples together.

�� She used her passion for literature as the foundation for many of her services. She brought a new way of thinking �� to lead us again from time to time in prayer and meditation.

Not only, however, have we lost Stephanie, but it is also time for a new committee to be elected. I want to thank all those who have contributed so much over the last year, be it in the kitchen, at meditation, in organising social events, in organising inter-�� us, but you will forgive me if I single out Jenny Jacobs, our indefatigable secretary and Richard Brown our very skilled treasurer.

Jenny is a stalwart of our congregation. Not only has she done a brilliant job as secretary, but she has been a �� I must now stand down. It may sound trite, but it is truly the case that I could not have done the job without her guidance, common sense, judgement and commitment. Hers will be a hard act to follow but as none of us is ��dynamic new committee to lead us as we go forwards.

�� missed.

I shall say less about Richard, only because he is staying on, but I know you would all wish me to pass on to him our very grateful thanks for a job well done.

I end by acknowledging the many concerts which are organised in the chapel and Steve Crowther for his work in the background and last but not least David, Laura and Sophie who between them play for us each Sunday.

David Zucker

Chairperson

Minister’s Report

By the time the AGM comes around I will no longer be minister with York Unitarians, but Jenny asked me to write a report anyway, as I have been with you for most of the 2023-24 year. This report covers my third full year with York Unitarians, as I joined in January 2021, after graduating from Unitarian College in October 2020.

Having arrived during lockdown, at a time when normal routines were disrupted in a huge variety of ways, I have seen and been part of substantial changes at York despite the relatively short time I have been involved. Zoom

services and discussion groups gave way to hybrid services and a return to in-person events, and over time it has become apparent that there is once again a much greater need for a locally based minister than when I began. It is a great sadness to me that economic and practical considerations make it impossible for me to be that person. I will always be grateful to the congregation and Chapel for taking a chance on a new minister at a ��thriving congregation with a growing team of talented worship leaders and great energy for development.

This year York retained strong links with the national Unitarian movement, with Jenny Jacobs serving as a member of the Executive Committee, an impressive achievement alongside her busy life and her equally demanding role as Secretary of the congregation. Once again, we at York were visited during the year by the General Assembly President, this year Vince McCully from Rivington, a visit which was enjoyed by many.

�� (Birmingham New Meeting) in leading the Anniversary Service at the Annual Meetings, which was an absolute joy, and also resulted in the creation of a new hymn with music by the very talented Jen Hazel (musical director of New Unity).

Locally, the Anti-Slavery Exhibition and Concert were noteworthy for the opportunity to express our Unitarian values in a very public way, drawing attention to a cause which is often ignored. Many people remarked on how little they had been aware of slavery as a contemporary and local concern, compared to how much we hear about overseas and historic aspects of the issue. I owe a debt of gratitude to our visiting speaker, Gary Craig, to all who helped organise and publicise the events, to the musicians who arranged and took part in the concert, and especially to the Social Action Group for bringing it all together.

It has also been a pleasure to see the Chapel continue to support York Interfaith Group, and a particular delight was the service recently organised by David Zucker, at which we heard and learned from representatives of the local Jewish and Muslim communities. Thanks go to Dee Boyle (vice-chair of YIG) and all who have supported the important work of interfaith collaboration, a support which I hope will continue, as sadly it is even more needed since the government has ceased to provide funding support for the national Interfaith Network, leaving local groups such as York Interfaith Group operating without the support of an overarching national body.

A sadness for our Chapel community this year was the loss of Tom Hughes, a longstanding and valued �� love of music and the Orkneys. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends, and with all those who have lost loved ones this year or struggled with ill health or other challenges. My special thanks go to the Pastoral Care Team (and especially its coordinator, Janet Eldred) who have done so much to support congregation �� the coming year.

Thanks also (as always) to the committee for their dedicated service, to all our worship leaders and musicians, and to all who help with practical tasks such as tea-�� congregation every success in recruiting my replacement, and I am sure that I will continue to cross paths with many of you for years to come. I will look forward to hearing news of what is next for the congregation, and to seeing some of you at the Annual Meetings and at Yorkshire Unitarian Union events.

Rev. Stephanie Bisby

Secretary’s Report

�� for her, as it turned out we did manage to give her a good send-�� ministerial teeth with us, so to speak, and we wish her all the very best as she moves on to the next stage in her career.

�� Bojelian. But we also lost long-��– just via a move to the Lake District! - long-time chapel supporters Nick Morrice (a former Chair and Treasurer) and �� concerts.

�� current secretarial duties! Our concerts are one of the major ways in which we reach out to the community, and �� concert last year was the Christmas charity concert by the Little Operatic Trio who performed for free, enabling us to raise over £300 for our chapel charities.

�� exhibition for Anti-�� is hoped this will be shared w�� entire Social Action Group for all their work putting together the programme for Anti-��

�� parade, carrying our new banner, designed by Joan Sinanan.

�� many major clangers, my secretarial duties have often been completed in a �� of it as I have without the help and advice of the previous Secretary, Margaret Hill, and I will endeavour to do all I can to support whoever takes over as Secretary following the AGM.

�� community we are without the very many people who help out at the Chapel, whether as worship leaders, members of the Pastoral Care team, Social Ac��- arrangers, ��

A huge thank you to you all.

Jenny Jacobs Secretary

Treasurer's Report for Financial Year to 31 December 2023

Income

�� decreased fundraising activity compared with last year. There was a big fundraising drive for Ukraine in 2022, as well as the sale at St Crux which we did not take part in in 2023.

�� donations by chapel members) showed a relatively small increase but donations were down, even allowing for a £1,000 legacy received in 2022.

Receipts from lettings were down by £150 but still brought in over £6,000.

Atthough the amount raised by fundraising overall was well down on th8 figure for 2022. Income from both conrtS and sales of items in chapel remained much the same. Exponditure Expenditure was £7,CQO higher than in 2022. Although spending increased in every area ex¢ept administration and publicity, it was especially high in the maintenance and hardware category due to the £5.937 cost ofthe r)ew sound system. As a result of this purchas8, we endwj the year with a £5.000 deficit instéad of a small suwus. Costs a$TAted with worship increased by 8%. Preachers. and musidans. fees were in¢xeawJ in May 2023, from £50 to £70 and from £40 to £50 resp8cfvely. We spent nearty £9,000 on Maintenan and hardware, over five times as rnuch as in 2022- t¥Yo thirds of this was on the new sound system alone. Nearly twiee as much (£13) was donated to our ¢hosen charilies, St Nic5 Nature & Environment Centre and the Separated Child Foundation, as in 2022. Other charitae donations were almost £2,CKM) down year on year, mainly because so much was raised for the Red Cross Ukraine appeal in 2022. Administration costs increased by 40% but expenditure on decreased by 86% (it was unusually hyh in 2022 because of the 1,5 350th anniversary). Miscellaneous costs were over £5(h) and inclutsj fees. expenses and small wrchases not covered by otrr The overall picbjre is the reverse of the situation last year when we had a £5,000 surplus on the cash account but our totsl assets fell sharply due to the 2022 global stock market dedine. We endwj 2023 a £5.IXM) deficit on the cash account but, because of the recovery in the markets, our total assets increased by £6,000. Richard Bn)wn Treasurer Daclaratlon The Trustees declare that the above Trustees, Report was approved by them on 24." March 2024 SKJned on t*half of the Tntst888 Davld Zucker (Chairperson)

Receipts and Payments Account

for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

		2023		2022
	£		£
RECEIPTS
Live giving
Offertories	13,135		12,516
Donations	585		1,715
		13,720		14,231
Grants
Chapel charity	19,511		19,349
Yorkshire Unitarian Union	500		0
		20,011		19,349
Inquirer subscriptions	41		165
		41		165
Use of Premises
Lettings	6,325		6,475
Weddings & blessings	200		250
		6,525		6,725
Fundraising
St Crux	-		362
Sales	276		295
Charities/gifts	440		1,845
Concerts	1,768		1,699
		2,484		4,201
Dividends &
interest		1,787		1,728
TOTAL RECEIPTS		44,568		46,399

		2023		2022
	£		£
PAYMENTS
Worship
Minister's Stipend	14,108		13,179
Minister's Expenses	3,788		4,014
Minister's Pension	4,128		3,274
Income Tax & NI	1,168		1,104
IT support	2,015		1,730
Pulpit supply inc expenses	1,108		949
Pianists	2,340		2,140
		28,655		26,390
Premises
Electricity & Water	2,396		2,511
Internet	430		355
Insurance	1,760		1,572
Cleaning	1,248		1,278
Maintenance & Hardware	8,988		1,629
		14,822		7,345
Donations, grants, fees
Chosen charity	903		503
Charitable donations inc GA	774		2,811
GA quota	1,470		1,540
Other	1,083		580
donations
including
YUU
		4,230		5,434
Administration & Publicity
Administration	1,236		883
Publicity	235		1,692
Fundraising expenses	0		220
Inquirer	74		165
		1,545		2,960
Miscellaneous expenses		536		514
TOTAL PAYMENTS		49,788		42,643
EXCESS RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS FOR YEAR		(5,220)		5,015
Add: unrealised gain on value of investments		5,263		(7,359)
Add: transferred from Chapel Charity account		6,183		(8,777)
General Fund Balance brought forward		172,000		183,121
General Fund Balance carried forward		178,226		172,000

Congregational Balance Sheet

for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

£ ASSETS Investments at market valuation (see note) Bank and cash Plus: debtors and prepayments Less: creditors falling due within 1 year Represented by: General Fund Note Investments at market valuation at 1st January Purchased during year Increase in market value during year at 31st December	2023 £ 129,683 50,515 0 (1,972) 178,226 178,226 118,238 - 11,545 129,683	2022 118,238 54,274 74 (586) 172,000 172,000 134,424 - (16,186) 118,238

Chapel Charity Funds

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Income and Expenditure Account

£ Income Receipts from investments 19,511 Donations received - Expenditure Grants to chapel - Transferred to York Unitarians CIO 25,694 CAF Bank charges - Transfer to Investment Fund - Net income / (expenditure) for the year Balance Sheet Investments £ COIF Ethical Investment Fund units 613,994 Purchased during year - Market value at 31 December Total assets Represented by: Fund balance brought forward 558,245 Plus: net income / (expenditure) for the year (6,183) Plus: unrealised gains on investments in year 61,932 Plus: cost of new units -	2023 £ 19,349 - 19,511 - - - - 25,694 (6,183) 2023 £ 558,245 - 613,994 613,994 637,377 19,349 (98,481) - 613,994	2022 19,349 - 19,349 2022 558,245 558,245 558,245

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independeni Examiner s Report Report to the trustoe81 membern of ifpfli AKJS c IO On accounts for th• y•ar •nd•d Charlty no (If any 11 QIs31 Set out on pag•• I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended RponsIbl1ftles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are reSponsie for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance vth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 Dhe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carrted out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charrty Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Ad. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disdosed telow.) in connection wÈth the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accountirvJ records were not kept in aCcdanCe with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do nol axord with the accounting records Indepond•nt examin•8 8tat•m•nt I have no concEms and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should te drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Pl88se delete the words in the brackets rf they do not appty. Slgned: Name: R•l•v•nt professlonal qualificatlon(s) or body (If any): Addres8: Lctsty&eJE &SP&4. IER October 2018

Section B Disc105ure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions arKI guKlance for examiners). her• brfef d•taih of any items that the examlner wl8hM to disclom. IER Octobor 2018