Finance Report 2024
2024 has been a challenge in terms of finance for the Church, having had two Treasurers, which inevitably impacted production of timely financial information due to the very limited handover.
General Funds
We are showing a final balance of £23.5K on the accounts; however, invoices due from 2024 remain outstanding to the value of £24.8K which were paid in 2025. Had these transactions been completed, in 2024 accounts the account would show a deficit of £1.2K. We did not have enough funds to pay our bills in the accounting year 2024.
Total income was £72.3K, income increased slightly by £655 from 2023 to 2024, and income generation remains a key focus for 2025. Mission income contributed over £10K for the Church. Social events in 2025 at both Woolston and Birchwood contributed £3.9K of Income to the Church, these two items represent £13.9K of the £74K received.
The accounts are showing expenses of £57.4K, but had the value of unpaid items been included, then this would have been £82K, a value we would not have been able to fund. There were no exceptional expenses for 2024, they relate to normal transactions expected, including: Utilities and Maintenance.
Parish Share
We failed to pay 4 Parish Share amounts in 2024, amounting to £21.5K; we are expected to pay this during 2025, and I expect to pay 2 of these payments in early 2025. We have Parish Share debts from previous years (2022 and 2023) of £12.6K, which the Diocese expects us to pay, we will be adding repayments into future budgets.
Restricted Funds - Fabric Fund
Whilst we have spent very little from this fund in 2024, it is not growing, so we need to consider how we grow this fund. Within FFM, Restricted funds within our church under our control. Giving goes directly to the General fund only.
Restricted Funds - Birchwood – Joshua Project
This project has come to an end, with a balance on the account of £534, there are some small outstanding expenses to be charged against this fund. This fund balance will transfer to an appropriate fund in 2025.
Restricted Fund - Birchwood – Community
The fund shows an increase in funding due to donations of £900; however, there are £2600 of costs to be paid from 2024, and had these had been paid in 2024 the balance on the fund would have been £5310. Funding of Birchwood community is a question we need to tackle as a church.
Reserves
Our overall reserves for 2024 stood at £64K; however, this value for 2024 in real terms would have been £39.2K, had we made all payments due for the year. Parish Share earlier years arrears would reduce this value further to £26.6K. Income generation needs to be our focus together with a reduction in costs.
2025 Focus
As we move towards FFM we need to have a better understanding of the true costs of running the church and our missional work. This will be a focus in 2025.
Parish Share for 2025 has been reduced, and we need to make it our priority to pay 2025 on time, and stop our debt level increasing, as we are still responsible for it. I am working with the Diocese to understand how we can start to reduce this debt.
We need to look closely at our income and expenditure and we are currently drawing up a Budget for 2025 for all funds. Within FFM, our budget will become critical to understand how we intend to spend our money, against all of our income. The budget will need to include Parish Share arrears. We will be expected to deliver a balanced budget.
Under FFM there will be funding available for many aspects of the church: we need to be more proactive, seek out funding and seize these opportunities for this church.
FFM does not change the financial structure of our church, our assets and liabilities stay with us. We will still produce a set of accounts, which will represent all of the normal expenses and costs we have in church today. We need to look at financial sustainability in the longer term, and the budget process will support the framing of that conversation.
Hilda Taylor Treasurer
The United Parth of BIRCHWOOD AND WOOLsfoN RIStered (haiity Nnber 1185707 IEr¢land & Wales) Parochial Church CouncilAnnual Report & financial Statements For the year end 31 December 2024 Incumbent: Bankers: Bar¢ltys Pl< W¥ringron Busine55 Centr• 23 S•nk•y Str••t WarrinEton CCLA S•n•tOf Hous• 85 victoria Streot London Arrhiiect R•b•cca Q5h- Anthony fjIim5Jm Associat•S 6 AryTerr. Wilan WNI ISX Tr@awr•r Hild• Tlylor Independeni D•bof•h J•cgu•s IA£WI oprtsd bytht PCC on 23 April 2025. th•n submittd to Ind •ppro¥•d by th APCMoft Il 2025
Finance Report 2024
2024 has been a challenge in terms of finance for the Church, having had two Treasurers, which inevitably impacted production of timely financial information due to the very limited handover.
General Funds
We are showing a final balance of £23.5K on the accounts; however, invoices due from 2024 remain outstanding to the value of £24.8K which were paid in 2025. Had these transactions been completed, in 2024 accounts the account would show a deficit of £1.2K. We did not have enough funds to pay our bills in the accounting year 2024.
Total income was £72.3K, income increased slightly by £655 from 2023 to 2024, and income generation remains a key focus for 2025. Mission income contributed over £10K for the Church. Social events in 2025 at both Woolston and Birchwood contributed £3.9K of Income to the Church, these two items represent £13.9K of the £74K received.
The accounts are showing expenses of £57.4K, but had the value of unpaid items been included, then this
We failed to pay 4 Parish Share amounts in 2024, amounting to £21.5K; we are expected to pay this during 2025, and I expect to pay 2 of these payments in early 2025. We have Parish Share debts from previous years (2022 and 2023) of £12.6K, which the Diocese expects us to pay, we will be adding repayments into future budgets.
Restricted Funds - Fabric Fund
Whilst we have spent very little from this fund in 2024, it is not growing, so we need to consider how we grow this fund. Within FFM, Restricted funds within our church under our control. Giving goes directly to the General fund only.
Restricted Funds - Birchwood – Joshua Project
This project has come to an end, with a balance on the account of £534, there are some small outstanding expenses to be charged against this fund. This fund balance will transfer to an appropriate fund in 2025.
Restricted Fund - Birchwood – Community
The fund shows an increase in funding due to donations of £900; however, there are £2600 of costs to be paid from 2024, and had these had been paid in 2024 the balance on the fund would have been £5310. Funding of Birchwood community is a question we need to tackle as a church.
Reserves
Our overall reserves for 2024 stood at £64K; however, this value for 2024 in real terms would have been £39.2K, had we made all payments due for the year. Parish Share earlier years arrears would reduce this value further to £26.6K. Income generation needs to be our focus together with a reduction in costs.
As we move towards FFM we need to have a better understanding of the true costs of running the church and our missional work. This will be a focus in 2025.
Parish Share for 2025 has been reduced, and we need to make it our priority to pay 2025 on time, and stop our debt level increasing, as we are still responsible for it. I am working with the Diocese to understand how we can start to reduce this debt.
We need to look closely at our income and expenditure and we are currently drawing up a Budget for 2025 for all funds. Within FFM, our budget will become critical to understand how we intend to spend our money, against all of our income. The budget will need to include Parish Share arrears. We will be expected to deliver a balanced budget.
Under FFM there will be funding available for many aspects of the church: we need to be more proactive, seek out funding and seize these opportunities for this church.
FFM does not change the financial structure of our church, our assets and liabilities stay with us. We will still produce a set of accounts, which will represent all of the normal expenses and costs we have in church today. We need to look at financial sustainability in the longer term, and the budget process will support the framing of that conversation.
Hilda Taylor Treasurer
----- Start of picture text -----
Summary - All Funds - Year to 31 December Total Total
2024 Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Receipts
Parish - General 72,394 0 72,394 71,986
Ascension - Fabric 0 296 296 526
Ascension - Gorton 0 379 379 294
Ascension - Organ 0 0 0 0
Transfiguration - Special Projects 0 971 971 283
Transfiguration - John Hicks 0 0 0 0
72,394 1,646 74,040 73,089
Payments
Parish - General 57,387 57,387 67,140
Ascension - Fabric 0 1,049 1,049 3,190
Ascension - Gorton 0 0 0 0
Ascension - Organ 0 0 0 192
Transfiguration - John Hicks 0 0 0 5,310
Transfiguration - Special Projects 0 3,780 3,780 0
57,387 4,829 62,216 75,832
Surplus (Deficit)
Parish - General 15,007 0 15,007 4,846
Ascension - Fabric 0 (753) (753) (2,664)
Ascension - Gorton 0 379 379 294
Ascension - Organ 0 0 0 (192)
Transfiguration - Special Projects 0 (2,809) (2,809) (5,027)
Transfiguration - John Hicks 0 (3,780) (3,780) 0
15,007 (6,964) 8,044 (2,743)
Opening Bank Balances
Parish - General 8,586 8,586 2,998
Ascension - Fabric 15,364 15,364 18,028
Ascension - Gorton 11,269 11,269 10,975
Ascension - Organ 192
Transfiguration - Special Projects 11,234 11,234 16,261
Transfiguration - John Hicks 5,802 5,802 5,802
Agency Balances 0 0 5,802
8,586 43,669 52,255 60,058
Closing Bank Balances
Parish - General 23,593 23,593 8,586
Ascension - Fabric 14,611 14,611 15,364
Ascension - Gorton 11,648 11,648 11,269
Transfiguration - Special Projects 8,425 8,425 11,234
Transfiguration - John Hicks 5,802 5,802 5,802
Agency Balances 0 0 0
23,593 40,486 64,079 52,255
----- End of picture text -----**
Registered Charity No. 1185707 (E&W) Page Number: 1
----- Start of picture text -----
General Fund - Unrestricted - Year 2024 2024 2023
Receipts & Payments Account £ £ £ £
Receipts
Incoming resources from donors
Regular Planned Giving
Gift Aid Giving 31,499 28,075
Collections & Non Gift Aid Giving 11,605 15,067
Occasional Giving
Donations 3,151 3,153
46,255 46,295
Non Recurring Grants 2023
Diocese of Liverpool - Sequestration Grant 2,535
Diocese of Liverpool - Covid Support 615
Council Tax Refund 2,535 142 757
Events and Activities
Fund Raising & Events 4,322 5,090
Hire of Church Hall 19,282 19,844
23,604 24,934
Total Receipts Year £72,394 £71,986
Payments
Mission 8,831 9,339
Vicarage 1,663
Church Utilities 4,742 9,105
Woolston Church Service Expenses 2,034
Church Mainteance 418 2,011
Birchwood Church Expenses 488
Community/Reach Out 1,477 639
Fund Raising 345 515
Diocese 35,664 44,618
Other 1,725 913
57,387 67,140
Total Receipts Year £57,387 £67,140
Excess of Receipts over (Payments) 15,007 4,846
Bank Balances
Barclays Bank - current account at 31 December 2024 £23,593 £7,844
----- End of picture text -----
Registered Charity No. 1185707 (E&W) Page Number: 2
----- Start of picture text -----
Fabric Fund - Restricted - Year 2024 2024 2023
Receipts & Payments Account £ £ £ £
Receipts
Restricted Donations:
Legacy 0
Donations 296 475
296 475
Activities for generating funds
Remberance Book 25
0 25
Income from Investments
Bank Interest 0 26
Total Receipts 296 526
Payments
Activities directly relating to the work of the Church
Church Hall - New Chairs 2,011
Printer and Mission Cooker £1,049 0
Church Hall Repairs 1,087
Inscribing Remberance Book 92
1,049 3,190
Excess of Receipts over Payments (753) (2,664)
Bank Balances
Barclays Bank current account at 31 December 2024 14,611 12,452
Barclays Bank deposit accounts at 31 December 202 0 2,912
Barclays Bank current / deposit accounts at 31 December 2024 £14,611 £15,364
----- End of picture text -----
This fund is designated for the maintenance of the Fabric of the Church & associated buildings
Registered Charity No. 1185707 (E&W) Page Number: 3
----- Start of picture text -----
Gortan Memorial - Restricted - Year 2024 2024 2023
Receipts & Payments Account £ £ £ £
Receipts
Restricted Donations:
Donations 0 0
Income from Investments
Interest - CCLA 379 294
Total Receipts 379 294
Transfers
Activities directly relating to the work of the Church 0 0
Payments
Major Repairs - Woolston 0 0
Excess of Receipts over Payments 379 294
Bank Balances
Barclays Bank current account at 31 December 2024 1,804 1,804
CCLA & Bank deposit accounts at 31 December 2024 9,844 9,465
Bank deposit accounts at 31 December 2024 £11,648 £11,269
----- End of picture text -----
This fund is restricted to the maintenance of the Fabric of Church Buildings & Contents in Woolston and certain other costs as detailed in original Gorton Trust Deed.
Registered Charity No. 1185707 (E&W) Page Number: 4
----- Start of picture text -----
John Hicks - Restricted - Year 2024 2024 2023
Receipts & Payments Account £ £ £ £
Incoming resources from donors - Occasional Giving
Restricted Donations:
Grants & Donations towards Replacement Ceiling
Donations 0 0
0 0
Other Grants
Grant s 0 0
0 0
Total Receipts 0 0
Payments
Activities directly relating to the work of the Church
Major Repairs - Birchwood 0 0
Excess of Receipts over Payments 0 0
Bank Balances
Barclays Bank current account at 31 December 2024 £5,802 £5,802
----- End of picture text -----
This fund is designated for the maintenance of the Fabric of the Church & associated buildings in Birchwood
Registered Charity No. 1185707 (E&W) Page Number: 5
----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
Birchwood - Community - Restricted
£ £ £ £
Receipts
Incoming resources from donors - Occasional Giving
Restricted Donations:
Donations 0 0
Food Parcel Grants 900 0
Lunch Club Donations 71 168
971 168
Total Receipts 971 168
Payments
Activities directly relating to the work of the Church
Christian Community Worker:
Office Rent 0 360
Insurance 463 0
Mobile Phone 0 71
Food Parcels 0 0
Lunch Club - Running Costs 380 303
Other Costs 25 (11)
868 723
Excess of Receipts over Payments 103 (555)
Bank Balances
Barclays Bank current account at 31 December 2024 7,890 7,788
----- End of picture text -----
This fund is restricted Community Development and associated works to serve the Birchwood part of our parish.
Registered Charity No. 1185707 (E&W) Page Number: 6
| Birchwood - Joshua Project - Restricted | 2024 £ £ |
2024 £ £ |
2023 £ |
£ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts Occasional Giving Restricted Donations: Donations Total Receipts Payments Activities directly relating to the work of the Church Joshua Centre: |
0 0 0 |
115 | 115 115 |
|||
| Salaries & National Insurance Payrol & Admin Costs Insurance Maintenance |
£2,347 £246 £133 60 |
3,973 257 0 142 |
||||
| Messy Church | 0 | 153 | ||||
| Other | £125 | 0 | ||||
| Activity Costs | 0 | 62 | ||||
| Excess of Payments over Receipts Bank Balances: Barclays Bank current account at 31 December 2024 |
2,912 (2,912) 534 |
4,587 (4,472) 3,446 |
||||
This fund is restricted for the development of a new congregation in Birchwood.
Registered Charity No. 1185707 (E&W) Page Number: 7
Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Th U P13 on the accounts for the year ended 31 December as set out on pages to of your Annual Report. L4 trols1_ Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for thls year under section 144 of the Charltles Act 2011 (the Charlties Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It Is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charlties Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions glven by the Charlty Commlsslon (under sertion 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent examiner's statement My examlnatlon was carried out In accordance wlth general Direttions glven by the Charlty Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparfson of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also Includes conslderation of any unusual Items or dlsclosures In the accounts, and seeklng explanations from the PCC concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be requlred In an audit, and consequently no opinion Is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and falr, vlew and the report Is Ilmlted to those matters set out In the statement below. Independent examlnerfs ststement In connertion with my examlnatlon, no matter has come to my attention: l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that In, any materlal respect, the requlrements: to keep accounting records in accordan with sectlon 130 of the Charltles Act; to prepare accounts which accord wlth the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Att have not been met; or 2) to whlch, In my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 1£ A IE'S Name: lQs address: CLOSE I+4)j