REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1190784
Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
for Hertford Town Church
Page 1 of 16
Hertford Town Church
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 3 to 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 to 16 |
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Hertford Town Church
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (published October 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims
The purposes of the church are:
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The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Hertford and the surrounding neighbourhood; and
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Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life
provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the church from time to time.
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Hertford Town Church
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)
The church's ministries
In fulfilment of these purposes, the church appointed Josh Wynn as pastor in April 2023, responsible for maintaining a regular ministry and pastoral care for the congregation. Extensive use is made of the regular church attendees who willingly volunteer their time to, for example, support children’s work, undertake visits/phone calls to church members and other regular attendees, provide oversight, maintain the premises and serve in the wider community.
The church has brought benefit through:
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A programme of meetings and events which seeks to deepen the spiritual lives of those attending the church, help them to live out the Christian life where they live and work, and provide opportunities for other members of the public to hear the Christian gospel. Our meetings included:
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morning services each Sunday (live-streamed for those not able to meet in person). A nearby church hall is rented as the church had outgrown the space in the church building;
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morning children’s ministry;
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a mid-week programme, including meetings for both prayer and teaching;
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Town Tots, a weekly group for parents/carers with children up to the age of 5;
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an Easter and summer holiday club for children
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monthly church lunches; and
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Christmas carol services.
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Encouragement to those who attend the church to pray for the wider church, the needs of the world and to volunteer their time in the name of Christ to serve the needs of the community.
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Buildings which provide for Sunday worship and facilitate meetings throughout the week and for the encouragement of the Christian faith amongst all ages within the local community. These were enhanced with the provision of equipment to enable the live broadcast of services to those unable to attend in person.
Public benefit
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit (PB1). They consider that the church's objectives and activities, and their decision-making in relation thereto, are and have been consistent with that guidance.
Grant making
There are specially announced appeals with the monies donated being given directly to the organisation concerned – and when it spans a financial year end, some of the income is shown in one financial report, with the remainder of the income and the grant being made in the following years financial report. Research into a suitable project is undertaken by the Trustees and the project approved by the Trustees. Reports are received from the organisation on the benefit derived from that giving. Such grants are made as restricted gifts and, for the period covered by this annual report, were for the following purposes:
- Christmas 2023: Interserve - Easter 2024: COCM
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
During 2024, the church has continued to focus on teaching the Bible and promoting prayer and fellowship, including through the teaching and outreach ministries outlined above.
In addition to weekly services and mid-week fellowship and teaching, there were two baptisms (2023: two) during the year.
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Hertford Town Church
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
The church is dependent on donations made by those who attend the church and other donors. The amount given has again steadily increased throughout 2024 as the number attending the church has increased. For the period ended 31 December 2024 the church received unrestricted donations of £60,240 (2023: £49,716) plus restricted giving of £5,400 (2023: £4,218). In addition, Spicer Street Church provided support of £40,000 (2023: £33,750) towards the cost of a pastor.
Investment policy and objectives
The church's investment assets comprise the church building. The value of the property is reviewed from time to time by the Trustees and Treasurer to ensure that the market value is greater than the investment. The remaining financial assets of the church are held in an instant access bank current account, an instant access deposit account and a 32-day notice deposit account. There is no exposure to stock market shares.
Reserves policy
The Trustees policy is to maintain a reserve of at least three months' expenditure. It is not the policy of the church to build up general reserves, preferring to rely on God's providence to meet needs as they arise. The reserves at 31 December 2024 are currently in excess of three months expenditure although the Trustees see this as a short term situation that will help as expenditure increases.
Property and Land
The property and land consisting of Hertford Town Church are owned by the church.
FUTURE PLANS
Several items are proposed for 2025. These have arisen through an ongoing review of activities and a desire to enable those outside the church to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such plans include:
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Continuing to share the Christian faith with others;
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Continuing to welcome the new people who are attending the church;
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Facilitating fellowship amongst those attending the church;
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Our second Easter holiday club and our fourth summer holiday club for children;
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A second year of Town Tots;
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A second church away day; and
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The continued rolling out of affiliate membership at the church to help identify who belongs to the church, to help with governance and pastoral care and to encourage service in the church.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The church's governing document is a written Constitution approved and adopted at a Trustees members' meeting held on 21 July 2020. The church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with registration number 1190784.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Appointment of Trustees is set out in the Constitution. Trustees are appointed by the Trustees and serve as elders – and a pastor would become a trustee on appointment by virtue of their role as an elder. Recommendations for new Trustees are brought to the trustees meeting by the existing trustees. They are appointed at a Trustees meeting via a resolution that must be passed by a 75% majority of the quorum then present.
Organisational structure
The Trustees and Treasurer regularly review and discuss the affairs of the church.
Induction and training of new officers
New Trustees and Treasurers are briefed as necessary on their obligations under charity law, the Constitution and the decision-making processes of the church.
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Hertford Town Church
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Safeguarding
Hertford Town Church’s ministry for children and young people operates under a Safeguarding Policy and Procedures tailored to the needs of that ministry. The Policy and the Procedures were reviewed and adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees and all children’s ministry volunteers receive specific training on safeguarding children and young people. Processes are in place for the proper handling of concerns about the welfare of children and young people and referral to authorities where necessary or appropriate.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1190784
Principal address 2 Hartham Lane Hertford SG14 1QN
Trustees
G Strain C Bancroft J Purvis J Wynn
The elders of the church are classified as trustees for legal purposes.
Independent Examiner
Philip John Dymond FCCA Chartered Certified Accountant Cheyettes Ltd 167 London Road Leicester LE2 1EG
Treasurer
R McClure
Bankers
Lloyds Bank plc 5/6 Market Place Hertford SG14 1DF
CHURCH'S WEBSITE
Further details of the church may be found at its website: www.hertfordtownchurch.org.uk.
Approved by order of the board of Trustees on 11 June 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
G Strain - Trustee
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Hertford Town Church
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Hertford Town Church
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Hertford Town Church (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
Philip John Dymond FCCA Chartered Certified Accountant Cheyettes Ltd 167 London Road Leicester LE2 1EG
Date: 1 9/06/2025
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Hertford Town Church
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Other income 2 60,240 40,371 Total 100,611 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 3 Gifts to Christian causes Church ministry - (45,042) Property costs (33,171) Governance (1,152) Total (79,365) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 21,246 Transfers between funds 10 - Net movement in funds 21,246 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Funds transferred from Hertford Town Church Total funds brought forward - 237,102 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 258,348 |
Restricted funds £ 5,400 - 5,400 (5,675) - - - (5,675) (275) - (275) - 275 - |
2024 Total funds £ 65,640 40,371 106,011 (5,675) (45,042) (33,171) (1,152) (85,040) 20,971 - 20,971 - 237,377 258,348 |
2023 Total funds £ 53,934 33,970 87,904 (4,943) (34,765) (35,808) (916) (76,432) 11,472 - 11,472 - 225,905 237,377 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Hertford Town Church
| FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Balance Sheet 31 December 2024 Unrestricted funds Notes £ 7 210,000 8 6,852 44,306 51,158 9 (2,810) 48,348 258,348 258,348 10 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - |
2024 Total funds £ 210,000 6,852 44,306 51,158 (2,810) 48,348 258,348 258,348 258,348 - 258,348 |
2023 Total funds £ 210,000 8,182 22,619 30,801 (3,424) 27,377 237,377 237,377 237,102 275 237,377 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 11 June 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
G Strain - Trustee
J Purvis - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 9 of 16
Hertford Town Church
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
Hertford Town Church is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales.
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (published October 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
Income
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Income is accounted for when received, with the exception of income tax recoverable on gift aid donations, and interest arising on deposits which are accounted for on an accruals basis.
For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year-end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure. Grants are recognised as a liability when the church is under an obligation to make a payment.
Going concern
At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The trustees have therefore adopted the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.
Governance costs
Governance costs include all expenditure to comply with statutory and legal requirements.
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Hertford Town Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost Motor vehicles - 25% on cost
No depreciation is provided on freehold buildings. The charity adopts a policy of maintaining properties to a high standard, which prolongs their useful lives and enhances their residual value (based on prices prevailing at the time of acquisition or subsequent valuation) and accordingly the Trustees consider depreciation arising to be immaterial.
Fixed assets with a value under £1,000 are written off as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Fund accounting
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short-term deposits.
Debtors and creditors
Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.
Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Unrestricted £ Donations Gift aid 48,784 11,456 TOTAL FUNDS 60,240 |
Restricted £ 4,330 1,070 5,400 |
2024 £ 53,114 12,526 65,640 |
2023 £ 43,213 10,721 53,934 |
|---|---|---|---|
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continued…
Hertford Town Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
| Gifts to Christian causes (note 13) Church ministry Property costs Governance |
Direct Costs £ - 45,042 33,171 1,152 79,365 |
Grant funding of activities £ 5,675 - - - 5,675 |
Totals £ 5,675 45,042 33,171 1,152 85,040 |
|---|---|---|---|
Church ministry costs includes staff costs as per note 5.
Included in property costs is £18,400 (2023: £20,550) for the rent of a manse, £2,705 (2023: £2,187) for manse council tax and water charges and £3,516 (2023: £3,332) for the hire of the Hertford URC church for Sunday morning services.
Included in governance costs above are fees payable to the Independent Examiner in the sum of £780 (2023: £750).
4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Other income 49,716 33,970 Total 83,686 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Gifts to Christian causes Church ministry - (34,765) Property costs (35,808) Governance costs (916) Total (71,489) NET INCOME 12,197 Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 224,905 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 237,102 |
Restricted funds £ 4,218 - 4,218 (4,943) - - - (4,943) (725) 1,000 275 |
Total funds £ 53,934 33,970 87,904 (4,943) (34,765) (35,808) (916) (76,432) 11,472 225,905 237,377 |
|---|---|---|
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continued…
Hertford Town Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
5. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs |
2024 £ 29,921 - 3,036 32,937 |
2023 £ 18,136 - 2,163 |
|---|---|---|
| 20,299 |
The average monthly number of employees and office holders during the year was as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pastoral team | 1 | 1 |
No employee or office holder received employee benefits of more than £60,000 (2023: nil).
6. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
In accordance with the Hertford Town Church Constitution approved and adopted at a Trustees members' meeting held on 21 July 2020, the following trustees were paid these amounts in service to the church:
| Stipend | Pension | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| J Wynn | 29,921 | 3,036 | 32,937 |
J Wynn also received the benefit of housing provided by the church, the costs of which are detailed in note 3.
One trustee (2023: 1) received expenses for moving costs, travelling, hospitality and books of £1,448 during the year (2023: £2,329). In addition, three trustees (2023: 1) were reimbursed for expenditure incurred on behalf of the Church of £2,292 (2023: £1,403).
7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freehold | ||
| property | Totals | |
| £ | £ | |
| COST AND NET BOOK VALUE | ||
| At 31 December 2024 and at 31 December 2023 | 210,000 | 210,000 |
The Trustees are of the opinion that the market value of the church building is much higher than the book value.
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continued…
Hertford Town Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Other debtors Prepayments 9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals 10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net At movement 31.12.23 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund Hartham Lane reserve 27,102 210,000 21,246 - Restricted funds Other Christian causes 275 (275) TOTAL FUNDS 237,377 20,971 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 100,611 Restricted funds Other Christian causes 5,400 TOTAL FUNDS 106,011 |
2024 2023 £ £ 4,916 5,830 1,936 2,352 6,852 8,182 2024 2023 £ £ 2,810 3,424 Transfers between At funds 31.12.24 £ £ - - 48,348 210,000 - - - 258,348 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (79,365) 21,246 (5,675) (275) (85,040) 20,971 |
|---|---|
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continued…
Hertford Town Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS ( continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 31.12.22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund Hartham Lane reserve 14,905 210,000 Restricted funds Other Christian causes 1,000 TOTAL FUNDS 225,905 |
Net movement in funds £ 12,197 - (725) 11,472 |
Transfers between funds £ - - - - |
At 31.12.23 £ 27,102 210,000 275 237,377 |
|---|---|---|---|
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Other Christian causes TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 83,686 4,218 87,904 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (71,489) 12,197 (4,943) (725) (76,432) 11,472 |
|---|---|---|
11. OPERATING LEASES
Up until September 2024, the church rented a manse to house the pastor (J Wynn) and his family. Rental payments for the year are shown in note 3. The tenancy was for an initial 12-month agreement to 31 March 2024 and the rent commitment at 31 December 2024 was £nil (2023: £6,750). The rental of the Hertford URC building for Sunday morning services may be terminated on the giving of one month’s notice and the commitment at 31 December 2024 was £272 (2023: £272).
12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Donations, excluding gift aid, given by the trustees amounted to £17,800 (2023: £15,600).
Spicer Street Church, St Albans, provided some administration support in both the years ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023 and did not recharge the costs to Hertford Town Church.
Spicer Street Church, St Albans, provided support of £40,000 in the year ended 31 December 2024 (2023: £33,750) towards the cost of a pastor – the support is included in other income.
G Strain (trustee) and R McClure (treasurer) are trustees at Spicer Street Church.
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Hertford Town Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
13. APPLICATION OF FUNDS
The General fund represents the free funds of the charity which are not designated for particular purposes.
The Gifts to Christian Causes relate to the special offerings taken during the year, details of which are as follows.
| Operation Mercy Interserve COCM |
2024 £ - 625 4,775 5,400 |
2023 £ 2,568 2,375 - |
|---|---|---|
| 4,943 |
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