Richmond and Putney Unitarian Church CIO Ormond Road Richmond upon Thames Surrey TW10 6TH
Registered Charity No.: 1200204
Annual Report 2024
CONTENTS
| | CHARITY INFORMATION | Page 2 |
|---|---|---|
| | LIST OF MEMBERS | Page 3 |
| | CHAIR’S REPORT | Page 4 |
| | FINANCIAL REPORT | Page 5 |
2019 RPUC ANNUAL REPORT for AGM 22 March 2020
Page 1
CHARITY INFORMATION
MINISTER: Rev. Simon Ramsay OFFICERS: CHAIR: David Watson TREASURER: Mark Richardson SECRETARY: Catherine Pinto
TRUSTEES: Charles Labia, Catherine Pinto, Mark Richardson, David Watson CUSTODIAN British and Foreign Unitarian Association (B&FUA) TRUSTEE: (General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches) INDEPENDENT Mr W. Featherstone, 114 Dunkirk Avenue, EXAMINER: Desborough NN14 2PN BANK: NatWest, 22 George Street, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1JW SOLICITOR: Mr Vincent Hambleton-Grey, Baron Grey Solicitors, Richmond Langtry House, 441 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2EF
GOVERNANCE
The governance of Richmond and Putney Unitarian Church CIO is based on the Charity Constitution of 5 June 2022.
OBJECTS
The Objects of the CIO are to advance the Unitarian and Free Christian religion for the public benefit as defined by clause 3(2) of the Constitution.
MEMBERSHIP
There are currently 42 members of the Richmond and Putney Unitarian Church, of whom 32 are standard voting members, listed overleaf.
2019 RPUC ANNUAL REPORT for AGM 22 March 2020
Page 2
MEMBERS OF RPUC 2024
Standard members*
Armstrong, Mary Arrol, Heather Berryman, Marilene Bevan, Sally Booth, Michael Chamberlain, George Coyle, Brian Diana (Anon.) Halnan, Penny Holland, Janet Hoskins, Gareth Knight, David Labia, Charles Langridge-John, Julie Lewis, Trevor Lloyd-Lawrence, Adrian Lloyd-Lawrence, Kitty Lord, Margaret Mamok, Anne Martin, Bruno McGrane, Christine McPherson, Douglas Meyer, Helen Meyer, Jack
Pinto, Cath Richardson, Mark Sharapova, Asma Strachan, David Tuckman, Lawrence Turnbull, Scott Watson, David Watson, Louisa
Associate members
Collins, Emma Ferris, Kay Hoskins, Kay Lewis, Trudy McClosky, Kay McClosky, Patrick Murrells, Steve
Honorary members Duchac, Dawn Linda Riley Scott, Pamela
*Standard members have RPUC and GA voting rights.
2019 RPUC ANNUAL REPORT for AGM 22 March 2020
Page 3
CHAIR’S REPORT
The CIO ‘conversion’ process came more or less to a conclusion in August with the transfer of all the church’s assets and property into the ownership of the new charity. Among other things, the CIO structure gives us solidity and perpetuity in the ownership of our assets, particularly our church buildings, without reliance on individual trustees. The former Richmond Free Church Trust, which has been the vessel for the church’s legal existence since our foundation in the 1890s, will be formally dissolved in 2024.
This year saw a three-month minister’s sabbatical, with Sundaymorning duties being shared between visiting preachers (enabling us to develop relationships with other Unitarian communities) and congregation members. The collaborative effort involved helped to strengthen our community cohesion. Our ‘Connections’ forum continued to explore outreach and ways to offer support to our local community. At the start of the year we opened the church as a ‘warm space’; in November we ran our first Death Café (with more planned in the new year); our weekly ‘Dance for Health’ class, run in partnership with Dance Health Alliance, offers dance-based exercise designed to provide physical and mental therapy for people living with neurodiverse conditions or general mobility issues. In the coming year we will seek new local partners to extend our social action provision and hopefully develop our ‘café’ format to run a regular ‘Rainbow Café’ for elderly gay people who might be encountering social isolation. Our monthly creche for young children has become firmly established again after the pandemic hiatus, and is now supplemented by a monthly Sunday school run by parents within our congregation, increasing our accessibility to families. We continued to offer a weekly mindfulness/meditation session (with our spectacular candlelit labyrinth meditation around Christmas proving a big hit) and monthly journalling.
2019 RPUC ANNUAL REPORT for AGM 22 March 2020
Page 4
FINANCE REPORT
It has been a challenging year financially, due to an expensive (and unforeseen) complete electrical rewiring of our premises (in turn necessitating the removal of asbestos ceiling tiles and subsequent remedial work); large increases in utility bills; stipend increase; and employment costs due to shortfalls in our volunteer capacity – we now for example pay a part-time lettings officer, a job formerly performed by church volunteers. Hence, an exceptional deficit of -£30,165.45 was incurred in 2023.
Our income, at £79,484.96, was around £2,800 down on 2022. Sometimes variations in income can be attributed to the dates certain payments are received (our accounts cover only payments received up to 31 December, but invoices for many rentals for the first quarter of the new year go out in late December, some of which are paid before the new year cut-off, some after). However, some other factors are worthy of note. Congregational contributions were £8,204.21, significantly down by £957.11 compared with 2022. (Our congregation’s contributions are an important part of our revenue and we encourage all to give generously – standing orders are especially welcome.) This shortfall was partially offset by the £736.26 increase in interest on our savings, but of course 2023 has been a year of high interest rates, unlikely to continue in the longer term. Income from premises, at £58,805.87, was down by slightly over £5,000 compared to 2022, in part attributable to both our resident nurseries (our biggest tenants) reducing their hours. And while wedding and other ceremony income brought in over £2,000 more than the previous year, much of that income is paid out in fees to minister, organist, caretaker etc., so the net contribution to the church’s revenue is much lower.
The impact of the electrical and remedial work on our expenditure has been described above. While this was a one-off item of work, we must nevertheless be aware that we are custodians of a complex ageing building (not to mention our other property, the minister’s manse) and significant maintenance and upgrade bills will continue to be a feature of our outgoings in the future. The cost of our major central heating upgrade a few years back was funded entirely out of growth in our revenue; the latest electrical works, however, basically took a big bite out of our savings. With our regular income currently flatlining to some extent, we must become more adroit at exploring grants that are available, particularly for the upkeep of historic buildings, and churches in particular. Otherwise, our main items of expenditure are the cost of employing our minister (which increases year on year in line with General Assembly guidelines) and utility bills (up £2,356.09 on 2022, for the same reasons that everyone’s bills have sky-rocketed over the last year or two). As we go into 2024, off the back of a year of high inflation, the challenges mount up further, with GA ministerial stipend rates in particular going up by 8.5%.
The wolf is not at the door: we are cushioned by our savings (cash at bank and investments over £90K at the end of the year); we have a
2019 RPUC ANNUAL REPORT for AGM 22 March 2020
Page 5
strong lettings business with room for more growth; and we have the potential of further grant income. Nevertheless, we are budgeting for a small deficit / break even in 2024 and face the challenge in the medium term of growing our revenue strongly simply to stand still.
2019 RPUC ANNUAL REPORT for AGM 22 March 2020
Page 6
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 1
Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church CIO Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2023
----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2023
Incoming Resources
Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds
Total Funds [see Note 1] General Bequests Maintenance Charity & Total Funds
& Deposits Development
9161.32 Raised by congregation 8204.21 8204.21
231.51 Dividends and Interest 967.77 967.77
63927.75 Income from premises 58805.87 58805.87
7737.50 Grants for ministry 7700.00 7700.00
1068.48 Weddings & Other 3307.11 3307.11
200.00 Net Hire Deposits 500.00 500.00
82326.56 Total 78984.96 500.00 79484.96
0 Bequests 0.00 0.00
82326.56 Total Incoming Resources 78984.96 500.00 79484.96
Resources Expended
[see Note 2]
35972.96 Ministry [see Notes 2 & 3] 36631.31 36631.31
1799.14 Music 1606.50 1606.50
24728.02 Premises 58537.23 58537.23
9033.04 General 14061.15 14061.15
1270.00 Subscription and donations 1270.00 1270.00
72803.16 Total Resources Expended 112106.19 112106.19
9523.4 Net Incoming/-Outgoing -33121.23 500.00 -32621.23
0 Net Fund transfers 0.00
-136.56 Investment Gains/-Losses 2455.78 2455.78
9386.84 Net Movement in Funds -30665.45 500.00 -30165.45
Balances brought forward
283505.54 1st January 2023 206561.26 59383.83 3711.25 23236.04 292892.38
Balances carried forward
292892.38 31st December 2023 175895.81 59383.83 4211.25 23236.04 262726.93
----- End of picture text -----
| 2022 168000 67661.65 235661.65 57430.73 57430.73 -200 292892.38 26947.29 265945.09 |
Balance Sheet for the year ended 31st December 2023 Assets Fixed Assets Manse at purchase price Investments at market value Current Assets Cash at bank and on deposit less Creditors and Payments in Advance amounts falling due within one year Total assets less current liabilities Capital and Reserves Designated funds General funds |
2023 168000.00 70117.43 238117.43 24809.50 24809.50 -200.00 262726.93 27447.29 235279.64 |
|---|---|---|
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 2
292892.38
262726.93
| 233.75 | Valuation of Investments M&G Charifund Accumulation units |
Historic Value at Value at Gain/Loss cost 31/12/2022 31/12/2023 on year 12643 67661.65 70117.43 2455.78 12643 67661.65 70117.43 2455.78 |
|---|---|---|
Statement of Financial Activities
Notes for the year ended 31st December 2023
| 2022 Total 4828.53 1852.86 1634.93 845.00 9161.32 0.00 231.51 231.51 47613.10 16314.65 63927.75 6700 1200 -162.5 7737.5 940.00 128.48 1068.48 82126.56 200 200 82326.56 2022 Total 35674.46 298.50 35972.96 1050 749.14 1799.14 |
Note 1 2023 Analysis of Income General Designated Total Raised by congregation Service Collections (envelopes + reg don.) 4315.00 4315.00 Service Collections (loose cash) 2170.08 2170.08 tax recovered 1452.81 1452.81 Gift day/Other Donations 266.32 266.32 8204.21 8204.21 Dividends and interest received Common investment funds 0.00 0.00 COIF Deposit Fund interest 967.77 967.77 967.77 967.77 Premises Use of church & hall 43475.87 43475.87 Car parking 15330.00 15330.00 58805.87 58805.87 Grants For ministerial purposes Putney Fund per LDPA 6700.00 6700.00 LDPA/GA Sustentation Fund 1000.00 1000.00 Highgate Hill Church Fund 0.00 0.00 7700.00 7700.00 Miscellaneous Weddings, namings and funerals 3070.00 3070.00 Sunday morning coffee & publications 237.11 237.11 3307.11 3307.11 Total from regular sources 78984.96 0.00 78984.96 Other Net Hire Deposits 500.00 500.00 NOTE: Total Incoming Resources 78984.96 500.00 79484.96 Statement of Financial Activities Notes for the year ended 31st December 2023 Note 2 2023 Analysis of Expenditure Total Ministerial Cost of ministry (stipend, pension, expenses) 36055.88 Visiting preachers 575.43 [See Note 3] 36631.31 Church music Musicians 1050.00 Organ and piano tuning 556.50 1606.50 Premises |
|---|---|
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
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Page 3
7007.69 Utilities 9363.78
3660.00 Upgrade work (Church & Manse) 35574.55
2694.44 Insurance 3129.40
5882.90 Repairs and Maintenance and gardening 4593.42
0.00 Telephone 0.00
3175.49 Cleaning and supplies 3582.08
2307.50 Caretaking 2294.00
24728.02 58537.23
General
65.20 Printing, postage and stationery 2.65
165.00 Inquirer and Unitarian 185.00
1423.48 IT costs 1369.70
403.00 Conferences 700.00
375.00 Examiner's fee 400.00
1050.00 Wedding fees 1550.00
2343.00 Bookkeeping 2556.00
2750.00 Bookings Administrator 3000.00
458.36 Children's Church & safeguarding 537.80
0.00 Legal Fees 3760.00
9033.04 14061.15
Subscriptions and donations
1190 G A - Quota 1120.00
80 Other subscriptions and donations 150.00
1270 1270.00
72803.16 Total Resources Expended 112106.19
----- End of picture text -----
Statement of Financial Activities
| 2022 32688.24 2986.22 35674.46 0.00 0.00 1810.63 1810.63 298.5 37783.59 |
Notes for the year ended 31st December 2023 Note 3 Cost of Ministry Minister Stipend & Pension Expenses HMRC refund Manse Upgrade work (included in Premises costs) Manse running costs (included in Premises-(repairs) costs) 37485.09 Visiting Ministers Total cost of ministry |
2023 33762.98 2292.90 36055.88 0.00 4260.00 1555.14 5815.14 41871.02 575.43 575.43 42446.45 |
|---|---|---|
Note 4
Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities, and applicable accounting standards. In accordance with the guidelines for smaller charities they have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Collections and donations
All congregational giving and donations are included on a cash received basis. Capital expenditure This is charged either to the expenditure for the year or to the appropriate designated fund Other expenditure Details of staff costs, administration costs and support costs will be found in the preceding notes. There was one full time employee of the Church at the year end. The significant volume of voluntary contribution to the life of the Church by members of the congregation is not quantified in these accounts.
Independent examination The examiner's fee (£200) is noted in the accounts at the appropriate place. Adequacy of funds With the exception of the permanently endowed funds the amounts in all funds are short term
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 4
assets. The Legacy and General funds reflect the historic need to fund the manse purchase.
Transfer of Assets from RPUC to RPUC CIO
Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church (RPUC) became a CIO - Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church CIO (RPUC CIO) on 1 August 2023. The assets of RPUC were regarded as being retrospectively transferred on 31 December 2022, so that between 1 January 2023 and 31 July 2023 RPUC acted as the steward on behalf of RPUC CIO.
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
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| CIO account @31/12/23 | 6883.32 |
|---|---|
| OLD bank @31/12/23 | 2,998.15 |
| coif @31/12/23 | 14928.03 |
| 24809.5 |
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
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7 deposits x £100 received, LESS 2 deposits x £100 repaid
119717.19 as per cashbook Dec 23 for ANNUAL ACCOUNTS -700.00 deposits
-41000.00 transfer to CIO account from OLD account and COIF 78017.19
-967.77 difference
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
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reconciliation 143468.16 as per cashbook Dec 23 for ANNUAL ACCOUNTS -200 deposits
-
-162 rent refund
-
-31000 transfer from OLD account to CIO account
-
112106.16 -0.03 Difference
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 1
Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church CIO Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2023
----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2023
Incoming Resources
Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds
Total Funds [see Note 1] General Bequests Maintenance Charity & Total Funds
& Deposits Development
9161.32 Raised by congregation 8204.21 8204.21
231.51 Dividends and Interest 967.77 967.77
63927.75 Income from premises 58805.87 58805.87
7737.50 Grants for ministry 7700.00 7700.00
1068.48 Weddings & Other 3307.11 3307.11
200.00 Net Hire Deposits 500.00 500.00
82326.56 Total 78984.96 500.00 79484.96
0 Bequests 0.00 0.00
82326.56 Total Incoming Resources 78984.96 500.00 79484.96
Resources Expended
[see Note 2]
35972.96 Ministry [see Notes 2 & 3] 36631.31 36631.31
1799.14 Music 1606.50 1606.50
24728.02 Premises 58537.23 58537.23
9033.04 General 14061.15 14061.15
1270.00 Subscription and donations 1270.00 1270.00
72803.16 Total Resources Expended 112106.19 112106.19
9523.4 Net Incoming/-Outgoing -33121.23 500.00 -32621.23
0 Net Fund transfers 0.00
-136.56 Investment Gains/-Losses 2455.78 2455.78
9386.84 Net Movement in Funds -30665.45 500.00 -30165.45
Balances brought forward
283505.54 1st January 2023 206561.26 59383.83 3711.25 23236.04 292892.38
Balances carried forward
292892.38 31st December 2023 175895.81 59383.83 4211.25 23236.04 262726.93
----- End of picture text -----
| 2022 168000 67661.65 235661.65 57430.73 57430.73 -200 292892.38 26947.29 265945.09 |
Balance Sheet for the year ended 31st December 2023 Assets Fixed Assets Manse at purchase price Investments at market value Current Assets Cash at bank and on deposit less Creditors and Payments in Advance amounts falling due within one year Total assets less current liabilities Capital and Reserves Designated funds General funds |
2023 168000.00 70117.43 238117.43 24809.50 24809.50 -200.00 262726.93 27447.29 235279.64 |
|---|---|---|
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 2
292892.38
262726.93
| 233.75 | Valuation of Investments M&G Charifund Accumulation units |
Historic Value at Value at Gain/Loss cost 31/12/2022 31/12/2023 on year 12643 67661.65 70117.43 2455.78 12643 67661.65 70117.43 2455.78 |
|---|---|---|
Statement of Financial Activities
Notes for the year ended 31st December 2023
| 2022 Total 4828.53 1852.86 1634.93 845.00 9161.32 0.00 231.51 231.51 47613.10 16314.65 63927.75 6700 1200 -162.5 7737.5 940.00 128.48 1068.48 82126.56 200 200 82326.56 2022 Total 35674.46 298.50 35972.96 1050 749.14 1799.14 |
Note 1 2023 Analysis of Income General Designated Total Raised by congregation Service Collections (envelopes + reg don.) 4315.00 4315.00 Service Collections (loose cash) 2170.08 2170.08 tax recovered 1452.81 1452.81 Gift day/Other Donations 266.32 266.32 8204.21 8204.21 Dividends and interest received Common investment funds 0.00 0.00 COIF Deposit Fund interest 967.77 967.77 967.77 967.77 Premises Use of church & hall 43475.87 43475.87 Car parking 15330.00 15330.00 58805.87 58805.87 Grants For ministerial purposes Putney Fund per LDPA 6700.00 6700.00 LDPA/GA Sustentation Fund 1000.00 1000.00 Highgate Hill Church Fund 0.00 0.00 7700.00 7700.00 Miscellaneous Weddings, namings and funerals 3070.00 3070.00 Sunday morning coffee & publications 237.11 237.11 3307.11 3307.11 Total from regular sources 78984.96 0.00 78984.96 Other Net Hire Deposits 500.00 500.00 NOTE: Total Incoming Resources 78984.96 500.00 79484.96 Statement of Financial Activities Notes for the year ended 31st December 2023 Note 2 2023 Analysis of Expenditure Total Ministerial Cost of ministry (stipend, pension, expenses) 36055.88 Visiting preachers 575.43 [See Note 3] 36631.31 Church music Musicians 1050.00 Organ and piano tuning 556.50 1606.50 Premises |
|---|---|
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
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Page 3
7007.69 Utilities 9363.78
3660.00 Upgrade work (Church & Manse) 35574.55
2694.44 Insurance 3129.40
5882.90 Repairs and Maintenance and gardening 4593.42
0.00 Telephone 0.00
3175.49 Cleaning and supplies 3582.08
2307.50 Caretaking 2294.00
24728.02 58537.23
General
65.20 Printing, postage and stationery 2.65
165.00 Inquirer and Unitarian 185.00
1423.48 IT costs 1369.70
403.00 Conferences 700.00
375.00 Examiner's fee 400.00
1050.00 Wedding fees 1550.00
2343.00 Bookkeeping 2556.00
2750.00 Bookings Administrator 3000.00
458.36 Children's Church & safeguarding 537.80
0.00 Legal Fees 3760.00
9033.04 14061.15
Subscriptions and donations
1190 G A - Quota 1120.00
80 Other subscriptions and donations 150.00
1270 1270.00
72803.16 Total Resources Expended 112106.19
----- End of picture text -----
Statement of Financial Activities
| 2022 32688.24 2986.22 35674.46 0.00 0.00 1810.63 1810.63 298.5 37783.59 |
Notes for the year ended 31st December 2023 Note 3 Cost of Ministry Minister Stipend & Pension Expenses HMRC refund Manse Upgrade work (included in Premises costs) Manse running costs (included in Premises-(repairs) costs) 37485.09 Visiting Ministers Total cost of ministry |
2023 33762.98 2292.90 36055.88 0.00 4260.00 1555.14 5815.14 41871.02 575.43 575.43 42446.45 |
|---|---|---|
Note 4
Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities, and applicable accounting standards. In accordance with the guidelines for smaller charities they have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Collections and donations
All congregational giving and donations are included on a cash received basis. Capital expenditure This is charged either to the expenditure for the year or to the appropriate designated fund Other expenditure Details of staff costs, administration costs and support costs will be found in the preceding notes. There was one full time employee of the Church at the year end. The significant volume of voluntary contribution to the life of the Church by members of the congregation is not quantified in these accounts.
Independent examination The examiner's fee (£200) is noted in the accounts at the appropriate place. Adequacy of funds With the exception of the permanently endowed funds the amounts in all funds are short term
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 4
assets. The Legacy and General funds reflect the historic need to fund the manse purchase.
Transfer of Assets from RPUC to RPUC CIO
Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church (RPUC) became a CIO - Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church CIO (RPUC CIO) on 1 August 2023. The assets of RPUC were regarded as being retrospectively transferred on 31 December 2022, so that between 1 January 2023 and 31 July 2023 RPUC acted as the steward on behalf of RPUC CIO.
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 5
| CIO account @31/12/23 | 6883.32 |
|---|---|
| OLD bank @31/12/23 | 2,998.15 |
| coif @31/12/23 | 14928.03 |
| 24809.5 |
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
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7 deposits x £100 received, LESS 2 deposits x £100 repaid
119717.19 as per cashbook Dec 23 for ANNUAL ACCOUNTS -700.00 deposits
-41000.00 transfer to CIO account from OLD account and COIF 78017.19
-967.77 difference
Richmond and Putney Church - 2023 Accounts-VERSION 2
Page 7
reconciliation 143468.16 as per cashbook Dec 23 for ANNUAL ACCOUNTS -200 deposits
-
-162 rent refund
-
-31000 transfer from OLD account to CIO account
-
112106.16 -0.03 Difference