## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** Crowe U.K. LLP Chartered Accountants Black Country House Rounds Green Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2DG ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ||Page| |---|---| |Report of the Trustees|1 - 3| |Independent Examiner's Report|4| |Receipts and payments accounts|5| |Statement of assets and liabilities|6| |Notes to the Financial Statements|7 - 8| ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** **FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number** 1200446 **Principal address** St Savior’s Church The Parish Office 1 Park Road Hagley Stourbridge West Midlands. DY9 0NS ## **President** Viscountess Cobham ## **Trustees** G A Battersby (appointed 1 August 2022) J D Cope (appointed 1 August 2022) H W Green (appointed 1 August 2022) M Bebbington (appointed 17 October 2023) R E S Jones QPM (appointed 17 October 2023) Mrs W Jones (appointed 17 October 2023) Mrs S R Priest (appointed 17 October 2023) Mrs G P Richards (appointed 17 October 2023) Viscount C C Cobham (appointed 17 October 2023) Mrs J Whitehouse (appointed 17 October 2023) ## **Ex Officio Appointee** Mrs J Day (Churchwarden St John’s) ## **Independent examiner** Crowe U.K. LLP Chartered Accountants Black Country House Rounds Green Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2DG Page 1 ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** The Trustees present their first annual report and financial statement for the period ended 31 March 2024 after the transition from an unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Charity Commissions Guidelines. A) Namely that the Friends Charity (CIO) is not a company. B) Annual income is over £25,000 but not more than £250,000. C) The trustees can choose which type of accounts that can be prepared – either Receipts and Payments accounts or Accrual accounts. D) The accounts must be independently examined and audited. Given that this is the first year of the newly registered charity the trustees have decided to use receipts and payments accounts as this simplifies administration. ## **Structure & Recruitment of Trustees** The trustees are satisfied that the affairs of the Friends CIO are conducted in accordance with the constitution. The first trustees are Mr G A Battersby, Mr J D Cope and Mr H W Green. Trustees are appointed initially for a period of five years. There must be at least two but not more than eleven elected trustees; and one ex officio trustee- a church warden at St John’s. The day-to-day management of the charity is led by Bill Green (Chairman), Jeff Cope (Secretary), Tony Battersby (Finance and Investments) and Judith Whitehouse (day to day keeping of financial records). ## **Principal Activities and Objectives** The charity’s objectives are primarily to maintain, repair and enrich the fabric, furniture, and fittings of the Church of St John’s, Hagley; and to preserve and enhance the beauty and fitness of the site and setting of the church; and to maintain and develop the music and other aspects of the worship and life of the church, and to maintain the preservation and maintenance of the churchyard. The general policy adopted in furtherance of the objectives is to consider all requests for support from Hagley Parochial Church Council (PCC) who are responsible for the church, and in accordance with the above aims and objectives, there has been no change in policy during the year. The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commissioners on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. Page 2 ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **Achievements and Performance** In order to achieve their objective, The Friends collect subscriptions and receive legacies gifts and donations and administer their investments. The Friends are not however involved in any trading activities. ## **Financial Review and Reserves Policy** The charity is ready to help, within its own parameters, requests for financial assistance from the PCC. It maintains a reasonable reserve to meet unexpected contingencies. A significant proportion of funds are kept in liquid form in Building Societies and CCLA Investments which are subject to maximising income without sacrificing security. The trustees are most keen to continue with this policy. The Friends carry Public Liability Insurance of £5M through Ecclesiastical Insurance Limited. The Charity Commission approved the new CIO with effect from 22 September 2022 - Charity Number 1200446. The final transfer of assets from the unincorporated charity number 509524 took place on 10 May 2023. ## **Year to date** Since last year’s AGM report, the transition for the charity to be registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is now complete and the new trustees have met twice since last October where it was subsequently agreed the first AGM will be held on Sunday 5 May following the morning service, commencing at 12.30pm. With the majority of the fabric items set out in the 2020 Quinquennial completed there is still some maintenance and repairs to the external stonework faces to be finished. The church architect has prepared plans and specifications, and these were agreed by the trustees, subject to both churchwardens and fabric committee giving the green light to proceed on behalf of the PCC. The architect fees together with other work completed in the sum of £925 has been paid by The Friends. During the last year urgent repairs to the Burco boiler (tea and coffee making) was covered by The Friends in the sum of £150. The Friends have instructed the architects to prepare tender documents in order that the works to the stonework can be carried out this summer, subject to approval by the fabric committee and the PCC. It should be noted that a faculty may be required or an archdeacon’s certificate. Many people have asked if improvements can be made to the church’s carpark, especially in wet weather. However, it was agreed that a tarmac surface would not be appropriate for the setting of a church and stately home. Therefore, proposals are being worked out, together with costs, all of which will have to be approved by Lord Cobham and considered by the PCC but is proposed these costs will be paid for by The Friends. Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by: ……………………………………………………. Page 3 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** I report on the accounts for the period ended 31 March 2024 set out on pages six to eleven. This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under Section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and charity’s trustees as a body, for my work or for this report. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period (under Section 144(2) of The Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act - to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of the independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or - (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Helen Blundell LLB FCA FCIE DChA Crowe U.K. LLP Chartered Accountants Black Country House Rounds Green Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2DG Date:25 April 2024 Page 4 ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** |**Notes Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**Restricted**
**Fund**
**£**
**£**

**Receipts**
Subscriptions and donations
**1,636**
**-**

Legacies
**23,220**
**-**

Transfer from unincorporated charity
Investment income
**46,276**
**9,421**
**-**
**-**
**Total Receipts**
**80,553**
**- **
**Payments**
Accountancy
**780**
**-**
Bank charges
**66**
**-**
Print and postage
**50**
**-**
Professional fees
**4,800**
**-**
Stationery
Investments
Insurance
.
**51**
**70,000**
**189**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Hagley PCC
**1,055**
**-**
Hagley Community Association
**36**
**-**
**Total Payments**
**77,027**
**- **

Net of receipts
**3,526**
**-**
**CASH FUNDS AT 22 SEPTEMBER 2022**
**- **
**- **
**CASH FUNDS AT 31 MARCH 2024**
**3,526**
**-**|**2024**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
**1,636**
**23,220**
**46,276**
**9,421**
**80,533**
**780**
**66**
**50**
**4,800**
**51**
**70,000**
**189**
**1,055**
**36**
**77,027**
**3,526**
**- **
**3,526**| |---|---| The notes form part of these financial statements Page 5 ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 MARCH 2024** |**Notes Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**Restricted**
**Fund**
**£**
**£**
**Cash Funds**
Investments
**3**
**447,386**
**-**
**Current Assets**
Due from Gift Aid
**225**
Cash at Bank
**3,526**
Total
**3,751**
**-**
**-**
**Current Liabilities**
Other Creditors and accruals
**786**
**-**|**2024**
**£**
**447,386**
**3,526**
**3,751**
**786**
**225**| |---|---| ||| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 24 April 2024 and were signed on its behalf by: **----- Start of picture text -----**
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**----- End of picture text -----**
The notes form part of these financial statements Page 6 ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. ## **Legal status of the Charity** The Friends of the Church of St John, Baptist, Hagley is a constituted under the governing document as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, whose registered office and primary place of business St Savior’s Church, The Parish Office, 1 Park Road, Hagley, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 0NS, United Kingdom. It has no share capital. Its principal activities are to maintain repair, and enrich fabric, furniture and fittings of the Church of St John, Hagley; and to preserve and enhance the beauty and fitness of the site and setting of the church: and to maintain and develop the music and other aspects of the worship and life of the church, and to maintain the preservation and maintenance of the churchyard. ## **Income** All income is recognised in receipts and payments once the charity has received funds. ## **Expenditure** All payments are recognised in the receipts and payments accounts when it is paid. ## **Taxation** The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities. ## **Fund accounting.** General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund. ## **2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the period ended 31 March 2024. ## **Trustees' expenses** **2024 £** **-** Trustees' expenses Page 7 ## **THE FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BAPTIST, HAGLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **3.. INVESTMENTS** ||**Transfer from**|**Additions**||**Balance**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**unincorporated**||**Movement in**|**31/03/2024**| ||**charity**||**market value**|| ||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |Dudley Building Society|84,043|-|2,522|**86,565**| |Dudley Building Society|-|20,000|-|**20,000**| |CBF Deposit|11,038|50,000|5,869|**66,907**| |CBF Property|73,065|-|(2,598)|**70,467**| |COIF Property|56,235|-|(2,901)|**53,334**| |CBF Short|34,556|-|1,567|**36,123**| |M & G Charibond|8,533|-|69|**8,602**| |M &G Charifund|107,348|-|-1,960|**105,388**| |Total Funds|**374,818**|**70,000**|**2,568**|**447,386**| ## **4. FUNDS ANALYSIS** |**Balance at**
**22/10/2022**

**£**
**Unrestricted Funds**
General Funds
-
**Total Unrestricted Funds**
**-**
**Total Funds**
**-**|**Income Expenditure**
**Balance**
**31/03/2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
80,553
(77,027)
3,526
**80,553**
**(77,027)**
**3,526**
**80,553**
**(77,027)**
**3,526**| |---|---| Page 8