REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 226163
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
FOR
NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
P B Syddall & Co Chartered Accountants Grafton House 81 Chorley Old Road Bolton Lancashire BL1 3AJ
NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 12 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2023. 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives
The charity is established to support the seventeen congregations of the Mission area and to help promote Unitarianism throughout the north and east Lancashire areas.
Public benefit
Each year the trustees review the objectives and activities of the charity to ensure they continue to reflect their aims and provide public benefit. The trustees are more than satisfied that they do.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Investment policy and objectives
All investment decisions are undertaken by the finance committee with the approval of the general committee.
Financial controls
NELUM has a finance committee who make recommendations to the general committee with regard to the charity's financial affairs.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Organisational structure
The North and East Lancashire Unitarian Mission is a registered charity (number 226163) and is one of thirteen district associations in England and the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. The association is also known as NELUM.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
226163
Principal address
c/o Ms K Diggle 8 Neyland Close Bolton Lancashire BL1 5DF
Trustees
Ms K Diggle Reverend B Allerton Miss J Thompson
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner
A J Syddall M.A., A.C.A. P B Syddall & Co Chartered Accountants Grafton House 81 Chorley Old Road Bolton Lancashire BL1 3AJ
Bankers
CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4TA
Solicitors
Clough & Willis 2 Manchester Road Bury Lancashire BL9 0TD
Financial Advisers
Charles Stanley & Co Limited 25 Luke Street London EC2A 4AR
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
SECRETARY'S REPORT
This will be the last of my twenty secretary's annual reports as I have resigned as from the imminent Annual General Meeting. It is a tempting time to look back but I am not going to do this as my report is, as always, about this past year and an attempt at an overview of where our churches are today.
At a recent General Committee Meeting Reverend Jo James came as the representative of the Executive Committee. He spoke about change, how we had to embrace it and be prepared to accept it. Churches and chapels have been dealing with and accepting change for a long time now, many that have been beyond our control as they are part of the changes in society. Congregations are smaller, as they are throughout all religious communities, and that is something we regret. Yet there are positives. If anything, people are more committed and value their churches and chapels and their communities as something precious. People have accepted the changes they could do nothing about and in the light of this embraced the changes they could control to keep their churches alive to offer the unique blessings that only churches can.
The Executive Committee has begun the process of introducing a scheme, The Innovation Challenge, offering financial support to churches who come forward with ideas, mainly for growth, though this has not been spelled out. Personally, I don't think money is the answer; certainly money alone cannot make this happen. It is about the commitment, the love and the propensity for hard work in our congregations and these three are never in doubt. The energy and determination just to keep going in these challenging times is often underestimated and underappreciated.
Reading through the annual report there is a sense of a year with no major problems. Some of our churches saw their congregation grow and the rest seem to be holding steady. This is something to be proud of in a culture that is largely secular. There have been one or two special events that have been well supported by churches coming together as well as attracting back former members and friends. These inter-congregational events offer so much in encouragement, support and friendship. It is perhaps something we should do more often.
All of us felt the impact of the rise in the cost of living this year and churches were no exception to this. Churches, chapels and meeting rooms tend to be large spaces, therefore expensive to heat, and this had a huge affect on budgets. To help with the increased charges NELUM gave £1,000 pro rata grants to all the District churches.
In 2024 we have churches celebrating significant anniversaries of their buildings. Bury and Rochdale built in the buoyant years of the 1960's and now celebrating 50 years. Padiham celebrate 150 years at Knight Hill. Congratulations, may you go forward and prosper.
A final thank you to the congregations who support NELUM and through it all the Unitarian communities in North and East Lancashire. Thank you to all the churches and chapels who offer us warm and comfortable places in which to hold NELUM meetings. Thank you to the delegates who attend on behalf of their churches so that there is meaningful dialogue to take us forward. Thank you to the NELUM Officers and the Finance Committee who work assiduously for the benefit of everyone.
I hope you will allow me a personal thank you to my fellow officers, particularly to Treasurer Karen Diggle, who has served with me for twenty years. Her expertise and commitment have been second to none.
Thank you to everyone in NELUM for your help, support and friendship. It has been at times a challenge but always rewarding to be District Secretary.
Beryl Allerton.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 10 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Ms K Diggle - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of North and East Lancashire Unitarian Mission
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of North and East Lancashire Unitarian Mission (the Trust) for the year ended 30 September 2023.
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.
A J Syddall M.A., A.C.A.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
P B Syddall & Co Chartered Accountants Grafton House 81 Chorley Old Road Bolton Lancashire BL1 3AJ
10 April 2024
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 41,635 Investment income 2 46,794 Total 88,429 EXPENDITURE ON Charity expenses 53,449 Net gains/(losses) on investments 1,958 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 36,938 Transfers between funds 8 (2,880) Net movement in funds 34,058 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 411,721 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 445,779 |
Restricted fund £ - 50 50 - (9,325) (9,275) 2,880 (6,395) 62,635 56,240 |
2023 Total funds £ 41,635 46,844 88,479 53,449 (7,367) 27,663 - 27,663 474,356 502,019 |
2022 Total funds £ 15,655 40,973 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56,628 | |||
| 23,850 | |||
| - | |||
| 32,778 - |
|||
| 32,778 441,578 |
|||
| 474,356 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
BALANCE SHEET 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Investments 4 296,195 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 5 39,500 Investments 6 525 Cash at bank 224,945 264,970 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 (115,386) NET CURRENT ASSETS 149,584 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 445,779 NET ASSETS 445,779 FUNDS 8 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted fund £ 54,792 - - 1,448 1,448 - 1,448 56,240 56,240 |
2023 Total funds £ 350,987 39,500 525 226,393 266,418 (115,386) 151,032 502,019 502,019 445,779 56,240 502,019 |
2022 Total funds £ 358,354 41,870 531 188,987 231,388 (115,386) 116,002 474,356 474,356 411,721 62,635 474,356 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 10 April 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
K Diggle - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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) (effective 1 January 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, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).
INCOME
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
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.
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.
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.
GOING CONCERN
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern.
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Other fixed asset investments Bank interest received |
2023 £ 42,894 3,950 46,844 |
2022 £ 40,468 505 |
|---|---|---|
| 40,973 |
continued...
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30 September 2023 nor for the year ended 30 September 2022.
TRUSTEES' EXPENSES
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30 September 2023 nor for the year ended 30 September 2022.
4. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
| Other There were no investment assets outside the UK. Investments (neither listed nor unlisted) were as follows: Nelum Inc fixed interest fund Nelum Inc equity fund 5. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Loan to Bank Street Church Loan to Walmsley Church Coronavirus loans Loan to Blackpool Church 6. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS Bank deposits held at stockbrokers |
2023 £ 350,987 2023 £ 54,792 296,195 350,987 2023 £ - 6,000 21,500 12,000 39,500 2023 £ 525 |
2022 £ 358,354 |
2022 £ 358,354 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 £ 64,117 294,237 |
|||
| 358,354 | |||
| 2022 £ 2,370 6,000 21,500 12,000 |
|||
| 41,870 | |||
| 2022 £ 531 |
continued...
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
|---|---|---|
| North & East Lancashire Unitarian Mission Trustee Company (Incorporated) Newchurch Accruals and deferred income |
2023 £ 23,003 89,383 3,000 115,386 |
2022 £ 23,003 89,383 3,000 |
| 115,386 |
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.10.22 £ 411,721 62,635 474,356 follows: Incoming resources £ 88,429 50 88,479 |
Net movement in funds £ 36,938 (9,275) 27,663 Resources expended £ (53,449) - (53,449) |
Transfers between At funds 30.9.23 £ £ (2,880) 445,779 2,880 56,240 - 502,019 Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 1,958 36,938 (9,325) (9,275) (7,367) 27,663 |
At 30.9.23 £ 445,779 56,240 |
At 30.9.23 £ 445,779 56,240 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 502,019 | |||||
| 27,663 |
continued...
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 1.10.21 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 378,950 Restricted funds Restricted funds 62,628 TOTAL FUNDS 441,578 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 56,621 Restricted funds Restricted funds 7 TOTAL FUNDS 56,628 |
Net movement At in funds 30.9.22 £ £ 32,771 411,721 7 62,635 32,778 474,356 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (23,850) 32,771 - 7 (23,850) 32,778 |
|---|---|
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30 September 2023.
10. GRANTS
The trustees made the decision to award extra grants to a number of churches this year, amounting to £15,750 as a result of the surplus of funds recorded in the previous year.
continued...
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
11. BANK STREET CHURCH
During the year, following the closure of the Bank Street Church, funds were received by the charity amounting to £43,170. This was considered to be a refund of grants paid to Bank Street Church over a number of years and as settlement of a loan that was included within debtors at the start of the year amounting to £2,370.
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NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 | SEPTEMBER 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | 15 | 15,025 |
| Subscriptions | 820 | 630 |
| Bank Street Church | 40,800 | - |
| 41,635 | 15,655 | |
| Investment income | ||
| Other fixed asset investments | 42,894 | 40,468 |
| Bank interest received | 3,950 | 505 |
| 46,844 | 40,973 | |
| Total incoming resources | 88,479 | 56,628 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charity expenses | ||
| Donations | 6,400 | 5,850 |
| Administration expenses | 285 | 110 |
| Meeting expenses | 903 | 613 |
| Newchurch expenses | 4,970 | 5,168 |
| Accountancy | 2,016 | 1,992 |
| Sundry expenses | 28 | 50 |
| Grants made to churches | 26,750 | - |
| Specific sustentation grants | 12,000 | 9,952 |
| Bank charges | 97 | 115 |
| 53,449 | 23,850 | |
| Total resources expended | 53,449 | 23,850 |
| Net income | 35,030 | 32,778 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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