REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 226163
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
FOR
THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
P B Syddall & Co Chartered Accountants Grafton House 81 Chorley Old Road Bolton Lancashire BL1 3AJ
THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| 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 | 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 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) (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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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner
A J Syddall M.A., F.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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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Thank you to everybody who has contributed to the years NELUM Meetings. The officers, the delegates, the members of the Finance Group, the trustees, the Ministers (and students), and the visitors; we have enjoyed both interesting discussions and social time.
Our treasurer's health has given cause for concern but he has tackled his tasks with enthusiasm and an impressive quality of work.
Others must be thanked -
-
Rev Beryl Allerton and Karen Diggle for 20 years of outstanding work and loyal service as our secretary and treasurer respectively with special thanks to Karen for service above and beyond the call of duty during her long treasurers handover.
-
Rev John Allerton and John Illingworth for their work on CIO.
-
The members of last year's Finance Group; and all those who have served NELUM in other acknowledged and appreciated capacities.
Reading through our church-reports I became aware of shared matters of concern and importance. The number of services per month varies but the majority of our churches meet weekly and although attendance is, overall, smaller than it used to be we have stable attendance with some churches reporting a pleasing increase in numbers. We are all trying to remain optimistic with progressive attitudes.
Each of our congregations needs support from service-leaders to some extent whose knowledge and excellent preaching are warmly welcomed. This applies especially to our serving and retired Ministers who give willingly of their time and experience particularly when special services take place. Our three ministry-students contribute valuably too and we send them our very best wishes in their work now as well as when they become fully-fledged Ministers.
Many of our churches need constant maintenance and those which benefit from financial help from NELUM express their gratitude for this support. Whilst most of our churches are financially stable a few are currently experiencing difficulties. When NELUM is at hand some of the problems can thankfully be resolved.
Our links with the General Assembly and the Executive Committee have improved this year and several visits have occurred. Liz Slade, the GA Chief Officer, attended our 2024 AGM and at our General Council Meetings we have met Rev Jo James (in March), Rev Laura Dobson (in October), and Simon Bland (in February, 2025). It has been interesting to hear their comments and we hope that ours have been noted and relayed back.
NELUM was actually the very first District to apply for an Innovation Challenge Grant just before the end of 2024. Whether our application will succeed remains to be seen.
Dot Hewerdine was elected as a G A Honorary Member at the 2024 Annual Meetings and received our warm congratulations for her well-deserved achievement; we have admired her newly conferred status.
The closure of Bank Street Chapel, Bolton, in May, 2022 caused sadness and regret. We mourn the demise of this congregation and its worship-centre. Fortunately most members have remained within the Unitarian sphere. In 2024, we received a most generous donation from the Bank Street chapel-members of £100,000, to add to NELUM funds and we thank them most sincerely for their kind gift. At present each of our 13 remaining churches has been given £5,000. Further thought must be devoted to the remainder.
We also mark, with sorrow, the passing of Connie Diggle in February, 2025. As a valuable Unitarian, and an eminent member of our churches and our district she will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.
Newchurch Graveyard has presented severe problems during the past few years but we hope that these will very shortly be resolved and that the area will become a place of beauty and tranquillity. On Remembrance Sunday, November 10th 2024, after an excellent service conducted by Rev Tony McNeile at Rawtenstall Unitarian Church, the ashes of Muriel Whittaker were interred in Newchurch Graveyard and her final resting-place now boasts a fine headstone in a smart setting thanks to her nephew Ryan Godwin.
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
As I review 2024 I should like to echo John Hewerdine's words as he prepares the Chorley Chapel for its 300th Anniversary: "Let us keep the chalice-flame alight!"
Anne Mills
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 25 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Ms K Diggle - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The North and East Lancashire Unitarian Mission
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The North and East Lancashire Unitarian Mission (the Trust) for the year ended 30 September 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
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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., F.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
25 March 2025
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 213,343 Investment income 2 52,848 Total 266,191 EXPENDITURE ON Charity expenses 258,098 Net gains/(losses) on investments 7,578 NET INCOME 15,671 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 445,779 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 461,450 |
Restricted fund £ - 73 73 - 1,774 1,847 56,240 58,087 |
2024 Total funds £ 213,343 52,921 266,264 258,098 9,352 17,518 502,019 519,537 |
2023 Total funds £ 41,635 46,844 88,479 53,449 (7,367) 27,663 474,356 502,019 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
BALANCE SHEET 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Investments 4 122,829 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 5 - Investments 6 - Cash at bank 338,621 338,621 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 - NET CURRENT ASSETS 338,621 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 461,450 NET ASSETS 461,450 FUNDS 8 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted fund £ 56,566 - - 1,521 1,521 - 1,521 58,087 58,087 |
2024 Total funds £ 179,395 - - 340,142 340,142 - 340,142 519,537 519,537 461,450 58,087 519,537 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 25 March 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
K Diggle - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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 |
2024 £ 47,027 5,894 52,921 |
2023 £ 42,894 3,950 |
|---|---|---|
| 46,844 |
continued...
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30 September 2024 nor for the year ended 30 September 2023.
TRUSTEES' EXPENSES
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30 September 2024 nor for the year ended 30 September 2023.
4. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
| Other There were no investment assets outside the UK. Investments (neither listed nor unlisted) were as follows: The NELUM Trustee Company Fixed Interest Fund The NELUM Trustee Company Equity Fund Amount owed to The NELUM Trustee Company 5. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Loan to Walmsley Church Coronavirus loans Loan to Blackpool Church 6. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS Bank deposits held at stockbrokers |
2024 £ 179,395 2024 £ 56,566 303,773 (180,944) 179,395 2024 £ - - - - 2024 £ - |
2023 £ 350,987 |
2023 £ 350,987 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 54,792 296,195 - |
|||
| 350,987 | |||
| 2023 £ 6,000 21,500 12,000 |
|||
| 39,500 | |||
| 2023 £ 525 |
continued...
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| The North & East Lancashire Unitarian Mission Trustee Company (Incorporated) Newchurch Accruals and deferred income MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 266,191 Restricted funds Restricted funds 73 TOTAL FUNDS 266,264 |
At 1.10.23 £ 445,779 56,240 502,019 Resources expended £ (258,098) - (258,098) |
2024 2023 £ £ - 23,003 - 89,383 - 3,000 - 115,386 Net movement At in funds 30.9.24 £ £ 15,671 461,450 1,847 58,087 17,518 519,537 Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 7,578 15,671 1,774 1,847 9,352 17,518 |
|---|---|---|
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
continued...
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net At movement 1.10.22 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 411,721 36,938 Restricted funds Restricted funds 62,635 (9,275) TOTAL FUNDS 474,356 27,663 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Transfers between funds £ (2,880) 2,880 - |
At 30.9.23 £ 445,779 56,240 |
|---|---|---|
| 502,019 | ||
| Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | losses | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 88,429 | (53,449) | 1,958 | 36,938 |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Restricted funds | ||||
| 50 | - | (9,325) | (9,275) | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 88,479 | (53,449) | (7,367) | 27,663 |
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30 September 2024.
10. BANK STREET CHURCH
During the previous 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.
A further £100,000 has been received from Bank Street Church this year.
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THE NORTH AND EAST LANCASHIRE UNITARIAN MISSION
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Subscriptions Bank Street Church Newchurch The NELUM Trustee Company Historical donation Investment income Other fixed asset investments Bank interest received Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charity expenses Donations Administration expenses Meeting expenses Newchurch expenses Accountancy Sundry expenses Utility support Grants made to churches Specific sustentation grants Bank charges Training grants Historical donations Historical grants Historical sustentation grant Historical amount owed to The NELUM Trustee Company Support costs Governance costs Independent examination fee Total resources expended Net income |
2024 £ - 540 100,000 89,000 23,003 800 213,343 47,027 5,894 52,921 266,264 6,935 382 849 3,319 1,536 142 10,500 5,546 10,500 95 2,250 21,000 15,500 (2,000) 180,944 257,498 600 258,098 8,166 |
2023 £ 15 820 40,800 - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 41,635 42,894 3,950 |
||
| 46,844 | ||
| 88,479 6,400 285 903 4,970 1,416 28 - 26,750 12,000 97 - - - - - |
||
| 52,849 600 |
||
| 53,449 | ||
| 35,030 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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