The Annual Robert Stewart Memorial United Reformed Church 2024 Report
This year the funds have remained healthy despite an incredible price rise in energy bills. The 5 year agreement we had in place with much lower tariffs has protected us especially over the last two years. Our new three year contract was agreed in the light of continued global uncertainty and the prospect of ongoing increases. The knowledge of the increase and request for users of the building to be aware and be as frugal as they can be has helped with efficiency. The changing of all lighting to LED has helped the building efficiency as has the changing of the windows to double glazing too. The cost of gas has increased by £600 over the year.
Over the year the biggest spend was on maintenance and repairs on the building, including: damp treatment in the caretakers flat, emergency lighting, LED lighting installation, pointing and roof repairs to mend a leak on the minor hall roof, and emergency lighting installation.
In January we paid for the upgrade of the AV system to enable recording and the organ tuned for the Dementia Christmas Service that was broadcast at Christmas. February saw the installation of the memorial seating into the memorial garden. More roses were planted into the raised beds during March with further planting of bedding plants into fresh compost in May.
March was a time of repointing at higher levels of the building with repairs to the roof and dormer windows. The Scouts were supported with new independent lighting fed through to the hut and the mould and damp in the Caretakers flat were dealt with and irradicated effectively.
In June we enjoyed afternoon tea at Doxford Hall, meeting a number of past members from Edinburgh, Morpeth and Newcastle . A great day out was had by all.
In July the church sanctuary was painted with the internal and external entrance painted and weather proofed in September. During the summer , whilst most lettings were on holiday the safety checks eg PAT tests, fire extinguishers, alarm tests etc, emergency lights and the remaining lights that weren’t LED were changed. The issue with the central heating boiler was repaired, a new circuit board being required. In November we had a trip to Low Hauxley instead of visiting the Christmas tree exhibitions. The final costs of organ check and streaming camera upgrade were completed in time for the funeral of a well loved past member .
In summary, the support of the worship groups and community users has enabled the reserve to be increased to £10,000 and with no extreme expenses the balance has healthily remained stable. We are supporting SEARCH groups; West end friends, Tea and Tech, Singing for the Brain and seated dance at no cost for letting.
Thanks to Keith and Pauline Miller for auditing the accounts.
ROBERT STEWART MEMORIAL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1[ST] JANUARY TO 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
| INCOME | 2023 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loose ofering | 1,824.80 | 2,058:61 | ||
| Envelope ofering | 6,275.00 | 8,565:00 | ||
| Gift aid gifts | 2,500.00 | E.Wallis, R.Morris | ||
| Gift Aid tax refund | 2,910.52 | applied for | ||
| Miscellaneous gifts | 3,057.00 | 470:00 | ||
| Total gifts | 16 ,567.32 |
11,168.61 | ||
| Cofee | 119.30 | 186:33 | ||
| Coin a day | 14.00 | nil | ||
| Gift Day | nil | 410:00 | ||
| Building maintenance | 567.28 | nil | ||
| Disaster appeals | 97.00 | nil | ||
| Bequest | 20,904.64D.Broomfeld | nil | ||
| Total ‘other’ giving | 21 ,702.22 |
596.33 | ||
| Ethiopian congregation | nil | |||
| Romanian congregation | 3,693.00 | 4,084:50 | ||
| Congolese congregation | 3,190.00 | 2,945:00 | ||
| Total Christian congregations | 6 ,883.00 |
7,029.50 | ||
| Bowls | 1,400.00 | 1,400:00 | ||
| WI | 255.00 | 140:00 | ||
| Little band | 1,760.00 | 1,400:00 | ||
| Sewing class | 1,050.00 | 2,650:00 | ||
| Scouts | 1,500.00 | 1,000:00 | ||
| Inspire Youth | 2,000.00 | 1,311:00 |
Other room users, rentals, etc 1,035.00 Total room users 9,000 Christmas Fair 997.34 Pulpit Supply support TOTAL NON-GRANT INCOME 55,149.88
1,500:00 9,401.00 976:95 80:00 1,056,95 29,252.39
GRANTS RECEIVED SHOWN BELOW under ‘Improvements’
Synod property grant (windows) 2,242.00 NIL Synod property grant (kitchen window) 441.00 Synod property grant (Sanctuary glazing) 4,874.22 Feb Synod property grant (Kitchen and prep room) 1,813.00 9,370.22
2023
2024
EXPENDITURE
| Ministry and Mission | 8,283.96 | 8,526:00 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulpit supply | 550.00 | 269:19 | ||
| Community Worker expenses836.37 | 600:00 | |||
| Total ‘service’ provision | 9 ,670.33 |
9 ,395.19 |
||
| Disaster Appeal (Turkey) | 97.00 | NA | ||
| Energy Electric | 1,933.28 | (5 yr contract) | ||
| 1,901.58 | ||||
| Energy Gas | 2,311.82 | 2,921:24 | ||
| Water | 200.05 | 254:74 | ||
| Insurance | 3,507.70 | 3,582:30 | ||
| Caretaker (wages) | 1,040.00 | 1,040:00 | ||
| Caretaker fat Council Tax | 1,447.68 | 1,520:03 | ||
| Caretaker fat gas | 0.00 | NA | ||
| Repairs and maintenance | 30,262.21 | 18,362:83 | ||
| Cleaning materials | 339.07 | 324:21 | ||
| Broadband | 652.80 | 3,127:20 | ||
| Total buildings costs | 41 ,791.61 |
33 ,034.13 |
||
| Admin/other expenditure | 4,592.61 | 1,207:66 | ||
| TOTAL NON-GRANT EXPENDITURE 56,054.55 |
43,636.98 |
FUNDS – BALANCE SHEET Opening balances 1[st] January 2024 Main Bank 46,419.21 Reserve Building Fund held within main account (
10,000)
Plus Total non-grant income 29,252.39 + 46,419.21 = 75,671.60 Less Total non-grant expenditure 43,636.98 Closing balances (excluding grants) 31[st] December 2024 Main Bank 32,034.62
TOTAL
NOTE:
The drop in income from last year was due to an extraordinarily large bequest in the previous year. Significant repairs were undertaken with a new reinforced path with no steps to the front door, and repairing damp in the caretakers flat. LED lights throughout the premises and boiler repairs account for the major other spend and no grants were applied for due to extensive provision in the previous year.
The Accounts have been checked and declared accurate by Keith Gavin Miller June 2025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustee members of e>iRT bfL- lIr MCM o RI AL uWIT£D lafoemty CAiI Charity no (If any) 23356q On accounts for the year ended b£tsMEtR L024- Set out on pages I report lo the Ifuslees on my examination ol the acCnIS ol the above Charity I'the Trusl'l for the year ended 30 1 l 2021t Responsibilities and As the charity Ifusiees ol the Trust, you are responsible Iof the preParan basis of report of the acc£)unls in a¢(rdan with the requirements ol the Charits Act 20111.lhe Acl"}. I report in respecl of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 01 the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinalK)n, I have followed the appliI2ble Directions given by the Charity Commission under setlion 14515llbl ot the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material rnatters have come lo my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connecti¢M wrth Ihe èxamination which gives me cause lo believe thai in, any maienal respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordancè with seth.cd 130 01 the Act Of the accoun15 do not accord with the accounttng re¢x>rds Independent examiner's statement I have no concefns and have come across no other mattets in cffinectm with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order io enable a proper understsnding of the accounts lo be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not appty. Date: Signed: Name: iITkl Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any).. Address.. fvJEW QEI