Charity Registration No. 236171
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
4 Brackley Close Bournemouth International Airport Christchurch Dorset BH23 6SE
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mrs A H Evans Mr B Roberts Mr C Fleming (Appointed 24 April 2023)
Charity number 236171 Principal address 2A Church Road Lower Parkstone Poole Dorset BH14 0NN Independent examiner Harrisons Chartered Accountants Bournemouth International Airport Christchurch Dorset BH23 6SE
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent examiner's report | 3 |
| Statement of financial activities | 4 |
| Balance sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 6 - 11 |
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "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
The object of the Church is to provide religious services in accordance with the Church Manual of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Achievements and performance
For much of 2020 and 2021 Church services were held on Zoom due to Government restrictions, In October 2021 equipment was installed in the Church building to enable the services to continue to be transmitted on Zoom. Since reopening the Church building hybrid services have been held with congregations both in the building and online, enabling more people to access Church services from the local community and further afield in the UK.
In 2021, members also agreed to the design of a new website to enhance our outreach and this was launched in April 2022. In 2022 we also increased our support for UK Christian Science activities including donations towards the UK Summit 2022 and a lecture at the Commonwealth Games.
From 2019 to 2022 the Reading Room was open to the public 3 and a half days a week (except when Government restrictions prevented it) and during 2023 it has been open 3 days a week. The displays and screen in the window can be viewed 24/7 and are regularly refreshed.
In August 2023 the flat above the Reading Room became vacant and members agreed to invest some £20,000 on refurbishment. This included renewing the kitchen, toilet and bathroom, renewing much of the carpeting, redecoration throughout, renewal of the fencing and some minor repairs. A water leak in the ground floor came to light during building works which was repaired but it is now clear that complete rebuilding of the floor of the Reading Room will be needed. Funding from our insurance company has been received towards the cost of renewing the damaged carpet in the Reading Room. It is intended that an application will be prepared for funding from the Trustees Under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy for refurbishing the Reading Room to bring it up to date and improve its utility and attractiveness to the public, which will include renewal of the flooring. It is also proposed that the application include the upgrading of the audio equipment, including hearing loop, in the Church auditorium.
Financial review
The trustees wish to draw attention to the decrease in donations received this year and the charity making an overall deficit of £7,968 (2022: £10,648) and are grateful in particular to the Dagny Raymond Trust for the generous donation of £37,358
The unrestricted funds are in surplus by £295,402 (2022: £303,370) of which £175,600 is made up of freehold property. The general fund is available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
The designated freehold property fund represents restricted funds utilised at the discretion of the trustees for the purpose of purchasing and improving the freehold property and other assets. Freehold property purchases and improvements, together with revaluation gains and losses on this property, are retained as part of this fund.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Strueture, gov•manee and managem¢nt First Church of Christ. Suentist. Poole i8 an unincorporated organisats.on lounded in 1916 as a branch ol The First Church of Chrisl, Scrent"SL Bostt)n. Massathvsetts. USA. (The Molher ChuTchl. and is fegistered w#h the Charity Commission as Charity No. 236171. The trustees who seryed during the year and up to the dale of signature of Ihe ffinancl statements were.. MFS A H Evans Mrs D Howdl Mr B Roberts Mr C Neming (Appointed 24 A4)ri120231 It is with regret that the Irustees report the PaSWFYJ of Mrs D Howel on 22 January 2023. N8W trustees are selected by the members in General MeeÈ"ng and 8 maionty vole of Ihtsse FKesent is necessary to make the sdecl'on. There is an Executive Board Consistiro ol the to fNe mernbers ewed ar)nu8lEy by Church membership. Officer5 in addition to this Sist of :_ al First and Second Readers bl President cl Librarian dl Sunday School Superintendenl el Clerk fj Treasurtr The irustees. port was approve(I by the Boarij of Trustees. Mrs A H Evans TTUStee Dated..
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST. SCIENTIST. POOLE I report lo the trustees on my examination of the financial strtemer of First Churth of Chftsl, Sclenlisl, Poole (the charity) for the year ended 31 Decernber 23. ResponsibllStl•s and basls of rnport As the trustees of the charity you are respon for the weparalion of the finan(xal statements in accordance with the requirèments of the CharibesAct 2011 (the 2011 Acl). I report in respect of my examination of the charlS finanfial statements caTried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act. In carying out my examination I have folknved all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under secon 14515)(bl of the 2011 Ad. Independent examinerfB Statement I have completed my examination. l Confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connectio) vrith Ihe examination giving me Cause lo belyève that in any rnaterial respect-. accounting records were not kept in respect of the tharity as required by section 130 ofthe 2011 Act,. or the finanaal statements do not accord with thosè records.. or ihe finanual slaternents do not compty with the applicable reqU1ments u)nceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulab"on5 2008 other than any requirernent that the accounts gNe a true and fair Mew which is not a matter considered as part of an independent gxamination. I hav¢ no concems and havfj Ce auoss no Othgr m*ters in o)nneclN)n wrth the examination lo which altèntion should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the finanual stslements lo be reached. Harrisons C ere ountants 4 Brackiey 108e Boumemoulh Intemational "rport Christchurch Dorset BH23 6SE Dalgd..
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 3 | 49,077 | 25,711 |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 3,256 | 3,131 |
| Investments | 5 | 13,583 | 15,564 |
| Total income | 65,916 | 44,406 | |
| Charitable activities | 6 | 73,884 | 55,054 |
| Net expenditure and movement in funds | (7,968) | (10,648) | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Fund balances at 1 January 2023 | 303,370 | 314,018 | |
| Fund balances at 31 December 2023 | 295,402 | 303,370 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST. POOLE BALANCE SHEET AS A T 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Fixed assets Tangle assets 10 179.647 186,834 Current assets Stocks Dsblors Investments Ca$h at bank and in hand 1.930 6.854 70.577 41.999 1.747 2,140 112,587 2.052 12 13 121,360 118,526 ¢redilors'. amounts falllng duo wrthln ono ye&r 14 15,6051 {1,990 Nel current 8Ssats 115,755 116,536 Total a$ts l•ss eurront Il#btiitJg$ 295.402 303.370 Funds ol the charlty Unreslri¢led funds 295.402 303,370 295,402 303,370 The finandal stai•m*nty were approved by Ihe Tn168 on . Z!:I: Z o Mrs A H Evans Trust••
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is 2A Church Road, Lower Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, BH14 0NN.
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
-
expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
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other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Freehold buildings 2% straight line Fixtures and fittings 10% straight line Equipment 5% straight line
Freehold land is not depreciated.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.7 Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
1.8 Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.
1.9 Financial instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
3 Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations and collections | 40,616 | 19,730 |
| Covenants and gift aid | 8,461 | 5,981 |
| 49,077 | 25,711 |
4 Income from charitable activities
| Reading | Reading | |
|---|---|---|
| room | room | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Sales within charitable activities | 3,256 | 3,131 |
5 Income from investments
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Rent receivable | 10,150 | 15,488 |
| Interest receivable | 3,433 | 76 |
| 13,583 | 15,564 |
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
6 Charitable activities
| Church activities Reading room 2023 2023 £ £ Charitable activities 4,888 7,309 Share of support costs (see note 7) 53,705 6,072 Share of governance costs (see note 7) 1,910 - 60,503 13,381 Support costs Support costs Governance costs £ £ Website costs - - Church Activities 59,777 - Legal and professional - 1,910 59,777 1,910 Analysed between Charitable activities 59,777 1,910 |
Total 2023 Church activities Reading room 2022 2022 £ £ £ 12,197 8,013 7,527 59,777 30,035 7,789 1,910 1,690 - 73,884 39,738 15,316 2023Support costs Governance costs £ £ £ - 1,123 - 59,777 37,824 - 1,910 - 1,690 61,687 37,824 1,690 61,687 37,824 1,690 |
Total 2022 £ 15,540 37,824 1,690 |
|---|---|---|
| 55,054 | ||
| 2022 £ 1,123 37,824 1,690 |
||
| 39,514 | ||
| 39,514 |
7 Support costs
Governance costs includes independent examiners fees of £1,710 (2022- £1,690).
8 Trustees
None of the trustees received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
9 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, POOLE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 10 Tangible fixed assets Freehold land and buildings Fixtures and fittings Equipment £ £ £ Cost At 1 January 2023 355,676 21,688 9,348 Additions - 524 - At 31 December 2023 355,676 22,212 9,348 Depreciation and impairment At 1 January 2023 173,142 17,388 9,348 Depreciation charged in the year 6,934 777 - At 31 December 2023 180,076 18,165 9,348 Carrying amount At 31 December 2023 175,600 4,047 - At 31 December 2022 182,534 4,300 - 11 Stocks 2023 £ Total stock 1,930 12 Debtors 2023 Other debtors 4,420 Prepayments and accrued income 2,434 6,854 13 Current asset investments 2023 £ Short term deposits 70,577 14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2023 £ Accruals and deferred income 5,605 |
Total £ 386,712 524 |
|---|---|
| 387,236 | |
| 199,878 7,711 |
|
| 207,589 | |
| 179,647 | |
| 186,834 | |
| 2022 £ 1,747 |
|
| 2022 2,140 - |
|
| 2,140 | |
| 2022 £ 112,587 |
|
| 2022 £ 1,990 |
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