**Charity Registration Number: 249721**
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Financial Statements**
**for the year ended 31st December 2024**
Page 1
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Contents**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Legal and Administrative Information|**2**|
|Trustees' Report|**3 - 5**|
|Independent Examiner's Report|**6**|
|Statement of Financial Activities|**7**|
|Balance Sheet|**8**|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|**9 - 15**|
Page 2
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Charity Information**
Charity Name: Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Charity Registration Number: 249721
Governing Document:
The Society is governed by a Royal Charter dated 15th June 1926, amended by a supplemental Charter dated 5th September 1974. Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool is an autonomous body affiliated to Mothers' Union worldwide. It is bound by the central constitution of Mothers' Union, in so far as it relates to the activities of a Diocese. The affairs of Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool are managed by Trustees appointed by the Diocesan Council.
Principal Business Address: Mothers' Union Office St James House 20 St James Road Liverpool L1 7BY
Trustees: Mrs E.C. Collins Diocesan President Mrs P. Lewis Vice President /Secretary Mrs B. Boden Area Lead Sefton/ Links Miss B. Kinvig Area Lead Huyton Mrs S. Sharp Area Lead Liverpool Ms J. Longworth Area Lead Wigan Ms R Loxham Area Lead North Meols Mrs J. Gladders Area Lead Ormskirk Mrs C. Harper Area Lead Widnes Mrs E. Clarke Membership Ms J. Spilsbury Indoor Members Other Officers: Mrs B. Stratford Hon Diocesan Treasurer Rev'd Canon C. Dowdle Hon Chaplain Mr U. Russell Training Officer Independent Examiner: Mr C.S. Hughes 106 Stanley Park Litherland Liverpool L21 9JU
Bankers: TSB Charlotte Row Box 1000 BX1 1LT (Liverpool Branch)
Page 3
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Trustees' Report for the year ended 31st December 2024**
The trustees present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024.
## **Reference and administrative details**
The details are set out on page 2.
## **Trustees**
The trustees who served during the year are as stated below:
Mrs E.C. Collins Mrs P. Lewis Mrs C. Smaller Miss B. Kinvig Mrs B. Boden Mrs S. Sharp Mrs J. Roskell Mrs J. Miller Mrs J. Gladders Mrs C. Harper Mrs E. Clarke
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Governing document**
The Society is governed by a Royal Charter dated 15th June 1926, amended by a supplemental Charter dated 5th September 1974. Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool is an autonomous body affiliated to Mothers' Union worldwide. It is bound by the central constitution of Mothers' Union, in so far as it relates to the activities of a Diocese. The affairs of Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool are managed by Trustees appointed by the Diocesan Council.
## **Trustee induction and training**
New trustees meet with the existing trustees to brief them on their legal obligations under charity law, the content of the Trust Deed, the trustees and decision making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
## **Organisation**
The organisation is run by a board of trustees that delegate day to day matters to the Secretary. The board of trustees meet on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss matters appropriate to the charity.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have a risk management strategy which includes:
- a review of the risks the charity may face;
- the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified; and
- the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
- development and implementation of other risk management procedures including health and safety and fire safety;
- a financial reserves policy;
- an investment policy.
## **Volunteers**
The charity is grateful for the commitment of its volunteers who are involved in all aspects of the charity's operations.
Page 4
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Trustees' Report for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
## **Objective and activities**
The purpose of the Mothers' Union is to be specially concerned with all that strengthens and preserves marriage and Christian family life.
The Aim of the Society is the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life. In order to carry out its Aim, its Objects:
- To uphold Christ's teaching on the nature of marriage and promote its wider understanding
- To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the church
- - To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service
- To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children
- To help those whose family life has met with adversity
When planning our activities for the year, the trustees gave consideration to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
The activities undertaken by the Charity to further its objectives were:
- conducting meetings
- running community projects
- organising activities and groups
## **Achievements and performance during the year - Diocesan President's Report**
This year was the end of a triennial; time to say goodbye to people who have served on the Trustee board, some of the branch leaders and our Provincial President.
Our work with AFIA continues with us offering holidays and days out to those in need. We have also helped families make memories when a member of the family has had a terminal illness.
We were able to take over 40 people to a retreat and weekend of training at Cliff College with the support of Jeff Engel's legacy.
Our work with prisons continues to expand with the new parenting course being carried out at Hinley Prison and our new connection with Liverpool Prison.
We have taken part in the Mothers' Union Rise Up Campaign with a lot of our branches achieving bronze and silver awards. We also continue to support the awareness of Modern Day Slavery.
Our Christmas Appeal was to make sure that every child in our communities had a book for Christmas, with them being distributed through the Food Bank and other similar agencies.
## **Financial Review**
## **Results for the year**
The results for the year are set out on page 7.
## **Investment powers and policy**
The charity has the power to invest in any way the trustees wish and currently some funds are invested in interest bearing bank accounts.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees have established the level of reserves (that is those funds that are freely available) that the charity ought to have, which is equal to twelve months’ of normal unrestricted expenditure. Reserves are needed to even out any short term funding gaps between spending and the related income. The trustees therefore consider that the ideal level of reserves as at 31st December 2024 would be £57,000 (2023: £59,000). The current level of reserves are £81,000 (2023: £80,000).
Page 5
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Trustees' Report for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
## **Plans for future periods**
Next year we wish to expand our work with prisons and universities and local communities, and expand our compaining against modern day slavery and domestic violence with more awareness and practical help. We also hope to expand our reach with our AFIA project. We look forward to welcoming our new trustee board.
## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
Charity law 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 its surplus or deficit for that year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- 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 company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. 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.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 16th October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
E C Collins Diocesan President
Page 6
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese) [the Trust] for the year ended 31 December 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:
- (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- (2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- (3) 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.
**Mr C.S. Hughes 106 Stanley Park Litherland Liverpool L21 9JU**
**17th October 2024**
Page 7
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2024**
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Note**
**£**
**INCOME FROM:**
Donations and Legacies
2
42,662
3
7,527
Investments
4
1,868
5
5,321
**TOTAL INCOME**
57,378
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities
6
54,518
7
2,420
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
56,938
440
10
203
0
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
643
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
80,873
643
81,516
**GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENT**
**ASSETS**
Total funds brought forward at 1st January 2024
Total funds carried forward at 31st December
2024
**NET INCOME**
**TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS**
(as previously reported)
Fund movement in the year
Raising Funds
Charitable activities
Other trading activities|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
10,835
0
0
0
10,835
11,429
0
11,429
-594
-203
0
-797
91,700
-797
90,903|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
53,497
132,324
7,527
10,817
1,868
538
5,321
4,302
68,213
147,981
65,947
57,699
2,420
3,044
68,367
60,743
-154
87,238
0
0
0
0
-154
87,238
172,573
85,335
-154
87,238
172,419
172,573
**TOTAL FUNDS**|
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Balance Sheet at 31st December 2024**
|**Note**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible fixed assets
11
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Stock
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
13
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**
14
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total charity funds
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE**
**YEAR**|**2024**
**£**
1
406
0
182,609
183,015
10,597
172,418
172,419
0
172,419
81,516
90,903
172,419|**2023**
**£**
1
240
0
182,681
182,921
10,349
172,572
172,573
0
172,573
80,873
91,700
172,573|
|---|---|---|
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 16th October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
……………………………………………………… E C Collins
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.
Page 9
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015) and applicable UK Accounting Standards.
## **Funds**
General funds represent the funds of the charity that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the charity. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the trustees are also unrestricted.
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific conditions imposed by the donors or through the terms of an appeal.
Transfers of funds are made to recognise the release of restricted funds or to meet expenditure not covered by restricted income.
The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the charity is held responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of groups that owe their main affiliation to another body.
## **Income**
## Donations and legacies
Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is included in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which it is received by or on behalf of the charity. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
The charity received substantial amounts of voluntary help from its supporters, but no attempt is made to place a financial value on these services and they have not been included.
## Grants receivable
Grants are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
## Other income
Rental income from the letting of the charity's premises is recognised when the rental is due.
## Income from investments
Dividends and interest are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting period.
## Gains and losses on investments
Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31st December.
## Volunteers
No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.
Page 10
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
## **1 Accounting policies (cont.)**
## **Expenditure**
## Grants
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the charity.
Raising funds
All expenses relating to fundraising, publicity, public relations and investment management charges are charged to this heading.
## Charitable activities
Charitable activities comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both the costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## Irrecoverable VAT
All resources expended are classified under activity headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.
## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
- Freehold leasehold land and buildings 2% on cost (or valuation) - Fixtures & fittings 20% reducing balance - Musical equipment 20% reducing balance
All equipment, fixtures and fittings with an original cost of less than £1000, are written off in the year in which the expenditure was incurred on the basis that due to the nature of the charity's activities, there is no expectation that the cost of the assets will be recovered in the way of future revenues.
## **Investments**
Investments are valued at market value at 31st December. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
## **Current Assets**
Amounts owing to the charity at 31st December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.
Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit at the bank.
## **Operating Leases**
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the income and expenditure account as incurred.
## **Contingent Liabilities and Provisions**
In accordance with the SORP, a contingent liability is disclosed for those grants, which do not represent liabilities, where the possible obligation, which arises from past events, will only be confirmed by the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the trustees' control. Provisions are recognised for those grants where there is uncertainty as to the timing or amount, and any uncertainty regarding the amount is more than one of determining a basis for reasonable estimation of the liability arising from that constructive obligation.
Page 11
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
## **1 Accounting policies (cont.)**
## **Charitable status and taxation**
As a registered charity, the charity benefits from rates' relief and is generally exempt from income tax and corporation tax. The charity is not registered for value added tax.
|**INCOME FROM:**
**Unrestricted Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**2**
**Donations and Legacies**
Subscriptions
25,416
0
Gift Aid Tax Recoverable
0
0
Collections at meetings
9,568
0
Refreshments
1,361
0
Legacies
0
9,800
Sundry Donations
6,317
1,035
42,662
10,835
**3**
**Other trading activities**
Fetes and other fundraising events
7,527
0
7,527
0
**4**
**Investments**
Bank Interest
1,868
0
1,868
0
**5**
**Charitable activities**
MU Enterprises
3,059
0
Clifft College
685
0
Scargill
1,577
0
5,321
0
**Total Income**
57,378
10,835|**TOTAL**
**Unrestricted Restricted**
**2024**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
25,416
28,597
0
0
0
0
9,568
9,220
0
1,361
1,296
0
9,800
0
85,800
7,352
6,518
893
53,497
45,631
86,693
7,527
10,817
0
7,527
10,817
0
1,868
538
0
1,868
538
0
3,059
4,126
0
685
30
0
1,577
146
0
5,321
4,302
0
68,213
61,288
86,693|**TOTAL**
**2023**
**£**
28,597
0
9,220
1,296
85,800
7,411
132,324
10,817
10,817
538
538
4,126
30
146
4,302
147,981|
|---|---|---|
Page 12
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
|**Unrestricted Restricted**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**6**
**Charitable activities**
Grants
Childrens Fund
0
353
AFIA Fund
0
2,767
IMPC
0
0
Links
0
0
Other Donations
3,469
0
3,469
3,120
Subscriptions
19,205
0
Speakers Expenses
1,348
0
Refreshments
4,550
0
Room Hire
2,445
0
Branch Telephone and Postage
465
0
Trustee Expenses
546
0
Training Costs
120
0
Clifft College
685
8,036
Scargill
1,577
273
Insurance
450
0
Miscellaneous
4,597
0
Cost of MU Enterprises Sales
2,977
0
80
0
Wages
10,569
0
Honorariums
400
0
Office and General Expenses
1,035
0
54,518
11,429
**7 Raising Funds**
Costs of other fund raising efforts
2,420
0
2,420
0
**Total Expenditure**
56,938
11,429
Independent Examination|**TOTAL**
**Unrestricted Restricted**
**2024**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
353
0
0
2,767
0
353
0
0
319
0
0
0
3,469
6,182
0
6,589
6,182
672
19,205
19,551
0
1,348
966
0
4,550
4,623
0
2,445
2,976
0
465
158
0
546
412
0
120
1,362
279
8,721
470
0
1,850
250
0
450
450
0
4,597
5,046
0
2,977
3,573
0
80
80
0
10,569
9,538
0
400
400
0
1,035
711
0
65,947
56,748
951
2,420
3,044
0
2,420
3,044
0
68,367
59,792
951|**TOTAL**
**2023**
**£**
0
353
319
0
6,182
6,854
19,551
966
4,623
2,976
158
412
1,641
470
250
450
5,046
3,573
80
9,538
400
711
57,699
3,044
3,044
60,743|
|---|---|---|
Page 13
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
|**8**
**Net income**
Net income is stated after charging:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Staff costs (see note 9)
Accountancy & Independent Examination
**9**
**Staff Costs**
Wages and Salaries|**2024**
**£**
0
10,569
80
**2024**
**£**
10,569
10,569|**2023**
**£**
0
9,938
80
**2023**
**£**
9,938
9,938|
|---|---|---|
The average number of full-time equivalent employees (including casual and part-time staff) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
|Management & Administration|**2024**
1
1|**2023**
1
1|
|---|---|---|
During the year the charity employed members of staff as detailed above. None (2023: None) of whom earned more than £60,000 p.a. Trustees were reimbursed working expenses during the year. There were no other discloseable transactions in respect of trustees, persons closely connected with them or other related parties.
## **10 Transfer Between Funds**
This relates to the transfer of subscriptions for Indoor Members from funds held for those purposes.
## **11 Tangible Fixed Assets**
|**COST OR VALUATION**
At 1st January 2024
Additions
At 31st December 2024
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1st January 2024
Charge for the year
At 31st December 2024
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31st December 2024
At 31st December, 2023|**£**
2,447
0
2,447
2,446
0
2,446
1
1
**Fixtures &**
**fittings**|**Total**
**£**
2,447
0
2,447
2,446
0
2,446
1
1|
|---|---|---|
Fixtures, fittings and equipment comprises items used in the administration of the charity.
Page 14
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
|**12 Debtors**
Income Tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
**13 Liabilities: Amounts falling due within one year**
Trade Creditors
Deferred Income - Subscriptions
Accruals|**2024**
**£**
0
0
0
**2024**
**£**
0
10,437
160
10,597|**2023**
**£**
0
0
0
**2023**
**£**
0
10,269
80
10,349|
|---|---|---|
## **14 Analysis of Net Assets by Fund**
|Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Liabilities after more than one year
**Fund Balance**
**Movement on funds**
**At 1st**
**January**
**2024**
**£**
Unrestricted funds
General fund
80,873
Total unrestricted funds
80,873
Restricted funds
2,134
3,124
380
0
541
85,521
Total restricted funds
91,700
**Total funds**
172,573
Links
AFIA
IMPC
Children's Fund
M.E. Dodd
Jeff Engel|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
1
92,112
-10,597
0
81,516
**£**
57,378
57,378
265
720
0
50
0
9,800
10,835
68,213
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**(inc. gains)**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
0
90,903
0
0
90,903
**£**
56,938
56,938
353
2,767
0
0
0
8,309
11,429
68,367
**Outgoing**
**Resources**|**Transfers**
**£**
203
203
0
0
0
-50
-153
0
-203
0|**Total**
**£**
1
183,015
-10,597
0
172,419
**At 31st**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
81,516
81,516
2,046
1,077
380
0
388
87,012
90,903
172,419|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **15 Movement on funds**
Page 15
## **Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)**
## **16 Fund Details**
Details of the various funds held by the charity are as follows: **Name of fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund** Unrestricted funds General fund Any monies not included in any other fund. Restricted funds Children's Fund This fund was set up to collect monies to be used for Children. AFIA This fund was set up to collect monies to send people on day trips or holidays. Links This fund was set up to collect monies to support Diocesan Links. IMPC This fund was set up to collect monies for Indoor Members M.E. Dodd This fund was set up to hold the donation provided by M.E. Dodd to be used to support Indoor Members within a certain mileage of Liverpool Jeff Engel This fund was set up to hold the legacy provided by Jeff Engel to be used to support members to attend residentials and training days.
## **17 Taxation**
As a charity, Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese) is exempt from tax on income and gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity.
## **18 Contingent liabilities**
The charity had no contingent liabilities at 31st December 2024 (2023: None).
## **19 Capital commitments**
The charity had no capital commitments at 31st December 2024 (2023: None) either contracted for or authorised by the trustees but not contracted for.