## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION** # **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED December 31, 2023** ## **Trustees** Mrs M Paul - Chair Mrs J Bentley Mrs M Knight Mrs P M McCarthy Mrs R Gorton Mrs E J Marshall (appointed 3rd May 2023) **Registered Charity No. 249736** ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION** ## **Year ended 31 December 2023** ## **Contents** |Page|| |---|---| |1|Independent Examiner's Report| |2-3|Financial Report| |4|Statement of Financial Activities| |5|Balance Sheet| |6-10|Notes to the accounts| ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS’ UNION Charity No. 249736** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2023 as set out in the annexed sheets. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** : The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of accounts. The Charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act; - follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and - state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement** : My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** : In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (i) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met: or - (ii) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Address: Hill House, 1 Smiths Court High Road, Thornwood Epping, Essex CM16 6BD Date 8th July 2024 1 ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS’ UNION** ## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023** Mothers’ Union is a Christian mission organisation working through grassroots membership to support families and communities both in this country and around the world, and was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1926. ## **Vision (the essence of our work)** Our vision is of a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. ## **Aim & Purpose (what we want to achieve)** To demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurture of family in its many forms. ## **Mission (how we go about achieving our vision)** - Supporting and promoting marriage; - Encouraging parents in their role to develop the faith of their children; - Maintaining a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service; - Promoting conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children; - Helping those whose family life has met with adversity. When planning our activities, we have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. We are confident our mission reflects this guidance. ## **Organisation** Chelmsford Diocesan Mothers’ Union is organised within 18 deaneries. In each deanery there are branches, which coincide, in most instances, with church parishes. Branches hold regular meetings, usually monthly, and events are also held at deanery and diocesan level. Chelmsford Diocesan Mothers’ Union is governed by a Trustee body, which meets at least four times a year. There are two Council Meetings each year, which all members are entitled to attend. One is preceded by a General Meeting, as required by the Charity Commission, at which the Annual Review and Summary of Accounts are presented. Elections for all officers are held triennially. The next elections will take place in 2024. ## **Finance Review** We continue to be grateful to our members for contributing so generously to Mothers' Union projects: £4283 was received into the Diocesan Account for the MSH General Fund and Fundraising Appeals, an increase on the previous year. Within the Diocese, AFIA received donations of £3218 with the expenditure for holidays and days out totalling £3202 The available funds in the AFIA restricted Account stands at £12199. Grants totalling £4980 for the financial years of April to March 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 were made by CAFCAS to the Contact Centre Fund, Expenditure totalled £1695 leaving a balance of £20936. English for Women received grants and donations of £43011 and a total of £38864 was expended in running the project. The fund now stands at £26893. During the year one branch closed and one branch moved to the new MU Lite model of membership where members transfer to Diocesan membership, this prevented them from having to close due to the continuing problems with filling branch committee positions. Fewer new members were enrolled in the year and there is still a real concern that the overall membership is declining year on year and key action points continue to be raised by the Trustees to attempt to turn this around, along with a constant review of operational expenses. The Trustees are very appreciative of and grateful for the hard work of the deanery officials, branch officers, members and volunteers without which the Charity would be unable to continue its work towards fulfilling the mission of The Mothers Union. 2 CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION R•part gf lh• TrustM• lor th• y••i •nd•d 31￿ O•¢•fflbw 2023 l¢ontd) Inv••lm•n¢ PolbGy The Trustoos havo d￿re￿o￿ 10 knve81 ￿n09 ￿ Immwjigl￿Y nood•J # vley sèe spp￿pn￿e. Th• TnJSle￿ Iw adopted a low r*sk ¢￿1¢Y of ￿Ve9￿￿ SLtrplLts lunds In bank d•pwi accounls so Ihal Ihey are Imm•thalely AVAilabl& ID rnael Ch#nty"8 requir?mwls. RM•rv•s PollGy As the th8nly Its Mem1￿5b￿ knc(Yne lo Meet athnintytr8bve costs and Ihll irK4yn? rn •ll ltr4￿d In nfst quarter of ihe y•ar. lh• Trustms conskjqf li nmds lo retsln suftlueni frva lo c¢rnr 12 mc￿th% s￿•m•M ol Tru•t•M R••pon•lblllll•¥ Th• Trusl••s ar• r•sponsitrt• rrf•pantya th• TnJSI•￿ ft•F￿rf ￿ lh• IinBncJ•l itai•m•rtts ¢n •ccordwc• ¥*th gppl1c9b￿ law and regulalKm•. Chariiy Law In England and Wale5 reqvlros Iho injsiees to Pf•pHr* finBnclal slaternenis lor eaeh fin8ncl•l ￿81. Under lh• L•v4 lh• Iruslees have eknied lo prepare Ihe fingncijl StaleMen￿ in accordance *ilh Unllod KiTrJ¢Jcffi A￿¢PIed Accountsng Praclic• Iurbitsd Klngdom Accojnling Sl8nd•rd> and applkablo lawl. The nnanci81 Jtsi•m•ffls are requir•d by law to give B true and lair wew of lh• Bl•lo ol affairs ol iha chonty 8nO ol th• Incoming resourc•s and appllcaVDn of 14sour￿5 DI lh• crI￿lY lor Ihmi p•riDd. Ix wapanffj theM nMne4al aiemenis. Ihe iruJl•eg Ave Tequlred lo SelKI SUrt#t￿• accotsnllnq policb•s •nd •Wy ih•m ce•san Molh8rs' Union Thoy ar• also r•#pon6iblè saloguardiTrJ Iho ass•ls ol lh• chathy antl h￿¢* for rn••orth •lfr￿ lor Ilm w•YMt4on and dèl8clion ol fraud (x wy olhw Irregul8ntie8. pro*••d by lh• TnJstoe• acPJ . 2024 •nd $buMd M 8ulhtyLq•d ￿ Ih•lr behalf by,. M P•ul Ch•imi¥n ol Trult ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31 December 2023** |**Note**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Incoming resources from members and grants
2(a)
Other voluntary incoming resources
2(b)
Income from charitable and ancillary trading
2(c)
Other ordinary incoming resources
2(d)
Income from investments
2(e)
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES USED**
Activities directly related to the work of the charity
3(a)
Fund-raising expenditure
3(b)
Costs of ancillary trading
3(c)
Management and administration
3(d)
Grants
3(e)
**TOTAL RESOURCES USED**
**NET INCOME (OUTGOINGS)**
**RESOURCES FUNDS TRANSFER**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT
1ST JANUARY 2023
**BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT**
**31 DECEMBER 2023**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
31,183
2,771
1,691
2,124
72
37,841
28,377
565
1,495
12,361
0
42,798
(4,957)
0
(4,957)
75,221
70,264|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
51,209
0
0
0
332
51,541
41,047
0
0
0
0
41,047
10,494
0
10,494
51,512
62,006|**Endowment**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
82,392
56,160
2,771
2,449
1,691
1,424
2,124
1,966
404
34
89,382
62,033
69,424
54,691
565
361
1,495
1,030
12,361
12,941
0
0
83,845
69,023
5,537
(6,990)
0
0
5,537
(6,990)
126,733
133,723
132,270
126,733| |---|---|---|---|---| All operations are continuing and there are no discontinued operations in either year. There are no gains or losses other than those stated above. The notes on pages 6 to 10 form part of these accounts. 4 CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Not• 2023 2022 CURRENT ASSETS Deblors Stock Cash al bank and In hand 27.203 28,885 203 99.013 128,101 110.578 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE wrrHIN ONE YEAR 6,110 1,368 NEf CURRENT ASSETS 132,270 126,733 NET ASSETS 132,270 126,733 FUNDS Unrestrlded Reslncled End0￿rIen1 70,264 62,006 75,221 51.512 10 132.270 126.733 Approved by the Trustees on ...... and slqn•d on rts b+hall Maxine P8uI Dlocesan Presldenl Patrlda Mccarthy Diocesan Treasurer The notes on pa8t$ 6 to 10 tomi part rrf these a¢￿￿￿ts. ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2023** ## **1 Accounting polices** The financial statements of the charity have been prepared in accordance with: - Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP FRS102) - and with Accounting Standards - and with the Charities Act. The financial statements have been prepared on the accruals basis and under the historical cost convention and include all funds for which the charity has financial responsibility. ## **Funds** _Endowment funds_ are funds, the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established. _Restricted funds_ represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the endowment or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the Trustees for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The Trustees do not usually invest separately for each fund. _Unrestricted funds_ represent the funds of the charity that are not subject to any special restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the charity. ## **Incoming Resources** Subscriptions from members are accounted for in the year for which they are due. Donations and income from fund-raising are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the Trustees are legally entitled to the amount due. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross of related expenditure. ## **Resources used** Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the Trustees. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. ## **Fixed assets** The charity has no fixed assets. 6 ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION** **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023** |**2**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
2(a)
_Incoming resources from members_
Planned giving:
Subscriptions
Income tax recoverable on subscriptions (Estimated)
Magazine subscriptions
Sundry donations
AFIA
Contact Centres
English for Women (Inclusive of Grants & Fund Matching)
2(b)
_Other voluntary incoming resources_
Grants & legacies
Other donations to Mothers Union
Fund-raising events
2(c)
_Income from charitable and ancillary trading_
Sale of literature, badges and stationery
2(d)
_Other ordinary incoming resources_
Pleshey retreat
Sundry income
2(e)
_Income from investments_
Bank interest
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
25,547
1,523
0
4,113
0
0
0
31,183
0
2,771
0
2,771
1,691
1,691
1,360
764
2,124
72
72
37,841|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0
0
3,218
4,980
43,011
51,209
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
332
332
51,541|**Endowment**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
25,547
25,990
1,523
1,551
0
0
4,113
2,111
3,218
1736
4,980
1236
43,011
23536
82,392
56,160
0
0
2,771
2,449
0
0
2,771
2,449
1,691
1,424
1,691
1,424
1,360
1,130
764
836
2,124
1,966
404
34
404
34
89,382
62,033| |---|---|---|---|---| 7 ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023** |**3**
**RESOURCES USED**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
3(a)
_Activities directly relating to the work of the charity_
Subscriptions to Mothers Union
18,448
Member donations to Mothers Union projects
7,002
Magazine subscriptions
0
Additional contribution to Mothers Union
0
Costs of running own projects
2,714
Speakers expenses
213
Hire of halls
0
Costs of area days, training etc
0
28,377
3(b)
_Fund-raising_
Cost of fund-raising events
565
565
3(c)
_Costs of ancillary trading_
Purchase of literature, badges and stationery
1,495
1,495
3(d)
_Management and administration_
Administration:
Officials expenses
1,835
Council expenses
502
Secretary's fees
3,929
Printing, postage & stationery
770
Conference fees
84
General branch expenses
2,681
Commissioning of President and Trustees
0
Other expenses
0
Independent Examiners fee
750
Insurance
450
Pleshey retreat costs
1,360
Sundry donations to Mothers Union projects
0
12,361
3(e)
_Grants_
0
0
**TOTAL RESOURCES USED**
42,798|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0
0
41,047
0
0
0
41,047
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
41,047|**Endowment**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
18,448
19,640
7,002
1,982
0
0
0
0
43,761
32,875
213
194
0
0
0
0
69,424
54,691
565
361
565
361
1,495
1,030
1,495
1,030
1,835
1,215
502
344
3,929
4,200
770
1,382
84
847
2,681
1,572
0
724
0
177
750
750
450
450
1,360
1,280
0
0
12,361
12,941
0
0
0
0
83,845
69,023| |---|---|---|---| 8 **7** **8** **9** ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023** ## **4 TAXATION** As a registered charity the organisation is exempt from taxation on its income and gains where they are applied for charitable purposes. ## **5** |**ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS**|**2023**|**2022**| |---|---|---| ||**£**|**£**| |Secretary's Fees|3,929|4,200| |The charity has one part-time administrator.||| |No volunteers received any remuneration from the charity.||| ## **6** ## **RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS** None of the Trustees were paid any remuneration during the year (2022 Nil). Small amounts of travelling expenses were paid to Trustees for attending Trustees and Council meetings. |**DEBTORS**
Bank and Cash Balances Held by Branches
Prepayments
Other Debtors (Estimated) *
* The amount repayable from Gift Aid has yet to be determined
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE**
Subscriptions received in advance
Other Creditors
**ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND**
Current Assets
Liabilities|**YEAR**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
48,572
6,110
42,462|**2023**
**£**
21,959
728
4,516
27,203
**2023**
**£**
298
5,812
6,110
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
62,006
0
62,006|**2022**
**£**
23,475
800
3,112
27,387
**2022**
**£**
224
908
1,132
**Endowment**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0| |---|---|---|---| 9 **10** ## **CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MOTHERS UNION** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023** ## **ANALYSIS OF RESTRICTED FUNDS DEPOSIT ACCOUNT** The movement on Restricted Funds (see note 9) consists of:- |Balance as at 1 January 2023
Fundraising income as allocated
by branches (inclusive of Grants
and Fund Matching)
Transfer to general fund
Costs incurred
Balance as at 31 December 2023
Interest Earned on Restricted Fund -
Savings Account|**AFIA**
**Fund**
**£**
12,183
3,218
15,401
(3,202)
12,199|**Contact**
**Centres**
**£**
17,651
4,980
22,631
(1,695)
20,936|**English for**
**Women**
**£**
21,650
43,011
64,661
(36,150)
28,511|**Interest**
**£**
28
0
28
0
28|**Total**
**£**
51,512
51,209
102,721
(41,047)
61,674
332
62,006| |---|---|---|---|---|---| 10