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2020-12-31-accounts

MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS) Registered charity 249814

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2020

MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2020

CONTENTS Page
Trustees’ Annual Report 4-6
Independent Examiner’s Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Principal Accounting Policies 10-11
Notes to the Financial Statements 12-14

NB: In the report ‘The Mothers Union’ refers to the central organisation

2

MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2020

Charity registration number 249814
Principal office Mothers' Union
41 Holywell Hill
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 1HD
01727 858979
sec_mustalbans@btconnect.com
Trustees
Mrs Kim Wilkinson Diocesan president
Mrs Mary McKeand Vice president
Mrs Jill Thomson Communications coordinator
Mrs Sandra Wright Action & Outreach coordinator
Mrs Janet McKinney Finance & Administration coordinator
Miss Sue Oxlade Faith & Social policy coordinator
Mrs Chris Powell Diocesan members coordinator
Mrs Kathie Lally Development coordinator
Treasurer Mr David Burbidge
Bankers Barclays Bank plc
PO Box 104
16/18 St Peter's Street
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL3 4DZ
Independent examiner Mr Terry Thurley

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2020

President’s review of the year 2020

This is the second year of the current triennium, 2019-2021. As we restructured at the beginning of this year, the trustee board now consists of eight trustees including myself, plus two observers, the Diocesan Chaplain and the Newsline Editor. We have met three times physically throughout the year and then twice most months via zoom. We have discussed the affairs of the charity and continue to work towards moving Mothers’ Union (MU) within the Diocese of St Albans forward in accordance with the constitution, and through the vision of MU: of a world where God’s love is shown through the loving, respectful and flourishing relationships and promoting Christian Family Values.

In 2020 the Diocese consisted of 994 members. Of these 379 were Diocesan Members, plus we had 83 Prayer Circle Friends. Branches have continued to close with their members moving on to become Diocesan Members. All members paid an annual subscription of £30.00 of which £14.50p was sent to Mary Sumner House (MSH), with an option of paying £10.50 for the yearly subscription of Families First (MU magazine).

Grateful thanks go to Liz James, Diocesan Secretary and David Burbidge, Diocesan Treasurer, for their continued support and dedication, without which MU within the Diocese of St. Albans would not be as successful as it is. Grateful thanks also go to all the Trustees and officers, plus our MUE manager for all their work and commitment to MU throughout the year, along with all the officers within clusters, branches and groups. It is greatly appreciated.

During this year, as Diocesan President, I have met two of the Bishops in the Diocese prior to Covid-19 lockdowns and have continued to promote MU as much as possible at Diocesan level. Due to Covid-19 we were unable to hold our three diocesan meetings in person. However, we did manage to hold the Annual Meeting/Autumn Sharing Day in November via Zoom. This included the Annual Reports and a summary of the Financial Statements, which also appeared in our Autumn magazine and was sent via post to ALL members prior to the meeting. Our speaker for the day was Bev Jullien, the CEO of MU, following her talk we had Midday Prayers and broke for lunch. We re-joined for a Fellowship Service in the afternoon. Clusters, branches, and diocesan members groups have kept in touch with their members via email, telephone, and post. I have also attended two Zoom Provincial Meetings where I met up with other Diocesan Presidents from around the Province, as well as several Zoom meetings from MSH, our worldwide head office.

I have been aware that not all members are on Zoom, although more are trying to use technology out of necessity, I have therefore produced monthly letters to go to everyone. All officers (including branch leaders) have received them directly via email, they have been asked to forward them to their members or read them over the telephone or deliver a hard copy. Thus, all members have been contacted each month.

We have continued our outreach projects as much as possible both locally and worldwide. Within the Diocese knitting to the hospitals neo-natal units, emergency toiletries and activity bags, along with memory books and twiddle cuffs for dementia units and residential homes have continued to be distributed. Christmas cards for prisoners were distributed, although due to the pandemic Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre has changed its use temporarily. We remain in contact and will resume our support as soon as we are allowed. As holidays have had to be suspended, we have not been able to send families away via our Away From It All (AFIA) project, however we have continued supporting the three Women’s Refuges around the Diocese by supplying bedding, kettles, toasters, pots & pans plus utensils as ‘start-up’ packs for when the families move to their own homes, plus Easter Eggs and Advent Calendars were given to the children when allowed. Work has continued, where possible within our parishes on local projects. We also continue supporting campaigns initiated by Mary Sumner House.

I feel privileged in continuing in my role as Diocesan President during my second triennium, especially as we have faced the additional challenges that the Coronavirus has imposed. MU within the Diocese of St Albans continues to be pro-active and moving forward. We have managed to continue achieving much over this last year and I look forward, encouraged by the support and commitment of our members, to my final year as Diocesan President when we will continue to do God’s work in our churches and communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

Kim Wilkinson – Diocesan President

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Constitution and mission

The name of the charity is Mothers' Union: St Albans Diocese. It is an unincorporated association registered as charity number 249814. It is affiliated to Mothers' Union, a charity incorporated by Royal Charter (charity no: 240531) through its shared aim and purpose, and by virtue of its acceptance as an affiliate by the central charity and its adherence to the rules and regulations of the movement. The Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of St Albans will draw its membership from and operate within Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire in the area corresponding to the Church of England Diocese of St Albans. Membership is open to all men and women who have been baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity and who support the Vision and Aim and Purpose of The Mothers’ Union.

Trustees are elected by the membership on a triennial basis, after a procedure of nomination and voting. Trustees may serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms in any one office or responsibility.

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.

Objectives (how we go about achieving our vision)

  1. To promote and support married life.

  2. To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children.

  3. To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.

  4. To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children.

  5. To help those whose family life has met with adversity.

Mothers’ Union is firmly rooted in a voluntary ethos. Its governance, leadership ,and activities are driven by and undertaken through its members.

Policy on reserves

Mothers' Union the Diocese of St. Albans is a registered charity and, as such, is required by the Charity Commission to have a policy regarding the reserves of money that it retains. Responsibility for establishing an appropriate Reserves Policy lies with the Trustees. The Trustees must be able to demonstrate why the holding of a particular level of reserves is right for the charity, by reference to the charity's current position and prospects.

MU Diocese of St. Albans has two major sources of funds - members' subscriptions and the monies raised for specific MU funds. Some specific or “Restricted” monies for MU Funds are received by MU Diocese of St. Albans for onward transmission to the central Mothers' Union. MU Diocese of St. Albans has no ongoing liabilities in respect of the projects funded with these monies, for which the central Mothers' Union is responsible.

MU Diocese of St. Albans also has its own Restricted Funds, for example: Away From It All (AFIA), held for regularly approved diocesan projects for which there are no ongoing liabilities because any expenditure only equals the donations received for that particular Fund. There is no need for MU Diocese of St. Albans to maintain reserves in respect of the restricted funds. Any balances held should be shown in the normal course of accounting.

MU Diocese of St. Albans is responsible for meeting the Aims and Purpose of The Mothers' Union and current expenses are budgeted in line with the expected income from members. Membership is currently falling but a sudden reduction in members is not anticipated and a reasonable income can be forecast for the coming years. MU Diocese of St. Albans would wish to maintain the current activities, which also underpin the fund-raising activities, and retain a limited flexibility to fund and start new projects. The Mothers' Union is changing, and MU Diocese of St. Albans must also retain some flexibility in respect of the activities that may be required of it in the future.

Having due regard to the present position of MU Diocese of St. Albans, a reserves policy which retains up to 40% of the current annual level of expenditure, excluding movements in funds, is thought to be appropriate. The Trustees, through the Mothers' Union the Diocese of St. Albans office holders, will be accountable for ensuring that this policy is applied to diocesan funds and to all funds held by Branches.

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2020

Trustee’s responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the charity and the group at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and breaches of law and regulations.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by

Trustee: Kim Wilkinson

Trustee: Janet McKinney

Date: 21[st] August 2021

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Report to the trustees of MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 Charity no 249814

Set out on pages 8 to 14

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:

  2. proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 41 of the Act); and

  3. accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: T Thurley

Date: 20[th] June 2021

Terry Thurley 15 Hampden Close Flitwick Beds MK45 1HR

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES & BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31[st] December 2020

S O F A
Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Subscriptions
Fund Raising
1
Sales of Literature
2
Commission on Literature Sales
2
Prayer book sales
Tax Recovered on Gift Aid
Interest Received
Sundry Receipts
Branch/Deanery net income(exp)
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES USED
Grants
1
Subs to MSH
2
Literature Purchases
2
General & Administrative
3
Travel
4, 5
Publication Expenses
MSH Courses & Conferences
2
Meetings & Services
Corporate Governance costs
4
Sundry Expenses
Donations
TOTAL RESOURCES USED
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
TRANSFERS TO RESERVES
1
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD
1
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD
1		 S O F A
Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Subscriptions
Fund Raising
1
Sales of Literature
2
Commission on Literature Sales
2
Prayer book sales
Tax Recovered on Gift Aid
Interest Received
Sundry Receipts
Branch/Deanery net income(exp)
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES USED
Grants
1
Subs to MSH
2
Literature Purchases
2
General & Administrative
3
Travel
4, 5
Publication Expenses
MSH Courses & Conferences
2
Meetings & Services
Corporate Governance costs
4
Sundry Expenses
Donations
TOTAL RESOURCES USED
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
TRANSFERS TO RESERVES
1
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD
1
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD
1		 Diocesan
General
Reserve
29,905
-
-
365
5,375
-
811
-
8
4,061
-
165
-
179
-
(7,432)
-
33,072
365
-
900
14,455
-
5,959
-
16,550
-
630
-
1,027
-
153
-
(50)
-
156
-
338
-
10,700
-
49,918
900
(16,846)
(535)
-
-
39,104
3,128
22,258
2,593
Unrestricted Funds		 Diocesan
General
Reserve
29,905
-
-
365
5,375
-
811
-
8
4,061
-
165
-
179
-
(7,432)
-
33,072
365
-
900
14,455
-
5,959
-
16,550
-
630
-
1,027
-
153
-
(50)
-
156
-
338
-
10,700
-
49,918
900
(16,846)
(535)
-
-
39,104
3,128
22,258
2,593
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
Funds
-
15,442
-
-
-
-
-
-
15,442
15,418
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15,418
24
-
13,181
13,205
General
29,905
-
5,375
811
8
4,061
165
179
(7,432)
33,072
-
14,455
5,959
16,550
630
1,027
153
(50)
156
338
10,700
49,918
(16,846)
-
39,104
22,258

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES & BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31[st] December 2020

BALANCE SHEET
ACCUMULATED FUND
Note
Balance as at 1st January
Diocesan surplus/(deficit) for the year
Balance as at 31 December
RESERVES AND OTHER FUNDS
1
TOTAL FUNDS
REPRESENTED BY
Central Board of Finance of C of E Deposit a/c
Current Assets:
Stocks of Literature
Literature Commission due
Gift Aid due
Prepayments
Cash & Bank Balances
less Current Liabilities:
Prepaid subscriptions
Account payable/Retreat deposits
TOTAL ASSETS		 2020
39,104
(16,846)
22,258
15,798
38,056
24,000
1,716
500
3,500
-
36,235
(27,895)
38,056		 2019
38,501
603
39,104
16,309
55,413
32,000
1,843
500
4,800
-
43,708
(26,818)
(620)
55,413

These financial statements were approved by the board on Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees

Trustee: Kim Wilkinson

Trustee: Janet McKinney

Date: 21[st] August 2021

9

MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES & BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31[st] December 2020

BASIS OF PREPARATION

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost (except that investments are shown at market value) in accordance with:

Change in basis of accounting

In accordance with SORP 2005, as a charity with a gross income of over £100,000, the charity has formally moved to an accruals basis of accounting. Because of the nature of the charity’s activities, there is no material restatement of previous years accounts required as a result of this change of policy. Where the information is conveniently available, certain items have been restated or reanalysed to reflect changed disclosure requirements.

INCOMING RESOURCES

Recognition of incoming resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

Incoming resources with related expenditure

Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or literature) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Allocation to specific funds

As a charity associated with The Mothers’ Union, the charity raises funds and collects members’ subscriptions to aid the work of The Mothers’ Union, both for its work in general and for its specific funds. Other specific funds are for the work done directly by this charity, many of which are initiatives in common with other regional Mothers’ Union charities, operating in their own geographical areas.

Donations and fundraising for specific funds are allocated to the relevant fund on receipt. However, the majority of activities at the branches are general fundraising and the branch members in general meeting decide on the allocation between specific funds, usually after the end of the relevant year, and submit payment from local bank accounts with the result of the members’ decision. These resources are allocated to specific funds on receipt of these instructions.

Tax reclaims on donations and gifts

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SoFA in the year in which they are receivable. Tax reclaims are not allocated to specific funds or between restricted and unrestricted funds.

Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.

Investment income

This is included in the accounts when receivable. Investment income is not allocated between specific and general funds or between restricted and unrestricted funds.

10

MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES & BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31[st] December 2020

EXPENDITURE AND LIABILITIES

Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Governance costs

Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Grants payable

These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grant which remain in the control of the charity.

ASSETS

Tangible fixed assets for use by charity

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. Assets valued at less than £1,000 are written off during the year of acquisition and charged to the Diocesan Reserve.

Stocks and work in progress

These are valued at the lower of cost or market value.

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2020

1 Reserves and restricted funds

RESTRICTED FUNDS
The Mothers' Union
B & I Development Fund
General Fund (MSH)
Relief Fund
Summer of Hope
Overseas Development Fund
MSH appeals
Literacy & Financial Education
St Albans Diocese projects
Away From It All
Diocesan Project Fund
Special Regional Meeting
TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS
Diocesan Reserve
TOTALS
2019 totals		 Balance
Balance
1st Jan
Transfers
Receivable
Paid
31st Dec
-
1,473
1,473
-
68
-
3,691
3,759
-
171
-
187
358
-
754
754
-
735
-
3,235
3,970
-
1,274
1,183
91
446
446
974
-
11,060
11,943
91
4,207
-
2,365
6,572
4,603
-
2,016
3,474
3,145
3,396
-
3,396
12,206
-
4,381
3,474
13,113
13,180
-
15,441
15,417
13,204
3,129
-
365
900
2,594
16,309
-
15,806
16,317
15,798
17,708
27,012
28,411
16,309

Description of funds

Fund Name Type Purpose and restrictions Funds of The Mothers’ Union Britain & Ireland Restricted Provides grants for projects in the provinces of Canterbury, Development Fund Wales, Ireland, Scotland and York. The financing of the fund comes from donations, by gift or special effort. The fund was introduced to help members who may want to start or develop projects. General Fund Restricted Funds for the general operations at Mary Sumner House (Mary Sumner House) Relief Funds Restricted

Provide funds specifically for emergencies and disasters, such as war, famine and flood. Because Mothers’ Union often has workers already in the affected areas, emergency supplies can be purchased locally and so reach those who are suffering very quickly. Monies raised for East Africa Relief are subsumed within this fund but separately identified to provide relief within East Africa.

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Overseas Restricted Provides funds to The Mothers’ Union to support overseas
Development Fund projects. This supports a wide variety of schemes -
wherever possible they are self-help / income-generating
activities. However there are about 300 paid Mothers' Union
workers overseas and their salaries, and the equipment they
need for their work, are also charges on the fund.
Literacy & Financial Restricted This Programme teaches literacy and numeracy in Sudan,
Education Malawi, and Burundi. It receives its funding from the
Programme Overseas Development Fund, and donations can be
specifically identified to support the work of the Programme.
Summer appeal Restricted Supports transports costs of Overseas Mothers Union
workers
Charitable Funds Operated by St Albans Diocese
Away From It All Restricted Provides funds for the "Away From It All" (AFIA) holiday
(AFIA) scheme which gives a needed break to families that would
not otherwise have a holiday.
Diocesan Project Restricted This is a fund for specific projects sponsored by the Diocese
Fund from time to time.
Members Support Restricted Provides funds for those who are housebound for any
reason, whether increasing frailty or disability or having
responsibilities as a carer.
Special Regional
Meeting		 Restricted Provides funds for worldwide council meetings of The
Mothers Union, held every ten years
Other Funds Operated by St Albans Diocese
Diocesan Reserve Unrestricted Provides funds for specific needs of the Diocese, including
replacement and new capital equipment.

2 Transactions with connected parties

The Mothers’ Union (Charity registration number 240531) is a connected party with shared aims and objectives and a similar constitution. Part of each member’s subscription includes a subscription for the purposes of The Mothers’ Union. Members’ voluntary fundraising is also allocated in part to specific projects and causes of The Mothers’ Union. The amounts raised and passed to The Mothers Union are shown in the movements in funds in note 1. The subscription payment to Mary Sumner House was £14455

All publications, literature and other goods are supplied by MU Enterprises Limited (“MUe”), the trading subsidiary of The Mothers’ Union, and these amounts are shown separately in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA). The Mothers Union also supplies training courses and conferences, the costs of which are shown on the SoFA as MSH Courses and conferences.

3 Staff costs

Included in general and administration costs are gross salary and employers’ national insurance costs of £7758 (2019 £7378) . The charity employs one part-time employee (2019–one part time)

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MOTHERS’ UNION (DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2020

4 Governance costs

Governance costs during the year comprised

e costs during the year comprised
Hire of rooms
Trustees’ travel expenses
Independent examiner’s fees

2020
(56)
212
0
£156		 2019
170
540
0
£710

5 Trustee expenses

Expenses paid to trustees during the year, and the number of trustees claiming these expenses comprised:

2020 2019
As trustees
Number of trustees 8 8
Trustees’ travel expenses £212 £540
For other duties
Number of trustees 8 8
Travel expenses £322 £1937

6 Fixed assets

The charity writes off all fixed asset purchases under £1,000 to the Diocesan Reserve on acquisition. Currently the charity holds no fixed assets with an original cost or valuation of over £1,000.

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