Charity registration number: 250712 ## First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford upon Avon Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 |Trustee' Report|1 to 3| |---|---| |Independent Examiner's Report|4| |Statement of Financial Activities|5| |Balance Sheet|6| |Notes to the Financial Statements|7 to 15| The trustee present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The purpose and work of the Church is to maintain and spread the truth as set forth in the Bible and interpreted in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and to act in strict obedience to the spirit and letter of the "Manual of The Mother Church." When planning our activities for the year, the church has considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, and in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. The church carried out its mission to promote the cause of Christian Science to all, by holding Sunday Services, a Sunday School, and Wednesday Testimony Meetings; by opening its Reading Room five days a week as a place for study and the purchase of Christian Science literature; and by holding a public lectures. The church has made a difference through its community outreach in order to help improve people's well-being. The trustee confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The trustees consider the present level of funding adequate to support the continuation of the charity's aims and services for the forthcoming period. It is the trustee's opinion that this level is required to take account of any future uncertainties. The current level of reserves on 31 December 2023 was £647,147 of which £62,286 relates to cash, stocks and prepayment. The trustees actively review the risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining reserves at current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks faced by the charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks. Page 1 |Charity Registration Number:|250712| |---|---| |Principal Office:|26 Ely Street| ||Stratford upon Avon| ||Warwickshire| ||CV37 6LW| |Trustees|Mrs P J Chatterley| ||Mrs J M Bremner-Smith| ||Mrs G J Claxton| |Other Officers:|Mrs G M Payne, Treasurer| |Independent Examiner:|Mr R E Hopkins| ||Independent examiner| ||57 Windsor Road| ||Evesham| ||Worcestershire| ||WR11 4QF| |Accountants:|Stratford Accounting Limited| ||57a Henley Street| ||Stratford upon Avon| ||Warwickshire| ||CV37 6PT| |The trustees and officers serving|during the year and since the year end were as follows:| |Trustee:|Mrs G M Payne (resigned 31 December 2023)| ||Mrs P J Chatterley| ||Mr M W Claxton (resigned 31 December 2023)| ||Mrs J M Bremner-Smith (appointed 1 January 2024)| ||Mrs G J Claxton (appointed 1 January 2024)| |Other Officers:|Mrs G M Payne, Treasurer (appointed 1 January 2024)| Page 2 The Church is constituted under a trust deed dated 7 November 1949 and governed under the By-Laws (amended August 2017) and Standing Orders of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford-upon-Avon and under the Manual of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. The trustees are selected in line with Article 10 Section I of the Church by laws as follows: The Church lands, buildings and furnishings (hereinafter referred to as “the Church property”) shall be vested in the Official Custodian (Charity Commission). The Executive Officers and Trustees of the church as a registered charity shall be an Executive Board of three or more members, all of whom shall be members of The Mother Church and this Church. The administration of the church as a charity will be vested in those members of the Executive Board in post at any one time, and they will therefore be the Trustees of the church as the term is used in relation to charities….the term ‘trustees’ is generally used rather than ‘Board members’ or ‘the Board.’ The annual report was approved by the trustee of the charity on 25 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by: ## G.J.Claxton > G.J.Claxton (Oct 27, 2024 08:37 GMT) ......................................... Mrs G J Claxton Trustee Page 3 I report to the trustee on my examination of the accounts of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford upon Avon for the year ended 31 December 2023. As the charity trustee of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford upon Avon 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 First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford upon Avon'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. 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 kept in respect of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford upon Avon as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do comply with the accounting 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. > Robert Hopkins (Oct 26, 2024 18:06 GMT+1) ...................................... Mr R E Hopkins Independent examiner 57 Windsor Road Evesham Worcestershire WR11 4QF 25 October 2024 Page 4 |Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investment income
4
Total income
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13|80,902
1,788
94
82,784
(48,087)
(48,087)
34,697
34,697
612,450
647,147|80,902
1,788
94| |---|---|---| |||82,784| |||(48,087)| |||(48,087)| |||34,697| |||34,697
612,450| |||647,147| The notes on pages 7 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 5 |Tangible assets
8
Stocks
9
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
11
12
Unrestricted funds
13|586,233
2,000
107
60,179
62,286
(1,372)
60,914
647,147
647,147
647,147|601,291
2,000
109
11,337| |---|---|---| |||13,446
(2,287)| |||11,159| |||612,450| |||612,450| |||612,450| |||| The financial statements on pages 5 to 15 were approved by the trustee, and authorised for issue on 25 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by: ## G.J.Claxton > G.J.Claxton (Oct 27, 2024 08:37 GMT) ......................................... Mrs G J Claxton Trustee The notes on pages 7 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6 The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford upon Avon meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured. Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released. All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Page 7 The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows: Improvement to property 2.5% reducing balance Furniture and equipment 15% reducing balance Office equipment 33.33% reducing balance Land and Building Nil Organ Nil Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO). are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities. are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Page 8 |Grants, including capital grants;
Grants from other charities
Regular giving and capital donations|66,123
14,779
80,902
22,003|66,123
14,779| |---|---|---| |||80,902| |||22,003| |||| During the year, the church received regular grants from The Christian Science Trust. Total £16,123. In February 2023, the church also received a one off, £50,000 grant from Colchester Christian Science Society upon their closing. |Library sales|1,788
1,788
806|1,788| |---|---|---| |||1,788| |||806| |||| |Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits|94
94
9|94| |---|---|---| |||94| |||9| |||| Page 9 |Library purchases
Rates
Light, heat and power
Repairs and maintenance
Telephone and fax
Computer software and maintenance costs
Printing, postage and stationery
Trade subscriptions
Sundry expenses
Cleaning
Advertising
Accountancy fees
Other services
Legal and professional fees
Bank charges
Insurance
Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs
Allocated support costs|3,975
248
2,502
2,649
779
396
437
298
161
1,529
559
1,084
5,137
360
145
1,653
16,191
9,984
48,087
39,747|3,975
248
2,502
2,649
779
396
437
298
161
1,529
559
1,084
5,137
360
145
1,653
16,191
9,984| |---|---|---| |||48,087| |||39,747| |||| Page 10 |Trustee remuneration|9,984
9,984
6,848|9,984| |---|---|---| |||9,984| |||6,848| |||| The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. Page 11 |At 1 January 2023
Additions
At 31 December 2023
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022|15,045
-
15,045
-
-
-
15,045
15,045|16,309
327
16,636
6,412
1,533
7,945
8,691
9,897|-
804
804
-
268
268
536
-|636,890
-
636,890
61,340
14,389
75,729
561,161
575,550|800
-
800
-
-
-
800
800|669,044
1,131| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||670,175| |||||||67,752
16,190| |||||||83,942| |||||||586,233| |||||||601,292| Page 12 |Stocks
Prepayments
Cash on hand
Cash at bank
Trade creditors
Accruals
General|612,450|82,784|2,000
107
30
60,149
60,179
72
1,300
1,372
(48,087)|2,000| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||109| |||||30
11,307| |||||11,337| |||||-
2,287| |||||2,287| |||||647,147| Page 13 First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford upon Avon Notes to the Financial Statements forthe Year Ended 31 De￿mber 2023 (continued) Balance at 1 January 2022 Balance at 31 December 2022 Incoming resources Resources expended Unrestricted funds General 629 379 22 818 39.747 612.450 Page 14 |Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets|586,233
62,286
(1,372)
647,147
601,291
13,446
(2,287)
612,450|586,233
62,286
(1,372)| |---|---|---| |||647,147| |||601,291
13,446
(2,287)| |||612,450| Page 15 |Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investment income
Total income
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|80,902
1,788
94
82,784
(48,087)
(48,087)
34,697
34,697
612,450
647,147|22,003
806
9| |---|---|---| |||22,818| |||(39,747)| |||(39,747)| |||(16,929)| |||(16,929)
629,379| |||612,450| This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 16 |Collections
Grants - other agencies
Library sales
Interest on cash deposits
Library purchases
Trustees remuneration
Rates
Light, heat and power
Repairs and maintenance
Telephone and fax
Computer software and maintenance costs
Printing, postage and stationery
Trade subscriptions
Charitable donations
Sundry expenses
Cleaning
Travel and subsistence
Advertising
Accountancy fees
Other services
Legal and professional fees
Bank charges
Insurance
Depreciation of fixtures and fittings
Depreciation of office equipment
Depreciation on improvement to property|14,779
66,123
80,902
1,788
1,788
94
94
(3,975)
(9,984)
(248)
(2,502)
(2,649)
(779)
(396)
(437)
(298)
-
(161)
(1,529)
-
(559)
(1,084)
(5,137)
(360)
(145)
(1,653)
(1,534)
(268)
(14,389)
(48,087)|17,011
4,992| |---|---|---| |||22,003| |||806| |||806| |||9| |||9| |||(1,856)
(6,848)
(415)
(1,793)
(2,177)
(671)
(232)
(48)
-
(350)
(106)
(1,133)
(18)
(494)
(678)
(4,523)
(300)
(165)
(1,436)
(1,746)
-
(14,758)| |||(39,747)| This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 17 ## FCCS 2023 CHARITY ACCOUNTS Final Audit Report 2024-10-27 Created: 2024-10-26 By: Angie Withers (angie@stratfordaccounting.com) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAhj3vsbovR2FRV7yM92VpAeZ_wJYAwjmG ## "FCCS 2023 CHARITY ACCOUNTS" History ## Document created by Angie Withers (angie@stratfordaccounting.com) 2024-10-26 - 2:30:40 PM GMT- IP address: 213.105.228.248 ## Document emailed to Gwen Claxton (gwen@japhet.co.uk) for signature 2024-10-26 - 2:30:43 PM GMT Document emailed to Robert Hopkins (rob.hopkins500@googlemail.com) for signature 2024-10-26 - 2:30:43 PM GMT ## Email viewed by Gwen Claxton (gwen@japhet.co.uk) 2024-10-26 - 2:33:29 PM GMT- IP address: 81.154.224.214 ## Email viewed by Robert Hopkins (rob.hopkins500@googlemail.com) 2024-10-26 - 5:02:09 PM GMT- IP address: 66.249.93.10 ## Document e-signed by Robert Hopkins (rob.hopkins500@googlemail.com) Signature Date: 2024-10-26 - 5:06:26 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 18.171.192.227 Signer Gwen Claxton (gwen@japhet.co.uk) entered name at signing as G.J.Claxton 2024-10-27 - 8:37:42 AM GMT- IP address: 81.154.224.214 ## Document e-signed by G.J.Claxton (gwen@japhet.co.uk) Signature Date: 2024-10-27 - 8:37:44 AM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 81.154.224.214 ## Agreement completed. 2024-10-27 - 8:37:44 AM GMT