Charity number: 501141
THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Trustees Mrs A Binch D C Brown P Faulkner Mrs P Smith Minister Rev Maria Pap Charity registered number 501141 Principal office The Old Meeting House 1 Old Meeting House Yard Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG18 1QR Registered address 3 Pinewood Drive Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG18 4PG
THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Trustees' Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of The Old Meeting House (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document, The Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Policies and objectives
In setting the objectives and planning for activities, the trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.
The principal objective of the charity is religious worship by members of the Unitarian Church and fellowship within our religious doctrine.
Grant making policies
The charity makes grants and donations in accordance with its principal objectives. Funds received from E M Unitarians, The Woodhead Trust, Notts Historic Churches and various individuals are all of a general purpose.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Review of activites
The trustees consider that the performance of the charity has been satisfactory.
Religious services were conducted throughout the year together with the associated activities of weddings, christenings and funerals. Members of the Church also conducted fellowship activity and fundraising in support of funds.
Members of the congregation voluntarily support fundraising activities, Ministerial expenses being the major expense of the church. The trustees consider that the funds available to the Charity are sufficient for its continued operation and that it is solvent at this time. Reserves are available for income to provide finance for Chapel expenditure and for any proposal regarding the purchase of Freehold Property for Manse purposes.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The statement of financial activities shows the results for the year and this is represented by the investment portfolio and cash at bank.
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Trustees' Report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Constitution and method of appointment of trustees
The governing documents require trustees to monitor the finance and assets of the Unitarian Church within Mansfield, known as The Old Meeting House. Trustees are to be greater than two and appointment is at the discretion of the continuing trustees. In the event of difficulties with appointment, The East Midlands Unitarians shall act as custodian trustee.
This report was approved by the trustees on 29 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Mrs P Smith
Trustee
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Independent Examiner's Report
to the Trustees of The Old Meeting House Unitarian Church for the year ended 31 December 2024
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Old Meeting House for the year ended 31 December 2024.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charity'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 2011 Act.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant reguations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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 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.
This report is made to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters that I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
J E Tye Chartered Accountant Mansfield 25 August 2025
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Statement of Financial Activites for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Note INCOME FROM: Donations and legacies 2 Investment income 3 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 4 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Movement in fair value of investments NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 18,309 56,175 74,484 113,374 (38,890) 12,566 (26,324) 494,556 468,232 |
Total funds 2024 £ 18,309 56,175 74,484 113,374 (38,890) 12,566 (26,324) 494,556 468,232 |
Total funds 2023 £ 27,437 58,606 86,043 87,723 (1,680) 21,335 19,655 474,901 494,556 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 6 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS Investments 6 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS CHARITY FUNDS Unrestricted funds 8 TOTAL FUNDS |
2024 £ 362,275 - 105,957 105,957 468,232 468,232 468,232 |
2023 £ 349,709 - 144,847 144,847 494,556 494,556 494,556 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 29 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by
D C Brown Mrs P Smith Trustee Trustee
The notes on pages 6 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation of the financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charites SORP (FRS 102) applicable from 1 January 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The 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. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) applicable from 1 January 2019 and Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The Old Meeting House constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
1.2 Going concern
Changes in general economic conditions brought about by the geopolitical landscape have impacted the values of the charity’s investments during the year. The trustees continue to monitor and review the performance of the investment portfolio.
The trustees believe it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of preparation of the financial statements.
1.3 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not beed designated for any other purposes.
1.4 Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
1.5 Government grants
Grants of a revenue nature are recognised in the statement of financial activities in the same period as the related expenditure.
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
1.6 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Charitable activities and governance costs are costs incurred on the charity's operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
All resources expended are inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
1.7 Investments
Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value through the statement of comprehensive income if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably. Other investments are measured at cost less impairment.
1.8 Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income in other administrative expenses.
1.9 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.10 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of these amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
1.11 Financial instruments
The charity only has basic financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| 2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Donations and legacies Fundraising events 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Interest and dividends Rental income 4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Salaries Chapel upkeep costs Donations |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 16,575 1,734 18,309 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 9,615 46,560 56,175 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 45,533 66,260 1,581 113,374 |
Total funds 2024 £ 16,575 1,734 18,309 Total funds 2024 £ 9,615 46,560 56,175 Total funds 2024 £ 45,533 66,260 1,581 113,374 |
Total funds 2023 £ 25,985 1,452 27,437 Total funds 2023 £ 9,307 49,299 58,606 Total funds 2023 £ 42,757 43,266 1,700 87,723 |
|---|---|---|---|
The average number of employees during the year was 4 (2023: 4).
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024
5. NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME
No trustees received any remuneration from the charity during the year (2023: £nil). No trustees received any benefits in kind from the charity during the year (2023: £nil). Reimbursement of trustees' expenses amounted to £378 (2023: £678).
The charity did not undertake any transactions with related parties during the year (2023: £nil).
6. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
| FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS Cost or valuation At 1 January 2024 Additions Revaluations At 31 December 2024 |
Listed investments £ 349,709 - 12,566 362,275 |
Total £ 349,709 - 12,566 362,275 |
|---|---|---|
The fair value of listed investments is determined by reference to the quoted price for identical assets in an active market at the balance sheet date.
| 7. DEBTORS Prepayments and accrued income |
2024 £ - |
2023 £ - |
|---|---|---|
8. RESERVES
General fund
The general fund represents cumulative surplus and deficits net of other adjustments, to be applied in furthering the objectives of the charity. General funds have not been designated for any specific purpose.
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THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024
9. STATEMENT OF FUNDS
STATEMENT OF FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR
| Balance at Income 1 January 2024 £ £ Unrestricted funds General funds 494,556 74,484 STATEMENT OF FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR Balance at Income 1 January 2023 £ £ Unrestricted funds General funds 474,901 86,043 ANALYSIS OF ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Fixed asset investments 362,275 Current assets 105,957 468,232 |
Resources expended £ (113,374) Resources expended £ (87,723) Total funds 2024 £ 362,275 105,957 468,232 |
Gains/ (losses) £ 12,566 Gains/ (losses) £ 21,335 Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 349,709 144,847 494,556 |
Balance at 31 December 2024 £ 468,232 Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 494,556 Total funds 2023 £ 349,709 144,847 494,556 |
|---|---|---|---|
10. ANALYSIS OF ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There are no additional related party transactions to disclose.
12. PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT
Bank accounts previously controlled by the trustees of the Woodhead Trust and operated for the sole benefit of the Old Meeting House have been brought into the charity's balance sheet during the year. Net income that was previously paid over to the charity by way of an annual grant is now recognised within other income and expenditure.
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