South Aston United Reformed Church
Annual Report - Year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
The Church is a constituent part of the United Reformed Church that was formed by Act of Parliament in 1972. South Aston Church (SAC) is a separately registered charity with a charity number allocation 516837 and therefore complies with the reporting requirements for charities in the preparation of its financial statements as outlined in the Charities Act 1993 and subsequent Statements of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORPs).
The Church’s business is conducted through the means of quarterly church meetings and an annual general meeting held in May of each year. Elders of the Church meet on a monthly basis to deal with business between Church meetings.
The following committees are responsible for specific elements in the life of the Church:
Finance Buildings and Fire Safety South Aston Youth and Community Work Working with Older People (WWOP)
The Finance Committee has responsibility to prepare annual budgets and associated information necessary for the reporting of the commitments and financial position of the Church. These matters are tendered to the Trustees (Elders) for their consideration along with recommendations as appropriate.
The Finance Committee is made up of the Church Treasurer, a Trustee (Elder), Church Accounts Advisor, Church Centre Co-ordinator and two other persons nominated by the Church meeting.
Appointment of New Officers and Trustees
Members become Trustees on being appointed as Elders. Elders serve a three-year term and retire by rotation and can be re-elected for further terms. All Officers and Committee Members are appointed by the Annual General Church meeting and elected or re-elected annually.
Related parties
The Church is part of a pastorate with 5 other churches in the Walsall and West Birmingham Pastorate, and is an active participant in the group of Churches from various denominations in the area, known as Aston Churches Working Together.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the Church are to advance the Christian religion in accordance with the doctrines, principles and usages of the United Reformed Church in the South Aston area of Birmingham.
Ref. Finance/Accounts/Annual Report 2024-25
Page 1
South Aston United Reformed Church
Annual Report - Year ended 31 March 2025
Members, volunteers and four paid members of staff, which include two Ministers in a job share, provide guidance, support and outreach to develop these objectives. These are broadly classified as Ministry and Mission, work in the community at large, work with older people and provision of other outreach activities. Numerous activities are carried out at the premises during the week including a Food Pantry, English lessons, Wednesday Welcome, etc. Of these paid members of staff the Ministers are funded directly from the United Reformed Church of England and Wales.
Ministerial oversight has been altered during the year under notice. The two Ministers are responsible for a group of six churches in a group known as the Walsall and West Birmingham Pastorate, with the two ministers job sharing one post. Collectively this is a joint pastorate with each church a separate entity in both organisational and accounting functions.
Finance Review
The Trustees are responsible for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Church as at the end of each annual financial period and of the financial activities for that period. In preparing the financial statements they should ensure that they:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
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Make judgement and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the Charities SORP and with applicable accounting standards.
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Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Church will continue to function.
The Trustees, who meet monthly, are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records, to prepare financial statements that comply with the Charities Act 1993 and sufficient internal controls to safeguard the assets of the Church and to prevent fraud and other irregularities.
The Church’s income and expenditure is below the level requiring an audit by a Registered Auditor. Instead a review by an Independent Examiner is appropriate and in this direction the Trustees have appointed Mrs Gillian Wall to act in this capacity.
Financial Statements
The Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025 has been prepared in compliance with Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP) as revised in 2005. The analysis of income and expenditure reflects the classification of activities, together with costs relating to administration. The Church does not sell goods or services for commercial profit but does generate income from hiring of rooms, etc. and other events to help defray expenses.
Ref. Finance/Accounts/Annual Report 2024-25
Page 2
South Aston United Reformed Church
Annual Report - Year ended 31 March 2025
Statement of Financial Activities
In regard to the General Fund account, it will be seen that in the financial year under notice, there was an excess of expenditure over income of circa. £9,500. By far and away the largest item on the income side of the account is hire of rooms, parking etc., and this has again held strong with an increase of over £4,500 against the 2023/24 accounts. It will be seen that there has been a significant increase in the Churches gas and electricity charges of over £7,500. There was also a large increase in church maintenance and church flat costs. The latter required after a change of tenant during the year.
The Church Centre was built in 1973 and we are continuing to address the need to replace or improve items relating to the fabric of the buildings of the centre.
The Elders/Trustees are continually examining the Charity’s finances with a view to seeking means of endeavouring to increase giving and fund raising. Outgoings are constantly under review.
Balance Sheet
The Church Centre buildings, a small area of land in the district of Lozells Birmingham and the Manse are the property of the United Reformed Church of England and Wales and as such are not valued in these accounts. The manse property was sold during the year (although completion did not take place until May 2025), after the retirement of the Minister. A new property has been purchased to provide for the two Ministers now responsible for the group of churches.
Reserves
Unrestricted funds are needed to cover continual new works and property maintenance outgoings. In this direction and pursuant to previous stated intention, a new maintenance account was established in recent times. The tenth full year of this account appears in this report.
Sources
The Trustees are continually conscious of the need to provide for funds for the upkeep of the Church Centre buildings and in this regard are constantly seeking innovative and new means of fundraising as has been mentioned earlier in this report.
Ref. Finance/Accounts/Annual Report 2024-25
Page 3
South Aston United Reformed Church
Annual Report - Year ended 31 March 2025
Future Plans
There are no significant plans for the 2025/26 year apart from the matter of the Church sanctuary heating system. Currently, this is a warm air system dating back to the buildings construction in 1973 and although the main boiler was replaced some 10 years ago, it is an expensive system to run and now well beyond its useful life. A boiler/radiator system installation is proposed for the ensuing year.
As mentioned in the previous report, the current Church Minister retired during the year and was replaced by a man and wife team of two Ministers who now oversee 6 Churches across the Walsall and West Birmingham Pastorate.
These accounts were accepted and adopted on
By order of the Trustees
Mrs Ann Tempest - Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
Date: ______
Mrs Lynn Purchase - Member of Finance Committee (elected by Church Members)
Date: ______
Ref. Finance/Accounts/Annual Report 2024-25
Page 4
South Aston United Reformed Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024-2025
Charity No.516837
THE GENERAL FUND - 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025
| THE GENERAL FUND- 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| AN UNRESTRICTED FUND FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH | 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 |
| RECEIPTS: A1a - Giving Cash offerings Envelope offerings Donations Tax reclaim on Gift Aid Fund raising Savings Club donated interest |
847.05 11,164.81 5,170.95 3,033.83 0.00 28.10 20,244.74 |
495.39 11,653.14 850.31 2,905.35 0.00 27.57 |
| A1b - Operating Hire of rooms, halls and parking Caretaking Office use payments Age Office use payments Co-ordinator Lunch Club rental (Day Centre Fnd) |
29,988.00 505.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 30,493.00 |
25,717.00 1,175.00 846.00 0.00 0.00 |
| A1c - Investments Ground rent on land in Lozells Bank interest Church Flat rent Net dividends on investments |
4,100.00 235.13 8,561.94 5,606.70 18,503.77 |
4,100.00 306.73 5,773.00 5,433.12 |
| A1d - Other Ministerial Contribution - Wilton Rd Ministerial Contribution - Bishop Latimer Pulpit Supply Reimbursement From Maintenance Account From Youth & Community Manse Repairs from URC Insurance Claim Refund Refund Ministerial Expenses Shares Redemption RSA Council Tax Refund - Flat |
676.80 0.00 0.00 4,464.00 10.50 710.00 1,460.00 49.00 2,488.90 9.57 9,868.77 |
795.00 795.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
| 79,110.28 | 60,872.61 |
Page 1
South Aston United Reformed Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024-2025
Charity No.516837
THE GENERAL FUND - 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025
AN UNRESTRICTED FUND FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH
| THE GENERAL FUND- 1st April 2024- 31st March 2025 AN UNRESTRICTED FUND FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH |
THE GENERAL FUND- 1st April 2024- 31st March 2025 AN UNRESTRICTED FUND FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 | ||||
| PAYMENTS: A2a, Fundrse Fundraising costs A2b CharityURC National Ministry Fund Ministerial costs Donations and gifts MANSE: Water Supply Insurance Telephone Security system Maintenance Council Tax Major Works WORSHIP: Pulpit supply Church Music Worship and Outreach BUILDING: Cleaning Cleaning Materials Church Gas Church Electric Water Supply Insurance Maintenance Major Building Maintenance Works Church Flat costs ADMIN.: Telephone Stationery copying and postage OTHER: Minibus Church Catering Church Caretaking Church Gardening Equipment Bank Charges Other Trans to Co-ordinators ac. (from General Fund Acc) DBS check Commitment for Life A2c Other - Receipts for year Expenditure for year Excess Receipts (Expenditure) for year Combined cash & bank assets as at 1st April 2024 Combined cash & bank assets as at 31st April 2025 Excess Income/Expenditure for year |
17,640.00 1,747.26 558.75 156.63 0.00 153.72 0.00 465.00 555.67 0.00 1,480.00 787.86 1,038.97 7,226.03 1,838.74 6,163.73 6,756.63 1,639.15 4,867.42 7,643.80 0.00 5,414.56 1,473.41 2,562.45 0.00 714.58 2,809.47 1,960.30 0.00 237.41 0.00 12,807.12 49.50 21.25 88,769.41 |
0.00 16,926.00 645.20 990.69 314.55 0.00 323.95 65.00 910.00 1,270.48 0.00 960.00 560.00 644.15 5,690.72 2,044.58 2,389.87 3,243.14 1,954.58 4,346.38 3,243.98 0.00 1,131.84 1,398.12 1,862.63 0.00 623.94 2,644.54 2,648.74 0.00 244.60 56.50 8,673.60 38.00 46.25 |
|||
| A2c Other - |
|||||
| Receipts for year Expenditure for year Excess Receipts (Expenditure) for year Combined cash & bank assets as at 1st April 2024 Combined cash & bank assets as at 31st April 2025 Excess Income/Expenditure for year |
88,769.41 79,110.28 88,769.41 -9,659.13 20,510.44 10,851.31 -9,659.13 |
88,769.41 | 65,892.03 | ||
Page 2
South Aston United Reformed Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024-2025
Charity No.516837
SOUTH ASTON YOUTH & COMMUNITY / PASTORATE ACCOUNT - 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 A RESTRICTED FUND FOR THE CHURCH'S YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK
| RECEIPTS Pastorate Broadway Church Blakenhall Church Elmwood Church Wilton Road Church Bishop Latimer Church South Aston Church 50% Removal Expenses from URC Synod Re-imburse Manse repair Youth & Community Bank Interest Commitment for Life Shoe Box Appeal PAYMENTS Pastorate Broadband and Telephone Ministerial Expenses Removal Expenses URC Payments Water Charges URC Trust Manse Maintenance Induction Service Expenses Youth & Community Homeless Project Junior Church Commitment for Life Shoe Box Appeal Net receipts (payments) for the year Monies held at bank and cash at 1st April 2024 Combined Cash and Bank Assets 31st March 2025 ASSETS AT 31st March 2025 Cash Float Bank Balance - Current Acc Bank Balance - Deposit Acc |
2024-2025 3,489.00 869.00 2,841.00 1,208.00 1,208.00 1,305.00 2,200.00 415.00 13,535.00 7.12 582.87 125.00 714.99 |
2024-2025 3,489.00 869.00 2,841.00 1,208.00 1,208.00 1,305.00 2,200.00 415.00 13,535.00 7.12 582.87 125.00 714.99 |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.84 609.22 140.00 |
||||
| 14,249.99 314.70 1,554.73 4,605.00 1,227.43 294.11 1,066.60 585.80 577.86 10,226.23 200.00 0.00 582.87 125.00 907.87 |
14,249.99 | 750.06 | ||
| 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 120.00 609.22 140.00 |
||||
| 11,134.10 3,115.89 1,345.79 4,461.68 24.00 3,309.35 1,128.33 4,461.68 |
11,134.10 | 869.22 | ||
AGE FUND - 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025
A RESTRICTED FUND FOR THE CHURCH'S COMMUNITY WORK WITH ELDERLY PEOPLE
2024-2025
2023-2024
Page 3
South Aston United Reformed Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024-2025
Charity No.516837
| RECEIPTS: B1a Grants Grant from B'ham City Council (Partnership) Fundraising Return of Loan from General Fund PAYMENTS: B2b Charity Salary (Development Worker) Employer's N.I. Contribution Employer's Pensions Contribution Office Use Payment (to Gen. Fund) Desk Space Admin Support (to Gen Fund) Admin Support (to Co-Ord Account) Supervision Payment (to Minibus Fund) Loan to General Fund Bank Charges Net receipts (payments) for the year Monies held at bank at 1st April 2024 Balance at bank on 31st March 2025 |
0.00 4,523.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 0.00 |
0.00 4,523.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 0.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000.00 4,523.00 |
||
| 0.00 1,275.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 38.25 0.00 446.00 0.00 400.00 0.00 195.00 0.00 832.00 10,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
||
| 10,000.00 3,186.25 0.00 18,640.46 18,640.46 |
10,000.00 3,186.25 |
CHURCH CO-ORDINATOR ACCOUNT - 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025
| A RESTRICTED FUND FOR THE WORK OF THE CHURCH'S CO-ORDINATOR RECEIPTS From South Aston URC General Fund Donations Admin Support from Age Account Reimbursement of Pension from Age Account (SS) Reimbursement of Pension from Gen Fund (BK) PAYMENTS Salary Church Co-ordinator Employers N.I. Employers Pension Payment Payment for Age Pension (Direct Debit) (SS) Payment for Pension from Gen Fund (BK) Employees N.I. Caretaker Net receipts (payments) for the year Monies held at bank and cash at 1st April 2024 Combined Cash and Bank Assets 31st March 2025 |
2024-2025 11,850.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 957.12 |
2024-2025 11,850.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 957.12 |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,800.00 0.00 195.00 102.00 873.60 |
||||
| 12,807.12 11,721.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 957.12 0.00 |
12,807.12 | 8,970.60 | ||
| 7,855.02 0.00 0.00 102.00 873.60 0.00 |
||||
| 12,678.12 129.00 4,744.72 4,873.72 |
12,678.12 | 8,830.62 | ||
CAFÉ ACTIVE ACCOUNT (WEDNESDAY WELCOME) 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025
A RESTRICTED FUND FOR THE RUNNING OF THE CHURCH'S CAFÉ PROJECT
RECEIPTS
| Donations Takings Bingo/Raffle |
2024-2025 50.00 1,217.68 289.00 |
2024-2025 50.00 1,217.68 289.00 |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170.00 1,142.50 324.65 |
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| 1,556.68 | 1,637.15 |
Page 4
South Aston United Reformed Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024-2025
Charity No.516837
PAYMENTS
| Volunteer Exes from Cash 330.00 Food from Cash 775.91 Food Card 811.25 Equipment Cash 22.73 Equipment Cheque 0.00 Activity Cash 402.45 Activity Chq 0.00 Bank Charges 4.25 2,346.59 Net receipts (payments) for the year -789.91 Monies held at bank and cash at 1st April 2024 4,916.71 Combined Cash and Bank Assets 31st March 2025 4,126.80 Assets at 31st March 2025 Cash Float 173.46 Bank Balance 3,953.34 4,126.80 SOUTH ASTON MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT- 1st April 2024- 31st March 2025 A RESTRICTED FUND FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDING 2024-2025 RECEIPTS No Receipts 0.00 0.00 PAYMENTS Fire Door Installation Small Hall Final Payment Underlay and Carpet - Flat 1,490.00 CCTV Upgrade 1,014.00 Electrical Consumer Unit - Foyer 1,950.00 Electrical Consumer Unit -Office 1,500.00 5,954.00 Net receipts (payments) for the year -5,954.00 Monies held at bank and cash at 1st April 2024 21,922.14 Combined Cash and Bank Assets 31st March 2025 15,968.14 OTHER MONIES HELD: 2024-2025 Communion Fund INCOME 140.01 EXPENDITURE 100.00 This is a restricted fund in which is held donations given at Holy Communion and expended by the Minister for pastoral and community gifts. |
330.00 775.91 811.25 22.73 0.00 402.45 0.00 4.25 |
330.00 775.91 811.25 22.73 0.00 402.45 0.00 4.25 |
330.00 775.91 811.25 22.73 0.00 402.45 0.00 4.25 |
605.80 1,366.93 394.97 64.00 32.99 494.94 87.74 0.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,346.59 | 3,047.37 | |||
| 2023-2024 | ||||
A RESTRICTED FUND FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDING RECEIPTS No Receipts PAYMENTS Fire Door Installation Small Hall Final Payment Underlay and Carpet - Flat CCTV Upgrade Electrical Consumer Unit - Foyer Electrical Consumer Unit -Office Net receipts (payments) for the year Monies held at bank and cash at 1st April 2024 Combined Cash and Bank Assets 31st March 2025 OTHER MONIES HELD: Communion Fund INCOME EXPENDITURE This is a restricted fund in which is held donations given at Holy Communion and expended by the Minister for pastoral and community gifts. |
||||
| 0.00 | ||||
| 0.00 1,490.00 1,014.00 1,950.00 1,500.00 |
0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| 3,834.00 0.00 |
||||
| 5,954.00 -5,954.00 21,922.14 15,968.14 2024-2025 140.01 100.00 |
5,954.00 | 3,834.00 | ||
| 2023-2024 | ||||
| 133.45 30.00 |
Page 5
South Aston United Reformed Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024-2025
Charity No.516837
| Net receipts (payment) for the year Assets at 1st April 2024 Assets at 31st March 2025 Bequest Fund INCOME EXPENDITURE Net receipts (payment) for the year Assets at 1st April 2024 Assets at 31st March 2025 This is a restricted fund in which is placed money bequeathed to the church for expending on special projects in the Church Centre for the benefit of the disabled, aged, hard of hearing and so on attending the premises. |
40.01 103.45 |
|---|---|
| 339.71 379.72 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 585.62 585.62 |
Page 6
South Aston United Reformed Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024-2025
Charity No.516837
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES at 31st March 2025
| TSB Perry Barr Current/Deposit a/c COIF deposit account Cash in hand Lloyds Bank Accounts COIF and Deposit Acc (other monies) Representing balances on the following funds: General (unrestricted) Fund Age Fund Youth and Communities Fund Co-Ordinators Account Maintenance Fund Café Active Communion Fund Bequest Fund |
2024-2025 33,923.41 6.04 197.46 24,795.20 965.34 |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35,812.07 4,660.62 271.87 31,335.70 925.33 |
|||
| 59,887.45 | 73,005.59 | ||
| 10,851.31 18,640.46 4,461.68 4,873.72 15,968.14 4,126.80 379.72 585.62 |
20,510.44 18,640.46 1,345.79 4,744.72 21,922.14 4,916.71 339.71 585.62 |
||
| 59,887.45 | 73,005.59 |
| D3a INVESTMENT ASSETS: 735 M&G Charifund income units 2,000 Royal and Sun Alliance Preference Shares 18325.356 Jupiter Fund Mgrs (formerly Old Mutual) 45339.55 COIF Income and Growth Units |
Value as at 1st April 2024 Value as at 31st March 2025 Difference in Value |
|---|---|
| 10,702.19 11,159.51 457.32 2,424.60 0.00 -2,424.60 19,806.92 19,805.09 -1.83 140,439.26 134,481.64 -5,957.62 |
|
| 173,372.97 165,446.24 -7,926.73 |
D3b FUNCTIONAL ASSETS:
Church Centre Premises in Upper Sutton Street, Aston, Birmingham (freehold with a restrictive covenant) Manse at 155 Victoria Road, Aston, Birmingham (freehold with a restrictrive covenant) Contents of the Church Centre premises including organ, furniture, kitchen, office and audio equipment, etc.
D2 LIABILITIES:
NOTE:
These accounts have been prepared on the "receipts and payments" basis. They were approved by the Trustees
Ann Tempest, Treasurer
Page 7
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INDEPENDANT EXAMINERS REPORT
Report on the financial statements of South Aston United Reformed Church for the year ended 31° March 2025 which are set out on pages one to seven of the accounts on the General Fund, Church Co-ordinators Account, Age Account, Youth and Community Work Account, Communion Fund, Bequest Fund, Café’ Active and Maintenance Account.
Respective responsibilities
The Church is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, and considers that the audit requirement of Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under Section 145(5) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions of 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 financial statements, and seeking explanations 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 view given by the financial statements.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination of the church funds, nothing came to my attention which gave me cause to believe otherwise than that the financial statements accord with the accounting records of the church, and that those records satisfied the requirements of the Act. I am not aware of any matter to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
A,“fp re 406, Sutton Road Walsall WS5 3BA
Signed
.
Date: \ \ ws