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2023-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number 519061

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Rev P Jump Rev Dr S Anderson Mr A Edwards Mr U Russell Mr A Lovelady Charity number 519061 Principal address Margaret Clitherow Centre Croxteth Drive Liverpool L17 1AA Independent examiner Tony Stanley ACA Mitchell Charlesworth Tempest Suite 5.1 12 Tithebarn Street L2 2DT Liverpool Bankers HSBC Bank PLC 99-101 Lord Street Liverpool L2 6PG Solicitors Hill Dickinson No. 1 St Paul's Square Liverpool L3 9SJ

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 6
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 7
Independent examiner's report 8
Statement of financial activities 9
Balance sheet 10
Notes to the financial statements 11 - 22

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and "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)" (effective 1 January 2019).

The financial statements 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 Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

Objectives and activities

The Charity's objects, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are:

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake for public benefit.

Details of activities

The bulk of CTMR's activities consist of co-ordinating the life of the major Christian denominations in the area by means of:

SAS's activities comprise largely the raising of funds for the provision of charitable support for asylum seekers and refugees in the area.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance

The Central Work of CTMR

Our core activity has continued supporting a range of formal and informal partnerships between Churches, encouraging local co-operative working across denominations and traditions, answering enquiries and requests from the Merseyside community, representing the work of CTMR at a national level and liaising with the agency who co-ordinate Merseyside’s Churches readiness in case of a major incident.

Collaboration is at the heart of the work of CTMR. There is regular interaction with a range of Christian and interfaith bodies including: Mission in the Economy, ’Together for the Harvest’, Liverpool and District Free Church Federal Council, The Bishop of Liverpool Faith Leaders’ Group and Faiths4Change as well as significant bodies working with refugees and asylum seekers who we support through CTMR SAS.

Governance

Church Leaders met four times during the year to determine the overall strategy of CTMR, to maintain coordinating oversight of its core activities and to share concerns and joys for their denominations with each other. The friendship in their group continues to be heartfelt. The Management Council met three times as a smaller body of Trustees and they met twice face-to-face and once via zoom. They are appointed by the CTMR Church Leaders and use their operational skills to take ahead practical matters concerning CTMR and provide support to the Ecumenical Co-ordinator.

CTMR Denominational Officers

Denominational Officers in the Merseyside Region met for mutual support twice via zoom and once in person during the year, also do update other and to enable working together more closely. Most of them also attended a national conference for Ecumenical Officers.

MP Lunch and Civic Reception

Church Leaders and MPs were delighted to see each face to face again and a very good discussion took place. They raised items of interest or concern. Together they reviewed how they can best work together and serve the common good in the region and nationally.

A Civic Reception for Leaders of the Borough Councils and Mayors within the Merseyside Region takes place every year and is hosted by CTMR Church Leaders. It is an opportunity for Mayors and Leaders of the Council to network among themselves and with the Church Leaders. It is also used to award recognition on civic members of the Region for their contribution to Merseyside and often beyond. The Civic Reception was hosted by the Diocese of Liverpool in the Anglican Cathedral in 2023. It was a wonderful occasion for networking in a warm cordial atmosphere and some good conversations took place. The hosts did not miss the opportunity to say thank you to the Civic Leaders for their wonderful service to society. The Church Leaders also honoured Bishop Tom Williams on his retirement.

Liverpool Cologne Church Partnership

Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (CTMR) are very pleased with the Liverpool Cologne link but are currently reviewing the way forward for the Liverpool Cologne-Link group. The link between the Cathedral Choirs of the two cities is continuing and the exchange will resume in 2024.

Ecumenical Collaboration

The great common witness to Christians on Merseyside and beyond continues at all levels of Church, locally as well as regionally and some of the fruits of networking are: creativity, resource sharing and discernment together, conversations beyond our denominational networks, identifying who we might talk to about which key issues.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Support for Asylum Seekers (SAS)

Financial support for the Destitution Projects was continued during 2023 providing financial support to SAS partner agencies. The agencies have continued to provide practical humanitarian and wellbeing support for people seeking asylum and refuge in the local community. Where possible activities and social interaction have been made available to support their wellbeing and provide hope for the future.

SAS main partner agencies include Refugee Women Connect, Faiths4Change, Asylum Link Merseyside and Merseyside Refugee Support Network.

The Pentecost Ecumenical Celebration

What CTMR do at Pentecost is vital as an expression of Christian unity. The Pentecost walk is part of Liverpool City’s story and recorded in the Liverpool Museum.

The Pentecost Joint afternoon Service in 2023 was entitled ‘One Church, Many Nations’ was a truly happy and joyful occasion attended by 350-400 people.

Bishop John gave a short address at Liverpool Cathedral encouraging us to be a church that embraces the challenge of treating people of all cultures and walks of life equally. The journey along Hope Street was a colourful occasion with a considerable collection of national flags, colourful vestments and giant puppets.

Bystanders were intrigued by the sight with some joining in for the final part of the walk and service. The conclusion of the service on the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral brought everyone together in prayer and celebration.

There was a real sense of unity and togetherness with games, dancing and music at the finish. Even the ice cream man left in a happy mood having had a steady trail of customers on such a warm and sunny afternoon.

CTMR Social Justice Group

Many of our churches are working together locally to support their neighbours and communities through these challenging times. A small working group of Social Responsibility Leads continues to meet 4 times a year to identify ways of better working together and represent the Christian community on various key stakeholder bodies. For example, they supported church leaders in putting out a statement on the UN Climate Summit by gathering information from the international and regional situation and composing a letter which was signed by all church leaders. The group looks to further amplify the voice of churches and church leaders. This may be done through civic forums or engaging with local political leaders. Another area being developed is how to better engage with the VS6 – which supports voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise across the city region.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Churches Together in the Northwest Safeguarding Group

The ecumenical safeguarding group widened the range of the meeting to reflect the large area they cover between them as it is well beyond the Merseyside region. To reflect this, they now call themselves ‘Churches Together in the North West Safeguarding Group’. They met via zoom in September and had a useful discussion about ways of working within the denominations which included safeguarding audits, central record keeping, good practice and sharing concerns. It is apparent at their meetings that they have much in common in their ways of working and they all value the opportunity to share and learn from each other.

CTMR Communications Officers

CTMR Communications Officers liaise via email as matters arise.

CTMR Website

The new website had 6500 hits on average a month in 2023: www.ctmr.org.uk

CTMR Young Adults

The ecumenical Young Adults’ group kept meeting either via zoom or in person in 2023. During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity they shared their experience of the CTMR young adults with a group of students at Liverpool Hope University. After hearing their presentation one of their listeners joined them. Some members applied for a bursary to be part of the Tantur Ecumenical Young Adults Pilgrimage of Reconciliation to the Holy Land in 2024 and two of them were accepted. This has now been postponed because of the current situation in the Holy Land. In October one member of the group got married and everyone in the group was invited to the service followed by delicious cake and tea. One member of the group made a successful application to the Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund involving a visit to the World Council of Churches and to the Ecumenical Abbey of Chemin Neuf in Hautecombe in France. The December gathering allowed for a meal with a lot of sharing, catching up and some honest discussion around the table amidst a lot of laughter.

Networking across the North of England

Northern County Ecumenical Officers continue their tri-annual meetings for mutual support, networking and exchange of ideas and take it in turns to host the meetings and invite speakers to update them about relevant matters.

Financial review

Overall income for the year amounted to £45,318, a decrease of £18,326 on the previous year.

After deduction of expenditure of £51,013 net expenditure amounted to £5,695 as set out in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Total unrestricted funds as at 31 December 2023 are £37,945.

Other Funds:

Reserves policy

The unrestricted reserves are maintained to provide a financial cushion in the event of

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Grant making policy

SAS makes weekly grants of up to £25 to asylum seekers deprived of statutory support. In case of persistent total deprivation, these are now continued beyond the original 10 week limit.

Risk policy

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Plans for the Future

The Support for Asylum Seekers programme continues to fulfil its mandate of humanitarian support by relieving destitution and distress among people who have sought asylum in Merseyside and then been failed by the system.

The housing administered by ALM has been used differently during the past year. With the enormous backlog of over 100,000 unmade decisions, less long-term use of the houses has been needed. Instead, the accommodation has been used for more short-term emergency cover, whilst applications for initial accommodation pre-asylum claim, or for people lucky enough to get a decision, who are in move-on, evicted before their mainstream benefits can be put in place.

That said, ALM has been extremely successful in working with longer term clients, putting together further submissions for fresh asylum claims. This, along with work on 20-year rule claims with the Merseyside Law Centre has also sped up transit through the houses. 25 individuals were housed through the period, in 3 houses.

In a recent NACCOM Report, contributed to by ALM, the importance of Housing and Support for the destitute, alongside Legal Assistance was highlighted.

The Food Store has operated in a similar way, assisting people in transition to different forms of support as we; as the mainstream destitute population. During 2022 a total of 1500 weekly food packages were distributed to 170 people. Of this group, the majority collected for 20 to 40 weeks.

CTMR, through SAS and Asylum Link, remains the only organisation in Liverpool to provide housing to refused asylum seekers.

Going Concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence in the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management

The Management Council of CTMR is the trustee body of the charity. The trustees who served during the year were:

Rev P Jump Rev Dr S Anderson Mr A Edwards Mr U Russell Mr A Lovelady

Organisation

Churches Together in the Merseyside Region comprises churches and other bodies in categories of full membership, associate membership, affiliated membership and allied membership, as determined by the constitution. General control and management of the administration of the charity is exercised by the Management Council, which has power to appoint groups to act under its direction.

Support for Asylum Seekers (SAS) is an agency of CTMR set up to support asylum seekers. It became part of MARCEA (subsequently CTMR) on 1 January 2001.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Rev P Jump

Chair of Management Council Dated: 16 September 2024

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The 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 state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that 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 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters 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 examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. 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 financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by 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 regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements 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 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 financial statements to be reached.

Tony Stanley ACA

Mitchell Charlesworth Tempest Suite 5.1 12 Tithebarn Street Liverpool L2 2DT

Dated: 17 September 2024

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and
legacies
3
30,191
14,703
Charitable activities
4
-
-
Investments
5
347
77
Total income
30,538
14,780
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
31,369
19,644
Net (expenditure)/income
for the year/
Net movement in funds
(831)
(4,864)
Fund balances at 1 January
2023
38,776
39,308
Fund balances at 31
December 2023
37,945
34,444		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
44,894
31,191
32,382
-
1
-
424
63
7
45,318
31,255
32,389
51,013
28,627
31,095
(5,695)
2,628
1,294
78,084
36,148
38,014
72,389
38,776
39,308		 Total
2022
£
63,573
1
70
63,644
59,722
3,922
74,162
78,084

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
14
Net current assets
Income funds
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
16
General unrestricted funds		 2023
£
575
74,747
75,322
(2,933)
5,849
32,096		 £
72,389
34,444
37,945
72,389		 2022
£
1,373
79,505
80,878
(2,794)
5,760
33,016		 £
78,084
39,308
38,776
78,084

The financial statements were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 16 September 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:

Rev P Jump Chair of Management Council

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Churches Together in the Merseyside Region is a registered charity governed by its constitution. The principal address is the Margaret Clitherow Centre, Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's constitution, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements 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 Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The accounts have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for Charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds represent the funds of CTMR that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general charitable purposes of CTMR.

Designated funds are funds set aside by the trustees for a particular purpose and are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.4 Income

Contributions from the member Churches are accounted for in the year in which they are due. Donations from other bodies and Councils of Christian Churches are accounted for as received.

1.5 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. It includes irrecoverable VAT.

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. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

The accounts include transactions, assets and liabilities for which CTMR is responsible in law. The Accounts of SAS and Urban are included.

Expenditure on equipment or other fixed assets is not capitalised but is charged to revenue as incurred if not material.

1.6 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.

1.7 Financial instruments

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets are offset, with the net amounts presented in the accounts when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.8 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.9 Retirement benefits

Churches Together in the Merseyside Region participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers.

CWPF has two sections:

  1. the Defined Benefits Scheme

  2. the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;

  3. a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,

  4. a. a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.

Pension Builder Scheme

Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.

Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors.

Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared is payable, unreduced, from age 65.

There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.

The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2023: £1,471, 2022: £1,111).

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2019. The next valuation was due as at 31 December 2022.

For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a deficit of £4.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 10.1% following improvements in the funding position over 2021. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £5.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, Churches Together in the Merseyside Region could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.

1.10 Taxation

The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on income or gains falling within those exemptions. The charity is not able to recover Value Added Tax. Expenditure is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no critical accounting estimates in the accounts.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Donations and gifts
30,191
4,703
Grants receivable
-
10,000
30,191
14,703
Donations and gifts
Contributions from
member churches
30,191
-
SAS donations
-
4,455
Other
-
248
30,191
4,703
Grants receivable for
core activities
Other
-
10,000
-
10,000		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
34,894
31,191
10,429
10,000
-
21,953
44,894
31,191
32,382
30,191
31,191
-
4,455
-
10,429
248
-
-
34,894
31,191
10,429
10,000
-
21,953
10,000
-
21,953		 Total
2022
£
41,620
21,953
63,573
31,191
10,429
-
41,620
21,953
21,953

Included in the current year Grants Receivable Restricted Funds amount of £10,000 was a grant to SAS of £10,000 from the John Moores Foundation.

4 Charitable activities

Other income

2023 2022
£ £
- 1

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

5 Investments

Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
Interest receivable 347 77 424 63 7 70

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

6 Charitable activities

The
encouragem
ent and
support of
Christian
Churches
The relief of
poverty and
destitution
£
£
Staff costs
19,854
-
Programme costs
821
-
Office expenses
6,020
-
Travel expenses
929
-
27,624
-
Grant funding of activities (see note 7)
-
19,584
Share of support costs (see note 8)
1,411
-
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
2,394
-
31,429
19,584
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
31,369
-
Restricted funds
60
19,584
31,429
19,584		 Total
2023
£
19,854
821
6,020
929
27,624
19,584
1,411
2,394
51,013
31,369
19,644
51,013		 Total
2022
£
18,054
686
6,274
51
25,065
31,008
1,279
2,370
59,722

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

6 Charitable activities

(Continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2022

The
encouragem
ent and
support of
Christian
Churches
The relief of
poverty and
destitution
£
£
Staff costs
18,054
-
Programme costs
686
-
Office expenses
6,274
-
Travel expenses
51
-
25,065
-
Grant funding of activities (see note 7)
-
31,008
Share of support costs (see note 8)
1,279
-
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
2,370
-
28,714
31,008
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
28,627
-
Restricted funds
87
31,008
28,714
31,008
7
Grants payable
The relief of
poverty and
destitution
£
Total
19,584		 Total
2022
£
18,054
686
6,274
51
25,065
31,008
1,279
2,370
59,722
28,627
31,095
59,722
2022
£
31,008

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

8 Support costs

Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Staff costs
1,045
-
Travel costs
49
-
Office costs
317
-
Accountancy fees
-
838
Independent examination
fees
-
1,556
1,411
2,394
Analysed between
Charitable activities
1,411
2,394		 2023Support costs Governance
costs
£
£
£
1,045
950
-
49
3
-
317
326
-
838
-
950
1,556
-
1,420
3,805
1,279
2,370
3,805
1,279
2,370		 2022
£
950
3
326
950
1,420
3,649
3,649

Support costs have been recharged to the encouragement and support of Christian Churches estimated on the basis of time spent.

Governance costs have been recharged to the encouragement and support of Christian Churches activity.

Governance costs includes payments to the accountants of £838 (2022: £950) for accountancy services and £1,556 (2022: £1,420) for independent examination fees.

9 Trustees

The trustees, who served for various periods of the year, received no remuneration or expenses for services provided to the charity (2022: nil).

10 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

11 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Number of employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
2023 2022
Number Number
Charitable 1 1
Employment costs 2023 2022
£ £
Wages and salaries 19,428 17,893
Other pension costs 1,471 1,111
20,899 19,004
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.
12 Financial instruments 2023 2022
£ £
Carrying amount of financial assets
Debt instruments measured at amortised cost 74,747 79,435
Carrying amount of financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost 2,998 2,794
13 Debtors
2023 2022
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Prepayments and accrued income 575 1,373
14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023 2022
£ £
Other taxation and social security (65) -
Other creditors 639 252
Accruals and deferred income 2,359 2,542
2,933 2,794

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE MERSEYSIDE REGION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

15 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement in funds Movement in funds
Balance at Income Expenditure Balance at Income Expenditure Balance at
1 January 2022 1 January 2023 31 December
2023
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
Support for
Asylum
Seekers 38,014 32,389 (31,095) 39,308 14,780 (19,644) 34,444

Support for Asylum Seekers (SAS) makes weekly grants of up to £25 to asylum seekers deprived of statutory support. In case of persistent total deprivation these are now continued beyond the original 10 week limit.

16 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Movement Movement
in funds in funds
Balance at Income Balance at Income Balance at
1 January 2022 1 January 2023 31 December
2023
£ £ £ £ £
Urban fund 5,749 11 5,760 89 5,849
5,749 11 5,760 89 5,849

The Urban Fund exists to promote the discussion and research on urban issues.

17 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Fund balances at 31
December 2023 are
represented by:
Current assets/(liabilities)
37,945
34,444
37,945
34,444		 Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
72,389
38,776
39,308
72,389
38,776
39,308		 Total
2022
£
78,084
78,084

18 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).