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2024-12-31-accounts

Charity No: 1002233

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

2024 Report and Accounts

1

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Financial statements

Year ended 31 December 2024

CONTENTS

Trustees’ Report 1-5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9-13

1

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Trustees’ annual report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

Status:

The name of the Charity is Suffolk Clergy Charity. It is governed by a Trust Deed dated 14th February 1991. It is a registered unincorporated charity, Charity No. 1002233. It is therefore subject to Charity law.

Principal office and registered office:

St Nicholas Centre 4 Cutler Street Ipswich IP1 1UQ

Trustees

Appointment:

The following persons are Trustees by virtue of their office: -

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich The Bishop of Dunwich The Archdeacons of Sudbury, Suffolk, and Ipswich The Diocesan Widows' Officer The Diocesan Retirement Officer The Diocesan Secretary

The Trustees who have served during 2024 and up to the date of signing were

The Rt Revd M Seeley – Bishop of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich (retired 28[th] February 2025) The Rt Revd Dr M R Harrison – Bishop of Dunwich (retired 25[th] September 2024) The Rt Revd G Knowles - Acting Bishop of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich (from 1[st] March 2025, retired 5[th] September 2025) The Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell - Bishop of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich (from 5[th] September 2025)

The Ven Dr D H Jenkins - Archdeacon of Sudbury The Ven S E Brazier – Gibbs – Archdeacon of Ipswich (from 23[rd] June 2025) The Revd Canon Alan Forsdike - Diocesan Widows Officer The Revd Catherine Forsdike - Diocesan Widows Officer Mr G Peverley – Diocesan Secretary The Ven R E King – Archdeacon of Ipswich (retired 17[th] October 2024) The Ven R Henderson -Archdeacon of Suffolk The Revd Dr S Hill – Diocesan Retirement Officer

Secretary:

Mr G Peverley – Diocesan Secretary

1

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Trustees’ annual report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

Independent Examiner:

M Proctor FCA DChA Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered Accountants Bankside 300 Peachman Way Broadland Business Park Norwich NR7 0LB

Bankers:

Royal Bank of Scotland Customer Services Centre Drummond House 1 Redheughs Avenue Edinburgh EN12 9JN

Investment Advisers:

CCLA Investment Management Limited Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4ET

2

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Trustees’ annual report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

The objects of the Charity

For the relief of widows, widowers, and other dependants of deceased clergy of the Church of England who either: -

The relief of retired clergy of the Church of England who either: -

Activities undertaken for the public benefit

The charity Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and believe that the activities of the charity fall within that guidance as detailed below.

The charity operates by providing grants (as detailed below) to the widows and widowers of clergy of the Church of England as defined in the objects. The widows and widowers thereby benefit directly from the charity’s activities.

Grants Policy

It has been the policy of the Charity over the past years to give an immediate grant to clergy spouses on the death of their spouse who have served their last incumbency in the diocese. This will continue and will be extended to other clergy widows or widowers at the discretion of the management committee.

In the past too, Christmas gifts have been sent to all clergy widows or widowers in the diocese, with greetings from the Charity. This will also be continued and extended again at the discretion of the management committee. Christmas gifts of £175 go to widows/widowers whose husbands/wives served within the diocese and £75 ‘one for all’ gift cards are sent to the widows/widowers who are resident in the Diocese but whose husbands/wives did not serve in the Diocese.

Often clergy widows / widowers and retired clergy and their families have expenses which they find difficult to meet. It is the wish of the Trustees that such expenses be made known to them and application made to them for a grant.

3

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Trustees’ annual report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

Activities and Achievements

During the year the charity was able to provide 107 individual grants totalling £37,525 (2023: 142, £45,279). In addition, the Widows Officers visit widows/widowers to present a bereavement grant and to keep a quiet eye on a vulnerable group in this diocese. They also communicate with this group by letter and undertake the enormous task of circulating a Christmas gift. The Retirement Officers arrange the Deanery Visitor in each Deanery and visit them once a year to encourage them and quietly check on the welfare of retired clergy in each deanery. In addition, visits are made to clergy, to meetings of retired clergy, and occasionally to Deanery meetings. A link is established with the Retired Clergy Association.

A new Suffolk Clergy Charity publicity leaflet has been produced and is available both as hard copy for distribution by Deanery Visitors and trustees and on the diocesan website. It is hoped that this will help bring the charity to the attention of potential grant beneficiaries and could also help promote the charity as a deserving recipient of gifts and legacies.

Financial review

Unrestricted fund income totalled £39,211 (2023: income totalled £38,843). After making grants totalling £37,525 (2023: £45,279) and incurring further expenditure of £1,738 (2023: £2,173) net expenditure for the year amounted to £52 (2023: £8,609).

Principal funding sources

The principal funding source was income of £39,161 (2023: £38,518) earned on investments.

Investment Policy

It is the Charity’s policy to invest in recognised Charitable funds, the Trustees believe that this produces a relatively risk-free stream of income. This policy is kept under review.

In 2024 the value of the investments increased by £20,116.

The Trustees invest to at least maintain in real terms the income from investments, while protecting the long-term capital values of those investments.

Reserves Policy and Going Concern

As a grant making charity, it is the Trustees’ policy to review the value of the annual grants and be able to meet contingencies as they arise. Income reserves are not intentionally built up, but sufficient funds are retained to ensure a couple of emergency grants can be covered at any one time.

Reserves held at the end of the year were:

Income £151,472 Endowment £1,075,442

Free reserves totalled £7,886 at the end of the year. The Trustees are of the view that the trust is a going concern.

Plans for future periods

The charity will continue to make grants in accordance with its objectives.

4

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Trustees’ annual report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

Further Trustees may be appointed by resolution at a Trustees meeting for an indefinite term. Such Trustees may be removed by a two-thirds majority at a Trustees meeting or retire. When a vacancy occurs for a co-opted Trustee the remaining Trustees seek to appoint an individual with skills and experience which they feel will be of benefit to the Charity. On appointment new Trustees are given copies of the original Trust Deed and of the latest Annual Report and Accounts. There is no formal induction and training programme, but individual Trustees attend seminars to update themselves when they feel it necessary.

Independent examiner

M Proctor FCA DChA of Lovewell Blake LLP will be reappointed as independent examiner for the ensuing year.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 24[th] September 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

The Ven R Henderson, Archdeacon of Suffolk Trustee

5

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Suffolk Clergy Charity

Year ended 31 December 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet and the related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 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.

Independent examiner's statement

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 not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements 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 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.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts (financial statements) 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 regulations but has since been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

M Proctor FCA DChA Independent Examiner Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants Bankside 300 Peachman Way Broadland Business Park Norwich NR7 0LB Date: ………………

6

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Statement of financial activities

Year ended 31 December 2024

Note
Income & Endowments
from:
Donations & Legacies
3
Investment income
4
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
Total
Net Income/(Expenditure)
for the year before
investments
Transfer between funds
Gain on investments
Net Income for the year &
Net Movement in Funds
Balances brought forward at
1 January 2024
Balances carried forward
at 31 December 2024
General
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total
Funds
2024
Total
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
280
39,211
-
39,211
38,563
39,211
-
39,211
38,843
39,263
-
39,263
47,452
39,263
-
39,263
47,452
(52)
-
(52)
(8,609)
-
-
-
-
9,919
10,197
20,116
72,937
9,867
10,197
20,064
64,328
141,605
1,065,245
1,206,850
1,142,522
151,472
1,075,442
1,226,914
1,206,850

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these accounts

7

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Balance Sheet

Year ended 31 December 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Investments
7
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities:
Creditors amounts falling due within
one year
8
Net current assets/ (liabilities)
Total Net Assets
Funds
General
10
Endowment
10
Total Charity Funds		 2024
2023
£
£
1,219,028
1,198,912
11,041
10,038
11,041
10,038
(3,155)
(2,100)
7,886
7,938
1,226,914
1,206,850
151,472
141,605
1,075,442
1,065,245
1,226,914
1,206,850

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 24th September 2024

And signed on its behalf by

.................................................... The Ven R Henderson, Archdeacon of Suffolk Trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these accounts

8

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Notes to the financial statements

Year ended 31 December 2024

1) General information

The charity is a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office St Nicholas Centre, 4 Cutler Street, Ipswich. IP1 1UQ

2) Accounting policies

(a) Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland’, the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.

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 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) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

(b) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity, and rounded to the nearest £.

(c) Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level and income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern. The Trustees have considered the impact of COVID-19 in making this assessment.

(d) Currency Used

The currency used is GBP rounded to whole pounds.

(e) Income

Recognition of income: Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

9

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

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

Investment income : This is included in the accounts when receivable.

Investment gains and losses : This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.

(f) Expenditure & Liabilities

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

Grants payable without performance conditions: These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grant which remain in the control of the charity.

Support costs (including Governance costs): Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to cost categories on a 50/50 basis.

(g) Assets

Investments: Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at Trustees' best estimate of market value.

(h) Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds: General funds are unrestricted and are available for use at the Trustees’ discretion under the objects of the charity.

Endowment funds: Endowment funds represent the expendable capital of the charity.

(i) Cash at bank

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less.

3. Donations & Legacies
Donations
4. Income from investments
Listed investments and common investment funds
Stow Fen Rent		 2024
2023
£
£
-
280
-
280
2024
2023
£
£
39,161
38,518
50
45
39,211
38,563

10

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

7. Fixed Asset Investments
Market
Value at 1
January
2024
Revaluations
£
£
CBF Fixed Interest Securities
13,622
411
CBF Property Fund
225,476
(2,264)
CBF Investment Fund
959,815
21,968
1,198,913
20,115
Historical Cost at 31 December
5. Analysis of Total Resources Expended

Charitable activities
Grants (note 6)
Expenses
Bank charges
Governance costs
Independent Examination – Current Year
Independent Examination – Previous Year
Accountancy
Total Resources Expended
6. Grants
Purpose for which grants made:
Relief of the retired clergy
Christmas grants		 7. Fixed Asset Investments
Market
Value at 1
January
2024
Revaluations
£
£
CBF Fixed Interest Securities
13,622
411
CBF Property Fund
225,476
(2,264)
CBF Investment Fund
959,815
21,968
1,198,913
20,115
Historical Cost at 31 December
5. Analysis of Total Resources Expended

Charitable activities
Grants (note 6)
Expenses
Bank charges
Governance costs
Independent Examination – Current Year
Independent Examination – Previous Year
Accountancy
Total Resources Expended
6. Grants
Purpose for which grants made:
Relief of the retired clergy
Christmas grants		 2024
2023
£
£
37.525
45,279
-
1,378
80
85
37,605
46,742
1,158
1,092
-
(882)
500
500
1,658
710
39,263
47,452
Grants to individuals
No
£
13
23,650
94
13,875
107
37,525

Additions/
(Disposals)
Market
Value at 31
December
2024
£
£

-
14,033
-
223,212
-
981,783
-
1,219,028
2024
2023
525,742
525,742
1,198,913
20,115

11

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

8. Creditors and accruals
Amounts falling due within one year
Bank charges
Independent Examiner’s Fee
Administration Charge		 2024
2023
£
£
7
8
1,152
1,092
1,996
1,000
3,155
2,100

9. Endowment funds

The endowment funds are expendable at the discretion of the Trustees for the relief of widows, widowers, and dependents of deceased clergy of the Church of England and the relief of retired clergy.

11. Analysis of net assets between funds

Investments
Current assets
Investments
Current assets		 At 31 December 2024
General
Endowment
Total
143,586
1,075,442
1,219,028
7,886
-
7,886
151,472
1,075,442
1,226,914
At 31 December 2023
General
Endowment
Total
133,667
1,065,245
1,198,912
7,938
-
7,938
115,892
1,026,630
1,206,850

12. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No trustee has received expenses during either the current or previous period.

13. Related party transactions

There were no transactions with related parties during the year.

12

SUFFOLK CLERGY CHARITY

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2024

14. Comparative figures for the Statement of Financial Activities

Income & Endowments
from:
Donations & legacies
Other trading activities
Investment income

Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total
Net (Expenditure) for the
year before investments
Transfer between funds
Gain on investments
Net Income for the year &
Net Movement in Funds
Balances brought forward at
1 January 2023
Balances carried forward
at 31 December 2023		 General
Funds
Endowment
Funds Total Funds 2023
£
£
£
280
-
280
-
-
-

38,563
-
38,563
38,843
-
38,843
47,452
-
47,452
47,452
-
47,452
(8,609)
-
(8,609)
-
-
-
34,322
38,615
72,937
25,713
38,615
64,328
115,892
1,026,630
1,142,522
141,605
1,065,245
1,206,850

13