HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025
HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025
OFFICERS, PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS AND REGISTERED OFFICE
| MANAGING TRUSTEES: | Mrs. M. Cliff |
|---|---|
| Mr. E. Cliff | |
| Mr. D. Cliff | |
| Mr. A. Wraight | |
| HOLDING TRUSTEES: | Mrs. M. Cliff |
| Mr. E. Cliff | |
| Mr. D. Cliff | |
| Mr. J. H. Sansom | |
| ADMINISTRATOR: | Mr. D. Cliff |
| REGISTERED OFFICE: | Hurstwood Church, |
| Hurstwood Village, | |
| Worsthorne, | |
| Burnley, | |
| Lancashire, | |
| BB10 3LG | |
| ACCOUNTANTS | Ashworth Moulds, |
| 11, Nicholas Street, | |
| Burnley, | |
| Lancashire, | |
| BB11 2AL | |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: | 1008882 |
HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES | 1 - 2 |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT | 3 |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | 4 |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | 5 |
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS | 6 |
HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025
The Managing Trustees (the "Trustees") present their report and accounts for the year ended 31st March, 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Hurstwood Christian Church Trust is a registered charity (No. 1008882). Its principal address is Hurstwood Church, Hurstwood Village, Worsthorne, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 3LG.
The present Trustees, and any past Trustees who served during the period, are given on the foregoing statement of officers, professional advisors and registered office, together with the name of the administrator and external advisors.
The title to the property is held under a freehold in the name of the Holding Trustees of Hurstwood Christian Church Trust. The names of the Holding Trustees are also given on the foregoing statement of officers, professional advisors and registered office.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is constituted as a trust and governed by its Trust Deed dated 19th February, 1992.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the charity. The total number of Trustees shall be not less than three but may not exceed seven. New Trustees are elected by the existing Trustees and must assent to the doctrinal basis of the trust. The Trustees meet regularly to manage the affairs of the charity.
Since the end of September 2021 the church has relied on lay preachers, many of whom belong to the church. There was also one voluntary part-time administrator who managed the day to day administration of the charity. Since January 2025 the church has employed a full-time preacher and a part-time church secretary.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives of the charity are the furtherance of the Christian Religion throughout the Hurstwood area and elsewhere, and the provision of general assistance where required.
The church holds weekly Sunday morning services, and the charity provides Sunday School for children, as well as weekly youth meetings and a children's club. The charity also organises church away days and conferences for men and women, runs holiday clubs for primary school children, and hosts family games nights.
In addition, the church facilitates prayer meetings, Bible studies, a mums' and toddlers' group, Christmas meals, and the provision of a weekly tearoom. All church activities are open to the wider community and available to anyone to attend.
In planning the activities for the year the Trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit at their meetings and are satisfied that the charity's objects, and the activities it carries out in pursuit of those objects, as set out above, are for the public benefit.
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HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025 (CONTINUED)
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The focus of the charity's activities throughout 2024 and 2025 has remained the provision of regular Sunday Services, Sunday School, Playgroup, Children's Club and Youth Club meetings, all held within its own premises. These activities support adults, children and young people in learning more about the Bible and the Christian way of life, while also providing valuable opportunities for fellowship and social interaction with their peers. The church welcomes all people, regardless of personal background, gender or personal circumstances.
In addition to these core activities, the charity provides a range of other services, including:
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a weekly tearoom offering refreshments and a welcoming space for social interaction.
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The provision of facilities for meetings of various community groups, including walking groups, other churches, and the parish council, when required.
During the year ended 31st March, 2025, the church experienced encouraging levels of attendance and participation across all activities.
RESERVES POLICY
All of the funds are of an unrestricted nature and are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
The charity is entirely dependent on individual donations, the level of which can fluctuate year on year. As a result, the main financial risk is a reduction in donations. The charity’s policy is to hold sufficient funds to meet twelve months’ operating costs, plus an additional £25,000 for any unforeseen expenditure that may occur.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Liquid funds have risen over the last few years as there has not been a paid pastor. As of January 2025 the church decided to employ a preacher and an assistant on 12 month contracts to help fulfil the needs of the congregation and the activities in the wider community. In the future this will lead to a decrease in the level of reserves held.
As at 31[st] March, 2025 the charity held funds of £179,379 (2024: £138,312), all of which are unrestricted.
APPROVAL
This Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on
30th January, 2026
and signed on their behalf:
Mary Cliff
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HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST CHARITY NUMBER 1008882
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Hurstwood Christian Church Trust ("the Trust") for the year ended 31st March, 2025 set out on pages 4 to 6.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried our under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Act and regulations made under section 154 of the Act. My work 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 work or for this report.
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 which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
M. Holmes F.C.A. for Ashworth Moulds 11, Nicholas Street, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 2AL
30th January, 2026
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HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025
| Grand Total Year Ended 31.03.25 INCOME RECEIPTS Gross Gift Aid donations 26,395 17,477 Legacy Income 24,392 Sundry income - 68,264 Loan repayments - TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 68,264 PAYMENTS Wages and salaries (gross) 13,519 Preacher expenses 300 Food 2,275 Group activities costs 2,788 Donations 2,511 Courses and conferences 291 Rent and rates 211 Insurance 2,788 Premises expenses (3,451) Church resources 142 Licences and subscriptions 1,242 Independent examiner's fees 2,700 Legal and professional 221 Incidentals 580 26,117 Loan advances - Purchase of assets 1,080 TOTAL PAYMENTS £ 27,197 NET RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 41,067 Cash and Bank Balances b/fwd 138,312 Cash and Bank Balances c/fwd £ 179,379 Voluntary donations from individuals (including GASDS) |
Total Unrestricted 26,395 17,477 24,392 - 68,264 - 68,264 13,519 300 2,275 2,788 2,511 291 211 2,788 (3,451) 142 1,242 2,700 221 580 26,117 - 1,080 27,197 41,067 138,312 179,379 |
Grand Total Year Ended 31.03.24 39,157 18,016 - 440 |
|---|---|---|
| 57,613 1,900 |
||
| 59,513 | ||
| - 300 5,378 4,701 6,617 145 266 2,590 11,468 136 1,020 - 275 1,169 |
||
| 34,065 2,975 - |
||
| 37,040 | ||
| 22,473 115,839 |
||
| 138,312 |
All of the funds in the year ended 31st March, 2025 were unrestricted monies.
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HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31ST MARCH, 2025
| MONETARY ASSETS Bank and Cash Balances Bank Current Account NON-MONETARY ASSETS Functional Use by the Charity ASSETS Prepayments Gift Aid Reclaim Loans LIABILITIES Creditors and Accruals Tax and Social Security Creditor |
As at Notes 31.3.24 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ 179,379 £ - £ 179,379 £ 138,312 2 £ 215,853 £ - £ 215,853 £ 214,773 630 - 630 601 16,805 - 16,805 8,938 10,000 - 10,000 18,881 £ 27,435 - 27,435 £ 28,420 5,297 - 5,297 5,220 1,763 - 1,763 - £ 7,060 £ - £ 7,060 £ 5,220 As at 31.03.25 |
|---|---|
The accounts on pages 4 to 6 were approved on
30th January, 2026
For and on behalf of the Trustees
Mary Cliff
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HURSTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1 BASIS OF PREPARATION
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
2 NON-MONETARY ASSETS
| Unrestricted Restricted Functional use by the charity - at cost: - Equipment 33,169 - - Alterations to leasehold 177,344 - - Freehold 5,340 - £ 215,853 - |
As at As at 31.03.25 31.03.24 Total Total 33,169 32,089 177,344 177,344 5,340 5,340 215,853 £ 214,773 |
|---|---|
3 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In January 2025 A. Wraight, a trustee, was employed to further the objects of the charity as authorised in the trust deed. He received remuneration of £9,282 in the year ended 31st March, 2025 (2024: £nil).
Mrs. C. Cliff is the wife of D. Cliff (trustee). In January 2025 Mrs. C. Cliff was employed as a part time secretary of the church. She received remuneration of £6,000 in the year ended 31st March, 2025 (2024: £nil).
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