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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1104514

Company Registration No. 04910075 (England & Wales)

The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC)

Annual Report and Financial Statements

31 March 2023

The Church of England Evangelical Council

Annual report and financial statements – 31 March 2023
Contents
Page
Trustees' report 1
Independent examiner’s report 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the accounts 10

The Church of England Evangelical Council

Trustees’ report 31 March 2023

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

The Church of England Evangelical Council (‘CEEC’ or ‘the Council’) is a private company, limited by guarantee (registered no. 04910075) (‘the company’), and a charity registered in England & Wales (registered no. 1104514) (‘the charity’).

The company and the charity are controlled by a Constitution (most recently updated and approved in January 2022) and by the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association.

As set out therein, the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1, comply with the Council’s Constitution, the requirements of relevant UK company and charity law, and the accounting and reporting requirements of UK registered charities.

Object

The object of CEEC is the advancement of the Christian religion incorporating the beliefs and doctrines set out in the Basis of Faith within its Constitution.

Constitution and aims

CEEC was first created by the Revd Dr John Stott CBE, sometime Rector of All Souls’ Langham Place, London, Chaplain to HM The Queen and leading evangelical theologian, to provide a "collective" evangelical voice within the Church of England. CEEC was registered as a UK charity in December 1969 and incorporated in September 2003.

As set out in its Constitution, CEEC’s aims are:

CEEC exists as an overarching group to which evangelical organisations, networks, institutions and churches can belong, based on a common understanding of the Christian faith and its Anglican expression, and united by a common vision to promote and maintain orthodox evangelical theology, ethics and liturgy at the heart of the Church of England. Diocesan evangelical fellowships (DEFs) are the de facto representative bodies of CEEC in each diocese.

CEEC is particularly concerned to encourage evangelism, bible-based and Christ-centred formation of discipleship, evangelical leadership within the Church of England, and evangelical unity within and outside Anglicanism.

CEEC is also the representative body for EFAC in England.

Governance and organisation

Trustees

CEEC currently has five officers, a president (normally a diocesan bishop), two co-chairs, a secretary and a treasurer. The officers are the directors of the company and the trustees of the charity. The officers are appointed by CEEC for a term of four years and may be available for re-election.

The trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity under the direction of the Council; they are also responsible for the day-to-day running of the charity, with the help and advice of the Working Group and staff.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Trustees’ report 31 March 2023

Governance and organisation (contd)

Trustees (contd)

The trustees ensure that (i) the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit in accordance with its Constitution, (ii) the charity is in compliance with the Constitution and UK charity law, (iii) the charity’s assets and resources are appropriately safeguarded and only used to support or carry out CEEC’s purposes, and (iv) there is appropriate oversight and accountability of any staff and committees regarding their activities and decisions.

During the year ended 31 March 2023 and to the date of this report, the Trustees of CEEC were as follows:

Council

The entire Council meets residentially, once a year, and at other times as required, with the subsequent outworking and implementation of policy being delegated to a Working Group appointed by the Council.

The Council’s membership comprises some 40 to 50 representatives from across the evangelical constituency of the Church of England: the College of Bishops, the Evangelical Group of the General Synod (EGGS), theological education institutions, ), evangelical organisations (Christianity Explored, Church Society, CMS, Count Everyone In, CPAS, Crosslinks, Fellowship of Word and Spirit, Fulcrum, JAEC, Junia Network, Latimer Trust, Living Out, New Wine and Re New ) and diocesan evangelical fellowships (DEFs). Up to ten members can be co-opted to ensure further breadth of representation.

Upon admission to membership of the Council, each member affirms their agreement with CEEC’s Object and Basis of Faith, including the two additional declarations. These are set out in the Constitution, full details of which are available at www.ceec.info.

Working Group

The Working Group has responsibility for the outworking and implementation of policy agreed by the Council between the Council’s annual meetings. The Group is appointed by the Council and comprises 6 to 10 members, of whom at least one-third should be lay people.

Staff

Following the appointment in February 2022 of the Revd Canon John Dunnett as Strategy & Operations Director, CEEC had a staff team of 4 during 2022/3, the other staff team members being the Rt Revd Keith Sinclair (National Director), Jo Foster (Administration Manager) and Helen Catt (Communications Director).

As National Director, Bishop Keith was a member of the Working Group and attended meetings of the Council. Jo Foster attends, and provides administrative support, to both the Working Group and the Council. John Dunnett and Helen Catt also attend meetings of both the Working Group and the Council.

Subsequent to 31 March 2023, Bishop Keith retired as National Director and was succeeded by John Dunnett.

Public benefit

The Trustees recognise their responsibilities towards public benefit under the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and have had regard to the guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit. The Trustees believe that the Christian faith that CEEC professes – and which underpins everything that CEEC does – is for the common good of every member of society. We therefore believe that CEEC fulfils the public benefit test required of charities.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Trustees’ report 31 March 2023

Public benefit (contd)

Whilst some of CEEC’s work is of specific benefit to the charity’s individual, church and organisation members, CEEC is an outward-looking organisation, committed to the positive transformation of all people in society. CEEC therefore strives to ensure that the benefits worked for are not exclusive to its members or to evangelical Anglicans.

The trustees firmly believe that following Christ changes lives for the better. However, they accept the right of individuals to have, and to express, differing beliefs or no belief. A central part of the Christian faith is the desire to see justice for all, regardless of age, ethnicity, sex, class or religion. To this end, CEEC advances the Christian religion by enabling and supporting biblically faithful fellowship, teaching and mission in England.

Key activities and outcomes

Activities during the financial year 2022-2023

The Council met by Zoom in May and October 2022and in-person for the Council’s annual two-day residential meeting in January 2023, to discuss matters of concern to evangelicals in the Church of England. During these meetings, the Council:

Objectives and plans for 2023-2024

At its meeting in January, the Council set the following priorities for the Working Group and Staff (giving the Working Group permission to prioritise items within their discretion):

Strategic priorities

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Trustees’ report 31 March 2023

Key activities and outcomes (contd)

Objectives and plans for 2023-2024 (contd)

Strategic priorities (contd)

Operational priorities

Financial review

The financial results for the CEEC are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 8. The principal funding source for the charity is voluntary income from donors.

During 2022/23, CEEC had total income of £229,528 (2021/22 – £176,240), comprising donations and grants of £226,095 (2021/22 – £174,445) and investment income of £3,433 (2021/22 – £1,795), as detailed in Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements respectively. Donations included amounts totalling £21,250 (2021/22 - £37,500) specifically to support the work of CEEC’s Theological Consultant.

Total expenditure on charitable activities was £269,844 (2021/22 - £171,582), as detailed in Note 4 to the financial statements, including £31,096 (2021/22 - £31,200) in respect of CEEC’s Theological Consultant.

After investment losses of £3,648 (2021/22 – gains of £4,565), CEEC had net outgoing funds for the year of £43,964 (2021/22 – net incoming funds of £9,223). As a result, at the end of the financial year, CEEC had net assets of £152,743 (2022 - £196,707), as detailed in the balance sheet set out on page 9. The principal assets of the charity were investments of £99,019 (2022- £102,667) and cash of £48,283 (2022 – £92,078).

Investment policy and objectives

To provide a stable return on investment, the charity has invested its available resources with The CBF Church of England Investment Fund. Further resources have been placed in the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund, to balance the availability of the resources and the return on the investment.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Trustees’ report 31 March 2023

Financial review (contd)

Reserves policy

CEEC’s free reserves at 31 March 2023 totalled £130,689 (2022 - £164,807), comprising the charity’s total unrestricted funds. The trustees review the level of free reserves annually and have established a policy to ensure that the level of uncommitted, unrestricted funds held by the charity are sufficient to meet a range of unpredictable expenditure, including a significant drop in funding. The Trustees keep this reserves policy under regular review.

Financial plans for 2023-2024

The Trustees are continuing to focus on developing regular financial income streams from network members, trusts, churches and individual supporters. Until there is greater certainty concerning future income, it will be necessary to manage day-to-day operations carefully to ensure that the charity’s cash flow is appropriately controlled.

Gratitude for donors’ support

During 2022/23, God has continued to be generous in His provision for us. We believe that if we act as responsible stewards of the gifts that He has given to us, He will continue to provide for CEEC’s ministry in 2023 and beyond.

Principal risks

The trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which CEEC is exposed and are satisfied that appropriate processes are in place to mitigate those risks. The key risk to which the charity is exposed is the lack of a regular stream of income from donors and the consequent risk of being able to maintain the level of current operations.

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The trustees are responsible for preparing an annual report and financial statements for CEEC 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 charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each 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 period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities’ Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP);

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the charity’s trusts. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Trustees’ report 31 March 2023

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements (contd)

The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005. 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 Companies Act 2006 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)".

Advisers

Bankers CAF Bank Investment Managers CBF Church of England Investment Fund; CBF Church of England Deposit Fund, Independent Examiner Azets Audit Services, Brynford House, 21 Brynford Street, Holywell CH8 7RD

Registered office Website

Brynford House, 21 Brynford Street, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 7RD

The charity’s website address is www.ceec.info

Signed on behalf of the Trustees who approved this report on 19 December 2023

Sarah Tett Secretary

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Independent Examiner’s report 31 March 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Church of England Evangelical Council (‘the Council’) for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Council (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Council are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the council’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (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

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that, in any material respect:

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.

Susanna Cassey FCA for and on behalf of Azets Audit Services Brynford House 21 Brynford Street Holywell Flintshire CH8 7RD

19 December 2023

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Statement of financial activities Year ended 31 March 2023

------Year ended 31 March 2023------
Notes
Unrestricted
Funds
(General)
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
Funds
£
Income
Donations and grants received
2
204,845
21,250
226,095
Investment income
3
3,433
-
3,433
Total income
208,278
21,250
229,528
Expenditure
Charitable activities
4
(238,748)
(31,096)
(269,844)
Net income/(expenditure)
(30,470)
(9,846)
(40,316)
Net (losses)/gains on investments
7
(3,648)
-
(3,648)
Net incoming funds for the year
(34,118)
(9,846)
(43,964)
Funds at beginning of year
164,807
31,900
196,707
Funds at end of year
130,689
22,054
152,743		 2022
Total
Funds
(Note 9)
£
174,445
1,795
176,240
(171,582)
4,658
4,565
9,223
187,484
196,707

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised the year and complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Balance sheet 31 March 2023

Notes
Current assets
Investments
7
Debtors and prepayments
8
Cash at bank
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
9
Net current assets, being net assets
Funds
Unrestricted funds - general
10
Restricted funds
10		 2023
£
99,019
6,778
48,283
154,080
(1,337)
152,743
130,689
22,054
152,743

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Approved on behalf of the Trustees

Stephen Hofmeyr QC Treasurer

Sarah Tett Secretary

19 December 2023

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Notes to the financial statements Year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies

The Church of England Evangelical Council is a private company, limited by guarantee and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Brynford House, 21 Brynford Street, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 7RD.

(a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Council's Constitution, the Companies Act 2006 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)". The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

The Council 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.

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

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of certain financial instruments at fair value.

(b) Going concern

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

(c) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds represent funds that are not subject to any constraints regarding their use and are available for the general purposes of the charity.

Restricted funds represent donations or grants received for a specific purpose. These funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Details of the restricted funds are provided in note 10.

(d) Donations, grants and legacies

Donations, grants and legacies are recognised when the entitlement to the economic benefit has passed to the charity and its monetary value can be measured reliably. Amounts receivable under forms of planned giving are only recognised when received from the donor. Grants and legacies are accounted for when entitlement is notified, the amount receivable is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt is probable. Income tax recoverable on donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the claim.

(e) Investment income

Dividend and interest income from investments are recognised on an accruals basis upon receipt from the investment managers.

(f) Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

(g) Investments

Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses are recognised upon the disposal of investments. Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on the revaluation of investments at the year end and are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Notes to the financial statements Year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies (contd)

(h) 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. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

(i) Financial instruments

The Council 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 in the Council's balance sheet when the Council becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, 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 , which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities , including creditors and bank loans, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction.

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 Council’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.1 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Council’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.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Notes to the financial statements Year ended 31 March 2023

2. Donations and grants receivable

Donations and grants receivable
--------Year ended 31 March 2023--------
Unrestricted
Funds
(General)
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
Funds
£
Churches
20,635
-
20,635
Individuals
151,828
5,000
156,828
Diocesan Evangelical Fellowships (DEFs)
2,778
-
2,778
Trusts
7,445
15,000
22,445
Council meeting donations
8,416
-
8,416
Gift Aid
13,383
1,250
14,633
Other
360
360
204,845
21,250
226,095		 2021/2
Total
Funds
(Note 11)
£
16,583
99,257
1,750
43,955
3,486
9,414
-
174,445

3. Investment income

Income from investments
Interest receivable		 2022/3
£
2,867
566
3,433		 2021/2
£
1,708
87
1,795

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Notes to the financial statements Year ended 31 March 2023

4. Expenditure on charitable activities

Staff costs

salaries

pension contributions

Social Security costs
Theological Consultant (Note 10)
Other consultants
Office equipment and supplies
IT, communications and website
Staff meetings, travel and accommodation
Working Group and trustee costs
Council meeting costs
DEF travel costs
Grant to Evangelical Fellowship in the
Anglican Communion (EFAC)
Development of resources for DEFs and
CEEC member networks
Professional and advisory fees
Insurance
Books, publications and subscriptions
Bank charges		 ------- Year ended 31 March 2023 -------
Unrestricted
Funds
(General)
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
Funds
£
118,359
6,898
2,842
-
-
-
118,359
6,898
2,842
128,099
-
128,099
-
31,096
31,096
7,539
-
7,539
572
-
572
8,312
-
8,312
20,843
-
20,843
897
-
897
14,956
-
14,956
441
-
441
10,000
-
10,000
32,283
-
32,283
13,170
-
13,170
721
-
721
835
-
835
80
-
80
238,748
31,096
269,844		 2021/2
Total
Funds
(Note 11)
£
60,756
1,183
1,231
63,170
31,200
860
2,224
3,166
3,637
650
6,874
-
10,000
35,432
13,403
560
310
96
171,582

5. Trustees’ Expenses

Payments made to the trustees, as reimbursements for travel costs, amounted to £69.09 for the year ended 31 March 2023 (2021/22 - £218).

6. Staff costs

There were 4 employees during the year (2021/22 – 4). No employee received emoluments above £60,000 in 2022/23 or the prior year.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Notes to the financial statements Year ended 31 March 2023

7. Current asset investments

The Council holds 4,639.98 (2022 – 4,639.98) Income Shares in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund.

Market value at beginning of year
Additions
(Losses)/gains during the year
Market value at end of year		 2023
£
102,667
-
(3,648)
99,019		 2022
£
58,102
40,000
4,565
102,667

8. Debtors

Debtors
Prepayments to suppliers
Other receivables
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors		 2023
£
5,318
1,460
6,778
2023
£
1,337
1,337		 2022
£
2,077
55
2,132
2022
£
170
170

9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

10. Funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Theological Consultant
Total funds, represented by net current assets		 1 April
2022
£
164,807
31,900
196,707		 Income
£
208,278
21,250
229,528		 -------- 2022/23 --------
Expend-
iture
£
Gains/
(losses)
£
31 March
2023
£
(238,748)
(3,648)
130,689
(31,096)
-
22,054
(269,844)
(3,648)
152,743		 -------- 2022/23 --------
Expend-
iture
£
Gains/
(losses)
£
31 March
2023
£
(238,748)
(3,648)
130,689
(31,096)
-
22,054
(269,844)
(3,648)
152,743
152,743

The restricted fund comprises income donated specifically to fund payments to the Revd Dr Martin Davie in his role as the Council’s Theological Consultant.

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The Church of England Evangelical Council

Notes to the financial statements Year ended 31 March 2023

11. Prior year statement of financial activities

------Year ended 31 March ------Year ended 31 March 2022------
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds
(General)
£ £ £
Income
Donations and grants received 136,945 37,500 174,445
Investment income 1,795 - 1,795
Total income 138,740 37,500 176,240
Expenditure
Charitable activities (140,382) (31,200) (171,582)
Net income (1,642) 6,300 4,658
Net gains on investments 4,565 - 4,565
Net outgoing in funds for the year 2,923 6,300 9,223
Funds at beginning of year 161,884 25,600 187,484
Funds at end of year 164,807 31,900 196,707

12. Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year or the prior year.

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