## Chiltern Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **CHARITY INFORMATION**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **Trustees**
Rachel Berende Susan Legg David Lunn John Morton Adebimpe Oki David Roberts
## **Key Staff**
Jason Humphreys
## **Custodian Trustees**
The Church Growth Trust
## **Governing Document**
Deed of Trust dated 1963
## **Charity Registration Number**
1116502
## **Principal Address**
Chiltern Church 83 Chiltern Road Sutton SM2 5QY
## **Independent Examiner**
Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank Ltd National Westminster Bank Plc Nationwide Building Society
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Charity Information|1|
|Trustees' Annual Report|2-5|
|Independent Examiner's Report|6|
|Statement of Financial Activities|7|
|Balance Sheet|8|
|Notes to the Accounts|9-17|
|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives|18|
Page 1
## **Chiltern Church – Charity 1116502**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2025**
The Trustees are pleased to submit their Report and Accounts for the year. The accounts incorporate the accounts of Chiltern Church Property Trust.
## **Objects of the Church**
The objects of the Church comprise –
- The advancement of the Protestant and evangelical tenets of the Christian Faith, either in the United Kingdom or overseas.
- The encouragement of missionary activity designed for the spread of the Christian faith.
- The furtherance of religious education.
- The relief of the poor and needy.
- The help and comfort of the sick and aged.
- The administration of any property or estate for any religious or other charitable object, institution or work.
- The general advancement of any religious or other charitable object, not inconsistent with the above.
## **Governance, staff and volunteers**
The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the property and activities of Chiltern Church (the Church) are applied to the objects of the Church and this includes managing the Church building and any property owned by the Church. They are legally responsible for all activities, employees and funds used in the Church and its associated activities.
The Trust Deeds are the governing documents of the Church. However, these do not specify the arrangements for the running and day to day management of the Church. The Church Constitution therefore complements the Trusts by setting out guidance and procedures for the internal governance of the Church, subject always to the requirements of the Trust Deeds. Under the Constitution, the Leadership Team, chaired by the Pastor, lead the day-to-day organisation and operation of the Church and plan and supervise the activities of the Church under delegated authority from the Trustees. The Constitution also clarifies the process of appointment of Trustees and the qualifications sought in candidates for trusteeship. Trustees propose the appointment of new Trustees after they have sought nominations from Church members. A series of policies are also in place to provide for the effective operation and safety of the Church (e.g. Health and Safety, Safeguarding) and these are reviewed regularly by the Leadership Team and/or Trustees and amended where necessary.
The staff, Trustees, Leadership Team, and Church members comprise people of a wide variety of backgrounds, ethnicity and ages, whose lives have been changed by the Christian faith. The Church is blessed currently to have two full-time members of staff, namely the Pastor and the Youth & Worship Pastor, and two part-time staff (Children & Families Leader and Church Administrator). A large proportion of the membership of the Church are also involved as volunteers in leading and helping to run the activities of the Church.
## **Review of Activities**
The vision of the Church is for our fellowship to be energized by the love and power of God, to grow as followers of Jesus and share His message of hope with our community, city and world. These three elements are summarized as Loved, Equipped and Involved. The inspiration of the Bible, the essential role of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ message of love and redemption are at the core of the ministry of the Church. Further details of our vision and core values and all the activities of the Church are available on the Church’s website at www.chilternchurch.org.uk.
The activities of the Church have grown and developed substantially in the last few years and we thank God for his blessing on our ministry. We now have over 50 additional people regularly attending our Sunday services compared to 18 months ago. In view of this growth we are approaching the limits
Page 2
of our seating capacity for Sunday morning services and the Trustees and Leadership Team have been exploring options to enable further growth. As part of this we have sought to progress moving to a school hall nearby for Sunday morning services.
During the year we held a highly successful Alpha course with over 70 participants. We also held a remarkable “weekend away” in Sussex attended by the majority of the church. The church has also been blessed by several baptisms and a significant number of new members.
Cameo, our seniors’ group, and Tots & Toys, our parent and toddlers’ group, are very well attended. The children’s ministry is growing and held a successful holiday club in the summer holidays. Our youth ministry (Pursuit) continues to be very popular and has had growing impact.
Our small group ministry has continued to develop. We currently have seven Connect Groups meeting regularly that serve over 80 people. Over the past year we have also had a strong programme of training opportunities and social events.
The Church premises are used as a community facility for local initiatives. We have continued to maintain a high standard of maintenance and facilities across all the Church’s property. This included significant expenditure on electrical upgrades and replacing dormer windows during the course of the year.
## **Transfer of Charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)**
In May 2025 the Charity Commission approved the Church becoming a CIO with the registered charity number of 1213465. The assets, liabilities and contracts of this charity were transferred to the CIO with effect from 1[st] January 2026 by means of an asset transfer agreement.
## **Financial Review**
Details of the Church’s finances are set out in the accompanying accounts. Offerings and donations are the primary source of the Church’s income and these, excluding designated and restricted donations, grew by 4.5% compared with the previous year. This is especially encouraging given the generous response of members and friends in restricted donations to the housing project outlined below. The growth in donations was underpinned by the regular giving of our members and friends by standing order and bank transfer. Alongside the growth in income, costs were also well controlled with the result that there was a healthy surplus on the normal activities of the church. The Church also received a generous legacy during the year from the estate of a member.
The Church sets aside 10% of its undesignated donation income and associated gift aid to assist missionaries, charitable organizations and community projects in the UK and overseas. The amount set aside for this in 2025 was £18k.
In 2020, the Church assisted the pastor and his wife to purchase a home on a shared ownership basis. The Church has an interest of approximately 40% in this property. It financed its stake with an existing fund designated for this purpose and funds raised from a mortgage on the flat owned by the Church.
The Church flat provides housing for the Youth & Worship Pastor and his family. The Church is seeking to replace the flat with larger, better situated accommodation and launched an appeal for funding pledges for this purpose in February 2025. Pledges for this appeal have now reached £50k. However, the housing market has been very slow over the past year and this has held up our efforts to sell the existing flat and acquire an appropriate replacement property.
## **Reserves**
The Church has a minimum reserves policy which is reviewed annually by the Trustees. This minimum level of reserves provides flexibility to cover short term risks and uncertainties, such as fluctuations in donations and costs, and meeting contractual obligations. The minimum general reserve is not invested in fixed assets or designated for specific purposes. The Trustees consider that the Church should continue to maintain the minimum level of general reserves at a level broadly equivalent to
Page 3
three months of expenditure on salaries and other committed costs. In accordance with this policy, the Trustees agreed in 2023 to increase minimum general reserves from £30k to £35k with effect from the end of 2023 in view of the increased level of the Church’s salary costs and committed costs. No further adjustment was required in 2025 as the change in 2023 provided sufficient coverage.
At the year end, the Church held unrestricted cash of over £50k. The Church has a designated reserve which enables the Church to invest in accommodation for the pastor in the Church area. This reserve was invested in the purchase of a house for the pastor and his family on a shared ownership basis in 2020 as described in the Financial Review section above.
## **Investment Policy**
The policy for investing liquid funds is as follows: -
- Funds in the general reserves representing the minimum amount seen as being required by the Trustees, are held in current accounts or interest-bearing deposits with up to a three months’ notice period.
- Funds in excess of the minimum required level of general reserves are held in current accounts or interest-bearing deposits with no restrictions on notice period.
- In either case, deposits are placed with UK banks, building societies or other UK institutions of good standing (e.g. the Charities Aid Foundation) and are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
## **Risk Control**
The Trustees review, on an annual basis, the significant risks to which the Church may be exposed and the measures in place to constrain such risks. The Leadership Team and activity leaders are also involved in risk assessment and mitigation.
## **Provision of Public Benefit**
The Leadership Team and the Trustees acknowledge the guidance of the Charity Commission in respect of Public Benefit and Religion and have paid due regard to it. The wide ranging and varied activities of the Church supply much appreciated benefit and support both to those in the Church, the community and to various projects and individuals around the world. These benefits have helped to meet spiritual, physical and educational needs and supported and helped communities irrespective of background and status. As noted in the Financial Review, the Church sets aside 10% of its undesignated donation income and associated gift aid for funding missionaries, charitable organizations and community projects in the UK and overseas.
## **Responsibilities of trustees under charity law**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
4. state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
5. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations
Page 4
2008. 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.
**Approval** This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
S Legg _____________________ S Legg (Jun 24, 2026 09:25:37 GMT+1) Susan Legg Jun 24, 2026 Date: ________________
Page 5
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **('the Charity')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 on pages 7 to 18 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 9 to 10.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s 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 Charity’s accounts 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**
Since the Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts 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.
Sarah Crispin Sarah Crispin (Jun 29, 2026 08:31:55 GMT+1)
Sarah Crispin ACA The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: Jun 29, 2026
Page 6
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities
6
**Total expenditure**
**Net gains/(losses) on investments**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
16
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
16|Unrestricted
Funds
£
188,464
23,638
1,687
213,789
208,740
208,740
71,366
76,415
(5,265)
71,150
485,674
556,824|Restricted
Funds
£
57,564
-
5,100
62,664
26,316
26,316
-
36,348
5,265
41,613
2,212
43,825|Total
Funds
2025
£
246,028
23,638
6,787
276,453
235,056
235,056
71,366
112,763
-
112,763
487,886
600,649|Total
Funds
2024
£
191,162
14,736
6,816|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||212,714|
|||||210,478|
|||||210,478|
|||||4,045|
|||||6,280
-|
|||||6,280
481,606|
|||||487,886|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The notes on page 9-18 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
8
Investments
9
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
11
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
12
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling due**
13
**after more than one year**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**FUND BALANCES**
16
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds|Unrestricted
Funds
£
273,903
313,360
587,263
16,619
53,013
69,632
(15,799)
53,833
641,096
(84,272)
556,824
540,667
16,157
556,824
-
556,824|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
43,825
43,825
-
43,825
43,825
-
43,825
-
-
-
43,825
43,825|Total
Funds
2025
£
273,903
313,360
587,263
16,619
96,838
113,457
(15,799)
97,658
684,921
(84,272)
600,649
540,667
16,157
556,824
43,825
600,649|Total
Funds
2024
£
281,457
241,994|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||523,451|
|||||9,679
58,964|
|||||68,643
(12,044)|
|||||56,599|
||||||
|||||580,050
(92,164)|
|||||487,886|
|||||470,872
14,802|
|||||485,674
2,212|
|||||487,886|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and were signed on its behalf by:
S Legg S Legg (Jun 24, 2026 09:25:37 GMT+1)
---------------------------------------
Susan Legg
Jun 24, 2026 Date: ___________________
Charity number: 1116502
The notes on page 9-18 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **1 Statutory Information**
- The charity is trust registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charity's registered number and principal address can be found on the Charity Information page.
## **2 Accounting Policies**
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain assets, which are measured at fair value through the Statement of Financial Activities.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: 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) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the '2008 Regulations') requires charities to prepare their accounts in accordance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005' but this accounting standard has since been withdrawn and has been replaced by the Charities SORP mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The charity has prepared these financial statements in accordance with the new Charities SORP; this departure from the 2008 Regulations is believed to be necessary for these financial statements to give a 'true and fair view'.
The previous year's accounts were prepared using the receipts and payments basis but, this year, the charity was obliged to prepare its accounts using the accruals basis. The results for 2024, which are comparatives quoted in these accounts, have been restated using the accruals basis (see note 20 for details).
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
## a) Going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the impact of the plans to close the Trust and transfer the assets into a CIO of the same name. This transfer took place during Janaury 2026. There was no impairment of assets on transfer and the CIO continues to operate. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the CIO has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
## b) Income
Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income from donations and legacies includes:
i) Recoverable gift aid. This is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
ii) Legacies. Income from legacies is recognised when a distribution is received from the estate or, if earlier, when the charity has been notified that a distribution will be made and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.
Income from charitable activities represents income receivable from goods, services and facilities supplied in furtherance of the charity's charitable objects. It includes income from church retreats and other events and courses.
Investment income represents income generated by the charity's assets and includes income from letting the charity's property and bank interest.
Page 9
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **2 Accounting Policies (cont.)**
- c) Expenditure
Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
The cost of raising funds is not significant and has not been separately disclosed.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
## d) Fund accounting
- General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. Endowment funds are donations that are retained as capital in accordance with the donor's wishes. The nature of the restriction determines whether the endowments represent permanent endowments or expendable endowments.
## e) Tangible fixed assets
Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £1,500 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To achieve this objective the following rates of depreciation are charged:
Leasehold property Over 50 years after taking account of the building's residual value Freehold property Over 50 years after taking account of the building's residual value Fixtures and fittings Over 4 years Equipment Over 4 years
The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
## g) Investments Social investments are investments where the primary motive is to further the charity's objects, not to generate an investment return. Social investments comprise :
- i) concessionary equity loans. These are initially recognised as the amount paid and thereafter the carrying value at every balance sheet date is adjusted for fair value.
Impairment losses and losses arising on the disposal of social investments are included in the Statement of Financial Activities under the heading 'Expenditure on charitable activities'. Gains arising on the disposal of social investments are included in the Statement of Financial Activities under the heading 'Other income'. All other gains and losses on investment assets are included in the Statement of Financial Activities under the heading 'Net gains / (losses) on investments'.
## h) Pension scheme arrangements
The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees. Obligations for contributions to these schemes are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.
- i) Taxation
The charity has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.
- j) Financial instruments The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Except for loans, creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). The charity recognises liabilities for the principal of those loans that remains outstanding at the year end (i.e. the liabilities exclude any interest chargeable on the loans in future years).
- k) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement
The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.
- l) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
Page 10
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
## **3 Donations and legacies**
|Donations of cash and similar
Legacies receivable
Gift aid recoverable
**4**
**Income from charitable activities**
Church retreats and events
Community outreach programs
**5**
**Investment income**
Property letting
Bank interest
**6**
**Charitable expenditure**
**a**
**Costs incurred directly on specific activities**
Ministry expenses
Salaries, travel and expenses
Sunday services and other ministries
Youth and children ministry
Conferences and training
Property expenses
Rent and rates
Telephone and utilities
Operational costs
Repairs and maintenance
Equipment
Miscellaneous expenses
Depreciation
Grants payable (note 6c)
**b**
**Costs incurred on support & administration**
Governance costs
Independent examiner's fee
Printing, postage and stationery
Subscriptions and professional fees
Mortgage interest payable
Insurance
**Total expenditure**|2025
£
194,691
11,193
40,144
246,028
2025
£
11,272
12,366
23,638
2025
£
5,100
1,687
6,787
2025
£
116,714
2,132
11,458
15,409
2,390
5,406
8,844
15,132
7,985
293
10,892
196,655
17,232
213,887
3,000
3,000
3,256
5,945
6,725
2,244
21,170
235,056|2024
£
158,893
-
32,269|
|---|---|---|
|||191,162|
|||2024
£
515
14,221|
|||14,736|
|||2024
£
5,167
1,649|
|||6,816|
|||2024
£
116,074
1,971
9,876
1,258
2,264
6,023
8,129
6,400
2,996
162
10,454|
|||165,608
24,154|
|||189,761|
|||1,860|
|||1,860
2,187
6,964
7,607
2,099|
|||20,717|
|||210,478|
The fee payable to the independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts was £3,000 (2024: £1,860).
Page 11
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **6 Charitable expenditure (cont.)**
## **c Grants payable**
|Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for the relief of poverty
Grants for education, including ministry training
The comparatives for the previous year are as follows:
Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for the relief of poverty
Grants for education, including ministry training
The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised:
African Child Trust
CAP
Hope Together
Mission Without Borders
South Asian Concern
Sutton Community Works
Sutton Schools
Tearfund
Grants to institutions for less than £1,000 each|Institutions
£
13,493
3,430
3,275
20,198
Institutions
£
13,713
6,691
3,750
24,154|Individuals
£
-
-
-
-
Individuals
£
-
-
-
-
2025
£
850
690
3,272
1,137
850
2,740
2,075
3,734
4,850
20,198|2025
£
13,493
3,430
3,275|
|---|---|---|---|
||||20,198|
||||2024
£
13,713
6,691
3,750|
||||24,154|
||||2024
£
1,350
1,425
1,425
1,000
1,600
2,350
2,075
650
12,279|
||||24,154|
- **7 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration** The average monthly number of employees during the year was 4.5 (2024: 5). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
During the year key management received employment benefits totalling £50,405 (2024: £48,480).
No trustees received employment benefits in either the current or preceding year.
## **8 Tangible fixed assets**
|Cost
At 1 January 2025
Additions
At 31 December 2025
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2025
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2025
Net book value
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024|Leasehold
Property
£
233,511
-
233,511
51,372
4,670
56,043
177,468
182,139|Freehold
Property
£
227,686
-
227,686
132,058
4,554
136,612
91,074
95,628|Fixtures
& Fittings
£
2,443
1,587
4,031
611
611
1,222
2,809
1,832|Computer & PA
Equipment
£
4,127
1,750
5,877
2,269
1,057
3,326
2,551
1,858|Total
2025
£
467,767
3,337|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||471,105|
||||||186,310
10,892|
||||||197,202|
||||||273,903|
||||||281,457|
48 Devonshire House, the above leasehold property, is pledged as security for the loan with closing balance of £91,699 at the year end. As indicated in note 18, the charity accepted an offer, subject to contract, for the sale of 48 Devonshire House following the year end with expected proceeds of circa £305,000.
Page 12
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **9 Fixed asset social investments**
|**d asset social investments**|||
|---|---|---|
|Concessionary
Loan
Fair value brought forward
241,994
Net gains/losses on investments
71,366
Fair value carried forward
313,360|2025
£
241,994
71,366
313,360|2024
£
237,949
4,045|
|||241,994|
The Church has given a concessionary equity loan to Mission Housing for the purpose of financing a shared ownership stake in the pastor's house. This is an interest free equity loan based on the value of this property. The loan will be repaid when the property is sold and the redemption value will be based on the sales proceeds. The property was valued on 31 December 2025 by Mission Housing based on a RICS valuation of the property
## **10 Debtors**
|**Falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Gift aid recoverable
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**11**
**Cash at Bank and in Hand**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Notice deposits (with a term of three months or less)
Petty cash
**12**
**Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year**
Other creditors
Accruals
Loans
**13**
**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**
Loans|2025
£
13,294
1,890
1,435
16,619
2025
£
96,488
-
351
96,838
2025
£
5,082
3,290
7,426
15,799
2025
£
84,273
84,273|2024
£
5,327
3,210
1,142|
|---|---|---|
|||9,679|
|||2024
£
37,805
20,000
1,159|
|||58,964|
|||2024
£
3,857
1,860
6,328|
|||12,044|
|||2024
£
92,164|
|||92,164|
## **14 Loans and finance leases**
The liabilities for loans referred to in notes 13 and 14 fall due for repayment as follows:
|Repayable:
Within one year
Between one and five years
After five years|By
instalments
7,426
35,156
49,117
91,699|2025
2024
£
£
7,426
6,328
35,156
25,311
49,117
66,853
91,699
98,492
Bank loans|2025
2024
£
£
7,426
6,328
35,156
25,311
49,117
66,853
91,699
98,492
Bank loans|
|---|---|---|---|
||||98,492|
The bank loan referred to in the above notes is secured on a leasehold building owned by the church. Interest is payable at a variable rate, which at the balance sheet date was 6.6%. The loan is being repaid in monthly instalments over a 15 year period.
Page 13
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **15 Pension commitments**
During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £7,131 (2024: £6,731) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes.
## **16 Funds**
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_Designated Funds_
Property
Mission
CAMEO
_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Property Trust
Special Appeals
Church Weekend 2025
Pursuit/DTI
Church Building Development
Housing
Other
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2025
£
6,035
8,690
77
14,802
470,872
485,674
-
-
2,212
-
-
-
-
2,212
487,886|Incoming
resources
2025
£
-
-
1,655
1,655
212,134
213,789
5,100
3,746
-
5,226
11,413
33,025
4,154
62,664
276,453|Outgoing
resources
2025
£
-
-
(1,855)
(1,855)
(206,885)
(208,740)
(11,952)
(807)
(2,212)
(1,001)
(6,190)
-
(4,154)
(26,316)
(235,056)|Transfers
in the year
2025
£
-
995
560
1,555
(6,820)
(5,265)
6,852
-
-
-
(1,587)
-
-
5,265
-|Gains and
losses
2025
£
-
-
-
-
71,366
71,366
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
71,366|Closing
balance
2025
£
6,035
9,685
437|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||16,157
540,667|
|||||||556,824|
|||||||-
2,939
-
4,225
3,636
33,025
(0)|
|||||||43,825|
|||||||600,649|
The transfers referred to above were made for the following reasons:
Funds were transferred into the designated CAMEO fund to represent the CAMEO petty cash not previously included in the a) accounts.
b) Funds were transferred into the restricted Property Trust fund to ensure this did not go into a deficit. Funds were transferred into the designated Mission fund to reflect the amount the Trustees had set aside for future mission c) projects.
Funds were transferred from the restricted Church Building Development fund to the general fund to represent restricted funds d) spent on a fixed asset.
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|Tangible fixed assets
Investment property
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year
Creditors falling due after one year|General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
273,903
313,360
16,619
36,856
16,157
(15,799)
(84,272)
540,667
16,157
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
43,825
43,825|2025
£
273,903
313,360
16,619
96,838
(15,799)
(84,272)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||600,649|
Page 14
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **16 Funds (cont.)**
In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_Designated Funds_
Property
Mission
CAMEO
_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Property Trust
Special Appeals
PA Project
Church Weekend 2025
Pursuit/DTI
Other
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2024
£
6,035
8,704
187
14,926
465,620
480,546
-
-
-
-
1,060
-
1,060
481,606|Incoming
resources
2024
£
-
-
1,440
1,440
188,094
189,534
5,167
6,894
3,335
2,212
1,305
4,267
23,179
212,713|Outgoing
resources
2024
£
-
-
(1,550)
(1,550)
(178,923)
(180,473)
(13,145)
(6,894)
(3,335)
-
(2,365)
(4,267)
(30,005)
(210,478)|Transfers
in the year
2024
£
-
(14)
-
(14)
(7,964)
(7,978)
7,978
-
-
-
-
-
7,978
-|Gains and
losses
2024
£
-
-
-
-
4,045
4,045
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,045|Closing
balance
2024
£
6,035
8,690
77|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||14,802
470,872|
|||||||485,674|
|||||||-
-
-
2,212
-
-|
|||||||2,212|
|||||||487,886|
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|Tangible fixed assets
Social investment
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year
Creditors falling due after one year
Provisions for liabilities|General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
281,457
241,994
9,679
41,950
14,802
(12,044)
(92,164)
-
470,872
14,802
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
2,212
2,212|2024
£
281,457
241,994
9,679
58,964
(12,044)
(92,164)
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||487,886|
## Designated funds
The designated Property fund represents monies set aside to assist pastors of the church secure appropriate accommodation in the church area.
The Mission Fund represents money set aside for to be available for a mission project.
CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other) is the ministry to seniors in the church and local community.
Page 15
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **16 Funds (cont.)**
Restricted funds
The Chiltern Church Property Trust is the original Trust set up in 1958 and limited to the church buildings. In 1963 the trustees signed another trust deed to provide wider powers. The Charity Commission has recognised the second trust as the prime charity with the earlier 1958 trust set up as a linked charity.
The Special Appeals fund relates to donations given for a number of specific charities.
Church weekend 2025 represents donations given to subsidise the 2025 church weekend away.
The Pursuit/DTI fund is for the work of Pursuit including the purchase of equipment and the cost of attending DTI. Church Building Development fund relates to donations received for the future redevelopment of the church premises to accommodate a larger congregation.
The Housing fund relates to donations received for the purchase of a new flat for the Assistant Minister.
Other restricted funds relates to one-off appeals and donations, all of which were fully spent during the financial year.
## **17 Transactions with related parties**
During the year the charity:
a) received donations totalling £74,129 (2024: £45,570) from related parties (which includes trustees, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
- b) No expenses (2024: £nil) were paid to, or for, the trustees
During the year the charity also made the following payments to, or for, related parties:
- a) Alla Lunn, who is closely related to David Lunn, who is a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £3,768 (2024: £5,563) for providing services to the charity
There have been no other transactions with related parties during the year.
## **18 Events since the year end**
Subsequent to the year end, the charity accepted an offer for the sale of its property, 48 Devonshire House. Contracts have not yet been exchanged at the date of approval of these financial statements. The expected proceeds are approximately £305,000.
As this transaction relates to conditions arising after the reporting date, no adjustment has been made to the financial statements.
After the year end, the assets and liabilities of the Charity were transferred at book value to a new charity, Chiltern Church CIO which has the same charitable objects and through which the work of the Charity continues.
## **19 Members**
Each member of the charity commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £10.
## **20 Reconciliation with previously reported funds**
During the year the charity received over £250k of income and so can no longer prepare the accounts under a receipts and payments basis. The previous year's results have been restated in line with the Charities SORP.
## _Reconciliation of reserves_
|Previously reported reserves, at 31 December
Cash
Debtors
Liabilities
Adjustments arising from conversion to accurals accounting
Capitalisation of fixed assets
Investment property
Prepayments
Other debtors
Other creditors
Inclusion of CAMEO petty cash
Re-stated reserves, at 31 December|2024
£
58,838
6,647
(100,352)
(34,867)
281,457
241,994
1,142
1,890
(3,856)
126
487,886|2023
£
56,486
5,760
(106,679)|
|---|---|---|
|||(44,433)
286,991
237,949
-
1,698
(598)|
|||481,607|
Page 16
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **20 Reconciliation with previously reported funds (cont.)**
|**Reconciliation with previously reported funds (cont.)**||
|---|---|
|Previously reported results
Adjustments arising from the transition to accruals accounting
Gift aid debtor movement
Deposits received for church weekend
Refund of deposit received
CAMEO debtor movement
Mortgage capital payment
Payment for 2025 Church weekend
Capitalisation of equipment
Charging of depreciation
Early Bird registration for DTI
Independent examination fee for 2024
2023 Youth expenses paid in 2024
Property revaluation
Re-stated results
_Reconciliation of results_|2024
£
2,353
2,457
(3,200)
(1,000)
7
6,328
1,320
4,920
(10,454)
1,142
(1,860)
222
4,045|
||6,280|
Page 17
## **CHILTERN CHURCH**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Other income
6
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities:
6
**Total Expenditure**
**Net gains/(losses) on investments**
9
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
16
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
16||General
Designated
2025
2025
£
£
188,464
-
21,983
1,655
1,687
-
-
212,134
1,655
206,885
1,855
206,885
1,855
71,366
-
76,615
(200)
(6,820)
1,555
69,795
1,355
470,872
14,802
540,667
16,157
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2025
£
57,564
-
5,100
62,664
26,316
26,316
-
36,348
5,265
41,613
2,212
43,825|Total
2025
£
246,028
23,638
6,787
-
276,453
235,056
235,056
71,366
112,763
-
112,763
487,886
600,649|||General
Designated
2024
2024
£
£
173,149
-
13,296
1,440
1,649
-
-
-
188,094
1,440
178,923
1,550
178,923
1,550
4,045
-
13,216
(110)
(7,964)
(14)
5,252
(124)
465,620
14,926
470,872
14,802
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2024
£
18,013
-
5,167
-
23,180
30,005
30,005
-
(6,826)
7,978
1,152
1,060
2,212|Total
2024
£
191,162
14,736
6,816
-
212,714
210,478
210,478
4,045
6,280
-
6,280
481,606
487,886|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 18