2023-12-31-accounts - The Joint Council Of The Bridge Benefice, Coventry

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Pea streets . I ITlfT ANNUAL REPORT 2023 THE BPII-

VICAR’S LETTER	2
CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT	5
St Stephen’s Church	5
St John’s Church	5
JOINT COUNCIL REPORT	8
SAFEGUARDING REPORT	9
STAFFING REPORT	10
ST STEPHEN'S CHURCH, CANLEY	11
Congregation	11
Connect Groups and Contact Groups	11
Outreach and Community Engagement	12
Children & Youth	13
ST JOHN'S CHURCH, WESTWOOD	15
Overview	15
Students	17
Children & Youth	17
The Garden of Hope	19
TRINITY CHURCH, BURTON GREEN	21
FABRIC REPORT	23
St Stephen’s, Canley	23
St John’s, Westwood	23
FINANCIAL REPORT	26
ELECTORAL ROLLS REPORT	28
DEANERY REPORT	28

VICAR’S LETTER

Personally, this was the year of returning to strength and health, as well as starting to re-engage with passions and ideas. 2023 was a year about returning to “normal,” whilst moving into new things. For example, I stopped being the parent of primary school children. These lines in the sand of “transition” are important but actually many things stay the same. I’m still in the same parental role but the context has shifted slightly.

It felt like we relaunched our churches in 2023 and regained the strength that we had in 2019. So it was a year of transition, but also returning to and continuing in “normal”. We’re still re-emerging, building teams and getting used to giving and serving again.

As we came back together in many ways and rebuilt in many ways, we were rebuilding our confidence in God whilst taking time to heal and overcome all that had come our way. We are in the middle of repenting and believing (Mark 1:15). Some of us are trying to have the confidence to step out again after disappointment, others having felt stifled and stuck by external events are now being liberated.

It’s possible to debate long and hard as to whether it is possible to change the mind of God. It’s interesting to look at key figures in the Bible; Abraham (Gen 18), Moses (Exodus 32) and many of the prophets. They seemed to be able to convince God to change His ideas or targets or to know that He was saying one thing to produce a different effect: repentance. Yet we know that God is unchangeable and unchanging and knows all things. He sees the end from the beginning. He has a grand plan that nobody can thwart. He’s already won. So this has been a year of endings and beginnings. We have moved forwards in key ways.

It’s been a real joy to see the Garden of Hope, Soup Lunch, Memory Café, Dandelions and other events in Canley and Westwood appear like spring bulbs pushing through the surface. We’ve added new team members and expanded roles; having a whole year of Erin with us has been a great gift.

We’ve also said goodbye to Sarah and the Ashelby family. There have been many momentous endings and beginnings which I think will have huge repercussions over the coming five years and we continue to be a church that not only works in our space but sends out to ripple across the city and beyond.

We have also welcomed many back to church, especially the Ahmad family; fruitful missionaries returning to join us as we walk into a new season.

We serve and love a God who by His very nature is relational. Everything good grows from relationship. It hurts when we say goodbye, but we know that new faith relationships are always around the corner as we partner and share faith.

Beginning a relationship in support and prayer, then putting on a worship event together gave me a new friend in Steve Elton. This alone would have been a very good outcome, but it would not have made it into my report to the church! Instead, what grew from that friendship was an idea from God’s heart, that Hope Springs and St John’s join and hopefully “go forth and multiply”, “being sent on our way by the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:4).

Relational support received from and given to St James (Fletchamstead / Tile Hill) via various relationships has also led to further partnership, planning to join The Bridge from 2025 while we seek to appoint an Associate Vicar for St James and The Bridge in 2024. We change and transition in community, knowing that to be a growing organism is always to be in transition, whether on a personal, family or community level.

After nine years as Vicar here and following the call to pioneer transformation, I’m looking to the academic year of 2024/25 as the point where the trees will have taken root and their strength will have been built to bear much fruit (John 15) as they remain connected to the Lord.

I am full of hope and faith that we can share God’s love effectively together and enter a season of much fruitfulness. However, I am also very aware of the spiritual battle we are walking into. A battle where we have the capacity to overcome if we will choose to live by our call:

This means each one of us choosing to become self-feeding disciples of Jesus, giving and receiving in committed relationships and communities, expressing our faith together in ways that bring others to know Jesus and bring the Kingdom.

I’m inviting all of us to read and put into practice my good friend, Dr Nic Harding’s practical book Living on the Frontline , about living in the victory that Jesus won for us on the cross and winning the battle we face each day. This is the preparation we need to have life in all its fullness (John 10:10).

The message of sin, the world and the enemy is to give in. To chase comfort and ease, the things of this world. We’re tempted to walk away from the battle and allow the call to discipleship to be something we do as an afterthought, an add on.

But this is our primary call for this life and prepares us for the next. Yes, we’re bruised, battered and things can be tough, but we live to be a band of siblings on mission together, chinking a glass, looking and seeing the love and shared experience in every eye after a week spent pushing back the darkness in harmony with one-another. As we invite Him to be with us, and we are a community in covenant relationship, we can keep going until we see the victory.

David

CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT

St Stephen’s Church

It has been a pleasure to serve this year as Churchwardens for St Stephen’s, helping where we have been able to encourage the fantastic and inspiring activity that happens in our small part of the world.

God has blessed us with a wonderful group of people that make up the St Stephen’s church family and it is great to see the different aspects of the Holy Spirit at work amongst us. As we look at our church services and community outreach activities we are reminded of 1 Corinthians 12.12 and see the demonstration of how, through each of us, He has blessed us with a variety of gifts and talents. Brought together there is a great amount of creativity, care and wisdom that spans generations and cultural boundaries that make our church a special place.

We are grateful to all those that have helped serve the church this year. To Jenni, Anna and the wider Bridge staff team for supporting the church and to Sarah Ashelby for her dedicated leadership of St Stephen’s over the years of her training and curacy. We will be praying for Sarah as she moves on to her new role as Rector at All Saints, Allesley.

We look forward to 2024 when Erin Gilmour will be joining us as Associate Minister. We are excited for what God has in store. God is good.

Tom and Katie

St John’s Church

Throughout 2023, we have seen a lot of change in St John’s. Erin has worked so hard to help us become more missional and championed the church to be active in this.

We had great success in our “Afternoon in the Garden” event, even with the rain and finishing in the church! Later in the year, we came together for Bonfire night with volunteers making sure there was an incredible firework display and of course the hospitality of our community ensuring we were fed and watered.

Soup lunch has gone from strength to strength, now to the point that it will look to start its own Alpha course in 2024!

We are blessed that while Erin will be working less with St John’s in 2024, she is staying in The Bridge and will continue to bless our communities.

This year, we also came together to see Caroline ordained priest and are thankful for her work in the Garden of Hope. This is a unique and special place for many in our church and it has really allowed us to encounter God in new and exciting ways.

In 2024 we will finally be able to get the flat roof replaced and watertight! We are so thankful to the team who came to help make this happen, and their continuing efforts towards looking at the pitched roof and the vision for the church as a whole.

Next year we will also be blessed to have Hope Springs church come and join us, exploring their future with us. I know many within the church welcome the opportunity for a 3rd Sunday service again and are intrigued and interested in how Hope Springs approach worship and church. We see this as a fantastic opportunity for both churches to learn and grow together for the glory of God’s kingdom.

David has been preparing and will take his Sabbatical in 2024. With the change in recent years, we encourage and pray for rest and rejuvenation

for David. The role of priest is not easy, and we pray that during this time David can draw closer to God and come back with a new vision and energy for our churches.

Our communities are growing vibrant and we have many looking to volunteer in the wider life of the church (though we would always appreciate more). We continue to pray for direction and growth and be Spirit-led in our future.

Ben and Carolyn

JOINT COUNCIL REPORT

The purpose of the Joint Council is to work with the Vicar to advance the whole mission of the Church in the parishes of Canley and Westwood. It is a registered charity, and its members are the charity’s trustees. They are: Clergy (ex-officio members)

David Hammond, Vicar
Erin Gilmour, Associate Minister
Sarah Ashelby, Curate
Caroline Hammond, Curate

Elected members (Base, year of the APCM when their term ends)

Laura Dawson (Canley, 2026)
Tom Hickinbottom (St Stephen’s Churchwarden, 2024)
Matt Jermyn (Canley, 2025)
Jonathan Martin (Canley, 2024)
Ben Packwood (St John’s Churchwarden, 2026)
Michelle Robinson (St John’s, 2024)
Jan Sayer (Burton Green, 2025)
Jeff Smailes (St John’s, 2026)
Graham Thomas (St John’s, 2025)

Four members are elected from Canley, four from St John’s and one from Burton Green, and the elected members must include at least one Churchwarden from each parish. Members are elected for three years at a time, and three of the nine elected members will complete their three-year term each year.

During 2023 the Joint Council met seven times. Topics discussed included student, youth and childrens’ work, building and roof repairs, staff recruitment and clergy calling. Safeguarding, finances and Eco-church are standing items on every agenda.

SAFEGUARDING REPORT

Safeguarding continues to be a high priority for the Bridge as we believe that keeping all people safe is of paramount importance.

During 2023 we continued to have a Safeguarding Team made up of Laura Dawson, our Bridge Safeguarding Officer, Emily Newbury, St Stephen’s Safeguarding Champion and Rebecca Torpey, St John’s Safeguarding Champion.
Safeguarding continues to be a key agenda item at the Joint Council and the leadership team have ensured that we are compliant with the Church of England’s Promoting a Safer Church Policy.
Jenni Dunne has continued to focus on updating volunteer’s DBS checks this year and we have made some significant progress in this area. There has been an improvement in our figures for Safeguarding Training. Thank you to the volunteers who act promptly when they have received emails asking them to complete either of these tasks.

STAFFING REPORT

Staffing at The Bridge continues to change with each season (and 2023 has seen plenty of change!), but it also presents us with lots of opportunities. The team has continued to grow and develop across 2023 with several answers to prayer for provision.

During 2023 we said;

a goodbye to Ros as Administrator at St John’s
a hello to Liz as voluntary Administrator at St John’s
a goodbye to Alison as Children’s Discipleship Enabler at St John’s
a hello to Anna as Children’s Discipleship Enabler across The Bridge (and then a temporary ‘see you later’ as she went on adoption leave)
a hello to Amy as our Children’s Discipleship Enabler Adoption Cover
a temporary ‘see you later’ to Sarah as Operations Minister she went on maternity leave
a hello to Beth as Operations Manager Maternity Cover

We are excited for 2024 and all that God is doing and will continue to do. He has been so faithful through every trial and adversity, as well as in the good and fruitful times. In all situations our staff is growing together and we see the goodness and faithfulness of God worked out in each one of them.

ST STEPHEN'S CHURCH, CANLEY

Congregation

2023 has marked a year of deepening connections and exploring new horizons in faith and community engagement at St Stephen’s. It has also seen Sarah Ashelby finish her curacy placement with us. We have been richly blessed by Sarah’s leadership during her curacy and the seeds of her investment in people will live on into the life of the church and surrounding community for years to come.

Our church family has shown tremendous support for one another and for the wider Canley area through various initiatives. Special thanks are extended to those who have dedicated their time and skills, particularly through volunteering that keeps our church a welcoming and nurturing place to be.

We have welcomed several guest speakers during the year helping us to connect more with our mission partners and have enjoyed working together to achieve a bronze Eco Church award which included a sermon series on creation care. The church continues to explore faith in Jesus in a family friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome.

Connect Groups and Contact Groups

The Connect and Contact Groups have continued to be vital in offering spaces for more intimate fellowship, prayer and bible study. These groups have been instrumental in facilitating personal growth and stronger bonds within our church family, playing a role in the ongoing process of renewal, spiritual growth and providing a structure of support to our church family.

Our two children’s Connect groups have continued in 2023 supported by Anna Martin and team. These have been instrumental in helping our young people explore faith through the themes of construction and creativity. These groups have been very popular and have shown a real opportunity for mission in our young people with many of them wanting to invite friends.

Outreach and Community Engagement

Our commitment to embodying the “MADE in Canley” mission — making a difference every day — has continued. Our outreach efforts have included:

Litter picks in Canley
Creative family engagements during school holidays (Hobby Hub)
Continued support for our local food bank and food hub services
Active participation in community enhancement projects, such as the Canley Parade and Canley Big Lunch
Our ever popular Nativity Trail which sees many local people coming to the church building for an interactive trail following the story of the nativity
Our alternative carol service, Carol’oke, which mixes traditional carols with performances from our talented church family members, young and old(er)

Our outreach activities have not only provided practical support but have also opened avenues for meaningful conversations about faith, hope and love. The church’s involvement in local governance and community planning initiatives, including the Canley Playing Out programme, underscores our commitment to being an integral part of our community’s fabric.

As we reflect on 2023, we are filled with gratitude for blessings we have experienced. We move forward with anticipation for the ways in which God will continue to work in and through St Stephen’s Church, Canley, to impact our congregation and the wider community positively. We are also excited for the start of Erin Gilmour’s ministry of leadership at St Stephen’s beginning in 2024.

Tom Hickinbottom Churchwarden

Children & Youth

This has been a year of some change in the team. Anna continued as St Stephen’s Children’s Worker until she was appointed as the Bridge Children Discipleship Enabler. Then in August she went on adoption leave and Jenni stepped in to help coordinate and keep things running smoothly. Amy was then appointed as Children Discipleship Enabler Adoption Cover in late November.

Throughout the year, Kid’s Connect groups continued. After a break in the autumn term, we relaunched with our Christmas special and are excited to see them fully running again in 2024 with a vision to grow into youth groups. It has been a joy to see how our children have engaged through these groups, as well as exploring prayer together.

Our outreach to our local families has also been a wonderful area of growth and engagement. We held our Easter Trail and Nativity Trail in St Stephen’s which were both very well attended with around 100 coming along to hear about the Easter and Christmas stories. Hobby Hub continued (crafts, games, refreshments and films during school holidays) which was a huge hit with the local community. We were also able to take a trip to see The Gruffalo courtesy of Warwick Arts Centre as outreach to Canley families.

Thank you so much to the wonderful team of volunteers who make all of this possible. The team at St Stephen’s looks forward to all God has in store for children and their discipleship journeys in 2024.

Jenni Dunne

ST JOHN'S CHURCH, WESTWOOD

Overview

It is a great privilege to write this report, sitting at my desk already three months into 2024. I feel very encouraged when I look back over 2023 and remember where God has been at work in St John’s.

We started with a strong focus on prayer with our monthly meetings, laying a foundation of prayer for new growth. As we moved through the year it was great to see the church begin to regain strength and new ideas and plans began to emerge. It was not an easy year by any stretch of the imagination, but as we continued to press into God we began to feel as though we were beginning to slowly come out of the fog into a wide open space.

Dandelions, Memory Cafe and Art Group continue to be a place of connection and reaching out. Soup Lunch, which was launched in December 2022, also continues to be a great initiative where lots of people from different demographics enjoy the welcome, comfort and companionship of a shared lunch.

Our Connect groups, now established, have become places of deep relationship and discipleship and we started huddles for those who had taken leadership roles. We joined together as a whole Bridge Wide family in our "pilgrimage" to New Wine (I say pilgrimage as it did feel like that at times, thanks to the great British weather!). Our ‘Afternoon in the Garden’, which was actually inside, was a great success and gave us an opportunity to welcome the local community into the church.

The beginning of September marked the re-energisation of our kid’s group with a new curriculum and lots of new leaders. We also launched

our Sunday youth group which began to meet in The Shack during our morning services.

Autumn also brought with it change as we welcomed Beth, Operations Manager Maternity Cover, and Amy, Children's Discipleship Adoption Cover, both who have settled into life at The Bridge really well and have both brought with them fresh energy and life. We announced our exploration of partnering with and hopefully eventually joining with Hope Springs… This is to be worked out throughout 2024.

Autumn's highlight was our wonderful Bonfire Night in the Garden of Hope with hot dogs, hot chocolate and many many sparklers. We even had a fireworks display! Lots of people joined in, brought their friends and we even had our new students bring their housemates along. It was a brilliant evening and one I hope can be repeated again in 2024!

I am so thankful that, although at times difficult, I spent 2023 leading St John’s. I am thankful to my development team, Ben, Carolyn, Jeff, Sarah and Kathryn who have worked hard behind the scenes to support and champion the numerous initiatives and changes throughout the year.

I am also very thankful for each and every person who has tirelessly given up their time and energy to serve St John’s, be that in front of church, with the children and young people, making St John’s a welcoming and hospitable place. You are all so valued. Thank you!

May 2024 be a year of new life and growth!

Erin Gilmour

Students

In 2023 the students began to work out what sustaining a small group looked like for them without a student worker in post. They’ve built deep and meaningful relationships and organise socials for people of peace to join in with. In the summer we advertised for a Student Worker and unfortunately were unable to recruit for the role. Erin and a wonderful team of volunteers, including myself, Kath and Andy Poole, Jeff Smailes and Jonathan and Hannah Lidbetter poured time and energy into our welcome to St John’s with events, goody bags and attending church fairs and searches. We’ve introduced two monthly rhythms, Sunday lunches with members of the wider church family, Carolyn Howarth taking a lead on this, and also a monthly event led by the student team for students to engage with.

The student community has grown in size and the new year brings new life with Mark Ahmed taking a lead as the team recalibrates to listen to what God is saying for the new season and covering it in prayer. Campus is full of open minds and hearts and there is hope to see our student ministry grow as we equip and enable mission amongst students.

Sarah Packwood

Children & Youth

This year has been one of change throughout the children’s team at St John’s. Alison brilliantly led children’s work until Easter. Following Alison, Erin led children’s work as Associate Minister of St John’s and in late November, Amy was then appointed as Children Discipleship Enabler Adoption Cover. Amy has been instrumental in coordinating children’s work going into the new year and we’re excited to see what 2024 brings.

Groups flourished in 2023 to very large amounts, with some sessions being attended by up to 92 children! Our 0-5 team have enjoyed leading sessions throughout the year. This group was led by Min and a group of super leaders; Caroline G, Anya and Olya, as well as a group of volunteers who helped support on an adhoc basis.

Our 5-11 group have developed their relationship with God as well as each other during the year. The children have enjoyed a range of sessions including learning about the Heroes of the Bible and going out together into the Garden of Hope. We have a wonderful group of committed volunteers who help us to run these sessions. We are so appreciative for all who give their time to nurture the faith of our children at St John's.

Rebecca leads a great team of volunteers, running our mid-week babies and children’s group; Dandelions. This group has a large number of parents and children who attend most weeks, often going on to attend other events run by The Bridge.

In November we had a Bonfire Party at St John’s, which was well attended by lots of Bridge families and their friends which they invited. It was a really special time to celebrate together and reach families in our community.

We are grateful for the amazing support of Susie and Nick Romney, with Rebecca who lead a spectacular pre-school ‘Pop-Up’ nativity service with the support of the Dandelion team helping with the craft and the Refresh team helping with the refreshments. It was really well attended and was a huge hit.

Throughout this year we have been praying for provision in youth work. We launched our Sunday youth groups in The Shack and are excited to further grow our youth ministry in 2024. Looking back, we are so grateful to

everyone who made children and youth work possible at St John’s. You are all wonderful and it wouldn’t have been possible without you!

The Garden of Hope

It has been a great year for The Garden of Hope project. There is a fantastic team of volunteers (which has grown this year), who turn up regularly on a Monday morning for coffee and gardening. Since people have taken responsibility for different areas the whole thing has become a lot more manageable (Kathryn Hammond’s brilliant idea!).

It has been great to work with people who have good gardening knowledge as this is not an area of strength for me. The gardening team have even continued to meet through much of the winter this year and surprisingly Mondays have been mostly dry.

It has been great to develop the spiritual side of the project over the last year through running a number of retreats including: a couple of art retreats, gardening retreats, a walking retreat, a reading retreat, a reset retreat and even retreats for a couple of other churches. These retreats have been attended by both Christians and those exploring faith. We have also hosted events including: a couple of sessions for the Diocesan New Worshipping Communities Taster Day, Dandelions Toddler group in the summer, the Christian Union Summer Ball, two Ukrainian afternoon Tea Parties, a Palm Sunday service, various Community Sundays and a wonderful Bonfire Night event where we met loads of new people from our local community.

Since the wooden signs went up last year (thanks Cliff), we have seen many people passing through the garden including people of different faiths and – nationalities often commenting on how peaceful they find the Garden of

Hope. It has been great to hear such positive feedback from many people who are frequent visitors. We recently received this email:

“I just want to drop a line and thank you very much for creating and maintaining the Garden of Hope. It is a lovely serene area, and I have been enjoying visiting it often!”

The funding bids were successful (thank you Jesus!), so we have been able to invest some money into creating a raised beds area in liaison with the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, who have referred a couple of people to grow vegetables. We have also brought a couple of sheds and are in the process of purchasing a sit on mower. It has been wonderful to watch the Garden of Hope grow and develop as people care for it. We are excited for all that God will do this year in the Garden of Hope and one of our key next developments will be to put up an outdoor post-mounted notice board so that we can advertise retreats etc. to visitors of the garden. Look out for this year's retreat programme coming soon…

If you’d like to get involved in this project please email: caroline@thebridgecoventry.org

If you have any furniture in good condition, cuttings of plants you can offer, boulders, stones (any size), bricks or slabs please do get in touch. Or you’d like to financially give to the work of the project you can do so here: https://thebridgecoventry.churchsuite.com/donate/fund/ojcmchjg

Caroline

TRINITY CHURCH, BURTON GREEN

When we (John and Becky Finlayson, Dave and Isabel Merrifield, and Jan Sayer, later joined by Kathryn Hammond) agreed to take over leading the church in Burton Green, more recently known as Trinity Church Burton Green, we were excited by the history of worship, prayer and prophecy over the village (dating back to the first services held in the school hall in 1909). It is a place that has been prayed over for much of the last 115 years.

Before the pandemic, we had a small (about 20+ regulars) but flourishing congregation. During the pandemic, we thrived as a church on zoom, meeting every week online on Sundays; there was real support, care and prayer for all. Since the pandemic, we have lost many people who used to attend Trinity Church Burton Green. Some died, some moved away, some were called by God to serve in other churches (including St John’s), and a few just never returned.

In January 2024, the decision was taken to stop meeting as a congregation in Burton Green. This was a sad and hard decision, but one that we all agreed on. Nearly all the remaining attendees will rejoin first-Sunday rhythms at St John’s.

As we reflect on our time in leadership, our thoughts are also drawn to celebrate those that have been part of the congregation and leaders over the years: Mike and Dorinda Holt, John and Barbara Gardner, Jerry and Sue Marshall, Alison Goodall, and Carol Currington immediately spring to mind. We honour them and all those who went before, for their service and faithfulness.

We confidently trust that God’s kingdom will come in Burton Green, in His time. And maybe, in time, the church in Burton Green will once again be replanted. Of the leadership team, John and Becky, will no longer be part

of St John’s, sensing God’s calling elsewhere, though they will continue to live as incarnational missionaries in the village. Dave and Isabel are exploring possibilities with God. Kathryn and Jan will continue working and worshipping at St John’s as before.

FABRIC REPORT

St Stephen’s, Canley

This report outlines the condition and status of the fabric of St Stephen's Canley for the current year, noting that no material changes or alterations have been made to the property. It serves to document the upkeep and preservation efforts in maintaining the church in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of the Church of England.

Building Exterior

Roof and Gutters: The roof tiles and gutters have been inspected and cleaned. The flat roof above the vestry is likely in need of repair or replacement in the near future.
Walls and Windows: The walls and stained-glass windows remain in good condition. The window in the nave has a small hole. The toilet windows are in need of replacement and will likely need to be before next winter as the wooden frames are in poor condition.
Doors: The main entrance and side doors are in reasonable condition, the vestry door was fully replaced during the year and the other doors restained.

Building Interior

Nave and Sanctuary: Both the nave and sanctuary are in reasonable condition, though they could warrant redecoration. The floor in the sanctuary is in need of replacement as elements of the laminate flooring are lifting up and causing a trip hazard. This has been mitigated with tape for the time being. The chairs are in good condition.
Electrical Systems: The electrical systems, including lighting and heating, have been regularly tested and are fully operational. The

kitchen circuit is limited in its capacity and would warrant an upgrade when possible.

Plumbing: There are no known issues with the plumbing.

Churchyard

Landscaping: The churchyard is well-kept, with regular maintenance of the grounds. The pathways and lawns are in good condition, with no significant changes.
Boundary Walls and Gates: The boundary walls and gates have been inspected and are in stable condition, requiring no immediate attention.

Maintenance

Routine maintenance tasks have been carried out consistently throughout the year to ensure the preservation of the church's fabric. This includes cleaning, inspections, and minor repairs as necessary.

St John’s, Westwood

Two great working parties took place during 2023 to keep the grounds in good shape. Many thanks to all who turned up and helped.

Concerning repairs and renovation to the flat roof - all approvals are in place, grant funding has been secured and a contractor has been appointed. Work is due to start in January 2024.

There was a whole church meeting about the need for a main roof renovation project. Preparation work for this continued with a number of 'expert' surveys being commissioned. Meetings were held with the Diocese fundraising team and building project section to understand what support

was available and how to prepare for such a major project. A whole church meeting is planned for March 2024.

Particular thanks for the ongoing service of Dave Cass and Phil Dunkerley who carry out many minor fixes as well as general maintenance jobs.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Finance Report – full details in the year end accounts

The Joint Council of the Bridge Benefice, Coventry has now been in operation for 3 years. The Charity Commission has sanctioned that the existing charity registration of St John’s can be re-named ‘The Bridge Benefice Coventry’ whilst keeping the existing charity number. The accounts of the two Parishes of St John’s Westwood and St Stephen’s Canley were transferred to the Joint Council on 1st January 2021 and this is the report of the combined accounts. The Bridge has three bases namely St John’s Westwood, St Stephen’s Canley and Trinity Burton Green.

The Bridge Benefice was in deficit by £4,654 (all funds) for 2023. The performance for unrestricted funds only is as follows:-

In comparison to 2022 and the forecast budget income the following changes occurred:

Planned giving was £214,016 including Gift aid which was below the budget of £259,500 (82% of budget). In 2022 giving was £209,519.
Gift Aid was £39,575 of the planned giving. In 2022 Gift Aid was £36,297.
The trading activities of Occasional Offices, room hire and car park rental totalled £16,571 (2022 was £12,269). This was ahead of their combined budget by £6,055 or 58%.
Overall income was £230,684. This was £39,316 or 14.6% below the planned budget of £270,000 income for the year; however, it was £8,796 above 2022. In 2022 overall income was £221,888.

In comparison to 2022 and the forecast budget expenditure, the following changes occurred:

The total cost of staff was £75,561. This was 19% below the budget of £93,500. In 2022 it was £88,443.
Groups and meetings expenditure was £12,075. The budget was £13,540, so came to an underspend of £1,465. In 2022 it was £11,153.
Spend on buildings, equipment etc. was £55,671, compared to the budget of £50,060. In 2022, £43,974 was spent on buildings etc.
Parish Share was as planned at £80,000. In 2022 it was £76,225.
Gifts to supported organisations was on budget at £32,400. In 2022, £22,000 was given to these organisations.
Overall expenditure was £258,303. Compared to a budget of £270,000, so an underspend of £11,697 or 4%. In 2022 it was £243,865.

Overall, this resulted in a deficit of £27,619 in 2023 on unrestricted funds. In 2022 the deficit was £21,978. This leaves cash in the bank at year end of £28,505 in the general account plus £21,913 in a designated building fund for St John’s, so a total of £50,418 in unrestricted funds.

Thus, the finances of The Bridge Benefice are in a weaker position at the end of 2023 with unrestricted and designated funds representing 19.5% of the turnover in 2023 which is above the target range of 10% to 15%. In 2024 the Bridge needs to at least cover costs to sustain a stable financial position.

To grow the continuing work of the church, as we hope to do, we need to encourage some further increases in regular giving.

The buildings at both St Stephen’s and St John’s require investment:

At St John’s the outcome of the 2020 Quinquennial inspection will require major investment in the fabric of the church building, initially a new flat roof (estimated c£90,000) followed before 2025, where a new roof for the main church building plus associated add-ons will be needed. This is yet to be costed but it is likely to be over £1,000,000.

At St Stephen’s an initial consultation has taken place on the possibility of working with the Canley Community Centre to build a new building which is both a church and a community centre. Further preparatory work will commence in 2024.

God's generosity and blessings are again recognised by the Joint Council as He continues to grow His work, and we continue to seek His will to further develop and grow His kingdom through His churches St John’s Westwood, St Stephen’s Canley and Trinity Burton Green.

Jeff Smailes

ELECTORAL ROLLS REPORT

This report is for the year January to December 2023. The Electoral Roll includes the two congregations of St John’s and St Stephen’s. We began the year with 151 people on the electoral roll – 114 in St John’s and 37 in St Stephen’s. In September two people left St John’s, so we ended the year with 149 people on the roll – 112 in St John’s and 37 in St Stephen’s. There were no changes at the time of the APCM in April 2023.0

DEANERY REPORT

David Hammond continued as Area Dean, having stepped into the role in 2022. This year there has been a continued commitment to praying together and building relationships between churches.

Charfty rngl¥trllon nun•r 1129017 JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY CONTENTS Page JOI Co1 rèp 1ndlndon1 ax8nr¢S r•wt Slatemenl of fin8nd81 aclhfjlie8 Balanco sheot Ncl•s lo t financial slatements 9-18

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY JOINT COUNCIL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The Trustees pro8enl their report with the finarKbal slal•Nwts gf the tho yw erMl8d 31 Do¢wnbw 2023. The finanaal sLements ha be•n ppared In &cordèrKe ¥•ith the ac£ounting pokn95 set out in rKJle 1 to th Ionancial ststem¢nl$ and ccrtnpty 7Mth the Ch•Ws goveming document, the Chanlies Act 2011 and "Arxounting d Rewting by Charili•$.' Slatement of Recofflm8n PradK8 appl¢able lo chanties preparing their aczounls In oco)rdan¢e wlh the Financial ReportHVJ Standard appli¢•bie in the UK and Republ ol Irelat)d IFRS 102> {•ffacti¥• 1 January 20181". Obl•¢llv•• Ind a¢U¥lth¥ Obl•¢tlvM and Alm• The Primary objgdi¥e of the Jdnt Coundl18 to ¢>wrale wilh ts mlnist•r ffj promoting In the par15h th8 th019 mi55ion of thg thur¢h', pasloral. •v•ngelislic. social and •cuwl¢a1. Th• Jolnt Cound ex¢oTd808 all the fimcllons ofth• PCCS ofthe parknhe8 01 and C•nley, whk wont Into abey8n¢o when the Jo1 CourKA wo8 ryea¢•d. Publlc 8•n•fft Thè Jolnt h•v• had due w•rd to guldan¢6 by th• cPrity Commi8won on public benefft gnd nsider thAt the ¢harlty complios with tho requirnments Volunt••r• The Joint CO11, WoUj Iko lo thank •V sthff, ¥ohJnt•er8 And supMw8. wllhoul whose effort8 th8 WO of Ihe chwity would not possh

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY JOINT COUNCIL REPORT (coKfiNUED) FOR ThIE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Achl•v•m•nts Ind p•rlomwnee Charftbl• •ctlvltlo• Th8 Joknl cour41 of Ihe 8re Berth, Cov•nty bèen in operan for 3 years. The Chanty Commk85ion has san¢lksned ¢ exlstkng ¢1)arOty iegistratKJn of Sl John'$ can be naMed 'The Bridge Benefice Covm, whilst k¢¢pthg the existing charity number. Th• actounts of the Iwo Paiish8s of Sl John'$ Wg$ts¥c¢4J and Sl Stephen's CanY Wére translerred to th• Joint Coundl on 1st January 2021 and this is tho iéport of th combined aczounts.The Brklgo 1$ thrge bases namely St John's $tWOOd. Sl Sleph¢n'8 and Trintty Burton Green. The Brfdge B•n•fic wa8 in deficil by £4.854 (al funds) for 2023. Tho unreslri¢•d funds o s as followB'. - In comparlson lo 2022 aThl tho foreca81 tAg•l Ihe fdkying ¢h•ng•8 oc•d... Planned givirw wa3 £214,016 irKILKling Glft 8ld wthich was behyw the ldget of £259,SCKJ {82% of budgo11. In 2022 gtNing was £209,519. Grlt Aid was £39,575 of th8 pl•nwl gmng. In 22 Grft AKI was £36,297. The tradlng acti1105 of Occastr)31 Offv8. rotsm hwe and Car park rgnl41, trfalled £18,571 12022 was £12,269) ah•ad of th•ir ¢¢ynb1n Jg1 by £6,055 or 58%. Ovefgl Incomg al, was £230.684. this is £39.316 or 14.8% below tho dannad of £270.000 irvjme but W88 £8,796 bo¥e 2022. In 2022 ovgr&l kKom• was £221,888. In comwl8on lo 2022 and the frffecul t4Klget eJp8nitw• the folvln9 ch•rw otrAwr•d.'. Tha total c1 ol 8tsff wai £75.581 {19%1 b¢knY the budget of £93.500. In 2022 it w81 £88,H3. Groupts and m8eting¥ expgnthtwe was £12,075 Th• tsJthJet wa$ £13.540, 80 on underspend of £1.485. In 2022 rt was £11.153. Spend on bLtildings, wuipmert elc £55,671, NW8UB the txty of £S0,CfjO. In 2022 £43,974 w88 8p8nl on bulldings etc. Parish Share wos 8$ plonned at £80.IW.12022 w•¥ £76,225) Grfts lo supportod Of9anisabon8 was on at £32.400. In 2022 £22,OIXI was gtrn Its these organisotw. r)¥r811 eXpeIKurO was E258.303, (2022 wa8 £243.865) vernus a trA*lgot of £270,(M)J, 80 an un¢Jeiyid of £11,697 or 4%. 0pre11. th1$ rnSUrt in 8 defKit of £27.619 in 2tr23 on fijnts. In 2022 tho dar w¥8 £21.978. Thi$ leave$ cash in the bank at year end of £28,505 kn the general xcount u8 £21,913 Sn a d•sIged buikling fund IOT St John's. 80 a total of £50.418 in reSIr¢ fimds. Thus. the finartts of Thg Brfdgo B8n•fK• arn k) a weaker posil¥M at th• end of 2023 with unrestrided and designated funds ropfesenting 19.5% of the lurrther in 2023 Is abov8 tho target fange of 10% to 15%. In 2024 the BvKlg• n••d$ to •t leg8t o)¥er ¢osl to sustain a stsble fmancial posrtw.

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY JOINT COUNCIL REPORT IcoKfiNUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 FIMnci•l r•vknw The tharity has a reseN8$ poly to malrfJn feseThw to a lfftj where adequate workng ¢apfft81 ty av8ilabl&. but not to allow excessive re$S bthng m•iitsino(l QT for fuThJs to go into d•fficit Tr totsl omwnl of resaryos held al the ye8r end amounted to t1,169. Th& re8utt8 for Ihe yèar art shown in Ihe Slalernnt of Finanoal Adiwbe$. The yearthend r4 $hoMm in the balance sheet. Th• Tfu$l¢es has assessed thè major ri6ks lo whth exposed. 8nd we 8at68ffi•d th sy8t•m8 arè in pl8c• lo mit¥•le expJsure lo Ihe majcf risks. 8tru¢tUM. gov•m•nc• and mna9•ml Gov•mlng Do¢um•nt The Jolnl CoUrf8 govamkw (kncum•nls arn P•mthS0l Chwth Coundl8 (Pwrs) Me•wrg 1956. as amended. and the Church Repfesent•lion RU are conta4d in Schedule 3 to th• Synodic•l Gtsvommont Mogsura 1969. 08 amfrnded), A made in N0mIr 2020 under se¢lx+n M38 of the Churth Repr•s•ntalion Rd•s modifi•d the appty in the Bridgg Bgngfic• and ¢raal¢d the Joint Coundl. Th• Tru81••8 who wvod during th• y••r and up lo the date ofslwaturn olthe fnl st¥t•mgnls w•r•.' D H8mmryKI J Smalles T Hlcknnbottom M Jemyn J Mgrtln L Dawson SA8holby A Maht•nTr Asmrfh J S8yer M Roblnson E Gilmour C Hammond B Packwood G Thomas (Restgn&J 30 June 2023) IRe5vJned 30 Jung 2023) (Appointed 30 April 2023) ntad 30 April 2023) R•¢rultm•nl *nd wlntm•nt n•w tnMtw• The memberth"p of the Joint Coundl18 s•t by the Clwrth R•prtnt•t Ruk. a5 mo¢lifi8d by th8 20 8themo. g•n1••tIon Structsr• Dtdsions made in lormal Joint Cound m&eting$ are ¢orTwnunKated to staff who pgrfm dhcl #nd administralive rdes aThJ ovorseen by the Joint cou1.

FÉ IS(-O JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVEKfRY JOINT COUNCIL REpoKf (CONTINUED) D Hamm¢)hd

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY I report lo the Truslees on my exarn1n8ti of the flnanda 8tstements of Joint Cwrol of The Brk1ge Benefe. Coventry lor the year 8nd8d 31 CJec•mb8f 2023. R••pon$Sblltto• and basls of r•port As the Trustees oflhe Chwity you a rwonsiblo kn the tstion oftr fmnoal statements n accordanc wllh th• r•qur8m8nts ollha ch¥.8 Ad 2011 ltha 2011 Ad). I rew1 In respect of my examination of fv Char18 TnC4&1$tIMIn1B caThied (Mrt und•r $tion 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examinalim I haN I•ed dl the apICabl0 tr¥dlorffj gn by the CharTty Commission under section 1451Sllbl of the 2011 Ad. Ind•p•nd•nt •xamln•rf# •l•t•nw &nce the Charity's gross InMe exc¢•dJ £.(XI ur •x•miw must be a meN)•r ol a boty listed in $8Ction 145 of th• 2011 A¢t. I c¥nfiffii that l arn qualified lo dertake t •xamin8tion be(¥u8e l am 4 member ofACA, which Is on• ol the118ted bodkn. Your atlenlion 15 drawn lo Iho fad that th• ¢hoth ha¥ prepared f6nanc491 sts1gmenl$ in ac¢ordarte wrth Aceounb'ng and Reporting by Char.e$ Prenn9 thèw in accordanc with th• Finanaal Rewtlng Standard applica¢ in thg UK and Rewt4¢ of Ireland {FRS 1021 in preferertt lo IM Accounting and Repofting by Chaiiti•s'. Stalem•nl of Rttrfnfflendgd Protho Issued on 1 April 2L)J5 whith is rgfgrred to in tho •x¢anl r•gu19tion$ but has now been l underydtsnd that this h•5 been dono In ordar for fin•tKial stst•m•nt¥ lo wowde • tsug and falr 4rf•w In accordancè vAlh Gonwaly ACpted Artirj PrKt¢e •llecth for i•wting poriod8 on or iftw 1 J•nu¥ry 2015. I hav• (mpltted my 8xafflin•lkfft. I lfim7 Ih•l no mattern havd ojme to my 8tt•ntrJn kn conne¢tlc4) wlth thè examin8tion giving mo Cau to b•lw• that i) •ny material res accovnting records wern not kept in respo¢1 olth• Chanty as rnquwed by 8¢Ctv)n 130 ofthe 2011 Act: or the n4181 8taloments do rK)t accord with ihose rK•rd$", or the financial statw8nt$ do not ¢omply wllh Ihe aw4icable requif¢m•nl$ c*)rtemknq the form and ennt•nt of accounts out n the Chant$ (Acc4Mmts and Reports) Regulgtk)n8 20)8 other than any r8quirfjm•nt that Ihe 8¢¢ounls oNe • true and falr which is not a motter con8pJered as part of on Indyn¢Jent •xamln•lknn. I have no concerm and have com acrom no matters in nneCtI)n wlth the examination to whlch attention shoLAd be drbwn in this r•port or4er to •nabl• a propor und•rnlandin9 01 the fm•noal statement¥ to be reathed. RobertAnderyon FCA A2•tsAudrt S¢Nices 3Mc Middlefflarth 8uBill855 Park SbskJn Contry CV3 4FJ Unitfjd Kingdom

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT R>R THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Totsl UnrKtrl¢t•d R••trfct•d fund• fund• 2022 2022 Total fvnd¥ 2023 2023 2123 2022 Donation8 and l•ga¢i•s Charitablo acti¥itie6 Olher Incom• Inve8tm8rts 214.016 18,571 97 34.307 1,286 248.323 17,857 5.127 209.519 12.269 100 20.698 1.184 230.217 13.453 100 75 75 Totsl In¢¢)m• 230.684 40.623 271.307 221.888 21,957 243.845 Charllable a¢¥ili84 258,303 17.659 275,982 243.865 23.388 267.251 N•t l4xp•nd5tsr•ln¢om• lor th• y•arl N•t mo¥•m•nt In fund• Q7.619) 22.964 14.655) 121.977) (1.4291 123,41%) Fund blanc•s 8t 1 J•nu8ry )23 78,037 26,786 104.823 1CQ.014 28,215 128,229 ball• It 31 D•ts•r 2023 50,418 49.750 1W.168 78.037 26,786 104,823 8tatem8nt of fingnri81 lvltkn indudos all g*n$ and losses T•cowwd in thg year. All ino)me and expeTraiture d•ri¥e from nI111n9 athlti•8.

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVEKfRY BALANCE SHEEr ASAT31 DECEAIBER.2023 12 179 91*78 11,58S 1rA.221 109A66 I11,7 19.3W) (6,984) 11X),108 104,823 14 4P.750 16 21,913 50.418 7&037 I.188 104,823

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 A¢¢ounllng poll¢l•• Charfty Inlorm•tlon nt Coundl of The B Benekn. Cownty is an charity rwwed in Engknd 1.1 Accounting conv•nllon Thtr fin•ncial slalemenis have been ywred in accordanr wth Ihe CharttY8 Igoveming documantl. the Charitie8 Ad 2011. FRS 102 Yhe FinanrAal Reportirg Slandard appluble in Iha UK and Republk of Irelan(r rFRS 1027 and the Charltb83 SORP -A¢¢oting and Repxting by Chantie$'. Stslernenl of Recommended Practic pCable lo charities pr8parlng th•K in aCrdON th the Flnanc4al R6POrtin9 Sland¥rd apFditsbk in the UK and Reput41¢ of Ireland IFRS 102). leffgc"¥e 1 January 20191. The Charty is a Publk B¢Mfit Enlty as dthad by FRS 102. ChATity ha8 tak alfvant of the in ts SORP lor not to preparo 3 Statement of Cash Fl¢M. The finanual stat•m•nts hava departod from th8 Charilies {Accounts and Reports) R&Julallon8 2008 only lo Ihe exleftl requbred to WOVKle a true and tsFr This departure has invOd following th8 Slalernont of Recommend•d Pradice ft>r dnI3 FRS 102 rather Ihgn the ver8kn ol the statenI of ReMMended PradKe whith ref•rred lo in the Regulations but whkh has since been wilhdrawn. Tho financial slalements ar• in sterhng, lh6 fUnc1kx of the Cha. MM•lAry amounts in Ihese ffinancial Jtatemenls are to the n•resl £. Thg flnon¢l¥l 8tslemenl• h8ve t•n yep81od th• mIl1cal ¢$1 ryJrN•ntlon. Imodffiod lo Cde the I¢vU8tn of freehold orti•S and to inc4ud¢ in¥eslm8nl properflgs and cwl¥in finanaal inslrunents al f8ir wal1. T prinripal ac4))untbng Poli adopt aré sal out bd(Mt. 1.2 Golng conc•rn Al the lime of apprlg th• finand81 slat•merrts, thtr TnJ$tS hm 8 reasonable expectatb)n that the Chanty ha8 adequat& resources to ¢onlinue in operayonal aStanc8 fcrf the foreseeat48 Artur¢. Thus th• T10$ continue to 8doO th• gtyrthj c¢ncwn ba8w ol alrnting in Pr•pr the Iln4nrAal statenwn 1.3 Charhbl• lund• Unr•$1rKt fundi •T• av4latde al th• thKmtion of th• Twsteo8 In fvrthemncé of thobr th•rit4b19 oblectfve8. R•strlcl•d lund8 ao svbied to spacific condrtions by lo Ih•y mgy u8ad. Thè puSe5 of tho reslipxed fvnds aro sot oui in I to the finandal ststem•nts. Endvwmonl fvrKls a wbied to speuk CAyhlllth8 ty ¢$)1 that th• capit41 mu81 be malntalnod by th Charity. 1A Incom• Income 18 recc4Jnised when the Ch811ty 1$ legaly enijlled to it 8fter any perlormance condilions hwe been met, the amounts be measured reliat4y, aThJ li is wobatle thal Mll be Tecei¥ed. Cash donations ire Teccgnised on rewpt. Othw donalitins are reo)Jnts¢d once the Charity has bean notifiad ol the donalion. unsS perfonnance W)dItn6 require deferral of th& amount. Inojme t8x reLw1ab In on to thnalitins recebved Gth Aid or deeds ofcovenant is rtoyysed at th• time ofthe dallOn. Lagaci•s are recognised on Tecip¢ cf othgrwise il the Chaiity has to¢n fied of an impend1 distributbjn. the amount is knthvn. recryl * expd. If the is not kntrn, the Segacy is troaled as a contingent asset.

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (coKfiNUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEAIBER 2023 Accounting poll¢1 IConthu•d} 1.5 Expondlturn Liabilrfies are reccJnbsed as exponditur¢ as soon as th8r• rs a 18gal or cmstructiva obhgation commrtting the tharity lo that expenditure. it is pmb8bltr Ihot • trtyn$fer of eeonomic beneffts will be required in 88ttl$ment and th& arnount of Ihe oblvJakn"on Can be moasuW reknaw. Expgndhufe a¢count6d for cn an accwals basis and has tjaen dassifd under heading5 that ¥ggre9al• all cost rèkted to Ihe category. ere $1• ¢annot be directy attritred to particular ding$ thay be alth8led lo a¢tNities on $1$ conslstent lth tho uso of resourcw. 1A Cah •nd ¢•sh •qyl¥ahnts Cash and cash equivalents indLbde e4$h In hwd, deposlts heby at call with banks. other 6hortrtemi Ifjqd knvfr$lmonls wilh origingl maturities of three months oi kn6. ar bank mrdfafts. Bank ovgrdrafts are shown w61hin bOrrn0$ In CLVT•nt l•bllrtl&s. 1.7 FIMncl•l Itrum•ts The Chartty has el¢¢led to appty the prowsions of Srtuon 11 '8aslc Fbnandal In8trurnenW and Won 12 'Othtsr Financial In$trum•nts Issue8. of FRS 102 to 1 of ils financ4al n51ruments. Flrbanclal In81nNn•nts ar• i•ts)gnl8od In th• Ch•rtW$ bnce sheot the Charity bacom•s paty to the nlTaCtU81 prOwsK$ of tho inslwmenL FlnaneAal ¥$sots and liaknlrties are offs•t. w6th tho rét 8mounls prnted in thg frfwnLyal 51atemenli, when Ihare is a189aly enforceat4e light to $8t off the reo)gnls•d amwnls 1$ an intantion lo É•tMè on a nèt b¥$i$ or lo reall the asset and sellle the liabltty slmuttaneoLffjfy. 8•$k IINn¢hl•$$•ts Bas1¢ finan0 ossets, whK indude debtorn arKI ¢48h and b•nk balans, ar• intbgly mea8ured at Ir¥ns•dkn prk• indudirrfJ iransacion o)sts and are subsew carried at •nKrfbsgd $1 using t effectNti leresl melhod lesS the aan9e1 ¢xnsffithes a financang IranSaclK, wh&ro 1he Iransaction t5 mea$ur•d at pw•nl ¥80 of tha ftrture Tecelpts discounted at a market r4t• of Int•r•$L Flnandal a868ts di88rfied as rl¥ab one ygar are not amortised. B•lc Iln•nchl Il•blllU Basic fin8rKial li•bililie$. inckxlhig rA•dhw¥ and b8nk k)9 are knlli&lty re0)Bnid at tran8actkn pri( urtes$ the arrangernenl c))nstilute$ 8 financry transaciK)n. where Ihe debt inBtrumenl is meas8 81 the wgsenl value of the fLrture PaYnts ¢Jncounled ot a market rat• of intoresL Finanaal liable5 da8sffi•d a8 payable wlthln one year are not amortiwj. D•bt Instruments are WbSequ11Y ¢8rrknd al wnort65ed >•1, thg gfwvg terest Tate method. Trod• cr•ditors arn d>l9atM$ to pay for ox¥J$ or $eplces thgt hob bwi wued in the OrdIn courso of opgralkn$ from Sup10[S. Amounts payablo #re d¥ssifi¢d as CLYrnnt liabilt1 rf payment Is due within on8 y¢ar or less. If rKJt, thoy aro presented as DOn-rrEnt habili%. Tr•de ¢reditm ar• r8CO9nised initially at Iran$8don prfc• measured at an)rtISed cost Un9 Ihe effetho Inlgrg81 method. Finanaal liabililies are dw•cognised when the Char# ¢(xknclual 0bligatKS expire or are discharged or can¢•lled. 1A Employp nfits The cosl of any uThJsed entiljement is r•rx)wised in the period in t*thith the enwtyee'8 ser40ces we Tèmiinaknon beneffts are recognlsed Immedww as an expense Wh Ihe Charity is demonstrably eommitted lo terminate the efflpk>ymeM of an em tyto tem)r1)n bengffts. 10-

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 A¢counllng poUcl•s IContlnu•d 1J Retir•m•nt b•n•fft• Payments to defined cantritrArtion r•twwnenl ben8ft sch•m ¢h¥god as an expen¥9 as Ihoy fal Crldcal ac¢ountlng Mtlmats• andJudgnts In thè application of thg Chorfiys the Trt #re rèqund to make judy•m•nl$, eslimales and assumplKJns about tho carying amount of awls and liabll that we not re8dty apparent from other swc•$. Th¢ estimate8 and associated assumptitins are based on historical •xpww¢¢ and olhet factors that arg c¢nsfv lo be relevant. Adugl r98uI8 may thff•r from these eslimote$. e8tSmale8 and assufflplKrn • mlvwed an oTrJty'ng bosty. ReNiwni to a)Unn9 •¥bmal•$ are recognised in th• p8rh)d In vthlc41 the estsmate ts r•¥istyJ wheTe th• r•vi8ion affects lY that period, or In the p9rknd of the r•viwon and futwe peri¢yJ¥ wh•re th• 8ffects both rItn1 and frjlure poriods. 11

T • e4*1

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEAIBER 2023 CharltalA• aGtlvltl•• Trndlng Activiti 2023 Tr•dlng Activitie¥ 2022 Parochial Fee Irv)me Car Park Rental IrK¥)me Roorn Hwe Irvjffle Othef Incom• 3.038 7.971 6,832 2.682 6,811 3,0 17.857 13.453 Anal1¥ by fwM1 Unrestricted funds Re8lrkled fvnds 18,571 1.286 12.289 1.184 17,857 13,453 Oth•r kn¢om• Unmtrlel•d R••trbct•d nd• lund• T¢)tsl Unr¢$tricled fiJnd8 2023 2023 2023 2022 Building rgpr fund Mi$$ion Hub Grant Coventy South Deanery Fund T Walters Funw•l 97 97 3.175 100 3.175 855 1,0 Other Ino)m• 97 5,030 5,127 100 Inv•#lm•nts Totsl R•strkt•d funth 2023 2022 Inl8r8sl reCee 75 13-

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKrs {coKriNUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 charItsb •¢tlvltl Chwlt•ble Chartlable Activlll•• Acll¥lllgS 2023 2022 Staff co Stsffing Cos18. Clergy Expons Slaffing Costs- Training St8ffing Costs- Othor Groups & Meetings Bulldlng, EqulpThnl & AdM•StratI Diocesan Paymènt$ Supported Organisaltons Charitablo Athltyes 66.811 6.690 2,152 80.323 8.370 1,820 (711 11.153 52.380 78.825 22,fJ)O 14.851 12.075 55,871 80,CWJO 32.400 17.659 273,366 265.451 Share ol qovem8rw not• 8) 2,596 1,800 275.982 287.251 Anatyih by fund Unrestr1d funds R9¥tr9 fvNJB 258.303 17,659 243,88S 23,388 275,982 267.251 Support ¢o•ts Support Gov•m*nc• co•ts 2023Sw>port ¢>)sts Governance costs 2022 Examlnets fge$ 1.8 1,800 1,8Tr) An8lys•d betsvwn Chariiable ac11vit$ 1,8Crf) Govemance ¢05ts inchmles pgymgnts to the eXaMern of £2.$96 12022.. £1.8W) for examlnation fees and other ¥eTrK•¥ 14-

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ICONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The Clgrgy Il¥ed in totsl £6.889 in wen868, Dav6d HaMThd waB pakl £3.600. Sarah Ashelby £689, Erin Gilmor8 £1,2 and Caroliw Hamm¢xKI £1,2(K). No other membor ol th8 Joint Ccu)cU reLwW any remuneration, either or indireclty. Tn4t••¥' •xp•M There were no INstees' expens•s pakl for th• year to 31 Docwnbar 2023, nor for the year to 31 08(mb•r 2022. 10 Empkny• The vèr#ge rnonth nufflbgr ol tho was.. 2023 Numb•r 2022 Numb•r Employm•rt ¢Mts 2023 2022 Wage5 and salarfes Social security g)5ts Olhgr pgnwon $¢% 63,719 75,469 2,721 2.133 2.892 00.611 80,323 There were no èmpbyees who8¢ annual r•[r[8110n w88 more than £60.0. 11 Taxatlon The thaiity IJ exeThyt from tax on COMe and 99in$ tsllng wtthin secon 505 of the Taxes Acl 1988 or sedion 252 of Iho Taxatknnol Chatgg)1o Gw$A¢t 1992 lo the exlert Iw these are appkd to tts cho1i1otAe objgds. 12 Dthorn 2023 2022 ADwnts hlllng du• wlthln on• yw. Tr•d& d¥bto Other D&btors &Aoyued In¢ome Prepayments 2.265 13,170 2.545 874 8,997 1.715 17,980 11,586 15-

JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKfs (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 13 Cr•dltorn: amounts tslliThg du• *ithln y•ar 2023 2022 Tradè Accruals and ¢ktsrr¢d irne 1.804 7,$86 3.192 3.792 9.390 16-

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JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE. COVENTRY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 15 D•8lgMt•d funds The income funds of the charity inckKl• the fokn•vJ desi4¢•d fiJrKI8 whlth have beèn set asidg out of unfeolrfded lunds by thtr twstees for 8p•ufi¢ puryMes'. IAov•m•nt In fund• 1 Jry 2022 •xwnd•d1 102J r•owwi •xp•nd•d Jl 202J Building Repalr Provwion Fund 36,181 1CKS (62T) 35.654 97 (13.8381 21,913 38,181 182n 35,654 97 113,8381 21.913 10 Analy•ts of n•t a•••t• b•iw••n I Unr••trl¢t•d RMlyl¢tsd fund• fund• 2023 2023 Tot•1 Unr••trl¢t•d 11•8trkt•d fvnd8 •)d• 2022 2022 Total 2023 2022 Fund balances at 31 Decemb8r 2023 are represonted by.. Current ass111atIIths) 50.417 49,751 I.168 78.037 26,786 104,823 50.417 49.751 11)0,168 78.037 26.788 104,823 17 R•l•l•d party trTrMctloft• There wgre tK dK8c4osable rnlated paty transacl*Jn8 durwvj the year12022- rMyKg1. 18-

Charfty rngl¥trllon nun•r 1129017 JOINT COUNCIL OF THE BRIDGE BENEFICE, COVENTRY ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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