The Parish of Christchurch, Bushmead, Luton in the Diocese of St Albans Registered Charity no 1130499
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council
For the year ended 31[st] December 2024
As presented to the Church Annual General Meeting On 4[th] May 2025
Following Independent examination by
Mark Plane Whittaker Plane Ltd 2nd Floor, Apex House Upper George Street Luton LU1 2RD
Page 1
1.0 Objectives and activities of Christchurch Bushmead
1.1 Charitable Purpose
The Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Tim Madeley, in promoting in the parish of Bushmead, Luton, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic and social and the maintenance of the church building for public use and worship.
1.2 Public Benefit Statement
The Parochial Church Council is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship within the building and to linking with the local primary schools within the parish. Worship sessions have also been arranged within local care homes.
Weekly church services are open to all who wish to join the regular congregation both on Sunday and Wednesday mornings when regular services are held and at times of the traditional festivals of Easter and Christmas. Children’s sessions are available every week.
In addition to church services social activities have been held that were open to the wider community. The building was let out on a regular basis and rentals were maintained at approximately the previous year’s levels. Most hirers are local organisations (U3A, Luton Symphony Orchestra, Kumon Maths as well as other non-Anglican churches).
1.3 Activities undertaken.
Regular worship is offered every Sunday morning and Wednesday morning with a regular attendance of 60 on Sundays and 12 on Wednesdays.
The other activities included:
Home study groups (now renamed Life Groups)
Fitness Sessions
Men’s Breakfast
Ladies Breakfast
Youth and Children’s work
The Meeting Place
We have a pastoral support group that assist members of the church and community on a regular basis supporting people with illnesses, through bereavement and family hardship, and once again we have seen God at work through these endeavours.
Further details of these activities can be found within the Annual Report attached to this report.
Page 2
2.0 Achievements and Performance
The church did not employ any staff during 2024. Having overcome any ‘teething difficulties’ in the Autumn of 2023 the trial to share out the office and Vicar’s support responsibilities across a few individuals (meaning that the church could be ‘manned’ four mornings a week) has worked well throughout 2024 and this will continue into the future until finances are sufficient to look at alternatives. Grateful thanks to those who undertake this work on a voluntary basis
The church electoral roll for the period 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024 stands at 69 members, 32 of whom are resident within the parish and 37 who are non-resident.
The church can elect two members, who attend the Deanery Synod along with the Vicar, although one post remained vacant through 2024. Until September 2024 we also had a church member who attended PCC and Deanery Synod as an elected Diocesan Synod member. The Vicar continues to work with the vocations team of the Diocese of St Albans as an Assistant DDO encouraging and supporting Christians to explore their vocation and calling. One of our members of Deanery Synod is the Deanery Treasurer.
3.0 Financial Review
3.1 Reserves Policy
The PCC operates with a policy of holding approximately two months’ cash to meet the normal monthly expenditure of the church council.
3.2 Statement of year end amounts and reserves
| Total income | £ 102,233 |
|---|---|
| Total expenditure | £ 92,262 |
| Excess of Income over Expenditure | £ 9,971 |
| Total Funds available to the church at 1st January 2025 | £ 42,782 |
3.3 All Funds included.
The accounts include all funds that are run by the PCC.
3.4 Accounting Procedures
These accounts and the Gift Aid claim were prepared using accounting suites from Data Developments, namely MyFundAccounting and Donations Co-ordinator respectively. The financial statements produced at the end of this report have been downloaded from the MyFundAccounting package.
Page 3
3.5 Statement of Going Concern
The 2024 financial statements show an excess of income over expenditure of £9,971. With our improved reserves coupled with the continued prudent use of funds, means that the PCC remains optimistic in maintaining the continuing balance between annual income and expenditure over the next few years.
3.6 Financial Commentary
Result
The result for the year to December 2024 was an excess of income over expenditure (i.e a ‘profit’) of £9,971.
Income
Our total income was down by £12,308 or 10.75%. The bulk of this reduction related to donations and legacies and the major variances are covered by three elements
-
Planned Giving – down £5,880 or 10.39% - a mixture of larger one-off-donations not recurring in 2024, changes to donors circumstances and a change of timing in the receipt of an annual donation
-
Gift Day – although our 2024 Gift Day donations amounted to more than that of 2023 a large proportion of carried forward into 2025 to match against the respective expenditure. This meant that only £2,198 was assimilated into the accounts this year compared with £8,265 in 2023
-
Tax recoverable via Gift Aid – down £2,459 – primarily down to the lower Planned giving
Room hires remained an important revenue stream with lettings very slightly up by £123 at £19,204
On behalf of the Vicar and Parochial Church Council - to all who financially support Christchurch whether that is through regular or ad-hoc giving, those serving in a myriad of ways or an organisation who hire our facilities - a huge thank you!.
Expenditure
Despite our reduced revenue our year-end result improved significantly this was down to an even greater fall in our expenditure. Our total expenditure fell by £20,431 or 18.13% The more significant year-on-year variances related to the following
Page 4
-
Servicing and major repairs – while general repairs, servicing and annual inspections carried on through 2024 there were no major repairs necessary. Therefore, these costs fell from £10,921 in 2023 to £1,404 this year.
-
PA and Technical – Out of the 2024 Gift Day monies we purchased a new PC for the tech area within the Main Worship Area (£1,042) this compared to a full refurbishment of the PA system in 2023 which came in at £5,556
-
Salary – Administrator - As this role has been divided up and is now undertaken on a voluntary basis there were no cost in 2024 (2023 : partial year £6,292)
Grateful thanks go to all who care for the building and general fabric of the church, but my personal thanks go to my co-workers, Juliet Johnson who undertakes the online book-keeping and is my ‘right-hand person’, and Steve Brooks who manages the service collections and indirect receipts i.e. cheque and cash receipts – my Treasurers role would be very different without them!
4.0 Structure, Governance and Management
4.1 Type of charity
The Parochial Church Council is an Excepted Charity
4.2 How trustees are recruited.
The trustees for the Charity are the members of the church that are ex-officio due to the office held (Vicar and Church Wardens) and those members who are elected by the members of the church on the Electoral Roll of the Parish to serve on the Deanery Synod and the PCC
5.0 Reference and Administrative Details
5.1 Registered name of Charity
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christchurch Bushmead, Luton
5.2 Working Title of Charity
Christchurch, Bushmead
Page 5
5.3 Charity Registration Number
1130499
5.4 Venue and Administrative Address
2, Hancock Drive Bushmead Luton LU2 7SF
5.5 List of Trustees
Reverend Tim Madeley - Vicar Mrs Wendy Peck – Churchwarden – appointed at AMP Dr David Dallinger – Churchwarden/Deanery Synod rep – appointed at AMP Mrs Christina Pearce – Parish Safeguarding Officer Miss Julia Miller – retired at APCM Mrs Betty Adhokorie Mrs Helen Roche Mrs Doreen Watts – retired at APCM Mr Brendan Roche - Treasurer (co-opted to the PCC) Mrs Jane Watts – PCC secretary (co-opted to the PCC) Miss Juliet Johnson Mrs Lynda Logan – left September 24 Mrs Carlie Duffy Mr Luke Molina Mrs Emma Molina Mrs Sue Macfie – appointed at APCM**
-
Annual Meeting of Parishioners
-
** Annual Parochial Church Meeting
5.5 Volunteers
We could not operate as we do without a large group of volunteers who assist with the many facets of services, the daily running of the Church and the different activities that take place.
6.0 Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others.
There are no funds held on behalf of others.
Page 6
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees l Members of the Parochial Church Council of Christchurch Bushmead Luton I rem on the a¢xourtsfrts yeat 31st DeTrr2024. are 8et c4Jt C#7 pages 8 to 14. The InJ8tee8 are responsible for the weparalrffi of Ihe 1#$. Ite85 Ix)nsider thal at) aud is not required for th&$ y8ar und8T 5ectK)n 144121 of the Chanli&sP4 2011 {the 2011 Act) and that an NthpPFent examinalson 1$ needed. The charity's gross mcomg exceed £25.1 and l am quafvj to undwtake th9 gxwnlnotth by belng a qualffiod membef of the Insti1& ol Charterod knntants Ewand Wales IICAEWI. Having Saltsf rnyseif that lh• ch8rlty Is rnt to a111 uThlar c(xYyny l•arwJ is ewe axamlnatbn. M is my responsitslty to.. . exane the )unts undar 145 01th9 3)11 Acl +• . to follow th• proc•thrn laid down in Iho g9rwral Otr•c(Yo fvl iry th• Chwy CthMmlsskJn lder se(Iw 14515Xbl ofthg 2011 pd B18 of Ind•p•nd•nt •x•mSn•rfs Y•port ty examinalwjn was Ixrned out in gwal DKectw by the Chartiy Comnthknn. An èXarThn810 indudes a review ol the accxyJnl¥y recryds kept by the ch8rity 8 trynphnson ofthe accounts pr¥sèntad wilh Ihw rg¢ords. tt al80 indudos C(#wdWi of arry unusual rt8ms Ix dSg¢bBW88 In the accounts, ONI Geokmg èxplana1kn IrcAn YOU 88 trustees any sh matlws. Th8 Ixoc8dufes urmlertaken do nol provld• all the evidence Ihat would be r¢wiffjd on a11 and C4)rni no opinx B given as lo whethor Ihe account8 preBent a'true and fair view. arml th• r•[ o h'rythl to IlThe mallm sel out in the ngxt stslemenl. Ind•p•nd•nt •xAmln•f8 •t•t•m•rt {11 wlith glw m• r•esMatl& ¢aL kn b8kn• that li motw•l rwKcI the rewIreM.. . lo keep eccountig 386 01 Iho A(* 2rJ)6 2011 Act ha nol b•tsn met or {21 to In my cynbx. •Itl4)n SI¥bI bo dra¥4n kn t4d•r to 8 woper drStandry ollh? acLxunts to be MAP Nam&." frrk Pl8n• UFpr GocvJe Str08t StmL Luton. LU1 2RD Date. 1710Y2025 ReVant wofessioThl qu8kfKalthi bcty. ICAEW
Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other income Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Gains/losses on investment assets Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
78,096 - - 78,096 92,231 23,161 188 - 23,349 22,178 - - - - - 789 - - 789 118 - - - - 14 |
| 102,045 188 - 102,233 114,541 67 - - 67 - 92,195 - - 92,195 112,693 - - - - - |
|
| 92,262 - - 92,262 112,693 |
|
| 9,783 188 - 9,971 1,849 - - - - - - - - - - Other recognised gains / losses - - - - - - - - - - |
|
| 9,783 188 - 9,971 1,849 |
|
| 31,760 1,051 - 32,811 30,962 |
|
| 41,543 1,239 - 42,782 32,811 |
Represented by
| Unrestricted | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General fund | 41,644 | - | - | 41,644 | 31,754 | |
| Designated | ||||||
| Letton Hall | (295) | - | - | (295) | (295) | |
| Sunflower Project | 36 | - | - | 36 | 144 | |
| Youth Weekend | 157 | - | - | 157 | 157 | |
| Restricted | ||||||
| Agency collection | - | (205) | - | (205) | (393) | |
| Youth Work & Equipment | - | 1,444 | - | 1,444 | 1,444 | |
| Total funds | 41,543 | 1,239 | - | 42,782 | 32,811 |
Balance Sheet
| As at 31/12/2024 As at 31/12/2023 |
|
|---|---|
| Fixed assets Tangible Assets Current assets Debtors Cash At Bank And In Hand Liabilities Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted Unrestricted - General Funds Designated Designated - Letton Hall Designated - Sunflower Project Designated - Youth Weekend Restricted Restricted - Agency collection Restricted - Youth Work & Equipment Fund Totals |
4,629 6,011 |
| 4,629 6,011 6,143 15,777 62,448 41,545 |
|
| 68,591 57,322 30,438 30,522 |
|
| 30,438 30,522 |
|
| 38,153 26,800 |
|
| 42,782 32,811 - - |
|
| 42,782 32,811 41,644 31,754 (295) (295) 36 144 157 157 (205) (393) 1,444 1,444 |
|
| 42,782 32,811 |
General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Last year
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| Fixed Asset - Tangible Assets | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant, equipment chairs & furniture | 4,057 | - | - | - | 4,057 | 4,835 |
| Musical & lighting equipment | 572 | - | - | - | 572 | 1,176 |
| Total | 4,629 | - | - | - | 4,629 | 6,011 |
| Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In | Hand | |||||
| Bank current account | 5,596 | 9,686 | 1,403 | - | 16,685 | 41,420 |
| Bank deposit account | 45,721 | - | - | - | 45,721 | - |
| Petty Cash | 42 | - | - | - | 42 | 125 |
| Total | 51,359 | 9,686 | 1,403 | **- ** | 62,448 | 41,545 |
| Current Asset - Debtors | ||||||
| Accounts Receivable | 15,771 | (9,627) | - | - | 6,143 | 15,777 |
| Total | 15,771 | (9,627) | - | - | 6,143 | 15,777 |
| Liability - Agency Accounts | ||||||
| Agency collections | - | - | 163 | - | 163 | 217 |
| Total | - | - | 163 | - | 163 | 217 |
| Liability - Creditors: Amounts Falling | Due In One | Year | ||||
| Accounts Payable | 30,115 | 160 | - | - | 30,275 | 30,305 |
| Total | 30,115 | 160 | - | **- ** | 30,275 | 30,305 |
| Net total assets | 41,644 | (102) | 1,239 | **- ** | 42,782 | 32,811 |
| Represented by | ||||||
| General (Unrestricted) | 41,644 | - | - | - | 41,644 | 31,754 |
| Designated - Letton | - | (295) | - | - | (295) | (295) |
| Designated - Sunflower | - | 36 | - | - | 36 | 144 |
| Designated - YouthW | - | 157 | - | - | 157 | 157 |
| Restricted - None | - | - | (205) | - | (205) | (393) |
| Restricted - Youth | - | - | 1,444 | - | 1,444 | 1,444 |
| Total | 41,644 | (102) | 1,239 | **- ** | 42,782 | 32,811 |
Fund movement summary
[Incoming][Outgoing Transfers Gains/Losses][Journals Closing] Fund[Opening]
| General | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | 31,754 | 94,258 | 84,367 | - | - | - | 41,644 |
| Sub-totals | 31,754 | 94,258 | 84,367 | - | - | - | 41,644 |
| GIft Day 24 | |||||||
| Designated | - | 2,198 | 2,198 | - | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | - | 2,198 | 2,198 | - | - | - | - |
| Agency collection | |||||||
| Restricted | (393) | 188 | - | - | - | - | (205) |
| Sub-totals | (393) | 188 | - | - | - | - | (205) |
| Letton Hall | |||||||
| Designated | (295) | 5,590 | 5,590 | - | - | - | (295) |
| Sub-totals | (295) | 5,590 | 5,590 | - | - | - | (295) |
| Sunflower | |||||||
| Designated | 144 | - | 108 | - | - | - | 36 |
| Sub-totals | 144 | - | 108 | - | - | - | 36 |
| Youth Weekend | |||||||
| Restricted | 1,444 | - | - | - | - | - | 1,444 |
| Sub-totals | 1,444 | - | - | - | - | - | 1,444 |
| Youth Work and Equipment | |||||||
| Designated | 157 | - | - | - | - | - | 157 |
| Sub-totals | 157 | - | - | - | - | - | 157 |
| Totals | 32,811 | 102,233 | 92,262 | - | - | - | 42,782 |
Total
Analysis of income and expenditure
| Total | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted This year Last year |
|
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Planned Giving - Bank Tax Efficient Planned Giving - Envelopes Tax Efficient Planned Giving - Bank not tax efficient Planned giving - Envelopes not tax efficient Loose plate collections Donations - Tax Efficient Donations - not tax efficient Gift Day - Bank Tax Efficient Gift Day - Bank Not tax efficient Funds for specific external causes - Not Funds specific church activities Discretionary Fund Tax recoverable on Gift Aid Letton Hall Donations and legacies Totals Income from charitable activities Parochial fees retained by PCC Room Hire Mustard Seed Meeting Place Events Miscellaneous Income from charitable activities Totals Fund Raising Income Other trading activities Totals |
38,787 - - 38,787 39,980 2,355 - - 2,355 2,400 8,383 - - 8,383 12,389 1,165 - - 1,165 1,801 5,578 - - 5,578 5,523 - - - - - 660 - - 660 2,588 - 2,198 - 2,198 7,010 - - - - 1,255 638 - - 638 - 290 - - 290 300 148 - - 148 37 12,304 - - 12,304 14,783 - 5,590 - 5,590 4,165 |
70,308 7,788 - 78,096 92,231 213 - 78 291 282 19,204 - - 19,204 19,081 830 - - 830 1,500 754 - - 754 464 2,159 - 110 2,269 812 - - - - 39 |
|
23,161 - 188 23,349 22,178 - - - - - |
|
- - - - - |
| Bank and building society interest Investments Totals Other Income Other income Totals Income and endowments Grand totals EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds Meeting Place Raising funds Totals Expenditure on charitable activities Expenses Clergy & vacancy costs Training/ Away days Parish Share Parochial Fees Pastoral Care Discretionary Fund Events - Church Letton Hall Sunflower Project costs Alpha Course Outreach Events & Publicity Caretaking & cleaner costs Routine cleaning & repairs Servicing & major repairs Utilities - Gas Utilities - Electricity Utilities - Water Insurance Catering Supplies |
789 - - 789 118 |
|---|---|
789 - - 789 118 - - - - 14 |
|
- - - - 14 |
|
94,258 7,788 188 102,233 114,541 |
|
| 67 - - 67 - |
|
67 - - 67 - 416 - - 416 16 - - - - - 53,969 - - 53,969 53,876 - - - - - 41 - - 41 220 - - - - 100 784 - - 784 639 - 5,590 - 5,590 4,788 - 108 - 108 144 - - - - 116 486 796 - 1,282 687 2,860 - - 2,860 2,440 1,025 - - 1,025 1,560 1,404 - - 1,404 10,921 4,235 - - 4,235 4,688 3,001 - - 3,001 2,205 339 - - 339 793 969 - - 969 928 1,010 - - 1,010 1,880 |
| Youth & childrens work costs Youth work equipment Worship costs PA & Technical Depreciation 10% Giving Giving for specific external causes Gifts for visiting speakers Salary - Administrator NI & Pension costs for Administrator General Administration costs Telephone Licences Subscriptions DBS checks Sundry Administration Costs Governance costs examination/audit fee Church major repairs - structure Expenditure on charitable activities Totals Other expenditure Other expenditure Totals Expenditure Grand totals |
479 - - 479 939 - - - - 125 2,144 360 - 2,504 1,694 89 1,042 - 1,131 6,022 1,382 - - 1,382 1,382 5,753 - - 5,753 6,450 678 - - 678 - - - - - 42 - - - - 6,247 - - - - 45 1,304 - - 1,304 1,720 709 - - 709 331 393 - - 393 110 179 - - 179 983 650 - - 650 600 - - - - - |
|---|---|
84,300 7,895 - 92,195 112,693 |
|
- - - - - |
|
84,367 7,895 - 92,262 112,693 |
- Aecountlng Polcl Thé financbal tsteMl¥ Imn kv•par•J vi accThdm ilh Ih Chwilhx SORP IFRS 1021. Funds here a lund i¥ rw•d f(Y # sP8af purpw •.9. th8 Ycrtth EqlMpr Furnl. the a58e18 we reJ¢fth Bnd held to be usèd for the $p8¢rf1¢ lorwhth t lund w88 Any A)ctin• •om•d on th •wl• 1$ addgd to thg furld. Vohjntary In¢tsng •rtd c8Prtal srnnrgs Incnme tax r•coverab18 on gift (lonali)ns is r¢rowwJ th• InLxTh th wni#•d Indd Iinondal slatements 88 8 deblr M riol re¢elve(l al th• and. Grants ac6 to PCC are acc¢wled wlw the fLmd$ 80 r•¢•N•J. R••our¢•• U••d 1114lJy w sh7n as a 31¥ D•cwthr 2024, £22.067 2024 Pwoh Share Flx•d A•ts 2011 EqUIp$ IrP1k11 itom8 d 1pm•nt ¥Alh a p0 crt£7 or Iw• or •d VTlit•n off wh•n
DepreatIon Dewe¢i8bon provKle(I lo re81 tre ofts al th&folLyAl rntes a strah1.line bas+B". A¥set Type Flant and kitchen Chairs and fvmlure MCal. PA bnd fiuthling eQupFt Comwters and ITwiipmont Deatron rate par annum 10%-20% 10% Currnnt Asmtsb Arrthnts ¢x¥kng tothe PCC at the Yaarnd Am a6 abyy arrwrts trwt may provo to bo uncoll8clat48. Curront UoblNtl•8 Currenl16abllStlas rgpresèrt amounts io paNI 8$ d[titL (Y t) ¢•US•$ 8pwoved by the PCC or emosjnts d for go&Ys 'ded lry ¢redi1$ 8t Ihe Yeard. I W•g•• S•l•rl 2024 2023 W&305 and Saknes ErnoYaS NIC Pension conthlyJn& 6.247 45 6,292 Th• Rav TIM M8•Jo1$ grlthed 8TrJ by D9 WKI his •mFknn•nt t>)Sts are r0v•ra th¥ough the Parish Share. Dumg tho year Iho thwch O12023- 1161èff'. Crth fvdJnYni81th. Flx•d A•s•t• Ewipment. . chirn & Musk818 IghUThJ Comwt•r & IT Jipmgnt equ Total Brouglrtlorymrd at thg stsrt dths y AdditIor durNvJ the 1 DL8kxw18 Cwied f(r at tha •nd ol tho ye 32.752 26,015 1.320 60,087 Brjg f¢)rnar<l 41 stsrt y•ar 27.917 24.839 1.320 52,076 1,382 Disposals Camed fo9[{1 •t eThJ ofthe year 28,695 2S.443 N•t vak* at 31 Dec•rthr3)24 572 4.629 1.176 6,011