## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
Charity number 1130766
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2025
The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|2 to 10|
|Examiner's report|11|
|Statement of financial activities|12|
|Balance sheet|13|
|Notes to the accounts|14 to 22|
**Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
1
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Trustees' report for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors**
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: **Name Position Dates**
## **Team Rector and Vicar of St Chad’s:**
Revd Hannah Lievesley Chair **Curate:** Revd Joanna Barrington appointed 29 June 2025 **Churchwardens:** Jane Bewell Lay Chair Eileen Pickup appointed 18 May 2025
## **Representatives on the Deanery Synod:**
Beverly Leech Askey Catherine Harper
**Elected Members (each is elected for a maximum of a three-year term without re-election):** Louise Allen Nicola Bagnall Matthew Cliff Barbara Colledge appointed 3 March 2026 Alison Gallant Treasurer Amy Graham Susan Milestone resigned 18 May 2025 Claire Pascoe Ian Pickup Cora Presley William Robinson Anita Shaw Timothy Ward Michael Willison resigned 18 May 2025 **No trustee roles: Parish Administrator** Christine Khullar **PCC Minute Taker** Eleanor Gallon **PCC Secretary** Gemma Dearnley & Sarah Roberts **Charity number** 1130766 Registered in England and Wales **Registered and principal address Bankers** Otley Road Nat West Bank plc Virgin Money Far Headingley 8 Park Row 94-96 Briggate Leeds Leeds Leeds LS16 5JT LS1 5HD LS1 6NP
## **Independent examiner**
Simon Bostrom FCIE
## **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
2
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **Aim and Purposes**
St Chad’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. As the mission of the church includes serving our community, the PCC is also responsible for the maintenance and management of the busy Parish Centre.
The Church’s Vision Statement is:
St Chad's is here to share the Christian Gospel through being:
- A praying and worshipping community,
- A place of spiritual learning, growth and exploration,
- A visible, active and responsible servant of the parish.
We seek to be a lively, evolving and caring community through:
- Being welcoming and supportive,
- Sharing and celebrating our talents and diversity,
- Being open to all.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Chad’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship nurture faith and discipleship through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
When planning our activities for the year, the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion has been considered. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
- Worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel, and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus,
- Fostering community and the provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish,
- Mission and outreach work.
To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St Chad and the Parish Centre and grounds.
## **Achievements and Performance**
2025 has been a year brim-full of community events and fundraising. The first Evensong service in January was disrupted by meltwater pouring into the church building through the valley gutter which sits between the main body of the church and the side chapel. Volunteers mopped throughout the service to prevent the water flooding the floor. The spire, which had been letting in rainwater to the bell tower and creche below has deteriorated further, causing flooding in that area of the church too. The congregation and community have been quick to respond with the launch of The Raindrops Appeal and a wide variety of fundraising events, achieving £27,738 over the course of the year. Work has also begun on a grant application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Sunday attendance at church services has continued to increase for the fourth consecutive year and is now 25% higher than pre-pandemic (2019).
The mid-week communion service attendance continues strong and small groups for discipleship and spiritual growth have been maintained, with three groups meeting at different times during the week. One small-group member, who recently married and moved to another city, has started up a small group in the church he has joined using the St Chad’s material. It has been a great encouragement to see the gospel spreading in this way. The small groups provide a great way for people new to church and faith to quickly build warm relationships and grow in faith and commitment alongside others more mature in faith. It was a joy to bring one such person to baptism and confirmation this year, and to see their fellow small-groupers support them all the way.
3
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
It was pleasing to be able to meet the Parish Share request in full again this year and to see generous support of the Raindrops Appeal with very little detriment to the planned giving.
St Chad’s Church of England Primary School underwent an Ofsted inspection in the summer. A number of the church congregation serve as governors and chair of governors and clergy regularly lead collective worship, host school visits and worship at church, and support the development of the Christian vision and the teaching of religious studies at the school. The Ofsted report rated the school ‘good’ in every judgement area, describing it as a “warm, welcoming and inclusive" school where "all members of the school community are supported to flourish, and stated, “One parent sums up the views of many: 'St. Chad's is a wonderful school, it's ethos and sense of community is incredible’". The St Chad’s church community have been proud to support the school in achieving this result.
Links with other schools in the area have extended to include more clergy connection with the local fee-paying primary school, Richmond House, and the vicar led a number of visits for various Weetwood Primary School year groups, welcoming them into the church building to explore history, heritage and symbols, and leading teaching sessions on The Stories Jesus Told, Forgiveness in Christianity, Holy Week, Ascension and Pentecost. Clergy have continued to serve the nearby Church of England secondary school by leading both student and staff communion services and supporting a seasonal prayer station event through links with the school chaplaincy.
## **Worship and Prayer**
During Lent the small groups and others gathered weekly in an afternoon or evening group for an enjoyable course called Finding A Voice based on the film The King’s Speech. The course explored the way fear can hold us back and how faith helps us to face and overcome fears, releasing in us our authentic God-given voice.
The Good Friday Hour at the Cross service was a particular highlight in 2025. A costumed cast of five delivered a series of monologues using Stephen Cottrell’s The Nail as inspiration and creating a moving reminder of what Christ suffered and our own part in that.
It was encouraging to see a sharp rise in the number of people attending services in Holy Week and Easter in 2025 which was due in part to the excellent work of the Christmas and Easter Newsletter Team who publish and deliver newsletters advertising our seasonal services to most of the houses in the parish.
In June we said goodbye to Revd Josh Peckett, Team Curate, who moved on to his first incumbency. A presentation was made with grateful thanks for his ministry across the team and particularly at St Michael’s where he was mostly based. Revd Hannah and Revd Heston began their new pattern of each taking the Sunday Morning service at St Michael’s once a month, thereafter. The team were pleased to celebrate Revd Jo Barrington’s ordination as deacon and to welcome her as Team Curate to the Headingley and All Hallows Team, serving her first year at St Chad’s. Her engaging preaching and leading has been appreciated by all and has enriched our worship.
During July, a linked sermon and small groups series explored the theme of ‘Kingship’ in the bible. These themed sermon series help grow understanding of the continuity of God’s love and interaction with his people through old and new testaments.
In the season of All Souls, in a special service, we celebrated the kind gift of the late Canon Nigel Greenwood’s family, given in memory and recognition of his love of St Chad’s church and dedicated service here.
During Advent, Lay Worship Leader Tim Ward wrote and delivered a three-part Advent course called An approach to Advent. The course explored themes of Announcement, Expectation and Confinement through the story of Mary carrying the Christ-child.
The choir and organist continue to provide music and singing to a very high standard and are greatly appreciated. The Christmas carol service this year was so well attended there was standing room only and people commented they had never known the church so full.
The all-age music group brought vibrancy to our all-age Christmas services making the leadership of worship wonderfully intergenerational.
4
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **Deanery Synod**
Two lay representatives from St Chad’s were elected to the North West Leeds Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church.
There were a further three vacancies carried in 2025.
## **The Church and Parish Centre**
The St Chad’s buildings are not just for the exclusive use of the congregation. We endeavour to ensure that the Church and the Parish Centre both exist for the benefit of all in the parish. The Church has regular bookings from Leeds Festival Chorus, other musical groups and local schools.
The Parish Centre is very well used by a wide range of community and charitable groups, as well as taking private bookings for key life event celebrations such as weddings, birthdays or funeral teas. As part of our mission and commitment to serve the local community, the Centre offers affordable rates to local charities. Throughout 2025, bookings at the Centre remained stable and were similar to those achieved in 2024.
Plans for a development of the bar area to provide accessible boardroom meeting space and a smarter more flexible social space for community groups and hirers continue alongside plans for resurfacing and re-marking the parish centre car park.
The Green Team continues to foster a nature-friendly environment in the churchyard, facilitates recycling of less easily recycled items and tries to highlight environmental issues through regular eco-tips in the newsletter and through church prayers.
## **Pastoral Care**
Home communion continues to be offered to those who cannot come to services at church. The Thursday Communion Service, which includes a time of chat and coffee afterwards, provides Christian worship and fellowship to our older members of church. Our seasonal courses and small groups provide a space to deepen discipleship, faith and fellowship together.
The Mother’s Union continues to nurture fellowship and faith amongst its members and offers a full and varied programme of social events and prayer.
Health and safety procedures are regularly reviewed and updated.
## **Safeguarding**
The PCC has complied with its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, i.e. the duty to have due regard to The House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Good progress has been made in safer recruitment processes and the Church of England’s ‘Safeguarding Hub’ is now being utilised up to level 3 to record, track, and update the safe recruitment of our volunteers. All safeguarding concerns raised have been dealt with in a timely and sensitive way and in accordance with The House of Bishops’ guidance.
## **Mission and Evangelism**
In 2025, St Chad’s continued to serve the local community through the provision of our Lunch Club for older members of the parish, our Friday Youth group and our thriving Tots group for pre-school children, parents and carers, and community gathering events such as pantomimes and plays, quizzes, musical evenings and family film showings. The Parish Centre and church grounds have been well maintained and developed for the benefit of the wider community.
The church continues to model generous giving by tithing 10% of planned giving to four chosen charities:
Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (PAFRAS), Joanna Project, West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy and Church Mission Society (CMS).
5
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
During 2025, collections were also made for the Children’s Society at the Christingle service; PAFRAS (Positive Action of Refugees and Asylum Seekers) through food and financial donations throughout the year and at Harvest; a ‘Good as New Toys’ gift collection for Leeds families in poverty at Christmas (working with St Mary’s Hawksworth Wood); and the Christmas Shoebox appeal (working with Blythswood Care) which enabled over 200 shoeboxes to be filled with carefully chosen and wrapped gifts and sent to a deprived community in Eastern Europe.
Other charities, such as the Scouts and Brownies, benefit from reduced charges to hire the Parish Centre.
The St Chad’s Newsletter, inviting local people to join us for services, groups and events is distributed to most homes in the parish, twice a year at Easter and Christmas.
Our church website stchads.co.uk, our Facebook page @stchadschurchleeds and our Instagram page @stchadsleeds provide helpful information to the whole church family and the wider community.
In November and December 2025, preparations were made for three mission and evangelism initiatives running in Early 2026: 1) ‘Try Praying’. A prayer resource which encourages relational evangelism through the using and then giving away of a prayer booklet. 2) Alpha, a Christian explorer course. 3) The Winter Night Shelter, a project in response to the housing crisis, to shelter local street-homeless men in church buildings during the coldest months of the year.
## **Environment Report**
## **Carbon Footprint**
St Chad’s carbon footprint has continued to be measured. Data for gas and electricity consumption during 2025 have been submitted on-line to the national C of E’s Energy Footprinting Tool (EFT). The tool computes both the gross carbon footprint and, after deducting renewable electricity purchased from the grid and deducting a proportion of on-site generated renewable electricity exported to the grid, the net carbon footprint.
An increase in gas consumption of just over 10% has led to an increase in our carbon footprint. However, when the impact weather has on energy use is taken into account, our carbon footprint remains stable year on year.
Our electricity is purchased from SSE through the Diocese’s Green Journey Scheme. As this is a renewable supply it is deemed to meet the EFT criteria for low carbon energy. The equivalent carbon emissions from the electricity we used has been netted off the gross carbon footprint together with electricity generated by the solar panels on the roof of the Parish Centre.
Our gas is purchased from Crown Gas & Power through the Diocese’s Green Journey. Although the supply is offset and 50% of the supply to the Parish Centre is from a renewable biogas supply, it is not classed as a green supply. Accordingly, all of our carbon footprint arises from our use of gas for space heating, so the big challenge facing St Chad’s is how we make the transition away from gas to achieve net zero.
6
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **Energy Costs**
New 2-year gas and electricity contracts for both the church and the Parish Centre commenced in September 2024, having been secured in April of that year. They were renewed through the Diocese’s Green Journey scheme with Crown Gas & Power providing the gas supply and SSE providing the electricity. These fixed price contracts, in place throughout 2025, have protected the PCC from increased prices following increases in wholesale gas prices at the end of 2024 and in early 2025. Writing this report at the end of the first quarter of 2026 when new energy contracts to begin in September normally would start to be negotiated, and given the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East, it is likely the PCC will be faced with increased energy costs into the foreseeable future.
The Parish Centre has continued to benefit from the installation a couple of years ago of 2 smaller and much more efficient gas boilers for space heating with total gas consumption during 2025 (86,468 kWh), about half of the consumption during 2019, the last full year before Covid.
## **Sustainable Heating**
As reported last year, the national church announced that 600 churches with the highest carbon emissions would be offered a free energy audit together with a £3,000 grant to put towards project(s) identified in the audit that would reduce the carbon footprint. St Chad’s is one of those top emitting churches – and one of the top 42 churches in the Diocese. The national church commissioned Mondes Projects Ltd which undertook the audit in September 2024. In the early part of 2025, we were made aware that there had been widespread criticism of the standard of the audits and reports produced. The national church commissioned new consultants, Inspired Efficiency, and offered participating churches a repeat energy audit at no extra cost together with the £3,000 grant. The repeat audit was undertaken in August 2025. We are pleased to report that both the auditor and his report were much more thorough. The report identified low cost, quick win projects – draught proofing in certain locations, fully insulate boiler pipework in boiler house, turn off under sink water heater when not in use, and replacing the remainder of the non-LED lights with LED equivalents. Future heating options – an external air to water heat pump to provide underfloor heating; air to air heat pumps located on the flat roofs of the Clergy and Choir Vestries to provide gentle continual heating; for the Chapel external air to air heat pump units located in the valley between the chapel and aisle or radiant heating panels. Considerable work will be required to assess the thermal characteristics of the building in order to size and specify appropriate heat pumps. We will need to commission the services of an appropriately qualified mechanical and electrical consultant with expertise in installing these systems in churches.
## **Ecumenical Relationships**
Churches Together in Headingley continues strong. This year’s collaborations have included a fundraising Christmas carol sing at the Arndale centre in aid of Wheatfield’s Hospice; Lent Lunches; The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; and the Beckett Park Community Picnic. A number of St Chad’s members have volunteered at The Lantern, a local church partnership which provides a space where adults with multiple and complex needs can find friendship, food and faith. Church leaders also meet separately throughout the year for prayer and encouragement. Churches Together in Headingley are currently exploring exciting possibilities for working collaboratively to support 200 asylum seeking men who are likely to be housed in Headingley in the near future.
## **Financial Review**
A 2025 highlight was the launch our Raindrop Appeal in May with the aim to raise a total of £100,000. Through exciting and variable fundraising events such as cake, craft and jam sales, an open garden, wine tasting event, various music concerts held in church, book sales, an auction of promises event and generous individual donations, funds raised to the year-end total of £27.7K. Further events are planned for 2026.
Income from planned giving (Parish Giving Scheme and regular standing orders) was down slightly although income from general donations via Goodbox and money placed in the donations box rose slightly. Open plate monies received were at very similar levels to those in the previous year.
7
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
No legacies were received during the year although we did receive a very generous restricted donation of £20,000 (including gift aid) which will be used towards the employment of a part time Youth and Families Worker.
Gift aid received increased too however this included £4,000 from the restricted donation and £2,944 on eligible individual donations received from the Raindrop Appeal.
The value of additional monies on deposit from the sale of the curacy in 2024 have seen an increase in gross interest received from £9.9k to £23.9k.
We once again were able to use the DCMS Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme to reclaim VAT on qualifying works to the church building and this brought income of c.£2,500. This scheme closed earlier than anticipated (early March 2026) and this has meant that unfortunately, due to delays in commencing major building work on both the valley gutter (January 2026) and the spire (later in 2026) we will not be able to reclaim VAT on these sizeable invoices. The Diocese has indicated there may be another scheme available but we are waiting for clarification/confirmation on this.
Although the valley gutter and spire works did not start in 2025 as anticipated we incurred other church maintenance expenditure ie. Boiler repairs, significant drain works, the installation of audio-visual equipment and architect fees.
We were also fortunate enough to be promised funds from the Greenwood family to cover the cost of additional audio-visual equipment for the choir’s benefit, a monitor and camera for the organist and a splendid new font cover – these items were purchased in late 2025 and the kind donation received by the family in early 2026.
St Chad’s once again met its Parish Share in full for the year of £118,021.
All missionary charitable donations were paid in full retrospectively for the year 2024 during 2025.
The net income for the year was £104,195 including net expenditure of £38,382 on unrestricted funds and net income of £145,639 on restricted funds. If, however, we remove the one-off income streams (grant, Raindrop Appeal funds, Youth and Families Worker donation and Greenwood family donation) our overall position at the year end would be a deficit of c.£43,000 which is, sadly, around the usual amount for our charity.
## **Restricted and Endowment Funds**
Income from the restricted and endowment funds on deposit increased substantiality from the previous year up from c.£9k to c.£23k as a result of more funds being held in these accounts. Monies have been expended against the relevant expenditure lines as necessary.
Dividends from restricted investments remained static compared to the previous year. No sale or purchase of shares have been undertaken during the year.
## **Parish Centre**
The Parish Centre Management Committee was pleased to report sales income of £108,407 down slightly from the previous year by around £1.5k. Surplus for the year was however higher than the previous year at £16.7k compared to £12.4k. We continue to attract a wide variety of hirers, some familiar ones but some new groups too.
The bar made a surplus of £1,178.
Two successful Raindrop Fundraising events were held raising over £6,000.
The Parish Centre Management Committee spent time planning and gaining quotes for the upcoming bar refurbishment project and car park resurfacing, as well as making sure the property was maintained to a good standard – external paintwork done and the function hall floor annual oiling was undertaken.
8
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **Reserves Policy**
Our policy is to allow for the smooth running of the charity and to allow for an orderly winding up should the charity need to close. Three months’ operating costs are considered sufficient. Total operating costs for 2025 were £343,243, 25% of this (i.e. one quarter of the year = 3 months) would be £85,811.
The charity’s free reserves are calculated by taking our total funds figure of £930,099 less restricted funds of £200,245 and endowment funds of £63,161. This leaves total unrestricted funds of £666,693. If we deduct from that our tangible fixed assets of £135,683 (funds which are not freely available to spend) this leaves £531,010. Within this sum, the trustees have designated £172,090 towards specific purposes set out in note 16 in the accounts. This leaves £358,920 as the charity's free reserves. Please see “Future Plans” below for an explanation of how it is intended to use our remaining free reserves. A breakdown of assets by fund is provided in the balance sheet and note 21.
## **Future Plans**
The opportunity at St Chad’s for ministry with children, youth and families is extraordinary. 31% of our worshipping community is under 18 years old. We have strong connections with the local Church of England primary school, and a warm and growing relationship with the Church of England high school, (just outside the parish) and three other primary schools in the parish. Since 2021 we have employed a Missional Generation youth worker for 6-8 hours a week to co-ordinate and lead our youth group. The term of St Chad’s agreement with Missional Generation came to an end in the summer of 2025. To continue the important youth ministry begun in 2021 and build on it, the PCC is investing £303,113 of the funds raised from the sale of the curacy house to provide an income in interest to finance a part-time Youth and Families Worker for the next 5 years at an estimated cost of £88,425. A generous gift-aided donation to support this initiative, amounting to £20,000, was made in March 2025 by a member of the congregation. To date this post has not been filled.
A proportion of the funds from the sale of the curacy house were designated to go towards funding the most urgent church building works. An ambitious fundraising project began in 2025 to raise the remaining monies required to complete these works alongside an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. If successful this will lead into exciting plans to link up with Leeds Art Gallery to put on events exploring our joint heritage in the esteemed John Atkinson Grimshaw’s painting of St Chad’s Spire in the local landscape, and to record oral histories of St Chad’s and its role in the community from local people. It may be possible to tie these events in with the celebration of 400 years of the City of Leeds.
Small Groups will continue to be an important means of integrating new people at St Chad’s into fellowship, faith and discipleship and of deepening the faith and discipleship of existing members.
The grant received from The Leeds Community Foundation St Chad’s Fund will be used to develop the bar area of the parish centre and provide accessible boardroom meeting space and a smarter more flexible social space for community groups and hirers alongside resurfacing and re-marking the parish centre car park and provide refurbishment to the main function hall in the parish centre.
The enthusiasm and commitment with which church members volunteered for and supported the Winter Night Shelter project for street-homeless men was a great inspiration and opens the door for more social justice projects of this kind.
It is expected that around 200 adult male asylum seekers may be housed in Headingley from 2026 onwards. Tentative plans are underway to explore how St Chad’s might work with other members of Churches Together in Headingley to provide co-ordinated support for these men and to foster integration and good relations between them and the existing Headingley community through appropriate services, events and activities.
## **Public Benefit**
Public benefit from the Church comes in three key ways:
First, are the benefits obtained from being part of a prayerful, multigenerational, lively and supportive Church community who, as part of their personal Christian discipleship, are encouraged to connect with and serve their neighbour in practical ways.
9
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2025
Secondly, the Church and the Parish Centre buildings are available to the public at large. The Church building is well used by three local schools for teaching and learning sessions, end of term activities, festivals and services. Leeds Symphony Orchestra and other musical groups and choirs use the church for concert space, and Leeds Festival Chorus use it as their weekly meeting and rehearsal space. The church annually participates in the National and Yorkshire Heritage Open Days. The Parish Centre serves the wider community as a popular centre for regular meetings of various charities, not just church led groups such as the Tots Group, Youth Club and Lunch Club, but also Scouts and Girl Guides, dancing groups, fitness camps, the RSPB, National Trust Leeds & District group and art classes. The City Council and the NHS hire rooms for training and public consultation events. The main hall is still popular for wedding receptions and funeral teas. Continued ongoing investment with the refurbishment and development of the facilities ensures comfortable, affordable spaces are provided for groups and clubs.
Thirdly, the Church offers financial help to its local community and beyond in three ways: a) by offering reduced rates to charitable organisations using the centre, (discounts amounting to £7731 in 2025); b) by giving a charitable donation of 10% of planned giving and open plate collections to support both local and national charities each year; and c) through the funds, time and resources raised and given through church services and by church members to support the work of other charities.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956. Church Representation Rules 2022) and is a registered charity as required under the Charities Act.
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Chad’s, the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent, curate, churchwardens, members of Deanery Synod and a maximum of 12 members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the church Electoral Roll. All those who attend our church services are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent, and setting and applying appropriate policies.
The PCC met eight times during the year, including two held via video conferencing. The average level of attendance was 80%. Given its wide responsibilities, the PCC has a number of committees, each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life. These committees which include Standing and Finance, Fabric and Maintenance, and Parish Centre Management, are all responsible to the PCC and report back to it regularly, with minutes of their deliberations being received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.
The Standing & Finance Committee is responsible for day to day management on behalf of the PCC. Members include Jane Bewell, Alison Gallant, Hannah Lievesley, William Robinson, Mike Willison (until 18th May 2025), Eileen Pickup (from 18th May 2025) and Jo Barrington (from 29th June 2025).
The PCC members are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with the applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Charity law requires the PCC members to prepare financial statements for each financial year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its financial activities for that period.
Approved by the board of trustees on 21/04/2026
Revd Hannah Lievesley (Trustee)
10
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 12 to 22.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees 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 as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 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.
Simon Bostrom FCIE
28/05/2026
## **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
11
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Statement of Financial Activities
## (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2025
|Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
(2)
122,891
Other trading activities
(3)
26,960
Investment income
(4)
21,733
Charitable activities
(5)
115,559
Other income
(6)
3,713
**Total income**
290,856
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
(7)
18,301
Charitable activities
(8)
310,937
**Total expenditure**
329,238
Net gains/(losses) on investments
(17)
-
**Net income / (expenditure)**
(38,382)
**Fund balances brought forward**
705,075
**Fund balances carried forward**
(9)
666,693|2025
2025
Restricted
Endowment
funds
funds
£
£
154,123
-
1,130
-
4,338
-
-
-
53
-
159,644
397
-
13,608
-
14,005
-
-
(3,062)
145,639
(3,062)
54,606
66,223
200,245
63,161|2025
Total
funds
£
277,014
28,090
26,071
115,559
3,766
450,500
18,698
324,545
343,243
(3,062)
104,195
825,904
930,099|2024
Total
funds
£
154,154
38,168
12,059
123,091
56,576
384,048
20,885
323,295
344,180
1,713
41,581
784,323
825,904|
|---|---|---|---|
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
12
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Balance sheet
|as at 31 December 2025
2025
Unrestricted
£
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
(10)
135,683
Investments
(11)
12,188
**Total fixed assets**
147,871
**Current assets**
Stock
4,776
Debtors and prepayments
(12)
15,410
Current asset investments
(13)
497,241
Cash at bank and in hand
(14)
16,972
**Total current assets**
534,399
**Current liabilities:**
**amounts falling due within one year**
Creditors and accruals
(15)
15,577
**Total current liabilities**
15,577
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
518,822
**Net assets**
666,693
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
General unrestricted funds
494,603
Designated funds
(16)
172,090
Unrestricted funds
666,693
Restricted funds
-
Endowment funds
(17)
-
**Total funds**
666,693|2025
2025
Restricted
Endowment
£
£
-
-
46,247
15,094
46,247
15,094
-
-
5,816
-
120,258
48,067
27,924
-
153,998
48,067
-
-
-
-
153,998
48,067
200,245
63,161
-
-
-
-
-
-
200,245
-
-
63,161
200,245
63,161|2025
Total
£
135,683
73,529
209,212
4,776
21,226
665,566
44,896
736,464
15,577
15,577
720,887
930,099
494,603
172,090
666,693
200,245
63,161
930,099|2024
Total
£
143,347
76,592
219,939
5,022
16,527
542,681
54,086
618,316
12,351
12,351
605,965
825,904
705,075
-
705,075
54,606
66,223
825,904|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 21/04/2026
Revd Hannah Lievesley (Trustee)
13
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts
## for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of accounting**
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The 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) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
## **Going concern**
The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
## **Incoming resources**
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Grants and donations**
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
Donated goods for resale are valued at the amount actually realised upon their sale.
Donated assets, facilities or services are valued at their estimated value to the charity. This is the price that the charity estimates it would pay in the open market for equivalent items; or services and facilities of equivalent utility to the charity.
## **Investments**
Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. The SOFA includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year.
## **Expenditure and liabilities**
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
## **Grants payable without performance conditions**
Where there are no conditions attaching to the grant that enables the donor charity to realistically avoid the commitment, a liability for the full funding obligation must be recognised.
## **Taxation**
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
14
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **1 Accounting policies continued**
## **Tangible fixed assets**
No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed.
Other land and buildings held on behalf of the PCC for its own purposes are included at insurance valuation (in the case of the curate’s house) and at cost (in the case of the Parish Centre). No depreciation is charged against such properties because the depreciation charge is viewed as immaterial and no impairment of the buildings is considered to have taken place. Any expenditure on maintenance or improvement is written off as incurred.
Other equipment used within church premises and at the Parish Centre is depreciated on a straight line basis over 3, 5 or 10 years, unless otherwise stated in the notes. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off in the period in which the asset is acquired.
## **Pensions**
The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity, principally investments. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income unless restrictions have been imposed by the donor. Any capital gains or losses arising on the investments form part of the fund. Investment management charges and legal advice relating to the fund are charged against the fund.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
15
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 December 2025
|**2 Donations and legacies**
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Planned giving
86,176
Open plate collections
1,988
Legacies
-
Donations
11,788
Gift aid
22,939
Grant income
-
122,891
**3 Other trading activities**
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Takings in Parish Bar
16,986
Hire of church to non-church users
9,587
Fundraising sales
368
Income from PCC property
19
26,960
**4 Investment income**
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Dividends (gross)
21
Interest (gross)
21,712
21,733
**5 Income from charitable activities**
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Use of parish centre
220
Fees received for weddings and funerals
6,486
Sunday morning coffee
446
Parish centre booking fees
108,407
115,559|2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
96
-
47,083
6,944
100,000
154,123
2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
1,130
-
1,130
2025
Restricted
funds
£
2,107
2,231
4,338
2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-|2025
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2025
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
2025
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
2025
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-|2025
Total
funds
£
86,176
2,084
-
58,871
29,883
100,000
277,014
2025
Total
funds
£
16,986
9,587
1,498
19
28,090
2025
Total
funds
£
2,128
23,943
26,071
2025
Total
funds
£
220
6,486
446
108,407
115,559|2024
Total
funds
£
88,701
2,101
29,397
11,553
22,402
-
154,154
2024
Total
funds
£
16,900
11,294
1,942
8,032
38,168
2024
Total
funds
£
2,079
9,980
12,059
2024
Total
funds
£
200
12,631
280
109,980
123,091|
|---|---|---|---|---|
16
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 December 2025
|**6 Other income**
VAT recovered
Solar panels
Gain on disposal of fixed assets
**7 Expenditure on raising funds**
Hire of church (salaries)
Parish Centre Bar running costs
General fundraising costs
Other PCC property upkeep
**8a**
**Charitable activity**
Missionary and charitable giving
Sunday Club
Weddings and funeral fees
Parish share
Church running costs
Church maintenance
Upkeep of services
Churchyard and grounds upkeep
Parish Centre running costs
Admin salaries and organist fees
Other administration costs
Depreciation
Accounts preparation
Independent examination
Youth and children development|2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
2,468
1,245
-
3,713
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
1,634
15,808
859
-
18,301
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
11,530
282
2,276
118,021
26,782
16,809
2,125
359
91,784
19,657
3,592
10,064
898
422
6,336
310,937|2025
Restricted
funds
£
53
-
-
53
2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
397
-
397
2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
221
-
-
-
6,146
826
5,645
-
-
-
-
-
-
770
13,608|2025
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
2025
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
2025
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2025
Total
funds
£
2,521
1,245
-
3,766
2025
Total
funds
£
1,634
15,808
1,256
-
18,698
2025
Total
funds
£
11,530
503
2,276
118,021
26,782
22,955
2,951
6,004
91,784
19,657
3,592
10,064
898
422
7,106
324,545|2024
Total
funds
£
542
1,034
55,000
56,576
2024
Total
funds
£
3,480
12,816
271
4,318
20,885
2024
Total
funds
£
12,271
581
3,946
114,032
26,289
7,809
2,991
6,983
91,266
20,283
8,091
16,325
898
422
11,108
323,295|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
17
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 December 2025
|**8b Charitable Activity expanded - details**
Church - running costs
Insurance
Gas
Electricity
Water
Cleaning and general maintenance
Parish Centre - running costs
Caretaker, deputies and bookings secretary
Heating, lighting and water
Insurance
Repairs, cleaning and maintenance
Administration|2025
Total
funds
£
9,225
10,341
3,033
569
3,615
26,783
£
48,371
13,374
3,142
19,042
7,855
91,784|2024
Total
funds
£
8,562
11,224
3,183
427
2,892
26,288
£
47,563
12,571
2,617
19,724
8,791
91,266|
|---|---|---|
|**9 Restricted funds**
Church music fund
Churchyard maintenance
Flower fund
Garden of rest
Organ maintenance
Church repair
Ruth Fergusson legacy
Sunday School fund
Youth Work
Youth and Family donation
Audio visual equipment donation
Leeds Community Foundation
Raindrops Appeal|Balance b/f
£
545
48,399
-
3,000
1,390
809
72
80
311
-
-
-
-
54,606|Incoming
£
286
1,907
35
-
167
1,572
223
517
1,588
20,463
5,148
100,000
27,738
159,644|Outgoing
£
587
4,015
33
1,630
319
679
-
427
1,167
-
5,148
-
-
14,005|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Balance c/f
£
244
46,291
2
1,370
1,238
1,702
295
170
732
20,463
-
100,000
27,738
200,245|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Fund name**
Church music fund Churchyard maintenance Flower fund Garden of rest Organ maintenance Church repair Ruth Fergusson legacy Sunday School fund Youth Work Youth and Family donation Audio visual equipment donation Leeds Community Foundation
Raindrops Appeal
## **Purpose of restriction**
Towards choir and music costs.
Towards maintenance of the churchyard. This fund includes an investment Towards the cost of flowers.
Legacy donation to be used towards Garden of Rest costs. Towards organ maintenance costs.
Towards church repair costs.
Interest on the endowment is restricted for the relief of poverty or infirmity Towards the costs of the Sunday school. Towards youth work activities.
Donations towards the cost of employing a Youth and Family worker. Donations towards the cost of audio visual equipment.
For the cost of refurbishing the parish centre bar area, access route and car park.
Towards weatherproofing and related remedial repairs for the church.
18
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 December 2025
|**10 **
**11 **
**12 **
**13 **|**Tangible assets**
**Cost**
£
At 1 January 2025
-
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At 31 December 2025
-
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2025
-
Depn reversed re. disposals
-
Charge for year
-
At 31 December 2025
-
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2025
-
At 31 December 2024
-
**Fixed assets investments**
Balance b/f
Gain / (loss) on revaluation
Income generated
(Income transferred out)
Total
**Debtors and prepayments**
Debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors
**Current asset investments**
Cash equivalents on deposit
Class 4|£
5,435
-
(5,435)
-
4,983
(4,983)
-
-
-
452
PCC
Equipment|£
188,696
2,400
(10,558)
180,538
125,743
(10,558)
9,612
124,797
55,741
62,953
2025
Listed
investments
£
76,592
(3,062)
2,128
(2,128)
73,530
Parish
Centre
Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment|£
79,942
-
-
79,942
-
-
-
-
79,942
79,942
2025
Total
£
76,592
(3,062)
2,128
(2,128)
73,530
2025
£
4,599
3,111
13,516
-
21,226
2025
£
665,566
665,566
Parish
centre
Building|Total
£
274,073
2,400
(15,993)
260,480
130,726
(15,541)
9,612
124,797
135,683
143,347
2024
Total
£
74,879
1,713
2,079
(2,079)
76,592
2024
£
6,611
3,513
6,363
40
16,527
2024
£
542,681
542,681|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 December 2025
|**14 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank
Cash in hand
**15 Creditors and accruals**
Creditors
Accruals
Income received in advance
Other creditors|2025
£
42,344
2,552
44,896
2025
£
4,621
1,379
9,082
495
15,577|2024
£
50,547
3,539
54,086
2024
£
4,832
1,370
5,315
834
12,351|
|---|---|---|
|**16 Designated funds**
Church Repairs
Youth and Family Worker
Youth Development
Boiler replacement|Balance b/f
£
-
-
8,720
17,518
26,238|Incoming
£
-
-
-
-
-|Outgoing
£
-
-
6,746
-
6,746|Transfers
£
146,393
6,205
-
-
152,598|Balance c/f
£
146,393
6,205
1,974
17,518
172,090|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Fund name Reason for designation**
Church Repairs Set aside for church repairs. Youth and Family Worker Set aside to meet the costs of our Youth Worker. Youth Development Set aside to meet the costs of our Youth Worker. NB these funds will be utilised first Boiler replacement Set aside for the church boiler replacement.
|**17 Endowment funds**
Church music fund
Church repair
Churchyard maintenance
Sunday School Fund
Ruth Fergusson legacy|Balance b/f
£
10,729
26,134
15,479
8,881
5,000
66,223|Incoming
£
-
-
-
-
-
-|Outgoing
£
333
-
2,433
296
-
3,062|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-|Balance c/f
£
10,396
26,134
13,046
8,585
5,000
63,161|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Purpose of restriction**
## **Fund name**
Church music fund Towards choir, organ maintenance and music costs. Church repair Towards general repair costs for the church. Churchyard maintenance Towards maintenance of the churchyard. Sunday School Fund Towards the costs of the Sunday school. Ruth Fergusson legacy
Permanent endowment. Interest is restricted for the relief of poverty or infirmity within the Parish.
20
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **18 Related party transactions**
## **Donations from trustees and related parties**
The total aggregate value of donations from trustees, that do not attach conditions which would require the charity to alter the nature of its existing activities, amounted to £37,923 (2024: £26,022). This included both restricted and unrestricted donations.
## **Trustee expenses**
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
## **Trustee remuneration and benefits**
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
|**19 Grant making**
**Project or activity**
**Charitable allocations**
**International**
Church Mission Society
**Local**
Special collections and Donations
The Children’s Society (Christingle)
Joanna Leeds
PAFRAS (Refugees and Asylum Seekers)
West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy
Total
**20 Staff costs and numbers**
Gross salaries
Pensions|2025
Grants to
institutions
£
2,830
210
2,830
2,830
2,830
11,530
2025
£
69,736
1,079
70,815|2024
Grants to
institutions
£
3,000
271
3,000
3,000
3,000
12,271
2024
£
69,550
1,119
70,669|
|---|---|---|
The average number of employees during the year was 10.8, being an average of 3.1 full time equivalent (: 9.1, 2.8 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.
|**Defined contribution pension scheme**
Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year
Amount of any contributions outstanding at the year end
**21 Net assets by fund**
Unrestricted
Designated
£
£
Tangible assets
135,683
-
Investments
12,188
-
Net current assets
346,732
172,090
**Total fixed assets**
494,603
172,090|Restricted
£
-
46,247
153,998
200,245|2024
£
1,079
245
Endowment
£
-
15,094
48,067
63,161|2023
£
1,119
234
Total
£
135,683
73,529
720,887
930,099|
|---|---|---|---|
21
## The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Chad, Far Headingley, Leeds
## Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2025
|2025
2024
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
**Income**
Donations and legacies
122,891
149,693
Other trading activities
26,960
37,035
Investment income
21,733
7,372
Charitable activities
115,559
123,091
Other income
3,713
56,397
**Total income**
290,856
373,588
**Expenditure**
Raising funds
18,301
20,490
Charitable activities
310,937
308,680
**Total expenditure**
329,238
329,170
Net gains/(losses) on investments
-
-
**Net income / (expenditure)**
(38,382)
44,418
**Fund balances brought forward**
705,075
660,657
**Fund balances carried forward**
666,693
705,075|2025
Restricted
funds
£
154,123
1,130
4,338
-
53
159,644
397
13,608
14,005
-
145,639
54,606
200,245|2024
2025
2024
Restricted Endowment Endowment
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
4,461
-
-
1,133
-
-
4,687
-
-
-
-
-
179
-
-
10,460
-
-
395
-
-
10,750
-
3,865
11,145
-
3,865
-
(3,062)
1,713
(685)
(3,062)
(2,152)
55,291
66,223
68,375
54,606
63,161
66,223|2025
Total
funds
£
277,014
28,090
26,071
115,559
3,766
450,500
18,698
324,545
343,243
(3,062)
104,195
825,904
930,099|2024
Total
funds
£
154,154
38,168
12,059
123,091
56,576
-
384,048
20,885
323,295
344,180
1,713
41,581
784,323
825,904|
|---|---|---|---|---|
22