Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 St Saviour with St Mary Cotham (also known as COTHAM PARISH CHURCH) Cotham Road. Bristol BS6 6DR ANNUAL REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Registered Charity number 1132307
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 CONTENTS Page Annual Report Reference Information Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet io Notes to the Financial Statements li
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council of St Saviour with St Mary Cotham Year ended December 2023 Background This document contains the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2023 together with the financial accounts for the 58me year. Our church. more usually known as Cotham Parish Church, is a registered charity (number 11323071 whose charitable purpose is to promote the whole mlssion of the church within our parish. Our activities, offered for public benefit and to which all (regardless of marital and social status. age. gender. sexuality. and level of church commitmentl are welcome. include provision of.. religious services, prayer gatherings, retreats and faith fom)ation,' teaching and social events for children and young people,. a wide variety of groups and activities with a creative and community building emphasis: pastoral care, especially for those who are vulnerable,. action and outreach in support of social and environmental justice; space for community activitie5.' and care for a listed building which is open to the public on some weekdays, and for a growing range of events As an Inclusive Ihtt www.inclusive-church.or and multi-generational community, we seek to serve a broad cross-section of our local community. and as a Parish Church have a commitment to all who INe, work and study within the parish. Direction The PCC continues to pursue tts development plan for the Church. To summarise this plan.. Cotham Parish Church's values of contemplation, inclusivity, creativity, and justice give the church a distinct identity and calling in Bristol. It is the PCC'S intention to express these values and respond to this call by developing our spiritual life, our buildings, our communlty and our capacity.. to be a place of inclusive h05Pltality: to be a place for the celebration, promotion and reimagination of faith and life. to offer a range of creative-contemplative prayer and worship 8athefings' to offer opportunities for reflective faith formation,. to be a hub for actNities that promote and build diverse community, well-bein& resilience and justice; to strengthen relationships and collaboration with our neighbours,. to be anchored by spiritual practices with a praying community at our heart.
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Review of the year 2023 was our first'ordinarf year since 2019. enabling us to build on the manner in which the Covid pandemic had made us more attuned to the needs ofourwidercommunity, and further develop the ways we'd begun to strengthen and grow the congregations and communities of Cotham Parish Church. We have continued to experiment and open ourselves to new opportunities, new people and new practices as a community. The Reordering scheme was a principle focus during the year. enabling us to fulfil our vision to make the building more noticeable. welcomin& inspirin& hospitable and sustainable. The building work began in May and was Imostlyl completed in November. During the period of the building work the life of Cotham Parish Church continued, with most of our activities taking place in the Church Halls. This period of transition, and our return to the renewed Church in November allowed us to experience further what it means to be a community of faithful change open to the future. In particular the following areas of our ministry and mission have continued to be si8nificant points of growth during 2023. Foundatlon: our Sunday evening community continues to grow in numbers, commitment and depth of engagement. Our core values- 'Contemplative, Creative, Inclusive and Socially Engaged'_ serve as a clear and well founded basis for our range of gatherings. Foundation was ably and creatively led by Simon Rotheram, until August 2023 wheft he left us to begin training for ordained ministry. Simon's leadership provided significant capacity for continued growth and broader connection. and we ended the year recruiting Andy Thornton as Simon's successor. Early Foundatlons: This monthly service was launched in 2022 in recognition that we needed to find new ways to connect with families with children. Taking the core values of Foundation we launched a new monthly Sunday morning gathering, focussing on 'early vears, and creating a space that is both social and spiritual for the children and their families. This new con8re8ation of Cotham has continued to 8row in attendance numbers, and is enabling growing confidence amongst children, and mutual sUPPOrt amongst the parents in a safe, friendly and inclusive setting. Green Cotham: our eco-commitments have found wonderful local expression through the creation of this Outreach proiert led by a member of our congregation who is a professional gardener with strong local connections. It is good to see the intentions of the project to promote personal, social and ecological wellbeing now being realised, and growing engagement from a range ot local people of broad ranges of age and background. We are grateful to the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme, the Co-op Community Fund and the West of England Combined Authority for their grants in support of this project. These funds have enabled us to extend the reach of Green Cotham and recruit a project assistant. Cotham aub: following our Community Consultation in 2021 a group was established to develop a project to create Community through Music. with a particular emphasis on building community across the seEregations of our city. The steerinB group has done fabulou5 work in taking this vision and turning it into the successful and vibrant reality of a monthly gig, with a growing audience. reach and reputation. Reordering: Following the granting of a Faculty in 2022 for the Reordering of the Church were able to be put the scheme out for a tendering process. As a result of the submitted tenders the Reordering group appointed Emery as our chosen contractors. The Reordering group worked hard with our architect Tim Gough to consider the final details of the building programme. Chaired by Alice Chapman the Reordering group has worked hard to enable the core needs of the project to be achieved within a carefully considered budget.
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 We are grateful to our members and to Gloucester Historic Churches Trust. Benefact Trust, Awards for All, Redland and Cotham Amenities Society and the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme for their generous donations and grants in support of this project. Meanwhile a programme of ongoing repairs and necessary modernisation of our buildings continues to be well managed, to ensure that the facilities remain safe, comfortable and sustainable, and we are pleased that we are all51n8 some of our potential to develop and use our buildings as an asset commercially and missionally. Lay leadershlp: Much of the above is led. developed and sustained through the initiative, skill and strong leadership of a small group of highly committed lay officers. We recognise that we tan do more to encourage our lay t3pacity,' not least because of our broadenin8 membership base and the connections new projects are creating with people beyond the congregation who wish to be actively involved. We are pleased that some of our capacity is built through the active engagement of people who are not part of the worshipping community but wish to contribute to our life and mission. We believe that the creative and adaptive expression. strong inclusive ethos. lively faith, growing diversity and strengthened strategy and governance put us in a good position to continue to grow our distinctive social and spiritual resource in our part of Bristol. During 2023 we spent time re-examining our strategic goals and organisational practice to further strengthen the life of Cotham Parish Church, making the development more vital li.e. life giving) and sustainable. This irbcluded us identifyin8 area5 of church life that we believe we need to especially 'tend' with time, investment. strategic planning and prayer. These areas include Foundation and Early Foundations, Green Cotham and other expressions of eco-mission. and Communications and Participation. Flnanclal Revlew The key financial event of the year was our Reordering Project. The 2023 cost of this project Was £473,101 and this was funded by generous donations from our congregations, gift aid and grants, which together totalled £166,232,. plus an investment from reserves Iresulting from a property disposal in 20161 of £306,869. The reordering project is substantially complete and we do not anticipate significant further expenditure in 2024. The PCC has 3 main sources of unrestricted income= giving from members of our congregations, rent on a property, and income received from the community use of our halls. Unrestricted funds show year on year deficit of £1,771 which is stated after spending £51,376 on unanticipated emergency repairs, the need for which was uncovered during the Reordering Project. Our balante sheet remains reasonably strong with no debt and there are no material concerns about the PCC'S ability to maintain the church as a going concern. Reserves policy.. Reserves are held by the Church to provide for future activities and initiatives which cannot be funded from income in a single year. ReseNes are also required to cover unforeseen expenditure. Details of our reserves policies are shown in note 8. Alice Chapman has been acting treasurer since January 2020 and has strengthened our systems, controls, and policies whilst raising grants and ensuring our financial activities enable mission and outreach. Alice is standing down frorn thi5 role at our 2024 APCM. Our thanks to her.
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Governance Cotham Parish Church is governed by its PCC which met five times in 2023 and which made some decisions by email. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure along with relevant sections of the Synodical Government Measure and Charities Acts. All PCC members are trustees of the charity. A resolution proposing that Anthony Cope be reappointed as Independent Examiner will be put to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The PCC is grateful for the voluntary time and commitment of the many active members of the church community. Together we are continuing to shape plans and build partnerships to express and live out the distinctive identity and mission of Cotham Parish Church. Slgned on behalf of the Trustees Davld Stephenson Vicar and Chalr of Trustees
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Reference Information Charity number 1132307 Trustees Incumbent and Chair Revd David Stephenson Curate Adrian Howkins Licensed Lay Minlster Pauline Shaw Wardens Sue Hawkins Lorna Robinson Acting Treasurer Alite Chapman PCC Secretary Jeni Leggat-Green Deanery Synod AepresentatNes Janet Mayo Sally Seaman Other Trustee5 Matt Carr (appointed 23141231 Sue Dibdin Catherine Feenv Joe Goodlad (resigned 1219/231 Helen Heath lappointed 12171231 Dave Patterson Nat Schaefer (appointed 23141231 Church admlnlstrator Julia Wright-. highburypartnership@gmail.com Bankers CAF Bank Nationwide Independent examiner A Cope FCA Websltes www.cotham arishchurch.or www.foundationbristol.or Social media htt www.facebook.com CothamParishChurch htt twitter.com totham arishchl
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Independent Examinerfs report to the members and trustees of the Parochial Church Council of Cotham Parish Church I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 9-16. Respertlve responsibilities of the Trustees and of the Independent Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under S144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under S145 of the 2011 Act 2. follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners S145ISbl ofthe 2011 Art state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Examlnerfs Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Oirections given by the Charitv Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a compari50n of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent Examlnerfs Statement In tonnections with my examination, no matters have come to my attention.. which give me reasonable Cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with S130 of the 2011 Act and to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met. 2. to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. A Cope FCA 66 Hill View Henleaze Bristol BS9 4PU 2024
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2023 unrestrirted restrirted & designated total funds 2023 total funds 2022 note Incoming re50urtes Donations and legacies Charitable activities Income from investments 2a 2b 2c 72.390 41,212 65,217 175.757 248,147 41,212 65,217 86,764 42,809 52,236 Total Intomln8 resources 178,819 175,757 354,576 181,809 Resources used Charitable activities Fundraising 193,124 488,229 681,353 189,119 285 Total re50urce5 Used 193.124 488,229 681,353 189,404 Net incoming resources -14,305 -312.472 -326,777 -7.595 Investment gains or losses 12,534 654 13,188 -18,676 Net movement of funds -1.771 -313,589 -313.589 -26,271 Total funds brought forward Fund Transfers 1.245,813 4,431 1,250,244 1,276,515 -314,070 314,070 Total funds carried forward 929,972 936.655 1,250,244 The notes on pages 10 to 15fonn part of these accounts.
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023 2023 2022 note Fixed Assets Investments Properties 223.535 650,CK 510,346 650,000 873,535 1,160,346 Current Assets and Llabllltles Assets Cash at bank and in hand Debtors and prepayments 83,797 16,475 96,558 10,586 IW,27Z 107,144 Llabllltle5: Falling due within one year 37,152 17.246 37,152 Net Current Assets 63,120 89,898 Net Assets 936,655 1,250.244 Represented by Restricted funds Designated funds Undesignated unrestrirted 6.683 4,431 773,309 156,663 1,134,945 110,868 929,972 1,245,813 Total Charlty Funds 936,655 1,250,244 Approved by the Parochlal Church Councll on 13 Aprll 2024 and slgned on its behalf by David Stephenson Vicar and Chair ol Trustees Alice Chapman Acting Treasurer io
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 l. Accountlng Policies a) Basi5 of preparation The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for financial investments which are shown at fair value on the balance sheet date. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. There are no material uncertainties about the charitws ability to continue as a going concern. b) Funds Restrlcted funds are only used for the purpose imposed by the donor or contained in the terms of the grant. Expenditure which meets this purpose is charged to the fund. Unrestrirted reserves are for use at the discretion of the Trustees in pursuit of the objectives of the Charity. The Charit¢s policy for use of these funds is shown in note 8. Deslgnated funds form part of unrestricted resee5 and have been designated for particular purposes by the Trustees. They can be undesignated at the discretion of the Trustees. Material designations are explained in note 8. c) Income Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is legally entitled to the income, when the amount is known and when receipt Is probable. Donations and le8acies are recognised when received, and the associated Gift Aid is recognised at the same time. dl Expendlture Expenses are recognised where a legal obligation has arisen before year end. This is prudent and conforms to the matching principle. Prior year figures are not restated being immaterial. e) Foreign curren¢v The Charity makes occasional foreign currency donations to overseas charities. These amounts are shown at the sterling cost to the church on the date of donation. li
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Tangible fixed assets and depreaation Consecrated property is not included in the accounts nor are moveable church furnishings which require a faculty for disposal. The Charit¢s freehold property at 182 St Michael's Hill is included at a valuation carried out in December 2017. All expenditure to maintain and invest in the Charitys property is expensed. No items are capitalised and no depreciation is charged. g) Investment valuations The Charity is the beneficial owner of shares in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund. These are stated at market value on the balance sheet date. Net gains and losses arising from revaluations and disposals during the year are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities. h) Valuations of inter-fund transfers When appropriate, money spent during the year is charged against the relevant restricted fund at the year end. In the cases where the restrirted fund holds shares rather than cash, the shares are transferred from the fund at the mid- market value at close of business on the day the transfer is booked. i) Pension costs The Charity contributes to a defined contribution pension plan on behalf of its eligible employees. These expenses are recognised at the same time as the associated salary. 12
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 2. Incoming Resources al Donations and legacies Year ended December 2023 Planned giving and donations Gift Aid Unrestricted £59.232 £13.158 Restricted £164,229 £11,458 Total £223,531 £24,616 Total Year ended December 2022 Planned giving and donations GiftAid Total Unrestricted £67.518 £14.362 Restricted E4.315 £569 Total £71,833 £14,931 In 2023 the church raised £166,232 in grants and donations (including gift aid) to support a building project to make its building and site more noticeable, welcomin& inspiring, hospitable and sustainable. bl Charitable activities Year ended December 2023 Rent on halls Other charitable activities Total Unrestricted £22,171 £19,041 Restricted £0 Total £22,171 £19,041 £0 Year Ènded December 2022 Rent on halls and church Other charitable a¢tivities Total Unrestricted £25.884 £16.925 Restricted £0 Total £25,884 £16,925 £0 £0 cl Income from investments Year ended December 2023 Bank interest and investment dividends Rent on property owned by church Total Unrestricted £16,319 £48.000 Restricted £898 £0 Total £17,217 £48,000 65 Year ended December 2022 Bank interest and investment dividends Rent on property owned by church Totsl Unrestrirted £8.110 £44,121 Restricted £5 £0 Total £8,115 £44,121 13
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 3. Resources Used Unrestricted £22.775 £47,464 £18.780 £53.871 50,234 £0 Restricted Totsl 2023 Total 2022 £34,749 £36,327 £47,464 £42,250 £18.780 £21.539 £530,126 £41.300 £50,234 £47.703 £0 £285 Mission and charitable giving Parish share Ministry and worship Maintenancelinvestment in buildings Management and administration Fundraising Total £11.974 £0 £0 £476.255 £0 £0 In 2023 the PCC spenl £473,101 on a building project to make its building and site more noticeable, welcoming. inspiring, hospitable and sustainable. In the course of these works the PCC discovered a need for emergency maintenance which cost an additional £51,376. 4. Investments 2023 2022 £510.346 £529.022 £13,189 -£18.676 £3,0 £0 Market value brought forward Gains/lLossesl in the year Disposals Market value carried fOard The church's investment funds are invested in the CBF Deposit Fund and the CBF Investment Fund. The ethical principles for these funds are set by the Church of England's Advisory Group. 5. Freehold Propertles Freehold properties comprise the Church Halls (£IOO,0001 and the investment property at 182 St Michael's Hill, Bristol1£550,0001 which are included at a valuation as at 31" December 2017. 6. Debtors and Prepayments 2023 2022 £5.989 £4.497 £100 Other debtors Gift Aid Prepayments Total £12,437 £4,038 £0 7. Liabilities 2023 2022 £17.246 £0 Accruals and deferred income Other creditors falling due within l year Total £37.152 £0 Accruals and deferred income include a retention of £9,943 in respect of the 2023 building project. This will be paid to the building contrattors in November 2024. 14
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 8. Movement in Funds 31st December 2022 31st December 2023 Fund Investmeftt Tninsfers Guins Income Expenditure Reordering projert Cotham & Redland Green Cotham Chernobyl Children
182 SMH
£0 £166.232 £208 £473,101 £1.383 £6,591 £4.Crf)O £3,155 £306,869 £0 £0 £1,175 EO £2,271 £985 £0 £0 £6.571 £2.746 £0 £5,685 £0 £0 £0 £5,665 £1,017 £0 £1,516 £654 Total restrirted £4,431 £175,575 £488,299 £314.070 £654 £6,683 Propertv Maintenance £650,000 £415,000 £1.835 £67,861 £249 £0 £0 £0 £0 £650,000 £54,259 £1,389 £67,412 £249 £0 £0 £53.872 -£306,869 £1,800 £1,354 £13,432 £0 £0 £0 £0 Emergency giving Mission & outreach Kumyul's Fund Total designated £0 £12.983 £0 £12,983 £0 £0 £1.134.945 £69.104 -£305.515 £0 £773.309 Unre5trlrted and undesignated £110,868 £165,836 £124,020 -£8,555 £12,534 £156,663 TOTAL £1,250.244 £354,576 £681.353 £0 £13,188 £936,655 Restrlcted Funds The use of restricted funds is determined by the intentions of the original donor or grant. Name of fund Reordering Purpose In 2023 the PCC undertook a building project to make the church buildings and site more noticeable, welcoming, inspiring, hospitable and sustainable. £166,232 was raised in grants. donations from members. and gift aid. The total cost of the project in 2023 was £473,101 and a transfer was made from the designated Maintenance Fund to support this spend. Green Cotham In 2021 the PCC set up a project called Green Cotham. This project, which is run in partnership with High Kingsdown Community Association, invites people to a weekly drop-in session at which they garden local. publicly accessible, green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife. Green Cotham has raised funds from Awards for All, WECA. and the Co-op and, to make these commitments clear, the trustees have thus established a restricted fund. The 2023 transfer of £5,685 into this fund represents the PCC'S commitment to the Green Cotham project. Cotham & Redland Thi5 fund was established to enable the resettlement and support of a refugee family. Financial arrangements for this project are now handled outside of the church and this fund has therefore been closed. 15
Cotham Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2023 Chernobyl Children To directly support families in Ukraine and Belarus that continue to suffer from the radioactive fallout of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power station explosion. 182 SMH This fund was established to fund the maintenance and development of the church's property at 182 St Michael's Hill. Following a few years of investment in this property, including the change of use of its basement from an office into a flat, this fund has now been fully utilised and has therefore been closed. Designated Funds The use of these funds has been designated by the trustees as follows.. Name offund Property Purpose The fund represents the historic valuations of the church halls and of 182 St Michael's Hill. which the trustees intend the charity to continue to own and use in pursult of the objectives of the charity. Maintenance The trustees have designated £54,259 towards the future maintenance and Improvements of a grade 2. listed, heritage building and its halls. Emergency giving The trustees transfer and designate a percentage of income to enable gifts to emergency situations. The Emergency Giving Committee oversees the spend from this fund. Mi55ion/outreach The trustees have designated E67.412 to the launch and contlnued support of mission projects. The trustees prioritise projects that meet local needs for community. space for community activities, better relationships between students and non-students, and local green spaces. This fund has sUPPOrted, and will continue to SUPPOrt, the development and growth of an evening congregation, our monthly congregatioh for families with young children, our weekly gardening drop- in, and a monthly community concert. Kumyul's Fund A much-loved member ofourcongregation died suddenly in November 2021. A fund was collected in her honour and used to support the church's and other charities, work with the homeless. A small proportion of the amount raised remained unspent at the end of 2023. Unrestrlcted and Undeslgnated Funds These funds represent the unrestricted and undesi8nated reserves of the Charity. The trustees have decided that. to be prudent, this church will hold 6-12 months, of unrestricted running costs to protect the church should future events lead to a reduction in income. This policy and the levels of reserves maintained will be reviewed at least every 12 months. 16