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 rese￿e5 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 fO￿ard
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