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2025-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity No. 1134574

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

BARLOW ANDREWS LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

BOLTON

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

INDEX

PAGE
Trustees’ Annual Report 1 - 3
Independent Examiner’s Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 - 12

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) presents their report and accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025.

Reference and administrative information

The charity is named: Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Thomas and St John, Bolton. Its registered charity number is 1134574.

It is located at: Tempest Road Lostock Bolton BL6 4EL

The PCC members are the trustees of the charity. Members who have served from 1 January 2025 until the date of approval of this report are:

Rev. Terry Clark Vicar and Chair of PCC Rev. André Adefope (until December 2025) Curate Mrs. Sheri Taylor (until December 2025) Secretary Mrs. Justine Hatter Treasurer & contact for Charity Commissioners Mrs. Sandra Macpherson Church Warden Mr. Nigel Newton Church Warden Mr. Kevan Porter Vice Chair of PCC Mrs. Samantha Abram Mrs. Siobhan Corr (until May 2025) Mr. David Kavanagh (until May 2025) Mrs. Lyn Lawson Mrs. Celia Nisbett Mr. Geoffrey Spencer (until May 2025) Mrs. Suja Varghese Mr. Martin Corr Dr. Katherine Papworth (from May 2025) Mr. Steve Morris (from May 2025) Ms. Jean Hope (from July 2025)

Structure, governance and management

The PCC is a body corporate established by the Church of England, which operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure 1956. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2006.

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. The incumbent of the parish is the chairman of the PCC. Under rule 15 of the Church Representation Rules the incumbent can invite the lay vice-chairman to act as chairman for the meetings and have all the powers vested in the chairman.

1

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

Objectives and activities

Public benefit

The PCC in co-operation with the Vicar facilitates the promoting in the Parish of the whole mission of the Church, evangelistic and pastoral. The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in relation to activities for the public benefit in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.

Mission statement

St Thomas and St John want to make Jesus known and loved as Lord and Saviour through the life of His church by:

Achievements and performance

Worship and prayer

The PCC are keen to offer a range of worship styles each month, including traditional and all-age. All are welcome to attend our weekly Sunday morning services. We provide Occasional Offices of Thanksgivings, Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages and Funerals. Nine midweek weekly groups are held jointly with Deane Parish Church for Bible study, fellowship and prayer. There is a Youth Group, a monthly Fellowship Group morning and a monthly Quiz morning.

Deanery synod

Three members of the PCC sit on the Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with a link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.

The Parish Centre

The Parish Centre facilities are used by church groups, such as Sunday School and Bible Study.

The Parish Centre is also at the heart of the parish’s strategy to engage with the wider Lostock and Bolton community. The centre is used by a wide age group providing education, wellbeing and special interest groups.

An adjacent building is used exclusively by the Scout and Guide Association.

In 2025, total income from lettings of Church Centre facilities was £58,384.

Pastoral care

Visits and pastoral care of the sick, bereaved and elderly are undertaken by the vicar and members of the congregation. Home communion, if requested, can be arranged.

2

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

Mission and Evangelism

Since September 2016, when we started sharing a minister with Deane Church, Lostock and Deane churches have increasingly worked together in mission and wider ministry. This includes a joint preaching programme and weekly Bible study notes, joint monthly prayer meeting, joint weekly Sunday evening youth group and joint Sunday services three times a year. We are also increasingly working together with St Andrew’s Over Hulton and St Bede’s Morris Green within the wider Mission Partnership.

We have a good relationship with the local (non-church) primary school and have welcomed the school into our church for a special assembly at Christmas and Easter.

Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith.

We regularly hold community food collections which were donated to Urban Outreach, a local charity working with people living in deprivation in Bolton.

Children and youth

Children and youth make up around a third of the congregation. Groups for various ages on Sunday mornings continue to flourish, overseen by a team of volunteer leaders.

Future plans

In 2025 the PCC started formulating a new Mission Action Plan for 2025-28. Although delivery of some of the short-term actions has already commenced, the full plan, including longer term goals, will be finalised in 2026. All future plans will be aligned to the general mission of Lostock Church as detailed elsewhere in this report and of the Church of England (www.churchofengland.org).

Financial review

Total income for the year was £119,435. Detail is given on pages 5 and 9 of the Financial Statements. Total expenditure for the year was £113,112. This included £41,475 towards our parish share which was pay in full. The Parish Share for 2026 has been set at £43,549.

The net of income over expenditure for the year was £6,323. At 31 December 2025, the church had unrestricted funds of £321,381, of which £15,205 was free reserves (unrestricted funds which are neither tied up in tangible fixed assets or designated by trustees for specific purposes). It also had unrestricted designated funds of £42,041.

The PCC aims to hold sufficient free and designated reserves to cover running costs for at least 3 months. The total of free reserves and designated funds at the financial year end was £57,246, which meets this target (based on 2025 figures).

The church made charitable donations via appeals to The Children’s Society.

This report has been approved by the Parochial Church Council and is signed on its behalf by:

Justine Hatter (PCC Honorary Treasurer)

30 March 2026

3

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE PCC OF THE CHURCH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, LOSTOCK, BOLTON FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

This report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 13, is in respect of an examination carried out under Regulation 3(3) of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (the Regulations) and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

Respective Responsibilities of the PCC and the Examiner

As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and section 144(2) of the 2011 Act does not apply.

Having satisfied myself that the Charity is not subject to audit under prevailing statute, it is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the 2011 Act, have not been met; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

David A Kay, FCA AAB 78 Chorley New Road Bolton BL1 4BY

30 March 2026

4

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and gift aid tax
2(a)
Activities for generating funds
2(b)
Church activities
2(c)
Investment income
2(d)
Total income
Expenditure on:
Church activities
3(a)
Governance costs
3(b)
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income before transfers
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds for the year
Balance brought forward at 1 January
Balance carried forward at 31 December
9		 Unrestricted
Funds 2025
Restricted
Funds 2025
Total Funds
2025
Unrestricted
Funds 2024
Restricted
Funds 2024
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
53,285
-
53,285
49,188
-
49,188
2,520
-
2,520
2,232
-
2,232
61,705
49
61,754
58,870
343
59,213
1,876
-
1,876
2,208
-
2,208
119,386
49
119,435
112,498
343
112,841
110,739
49
110,788
119,081
1,509
120,590
2,324
-
2,324
1,764
-
1,764
113,063
49
113,112
120,845
1,509
122,354
6,323
-
6,323
(8,347)
(1,166)
(9,513)
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,323
-
6,323
(8,347)
(1,166)
(9,513)
315,058
252
315,310
323,405
1,418
324,823
321,381
252
321,633
315,058
252
315,310

5

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025

Note
Tangible fixed assets
7
Current assets:
Investments
Duckworth Legacy
Debtors
Tax recoverable
Cash at bank and in hand
Central Board of Finance
Bank accounts
Cash
Total current assets
Current liabilities
Other creditors and accruals
Net current assets
Net assets
9
Funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
8
Central Board of Finance fund
8
Restricted funds
Duckworth Legacy
8
Total funds		 2025
2024
£
£
264,135
270,657
252
252
5,220
4,795
42,041
43,674
11,986
5,220
300
300
54,327
49,194
59,799
54,241
(2,300)
(9,588)
57,499
44,653
321,634
315,310
279,340
271,384
42,041
43,674
321,381
315,058
252
252
321,633
315,310

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 30 March 2026 and signed on its behalf:

Rev Terry Clark Rev Terry Clark IncumbentIncumbent

Justine E Hatter Honorary Treasurer

6

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. Accounting policies

(a) Basis of accounting

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) issued in October 2019 and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019. The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair’ view. This departure has involved following 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) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these accounts are rounded to the nearest £.

(b) Going concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

(c) Funds

Restricted funds represent donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund.

Unrestricted funds are funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds which are put aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.

(d) Income

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable. Interest is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

(e) Investment income

All investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts.

(f) Expenditure

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of its assets and are directly associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

7

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 31 DECEMBER 2025

(g) Tangible fixed assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the financial statements.

Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and church wardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000, there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Subsequently no individual item has cost more than £1,000, so all such expenditure has been written off when incurred.

The Parish Centre is recognised in these financial statements at cost and was being depreciated on a straight-line basis over fifty years. The depreciation policy has been amended from 1st January 2017 and is now based upon the remaining value of the building at 31st December 2016 being depreciated on a straight-line basis over the next fifty years, to better reflect the expected life of the building.

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years, whilst the kitchen refurbishment and equipment used in the church centre is depreciated on a straight-line basis over five years.

(h) Financial instruments

The trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

8

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 31 DECEMBER 2025

2.
Income
(a)
Donations and gift aid tax
Planned giving:
Gift Aided
Tax recoverable
Collections (open plate)
Sundry donations
Appeals
(b)
Activities for generating funds
Christmas Fayre
Social activities
(c)
Income from church activities
Parish Centre lettings
SAGA accommodation
Fees
Miscellaneous Receipts
Charity
Coffee
(d)
Investment income
Central Board of Finance
Business reserve account		 Total Funds
Unrestricted
Funds 2025
Restricted
Funds 2025
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
38,985
-
38,985
35,753
10,300
-
10,300
9,298
2,525
-
2,525
2,045
1,475
-
1,475
807
-
-
-
1,285
53,285
-
53,285
49,188
1,905
-
1,905
1,658
615
-
615
574
2,520
-
2,520
2,232
58,384
-
58,384
55,608
949
-
949
584
1,770
-
1,770
1,782
94
-
94
114
-
49
49
343
508
-
508
782
61,705
49
61,754
59,213
1,867
-
1,867
(1,633)
9
-
9
6
1,876
-
1,876
(1,627)
119,386
49
119,435
109,006

9

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 31 DECEMBER 2025

3.
Expenditure
(a) Church activities
Missionary & charitable giving
Church appeals
Charitable giving
Other costs of church activities
Ministry -Diocesan Parish share
Incumbent expenses
Fees out and organist
Water, heating and lighting
Insurance
General repairs
Service aids
Parish Centre costs (see note 4)
Depreciation - church fixtures/fittings
PSA
Sundries
Bank charges
Security
Total other costs of church activities
Total cost of church activities
(b) Governance costs
Independent examination fees		 Unrestricted
Funds 2025
Restricted
Funds 2025
Total
2025
Total
2024
£
£
£
£
-
49
49
368
-
49
49
368
41,475
-
41,475
39,500
1,053
-
1,053
1,301
1,394
-
1,394
306
2,151
-
2,151
3,612
1,515
-
1,515
1,479
924
-
924
4,312
355
-
355
248
58,032
-
58,032
65,683
651
-
651
651
156
-
156
121
1,913
-
1,913
2,345
229
-
229
217
891
891
447
110,739
-
110,739
120,222
110,739
49
110,788
120,590
2,324
-
2,324
1,764

10

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 31 DECEMBER 2025

4. Parish Centre costs
Cleaning
Telephones and internet
Insurance
Water
Salaries including NI (see note 5)
Heating and lighting
Security and Fire Safety
Repairs and equipment
Sundries
Bank charges
Depreciation (Building)
Depreciation (Fixtures & Fittings)
5. Information about staff costs and numbers
Salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2025
2024
£
£
1,706
1,603
1,603
1,774
1,514
1,479
1,187
1,145
29,870
34,493
9,884
11,611
1,748
1,450
1,470
4,004
2,016
1,102
229
217
6,365
440
6,365
440
58,032
65,683
2025
2024
£
£
29,430
34,026
-
-
440
467
29,870
34,493

The average number of employees for the year on payroll was 4 (2024: 3).

No employees had remuneration in excess of £60,000 in total in this or the previous year.

Pension costs are included in Parish Centre costs (note 4) and are wholly charged to unrestricted funds.

The charity trustees did not receive any remuneration or other benefits from employment with the church, nor were they reimbursed expenses in this or the previous year. No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity.

6. Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024: None).

11

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN, BOLTON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

31 DECEMBER 2025

7. Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2025
Additions
At 31 December 2025
Depreciation
At 1 January 2025
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2025
Net Book Value
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024		 Parish
Centre
Church
Fixtures &
Fittings
Centre
Fixtures &
Fittings
Total
£
£
£
£
663,000
13,405
23,456
699,861
-
934
-
934
663,000
14,339
23,456
700,795
395,680
11,828
21,696
429,204
6,365
651
440
7,456
402,045
12,479
22,136
436,660
260,955
1,860
1,320
264,135
267,320
1,577
1,760
270,657

8. Information about funds

Unrestricted funds comprise general funds £279,340 (2024: £271,384) and designated funds of £42,041 (2024: £43,674). The latter is designated by the trustees for future improvements, including a new boiler. The designated funds balance is maintained in the Central Board of Finance Deposit Account. Interest earned from this account is added to the designated fund balance each year.

Restricted funds carried forward at year end comprises £252 remaining from the Duckworth Legacy, this amount being unchanged from the previous year

Fund balances at 31 December 2024 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets
9. Analysis of net assets between funds
Fund balances at 31 December 2025 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
£
£
£
264,135
-
264,135
57,246
252
57,498
321,381
252
321,633
270,657
-
270,657
44,401
252
44,653
315,058
252
315,310

12