2025-12-31-accounts

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Holy Trinity Church, Main Road, Bolton-le-Sands. LA5 8DU St Mark’s Church, Main Road, Nether Kellet. LA6 1ER

Reg. Charity No. 1144401

Financial Accounts & Report for the Year Ending 31 December 2025

Treasurer: Andrew Hampshire. Independent Examiner: Frank Parkinson

Approved by Bolton-le-Sands Parochial Church Council on 17 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by Peter Hamborg (Chairperson of the PCC).

……………………………………….

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Page

Introduction
Independent Examiner’s report
Notes to the financial statements
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance sheet
7-9. Analysis of income & expenditure
10-14. Treasurer’s written report

2025 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity Church, Bolton le Sands and St Mark’s Nether Kellett

Aim and purposes

Bolton le Sands 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. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Holy Trinity and St Mark’s Churches.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our churches and to become part of our parish community at Holy Trinity and St Mark’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 put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. 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.
Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Churches of Holy Trinity and St Mark’s.

Structure, governance and management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At Holy Trinity the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), churchwardens, and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services/members of the congregation 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.

PCC members who have served at any time from 1st January 2025 until the date this report are:

Ex Officio members :

Incumbent: The Reverend Peter Hamborg (Chairman) Wardens: Peter-John Davies, Jane Longton

Elected members: David Bateman Paul Batty Kathrine Brough Rob Daunt Jo Fitzgerald Margaret Foster Andy Hampshire (Treasurer) Margaret Hutchinson Brian James Janet Pardula (Secretary) Robert Whittaker Andrew Williams

Electoral Roll 2025

The electoral roll at the end of 2025 stood at 135. Rob Daunt, Electoral Roll officer

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Bolton le Sands Parochial Church Council

I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 4 to 9.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Church's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Church's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed under s.133 of the 2011 Act.

It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act);
Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
State whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's 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 charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, 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 accounts 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 which:

gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed 25 February 2026

……………………………………..

Frank Parkinson

65 Crag Bank Road, Carnforth LA5 9GX

Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Holy Trinity, Bolton-Le-Sands & St Mark’s Nether Kellett

Notes to the financial statements for the accounting year ending December 2025

1. Accounting policies

Basis of financial statements : The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Fund accounting :

Endowment Funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the PCC's discretion; the income derived from the endowment is to be used either as restricted or unrestricted income funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established in the first place.

Restricted Funds comprise (a) income from endowments which is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor, and (b) revenue donations or grants for a specific PCC activity intended by the donor. Where these funds have unspent balances, interest on their pooled investment is apportioned to the individual funds on an average balance basis.

Unrestricted Funds are income funds which are to be spent on the PCC's general purposes.

Designated funds are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projects for administration purposes only. Funds designated as invested in fixed assets for the PCC's own use are abated in line with those assets' annual depreciation charges in the SOFA. Designated funds remain unrestricted and the PCC will move any surplus to other general funds.

The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis

Fixed assets : Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December 2025

Bolton le Sands Holy Trinity Sofa Separate Designated For the period from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Prior year
	funds	funds	funds	funds	funds	totalfunds
Receipts
Plannedgiving	51,462.13	-	672.00	-	52,134.13	48,062.95
Collections and other giving	14,838.60	225.22	-	-	15,063.82	12,340.50
Other voluntary receipts	10,408.78	16,410.72	1,566.43	-	28,385.93	16,252.65
Gift Aid recovered	17,295.17	-	-	-	17,295.17	16,577.16
Otherreceipts	-	-	389.10	-	389.10	300.00
Activities for generating funds	12,681.03	450.00	835.00	-	13,966.03	14,799.11
InvestmentIncome	2,075.96	-	2,119.89	-	4,195.85	4,469.59
Receipts from church activities	2,970.60	3,910.00	-	-	6,880.60	10,485.00
Totalincome	111,732.27	20,995.94	5,582.42	-	138,310.63	123,286.96
Payments
Cost of generating funds	3,545.26	-	813.75	-	4,359.01	2,839.04
Missionary and Charitable Giving	25.00	1,346.22	1,023.24	-	2,394.46	2,858.00
ParishShare	84,466.00	-	-	-	84,466.00	82,000.00
Clergyand Staffing costs	6,522.82	574.00	24.78	-	7,121.60	6,479.27
Church Running Expenses	18,700.19	8,917.12	3,815.45	-	31,432.76	24,911.79
Church Repairs & Maintenance	263.95	816.00	1,992.86	-	3,072.81	10,673.89
Totalexpenditure	113,523.22	11,653.34	7,670.08	-	132,846.64	129,761.99
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer	(1,790.95)	9,342.60	(2,087.66)	-	5,463.99	(6,475.03)
Transfers:
Gross transfers between funds - in	-	-	-	-	-	-
Gross transfers between funds - out	-	-	-	-	-	-
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains/losses on investment assets	-	-	-	(2,732.82)	(2,732.82)	1,530.95
Gains on revaluation,fixed assets,charity's own use	-	-	-	-	-	-
Net movement in funds	(1,790.95)	9,342.60	(2,087.66)	(2,732.82)	2,731.17	(4,944.08)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward	9,114.91	6,070.31	28,582.27	73,284.40	117,051.89	121,995.97
Total funds carried forward	7,323.96	15,412.91	26,494.61	70,551.58	119,783.06	117,051.89
Represented by
Unrestricted
General fund	7,323.96	-	-	-	7,323.96	9,114.91
Designated
CapitalReserve	-	14,084.68	-	-	14,084.68	899.96
Graveyard Designated Fund	-	516.95	-	-	516.95	4,380.61
ProjectFund	-	811.28	-	-	811.28	789.74
Restricted
100 Club Prize Fund	-	-	47.00	-	47.00	25.75
Agencycollection	-	-	-	-	-	337.00
CBF and Diocese investment (use of School)	-	-	2,360.70	-	2,360.70	1,204.81
ChoirFund	-	-	454.73	-	454.73	474.73
DiscretionaryFund	-	-	385.25	-	385.25	385.25
FlowerFund	-	-	470.06	-	470.06	353.51
Graveyard Fund (Restricted)	-	-	12.95	-	12.95	175.95
Holy Trinity Fabric Fund	-	-	18,157.97	-	18,157.97	21,193.72
OrganFund	-	-	1,705.20	-	1,705.20	1,987.20
St Mark's Fabric Fund	-	-	229.02	-	229.02	449.48
St Mark's Toilet Fund	-	-	365.00	-	365.00	365.00
Thomas Robinson	-	-	664.59	-	664.59	723.83
Towerclock	-	-	300.00	-	300.00	206.00
Under18s	-	-	1,342.14	-	1,342.14	700.04
Endowment
Legacy Funds For School	-	-	-	70,551.58	70,551.58	73,284.40

Bolton le Sands Holy Trinity

Balance Sheet detailed

----- Start of picture text -----
As at As at
31/12/2025 31/12/2024
Fixed assets
5501: Shares-2 The Nook 65,063.22 67,772.63
5502: Shares-J I Hall Legacy 488.36 511.77
5503: Deposit 2 The Nook 5,000.00 5,000.00
Total Fixed assets 70,551.58 73,284.40
Current assets
6501: Bank current account 15,210.07 9,038.78
6502: Nat West Graveyard Account 137.04 2.04
6503: Bank current account - 'Raise the Roof' - -
6505: Nat West Reserve Account 1,194.96 758.37
6510: CCLA(CBF) deposit account 32,677.02 34,665.65
6590: Cash account 12.39 2.65
Total Current assets 49,231.48 44,467.49
Liabilities
6650: Unpresented cheques - -
6699: Agency collections - 700.00
Z06: Wedding deposits - -
Total Liabilities - 700.00
Net Asset surplus (deficit) 119,783.06 117,051.89
Reserves
Excess/(deficit) to date 5,463.99 (6,475.03)
Z01: Starting balances 117,051.89 121,995.97
Z02: Other gains/(losses) (2,732.82) 1,530.95
Z03: Gains and losses own use - -
Total Reserves 119,783.06 117,051.89
General (Unrestricted) 7,323.96 9,114.91
Designated 15,412.91 6,070.31
Restricted 26,494.61 28,582.27
Endowment 70,551.58 73,284.40
Total 119,783.06 117,051.89
----- End of picture text -----

Bolton le Sands Holy Trinity

Analysis of income and expenditure Selected period: 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

	General Designated Restricted	Total Endowment Thisyear Lastyear	Total Endowment Thisyear Lastyear
Receipts Planned giving 0101 - Standing order with Gift Aid 0102 - Parish Giving Scheme (d/d) 0201 - Envelopes- weeklyplanned giving 0202 - Standing order, no Gift Aid Planned giving Totals Collections and other giving 0301 - Loose plate collections 0302 - Plate Gift Aid (Pew envelopes) 0310 - Loose plate collection-Occ. offices 0315 - Gift Aid envelopes, occ. offices Collections and other giving Totals Other voluntary receipts 0502 - Donations - cash & cheques 0504 - Donations - Text, Online, Contactless 0505 - Donations - refreshments 0550 - Donations for specific appeals 0701 - Legacies 08A1 - Non-recurring one-off grants Other voluntary receipts Totals Gift Aid recovered 0601 - Gift Aid claimed from HMRC Gift Aid recovered Totals Other receipts 0503 - Donations: Graveyard 1320 - Surplus - sale of fixed assets Other receipts Totals Activities for generating funds 0915 - Fund Raising-Fetes, Sales etc. 0918 - Sale of small items 0921 - Hundred Club 65% 0922 - Hundred Club 35% - Prize Monies Activities for generating funds Totals Investment Income 1001 - Dividends 1020 - Bank interest	13,138.00 - 272.00 32,098.13 - 300.00 4,501.00 - - 1,725.00 - 100.00	- 13,410.00 - 32,398.13 - 4,501.00 - 1,825.00	15,215.00 27,073.95 3,853.00 1,921.00
	51,462.13 - 672.00 8,008.37 225.22 - 5,588.97 - - 825.26 - - 416.00 - -	- 52,134.13 - 8,233.59 - 5,588.97 - 825.26 - 416.00	48,062.95 7,460.26 3,771.46 486.72 622.06
	14,838.60 225.22 - 2,527.94 65.00 1,266.43 4,133.51 515.00 300.00 3,344.33 - - - 156.00 - - 15,674.72 - 403.00 - -	- 15,063.82 - 3,859.37 - 4,948.51 - 3,344.33 - 156.00 - 15,674.72 - 403.00	12,340.50 6,685.48 4,466.72 3,321.45 279.00 1,500.00 -
	10,408.78 16,410.72 1,566.43 17,295.17 - -	- 28,385.93 - 17,295.17	16,252.65 16,577.16
	17,295.17 - - - - 389.10 - - -	- 17,295.17 - 389.10 - -	16,577.16 - 300.00
	- - 389.10 10,044.63 450.00 - 1,196.40 - - 1,440.00 - - - - 835.00	- 389.10 - 10,494.63 - 1,196.40 - 1,440.00 - 835.00	300.00 11,113.50 1,455.61 1,449.50 780.50
	12,681.03 450.00 835.00 - - 1,883.17 2,075.96 - 236.72	- 13,966.03 - 1,883.17 - 2,312.68	14,799.11 1,839.20 2,630.39

	General	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Thisyear	Total Lastyear
Investment Income Totals Receipts from church activities 1101 - Fees: weddings & funerals 1102 - Community Use of Church Receipts from church activities Totals Receipts Grand totals
	2,075.96 2,370.60 600.00	- 3,910.00 -	2,119.89 - -	- - -	4,195.85 6,280.60 600.00	4,469.59 9,904.00 581.00
	2,970.60	3,910.00	-	-	6,880.60	10,485.00
	111,732.27	20,995.94	5,582.42	-	138,310.63	123,286.96
Payments Cost of generating funds 1730 - Costs of fetes & other events 1731 - 100 Club prizes 1732 - Cost of small items for sale 1734 - Payment card/text commission 1735 - Refreshments costs Cost of generating funds Totals Missionary and Charitable Giving 1801 - Giving to missionarysocieties 1850 - Home mission 1870 - Secular charities 1880 - School Barchester Missionary and Charitable Giving Totals Parish Share 1910 - Ministry parish share etc Parish Share Totals Clergy and Staffing costs 2001 - Assistant staff costs 2002 - Gifts & Discretionarygiving 2060 - Organist 2101 - Working expenses of incumbent 2120 - Council tax (vicarage) 2140 - Water rates - vicarage 2150 - Vicar's telephone 2370 - Visiting speakers / locums Clergy and Staffing costs Totals Church Running Expenses 2201 - Parish training and mission 2301 - Church running - insurance 2310 - Church office: phone, broadband 2320 - Organ / piano tuning 2330 - Church maintenance 2331 - Cleaning 2340 - Upkeep of services	1,740.98 - 818.00 159.23 827.05	- - - - -	- 813.75 - - -	- - - - -	1,740.98 813.75 818.00 159.23 827.05	310.52 834.75 963.42 48.05 682.30
	3,545.26 - - 25.00 -	- 385.22 - 961.00 -	813.75 - 59.24 - 964.00	- - - - -	4,359.01 385.22 59.24 986.00 964.00	2,839.04 - - 930.00 1,928.00
	25.00 84,466.00 84,466.00 - 401.00 940.00 336.42 3,418.18 1,126.24 249.08 51.90	1,346.22 -	1,023.24 -	- -	2,394.46 84,466.00	2,858.00 82,000.00
		- 574.00 - - - - - - -	- - 24.78 - - - - - -	- - - - - - - - -	84,466.00 574.00 425.78 940.00 336.42 3,418.18 1,126.24 249.08 51.90	82,000.00 - 726.91 900.00 347.93 3,255.77 866.92 276.69 105.05
	6,522.82 100.00 2,481.51 286.41 - - 5.50 2,930.00	574.00 - - - - - - -	24.78 - - - 282.00 1,607.99 - 460.48	- - - - - - - -	7,121.60 100.00 2,481.51 286.41 282.00 1,607.99 5.50 3,390.48	6,479.27 - 2,428.35 508.90 282.00 976.26 38.25 2,545.65

Total

		Total
	General Designated Restricted	Endowment Thisyear Lastyear
2345 - Under 18s 2350 - Upkeep of churchyard 2360 - Administration 2401 - Holy Trinity - electric 2410 - Holy Trinity - gas 2420 - Holy Trinity - water 2430 - St Mark's running/maintenance 2440 - St Mark's: Heat & light Church Running Expenses Totals Church Repairs & Maintenance 2343 - Replacement/New Equipment 2720 - Holy Trinity interior/exterior decoratin Church Repairs & Maintenance Totals Payments Grand totals	13.99 - 879.52 - 8,717.29 365.00 1,093.61 - - 2,782.30 153.83 - 7,016.12 - - 220.46 - - 667.68 46.00 220.46 1,102.61 - -	- 893.51 333.01 - 9,082.29 3,961.24 - 1,093.61 1,910.21 - 2,936.13 4,420.38 - 7,016.12 4,827.96 - 220.46 199.79 - 934.14 1,285.22 - 1,102.61 1,194.57
	18,700.19 8,917.12 3,815.45 263.95 816.00 1,992.86 - - -	- 31,432.76 24,911.79 - 3,072.81 8,693.89 - - 1,980.00
	263.95 816.00 1,992.86	- 3,072.81 10,673.89
	113,523.22 11,653.34 7,670.08	- 132,846.64 129,761.99

FINANCIAL REPORT for 2025

At the beginning of 2025 my hope for the year was that Parish finances would be less volatile than the previous few years, when our outgoings had been growing more quickly than inflation. Whilst income was also growing it was difficult to keep pace, even for our generous congregation. In 2024, for example, it was only after a last-minute appeal, resulting in additional donations of £4500 or so, that we were able to avoid a deficit.

2025 started positively in that the Diocesan Finance team, recognising the situation and the efforts that we had made to get to break-even, agreed to a reduction of £15000 in the Parish Share. This still left the Share at a record £84000 but gave us a realistic target for the year.

My hopes for stability were more-or-less realised in that General expenditure rose by only 4.5% to £113523 and income was not too far behind with a rise of 2.8% to £111732. Whilst there was a small deficit (£2128) at the end of 2025 there was sufficient cash in the General reserve to cover this, and the PCC therefore decided that it would not be appropriate to make another ‘emergency’ appeal, particularly as it had become apparent that the tower roof at Holy Trinity was in need of replacement and that some more serious fundraising may soon be needed.

Whilst it may appear to be a technical point, if we ignore the £4500 ‘emergency’ donations in 2024, the underlying growth in General income during 2025 was 7.2%. This, I feel, is a more realistic reflection of the growth and renewal of church attendance in the Parish.

The overall financial picture is therefore one of growth, something which is not to be lightly dismissed in what many see as a difficult environment.

Peter our vicar is unceasing in his endeavours to increase our congregation, across all age groups, and he is ably supported by a strong PCC. With an enthusiastic and welcoming congregation perhaps 2026 will be the year when our finances finally turn a corner into permanent surplus.

A careful reader of the attached accounts will see that the total expenditure for the year was £132847, clearly more than the General (‘Unrestricted’) expenditure referred to above. The extra relates mainly to the cost of maintaining our buildings and graveyards and we have for many years been fortunate to have legacies, and income from burials, sufficient to cover this expenditure. Whilst not ignoring these costs, my report on the following pages tends to concentrate more on the unrestricted elements as these are the ones over which the PCC has a greater influence in its day-to-day affairs.

Prior to having a more detailed look at the year in figures I would like, as ever, to thank all those who have helped to make my role as treasurer so much easier than it might otherwise have been – Vicar, Wardens, Committee Chairs, those who count and collate the collections, and all those who work behind the scenes to keep things running. David Bateman is deserving of special mention for the amount of work he puts into coordinating Planned Giving and Gift Aid.

Also, grateful thanks to Frank Parkinson who has once again taken on the role of Independent Examiner to ensure that our accounts are compliant and accurate.

Financial Review: Highlights summary

The following highlights will be expanded upon later in the report, but give a brief overview of significant items:-

Unrestricted income up £3052 (2.8%) to £111732, expenditure up £4880 (4.5%) to £113523.
Unrestricted expenditure (excluding Parish Share) up £2414 (9%) to £29057.
Parish Share contribution increased by £2466 (3%) to £84466.
Parish Share ‘paid in full’ for ninth consecutive year, but after Diocesan grant of £15000.
General Reserve reduced to £7324, sufficient for just three weeks’ general expenditure.
Legacies restricted to expenditure on Holy Trinity fabric continued to cover maintenance costs of our historic building.
Investment of £6000 made in extending graveyard No. 4, increasing capacity for future years.
£11550 raised for charities other than Holy Trinity (not shown in the accounts).

Detailed Financial Review

The accounts on pages 5 to 9 comprise three separate documents:

Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) summarising income/expenditure, followed by a list detailing how Reserves are held across different Funds

2. Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025, showing how assets and liabilities are structured. 3. Analysis of Income and Expenditure (AIE) giving additional detail about income & expenditure.

The following notes expand upon the figures in the SOFA and AIE in the order that they appear in those reports. Unless stated otherwise, remarks relate to figures in the Unrestricted column, which pertain to the day-to-day running of the Parish,

Receipts

The SOFA shows receipts divided into eight different types of income and whilst the total rose by 2.8% to £111732, there were some distinct differences when looking at the individual areas.

Planned Giving rose for the seventh consecutive year, by 9% in 2025 to £51462.When Gift Aid is included, regular Planned Giving provides over the largest part of our income each year, over 55%

9% is a significant increase, particularly as the number on the electoral roll was unchanged at 135 and clearly individual givers have increased their average contributions. We now have 67 monthly donations coming in by direct debit, standing order & weekly envelopes, the majority through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). The average amount, excluding Gift Aid is £64 per month.

One benefit of the PGS is that Givers can opt to have their contribution increased automatically each year by the national rate of inflation. I would therefore encourage anyone who is not yet in the PGS to join, and so contribute to the long-term health of our Parish.

Collections and Other Giving at church services increased by 20% to £14838, a remarkable continuation of the trend seen in 2024 when there was a 23% increase. This line of income is now almost double the amount seen as recently as 2022. The comment I made in last year’s report is still pertinent – the increase reflects, I think, a change in the ‘mix’ of people attending the variety of services at Holy Trinity, where newer congregants are not necessarily on the electoral roll.
With this in mind, we must gain encouragement that a growing and generous ‘new’ congregation wants to contribute and will at some point feel so confident about their faith in the Parish, as to be able commit to our Planned Giving Scheme.
Other Voluntary Receipts (i.e. donations not included above) fell by 21% (£2806) to £10409. This is not surprising as, at the end of 2024 we had a one-off appeal for donations to avoid an anticipated deficit and the congregation responded very generously, to the tune of £4500. With no similar appeal in 2025 a fall was expected and the underlying trend is positive.

Turning to the Designated column in this section, there was substantial income of £16411. This was almost entirely due to a single legacy of £15675 which was ‘designated’ in accordance with PCC Policy as detailed further below in this report.

Gift Aid increased by £718 (4.3%) to £17295, reflecting the increase in income pledged with Gift Aid. Included in the figure is the maximum of £2000 available via the ‘Gift Aid on Small Donations’ scheme authorised by HMRC.
Activities for generating funds (i.e. ‘fundraising’ ) rose by £460 (3.8%) to £12681. After allowing for costs of £2559, net fundraising income broke the £10000 level for the second year running, once again testament to the hard work of the Social Committee. Their work not

only brings in much-needed income, but also fully aligns with one of the three main areas of the Parish Vision, that of Community Engagement.

Investment income relates to interest received on our deposit accounts with Natwest and Church Commissioners. A modest fall in interest income was due to lower interest rates in 2025.
‘Restricted’ investment income of £2119 relates to dividends and interest on Endowment Funds, where income is ring-fenced for the Diocesan Barchester Fund. This is available for capital projects at the C of E primary school in Bolton-le-Sands).
Receipts from Church Activities relate to ‘official’ activities in church where fees are charged – weddings, funerals, burials etc. The total of £2971 is 37% (£1742) lower than 2024, reflecting a similar reduction in the number of such services held at Holy Trinity. The £3910 of Designated income relates to the share of fees from burials allocated to the Graveyard reserve.

Before moving on to look at expenditure, I think that it is worth noting that the Parish facilitated fundraising for other charities totaling £11550 during the year. This was done in a variety of ways; by hosting events, concerts and by specific appeals such as for local Foodbanks and the Children’s Society. Again, this was mainly facilitated by the Social Committee. For regulatory reasons these funds do not pass through the Parish accounts.

Payments

Total Unrestricted expenditure went up by £4880 (4.5%) to £113523. The biggest proportion of this relates to the Parish Share, to which reference is made earlier in this report

Unrestricted expenditure excluding Parish Share was up £2404 (9%) to £29057. This increase is not quite so alarming as at first sight, as the bulk of the increase was due to the change in approach for fundraising, where the extra cost was more than covered by additional income. (see ‘cost of generating funds in next section).

In general our cost increases are in line with the national inflation rate, and are dominated by gas and electricity, which together make up 38% of unrestricted expenses.

Looking at specific headings in the SOFA:

Cost of generating funds: this figure relates to the ‘Activities Generating Funds’ fundraising activities noted above. Whilst net fundraising income was more-or-less the same as 2024, the costs involved nearly doubled from £1883 to £3545. This increase was mainly due to an innovation by the Social Committee, when they committed a substantial fee to book professional performers for a fundraising concert. Historically, concerts have been arranged for minimal outlay with proceeds shared and so this was something of an experiment - one which succeeded, with over £1000 raised on the night, net of fees and costs.
Parish Share: increased from £82000 to £84466 and we were able to pay this in full for the ninth year running, although the ‘in full’ was only after a grant from Diocesan Reserves which had reduced the original request by £15000. Over the nine-year period these grants have totaled £102000.
Clergy & staffing costs: increased by £336 (5.4%) to £6523. These costs relate mainly to the vicarage.
Church running expenses : costs of £18700 were 3.2% up on 2023. The significant differences between fuel costs at Holy Trinity in 2024 and 2025 were caused by meter reading anomalies when switching contracts, subsequently resolved. We have the benefit of fixed fuel contracts so any changes in 2026 should only be due to amounts of usage, not prices.

● Expenditure via Designated and Restricted Funds

Total expenditure of £19232 (£11653 + £7670) across the Designated and Restricted columns was £1886 less than 2024.The bulk of this relates to two main areas - graveyards or the fabric of Holy Trinity. Income from Burials and Memorials covers the former, and we are fortunate that fabric costs could be covered from specific reserves held for these purposes. These reserves arose from legacies and without them expenditure would be a drain on the General Reserve or, if not essential, would not be made at all.

In 2025 there was also ‘extraordinary’ expenditure of £6000 on clearance of a large plot to allow for the expansion of Graveyard No 4. This accounted for most of the £8917 ‘Church Running Expenses’ section of the Designated funds. At current fee levels the space will generate in excess of £20000 in the coming years, so the PCC thought this to be a judicious use of funds in the Graveyard Reserve.

Designated expenditure in 2025 was further inflated by the installation of an electricity supply to the old mortuary in the Glebe Field, necessary to facilitate mowing of the field, still generously undertaken for free by Dennis Barnfield Ltd.

Reserves Policy

As noted above, we are fortunate to have sufficient Restricted reserves to cover normal repairs and maintenance to the fabric of Holy Trinity, so that these costs do not drain unrestricted income. Similarly, expenditure on maintenance of the graveyards is covered by income from burials. This is accounted for via the designated Graveyard reserve.

The position at St Mark’s is different, as there are only minimal reserve funds to pay for expenditure on repairs and improvements that would be much appreciated by the congregation there. During 2025 some changes were made to the scheduling of weekly services in Nether Kellet and it is to be hoped that these will encourage growth from the current modest levels.

The SOFA report lists a number of accumulated reserves under three different headings: Unrestricted, Designated and Restricted. I will cover relevant points in turn:-

Unrestricted: General Fund : as noted above, most income is unrestricted and is used to pay the majority of costs, including Parish Share. To ensure that there is always enough cash available to cover fluctuations in cashflow, it is PCC policy to keep a minimum balance to cover two/three months’ normal expenditure, excluding Parish Share, (currently equating to approximately £5000) in the General Reserve.
Designated: Capital Reserve : it is PCC policy that any legacies received, where specific instructions are not given, are used for fabric expenditure or specific projects that would enhance the life of the Parish.
Designated: Graveyard Reserve: This reserve receives fees from burials which are then used to pay for the upkeep of Graveyard No 4, responsibility for the other three closed graveyards resting with Lancaster City Council. Income from burials is historically more than needed for normal maintenance but as noted above there was ‘exceptional’ expenditure of £6000 in 2025.
Designated: Project Reserve: This reserve holds funds which the PCC has designated for short-term projects outside ‘day-to-day’ expenditure.
Restricted Funds: there are a number of separate Restricted funds where cash has been raised or donated for specific purposes. As can be seen in the Balance Sheet, there was little or no movement in the majority of these during 2025, other than the Holy Trinity Fabric fund.

Endowment Fund: we are unable to access the money held in this fund as it is held in permanent trust with the income being restricted to the Bolton-le-Sands School Governing Body’s responsibility for repairs to the school building. Currently income from the fund is passed to the Diocesan ‘Barchester Fund’ for onward transmission to the school as the need arises

THE FUTURE

If trends seen in 2025 were to continue into 2026 the deficit on the General account would probably double to about £5000. As the ‘Represented by’ section of the SOFA shows, there is now insufficient surplus on the General Reserve to cover this and still stay within PCC policy. Additional income will therefore be needed just to stand still. Additionally, whilst the ‘base level’ of Parish Share has fallen by about £5000, the £15000 reduction for 2024 means that the effective level for 2026 is £10000 higher. At the time of writing this report the PCC have therefore authorised me to seek additional help from the Diocese to help ameliorate at least part of the increase.

An added complication is that the tower roof at Holy Trinity is in urgent need of replacement. At the time of writing (February 2026) the contract for the work has just been signed, at £43000. Whilst £5000 of grant aid has been secured, if more outside funding is not forthcoming the whole of the Holy Trinity Fabric Reserve and the Capital Reserve will be exhausted. Any further fabric or unexpected general expenditure would therefore have to be paid for via the General account, putting further strain on our ability to cover the Parish Share

The PCC are actively considering an appeal to the wider community for help with funding the work, as we did several years ago when major repairs were need to the Chancel roof, and it is to be hoped that this proves fruitful. Nevertheless, it looks as though my hopes that Parish finances would be turning the corner into surplus will have to be deferred for at least another year!

Andy Hampshire, Treasurer Holy Trinity & St Marks

Note: This document relates to the statutory financial information required of the Parish. There is a separate ‘Annual Report’ giving a much broader picture of the life of the Parish during 2025. This can be found on the Parish website: www.bolton-le-sands.org.uk. Click on ‘Our Church’, then ‘Official Notices & Documents’, then ‘Report & Accounts’.