City Church Bristol
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
CHARITY INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Trustees
Nicholas Todd Samuel Dalziel Sarah Evens Rachel Donne-Davis Lloyd Maynard
Key Staff
Andrew Cottingham Ben Welchman John Cooper James Lee
Governing Document
Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered 15 April 2014
Charity Registration Number
1156712
Principal Address
The Elmgrove Centre Elmgrove Road Bristol BS6 6AH
Independent Examiner
Bankers
Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB Barclays Bank PLC 161 Whiteladies Road Bristol BS8 2RF
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 1 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2-11 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Cashflow Statement | 15 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 16 - 22 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives | 23 |
Page 1
City Church Bristol Report of the Trustees
For the period 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025
Objectives
City Church Bristol is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO); its constitution states the charity’s objects as follows:
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The advancement of the Christian faith and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the CIO.
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To relieve persons who are in condition of need or hardship or who are sick and to relieve the distress caused thereby.
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To advance education .
In order to fulfil these objectives, the Trust functions as a church, holding regular meetings and undertaking various outreach projects, applying its funds as appropriate.
Governance
The CIO was registered in April 2014, and functions as a church, previously known as Bridge Community Church. During 2017, the Elders and Trustees of Bridge Community Church made the decision to merge with City Church Bristol, a sister church meeting in central Bristol. This merger has resulted in a multi-site church with a shared Eldership, known as City Church Bristol. Following legal advice, and permission from the Charity Commission, the activities and assets of City Church (Bristol) Trust (registered charity 1087087) were transferred into this CIO, which was subsequently renamed City Church Bristol. City Church (Bristol) Trust ceased operations on 1 January 2018.
The Trustees delegate the day-to-day responsibility for leading the church and the organising of its meetings and various outreach projects to an Eldership. During this reporting period, the Eldership comprised Andrew Cottingham, Stuart Eggleston, James Lee, Nicholas Todd and Benjamin Welchman. Andrew Cottingham, Benjamin Welchman and James Lee are employed full-time by the CIO.
Samuel Dalziel, Rachel Donne-Davis, Sarah Evens, Lloyd Maynard and Nicholas Todd (Chair) served as Trustees during this reporting period.
Trustees are recruited from the membership of City Church. Trustees should have demonstrated commitment to the church and its vision and values, as well as demonstrating integrity and Godly character.
When new Trustees are appointed to the charity, they are first invited to attend existing Trustees' meetings so they can understand how the CIO operates. Where appropriate, they also attend formal training sessions to develop specialist expertise.
Page 2
Existing Trustees attend organised training from time to time to refresh their knowledge and skills, and they also learn informally from one another and from their own external networks.
Salaries for City Church employees, including key management personnel, are set and approved by the Salary Setting sub-committee (3 members of the Trustees). Salaries are set from agreed salary scales, which are reviewed annually, taking into account published inflation figures. The appropriate scale point for each staff member is also reviewed annually as part of the salary review process; which takes into account feedback from staff appraisals.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has appropriate systems of control, financial and otherwise. They have established a risk register which is reviewed when appropriate, assessing each risk by its likelihood and potential impact and assigning mitigating actions which are monitored on an ongoing basis. The principal risks and uncertainties facing the charity, and the trustees' plans for managing them, are summarised below.
Income and financial sustainability: The charity relies substantially on voluntary giving, and a significant fall in regular or one-off donations would affect its ability to deliver its activities. The trustees manage this risk by monitoring giving trends and cashflow throughout the year, budgeting prudently, maintaining reserves in line with the charity's reserves policy, and seeking to broaden the charity's income base where appropriate.
Safeguarding: As a church working with children, young people and vulnerable adults, the charity treats safeguarding as a principal risk. This is managed through a safeguarding policy aligned with statutory and best practice guidance, a designated safeguarding lead, DBS checks for relevant roles, regular training, and trustee oversight.
Governance and key people: The charity depends on a number of staff, trustees and volunteers, and the loss of key individuals would present a risk to continuity. The trustees address this through induction and training, leadership succession planning, clear role descriptions, and appropriate support for staff and volunteers.
Property and operations: The charity owns no buildings and hires or leases all of its venues and offices, creating a risk that key premises become unavailable. The trustees manage this through appropriate hire and lease arrangements, maintaining relationships with venue providers, and considering alternative options where needed.
The trustees are satisfied that the systems and procedures in place are sufficient to manage the charity's exposure to the major risks identified.
Page 3
Review of Activities
City Church is a multi-site church, with congregations based in the Bradley Stoke, Cotham & Fishponds areas of Bristol. The church does not currently own any buildings, and hires rooms in Bradley Stoke Community School, the Elmgrove Centre and Chester Park Junior School for Sunday and midweek meetings as well as an office space at Fenton Court. The staff team comprised six full time staff and three part time staff including two trainee pastor roles (2 year contract).
The overall vision of the church is ‘Helping Bristol believe’, and we aim to do this in three key ways: reaching the whole of Bristol with the Gospel (the Good News of Jesus); restoring broken lives and serving the city; and resourcing sites and cities by training and developing leaders. These aims are fully in keeping with, and map onto, our formal charitable objectives as detailed below.
With respect to the charity's objectives, the following summarises the activities of the church.
a) Advance the Christian Faith (reaching Bristol with the Gospel)
The church continues to meet regularly, both on Sundays and mid-week, for worship, prayer and teaching on the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith and their practical application to everyday living. Each week, we see between 300-500 people joining at a service across Bristol.
The primary responsibility for the Sunday teaching rests with the salaried pastors of the church, but other ‘lay’ and visiting preachers participate in this role.
Midweek Connect Groups continue to help the community life of our church flourish. A change from the previous year, Connect Group leaders were asked to commit to a whole year of running rather than a termly cycle. Over the year, there have been 10 sermon series based midweek groups and 8 alternative groups, including a board game social group, support groups for mental health and exercise groups. As well as fellowship groups, we continued to train new and existing leaders, providing coaching sessions on pastoral care and leading groups both in personal and online.
At the Bradley Stoke site, the congregation has maintained its attendance from last year on Sundays. In December there were two successful Carol Services in Bradley Stoke, and in the summer an 8 week Alpha course, Easter Egg Hunt for over 250 children and representing City Church at Bradley Stoke Festival . All these events attracted people from the local community as well people who connect regularly with City Church.
At the Cotham site, there has been a fantastic year for growth where 6 people have been baptised. There were a number of successful community events at Christmas bringing over 40 non-church guests, an Easter Egg hunt for over 80 people at St Andrew’s Park as well as building relationships with other local causes.
Page 4
The Fishponds has had steady growth this year, from 50-60 people per week to 60-85 per week. There have been 3 baptisms at the site.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
The 0-11 age provision has continued to steadily grow in number. In City Kids, for children aged 5–11, each site has been able to provide a fun and safe environment to learn about God and build friendships. A few highlights from this year include: embedding a new curriculum that helps children understand how the big story of the Bible fits together and points to Jesus, the contributed success of termly parties that provide an opportunity for children to invite their friends to church, and a new venue for City Kids at the Cotham Site.
YOUTH
Youth groups take place on Sundays at each congregation, as well as a joint youth group on a Friday evening. Each has higher attendance than previous, with young people from City Church, and lots of invited friends and guests.
In March, 60 youth and leaders went for a weekend away at Hill House Christian Centre. This was followed in August when 80 youth and leaders camped for a week at the Newday youth festival in East Anglia. This was the largest group to attend from Bristol so far.
Students and young adults
This year focussed particularly on discipleship as the group have been meeting bi-weekly. A weekend away occurred at Hill House with just 75 in attendance. We've seen students and young adults deepen their relationship with Jesus and step out into new opportunities.
LITTLE ELMS
Alongside our regular Sunday and midweek gatherings, the church also hosts a range of activities that both serve the local community and create opportunities to share the Christian faith. One of these is Little Elms, a weekly stay-and-play toddler group held every Wednesday during term time at the Elmgrove Centre, which has had a very encouraging year.
Most of those who attend are not part of City Church, with parents, grandparents and childminders coming from the surrounding community. Each week, between 35 and 55 children come along with their caregivers, making Little Elms a lively and welcoming space for families to connect.
Page 5
EASTER & CHRISTMAS
As the key festivals in the Christian calendar, Christmas and Easter provide a fantastic opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with our local communities, and welcome those who may not normally attend church to our services. At Easter 2025, the church hosted Easter Egg hunts for local families in Cotham and Bradley Stoke which were each well attended.
At Christmas, we ran a programme of social events and carol services. The Cotham site ran for the first time Christmas Cracker, bring in 80 people for a family focussed Christmas event. Fishponds hosted their first Christmas Puddings evening with 50 people in attendance. In total our carol services attracted over 600 people, with hundreds of guests.
ALPHA
Two Alpha courses ran this year, hosted by the Bradley Stoke and Cotham sites which were attended by 40 people.
Page 6
b) Relieve the Poor, Needy, Sick and Aged (restoring broken lives and serving the City)
We have been able to make our office and meeting space available to other organisations for training events this year. Home for Good champions have had their termly meetings in this space, as well as Safe Families volunteer training and hosting trustee meetings for other partner organisations.
STREETLIFE:
Street Life continues to reach out to the homeless and vulnerably housed with meals and clothing. The number of guests has remained at around 100 people weekly. The team is composed of volunteers from City Church, various other churches, and from the wider community, including Scout groups & local community groups .
ENCOUNTER:
Encounter is a fortnightly Bible study group for those who have been in addiction and poor mental health. We also have a fortnightly outreach to Logos House, a large Salvation Army hostel in central Bristol .
Encounter Camp
This year, we took a group to a week-long camp in the summer providing a safe place to have a holiday and experience good advice on staying spiritually healthy and avoiding the dangers of relapse.
HARDSHIP:
The church holds a Hardship Fund, and from time to time provides financial support to church members in need. This may be in the form of food vouchers, purchasing essential items, or subsidising the cost of attending events.
PASTORAL CARE:
We place a high value on friendship and supportive relationships, as shown in the ‘one-anothering’ passages in the New Testament. We encourage everyone who calls City Church home to participate in the community life of the church. We recognise that there are some situations where church members, or those closely connected to the church, require a greater level of care or support than can be reasonably provided by their friends within the church. The church has developed a Pastoral Care Team, which is a network of people who can provide pastoral care for more challenging situations such as serious or long-term illness, hospital admission, bereavement, or marriage breakdown. Provided pastoral care may include meeting regularly for a time, prayer support, recommended resources, or signposting to external agencies. We also have a prayer ministry team so as to provide the opportunity for prayer during a Sunday meeting.
Page 7
PARTNERSHIPS:
As a church we have several charities that we partner with. For example, with Sixty-one we provided finance and practical support for their Christmas prisoners present initiative and with Beloved we organise a holiday away for their clients. Simon Allen is a trustee with Turnaround Bristol, a day centre for homeless and vulnerable people.
c) Advance Education (resourcing)
The church continues to develop leaders to help start services and ministries that will serve people in Bristol, and to plant churches beyond Bristol. From September 2024, Tom Wilson started a two-year training program whilst studying a masters at Union in Theology. We have continued a leadership development programme for people who want to learn leadership skills and gain experience that they can apply both in the church and in their own working lives.
Beyond Bristol, we have continued to support the South Lakes and Emmanuel Church Belfast plants, both financially and with in-person visits. Churches in Exmouth, Sidmouth, Bath and Swindon have also been supported by visits from leadership teams.
Page 8
Future Plans
Looking ahead, a key priority is the development of a strategy to launch a fourth site in Bristol. Alongside this, the trustees are pursuing a strategy to acquire a building of the charity's own, to serve as a Sunday gathering venue and to provide dedicated space for midweek activities and the staff team. To support this, the charity continues to build a restricted building fund towards the advancement of this goal.
At the time of reporting, the charity is preparing to exchange contracts for the purchase of 21-23 Stokes Croft, which it intends to use as a Sunday venue and midweek community space. This represents a significant step towards the goal set out above.
Charitable Objects
The Trustees consider that the church continues to meet the objectives set out in the CIO’s constitution, and have complied with the duty to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
The church would not be able to provide a wide range of services to beneficiaries without the continued support of a large number of willing supporters who give their time and skills voluntarily.
Financial Review
The CIO is financially dependent on the voluntary support of the church members.
Incoming and expended resources are reflected in the Statement of Financial Activities. All of the CIO’s assets were employed directly in pursuing the CIO’s charitable objective.
Unrestricted income (included associated Gift Aid) during the year totalled £614,890. Most of the income was from gifts from church members, supporters and associated gift aid receipts. Unrestricted expenditure for the year totalled £603,365 (2024: £557,003) resulting in an unrestricted surplus for the year of £11,525 (2024: £13,732). Total funds at the year end totalled £586,941,which included restricted funds of £105,668.
We received £71,376 in gifts and reclaimed gift aid from a Gift Day in March 2025.
The New Venue Fund holds gifts given with the restriction that they be expended on activities related to identifying, purchasing or developing buildings for core church activities within Bristol.
The City Hands Fund holds funds received from grants and donations given to support the work of our social action project City Hands, and the Fund continues to be expended.
Page 9
Grants Policy
City Church Bristol is part of the Commission family of churches and has links with other churches within the UK and overseas. No specific proportion of our income or expenditure is set aside for grants, but the CIO will make gifts to individuals and/or other charitable organisations where finances allow and where the supported work aligns with our charitable objectives.
Reserves Policy
Salaries of permanent staff form the largest single component of church expenditure. The Trustees aim to hold reserves equal to approximately three months’ salary expenditure; this was achieved throughout this reporting period.
Risk Policy
From the beginning of the CIO’s existence in April 2014, in order to establish good practice, the Trustees and church Eldership have implemented a variety of systems, measures and control procedures to manage the risks to which the charity might be exposed. These are kept under regular review, with systems in place to mitigate the major risks. It is recognised that improvement of the measures in place is an ongoing activity and various actions were taken over the period covered by this report to address identified deficiencies.
Investment Powers
The CIO constitution authorises the Trustees to make and hold investments using the general funds of the charity, but no such investments are held currently.
Statement of Trustees Responsibilities
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year that give a true and fair view of the state of the charity and of its income and expenditure for the year.
In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view the Trustees follow best practice and:
a) Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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b) Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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c) State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures being disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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d) Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
Page 10
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the Trustees and is signed on their behalf by:
Nick Todd Nick Todd (Jun 29, 2026 16:20:11 GMT+1)
Jun 29, 2026
N.D. Todd, Chair of Trustees
Page 11
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL ('the Charity')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 on pages 13 to 22 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 16 to 17.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since the Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Sarah Crispin
Sarah Crispin (Jun 30, 2026 12:52:15 GMT+1)
Sarah Crispin ACA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: Jun 30, 2026
Page 12
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments Other income Total income and endowments EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 13 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 13 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 584,678 26,866 2,714 632 614,890 603,365 603,365 11,525 - 11,525 469,748 481,273 |
Restricted Funds £ 68,571 - - - 68,571 61,539 61,539 7,032 - 7,032 98,636 105,668 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 653,249 26,866 2,714 632 683,461 664,904 664,904 18,557 - 18,557 568,384 586,941 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 582,311 19,814 607 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 602,732 | ||||
| 587,820 | ||||
| 587,820 | ||||
| 14,912 - |
||||
| 14,912 553,472 |
||||
| 568,384 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The notes on page 16-22 form part of these accounts.
Page 13
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 8 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 9 Cash at bank and in hand 10 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets / (liabilities) TOTAL NET ASSETS FUND BALANCES 13 Unrestricted Funds General funds Designated funds Restricted Funds |
Unrestricted Funds £ 3,659 3,659 27,475 463,398 490,873 (13,259) 477,614 481,273 388,094 93,179 481,273 - 481,273 |
Restricted Funds £ - - 2,635 103,033 105,668 - 105,668 105,668 - - - 105,668 105,668 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 3,659 3,659 30,110 566,431 596,541 (13,259) 583,282 586,941 388,094 93,179 481,273 105,668 586,941 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 5,122 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,122 | ||||
| 21,275 558,872 |
||||
| 580,147 (16,885) |
||||
| 563,262 | ||||
| 568,384 | ||||
| 322,307 147,441 |
||||
| 469,748 98,636 |
||||
| 568,384 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and were signed on its behalf by:
Nick Todd ---------------------------------------Nick Todd (Jun 29, 2026 16:20:11 GMT+1) N.D. Todd (Chair of Trustees) Jun 29, 2026 Date: _______
Charity number: 1156712
The notes on page 16-22 form part of these accounts.
Page 14
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
| Note 2025 £ Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities a 8,609 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1,050) Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities (1,050) 7,559 b 558,872 b 566,431 Analysis of changes in net debt: At start of year Cash-flows £ £ Cash 558,872 7,559 Total net funds / (debt) 558,872 7,559 Note a: Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities 2025 £ 18,557 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges and provisions for impairment 2,513 Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets - (Increase)/decrease in debtors (8,835) Increase/(decrease) in creditors (3,626) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 8,609 Note b: Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 2025 £ Cash at bank with immediate access 479,420 Notice deposits (with a term of three months or less) 87,011 Petty cash - Total cash and cash equivalents 566,431 Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial activities) Cash and equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Change in cash and equivalents in the reporting period |
2024 £ 14,276 |
|---|---|
| (4,934) | |
| (4,934) | |
| 9,342 549,530 |
|
| 558,872 | |
| At end of year £ 566,431 |
|
| 566,431 | |
| 2024 £ 14,912 3,459 - (3,514) (581) |
|
| 14,276 | |
| 2024 £ 473,872 85,000 - |
|
| 558,872 |
Page 15
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1 Statutory Information
The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charity's registered number and principal address can be found on the Charity Information page.
2 Accounting Policies
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention.
These 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) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the '2008 Regulations') requires charities to prepare their accounts in accordance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005' but this accounting standard has since been withdrawn and has been replaced by the Charities SORP mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The charity has prepared these financial statements in accordance with the new Charities SORP; this departure from the 2008 Regulations is believed to be necessary for these financial statements to give a 'true and fair view'.
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
a) Going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
b) Income
Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income from donations includes:
- i) Recoverable gift aid. This is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
The charity relies on volunteers to carry out many of its activities. However, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be reliably measured.
Income from charitable activities represents income receivable from goods, services and facilities supplied in furtherance of the charity's charitable objects. It includes income from consultancy and church activities and events.
The charity has taken the view that it has only one charitable activity, namely the advancement of the Christian faith, and all income from donations, legacies and charitable activities is in respect of this one activity.
c) Expenditure
Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
The cost of raising funds is not significant and has not been separately disclosed.
The Charities SORP requires charities with income over £500,000 to allocate costs to the various activities undertaken by the charity. The nature of the work of the church is considered to be so integrated that the core charitable activity costs are considered to be for the one activity.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
Page 16
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
2 Accounting Policies (cont.)
d) Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. Endowment funds are donations that are retained as capital in accordance with the donor's wishes. The nature of the restriction determines whether the endowments represent permanent endowments or expendable endowments.
e) Tangible fixed assets
Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £1,000 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To achieve this objective the following rates of depreciation are charged:
Equipment Over 3 to 7 years
The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
f) Pension scheme arrangements
The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees. Obligations for contributions to these schemes are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.
g) Taxation
The charity has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.
h) Financial instruments The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Except for loans, creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). The charity recognises liabilities for the principal of those loans that remains outstanding at the year end (i.e. the liabilities exclude any interest chargeable on the loans in future years).
i) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
3 Donations
| 3 Donations |
||
|---|---|---|
| Donations of cash and similar Grants receivable Income tax recoverable 4 Income from charitable activities Church activities and events Consultancy income |
2025 £ 537,595 - 115,654 653,249 2025 £ 26,866 - 26,866 |
2024 £ 474,570 4,240 103,501 |
| 582,311 | ||
| 2024 £ 17,814 2,000 |
||
| 19,814 |
Page 17
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
5 Other income
| Gains on disposal of: tangible fixed assets 6 Charitable expenditure a Costs incurred directly on specific activities Staff Costs Staff expenses Teaching and pastoral Evangelism and outreach Student, youth and children's work Church Support Room hire Other meeting costs Commission Festival Grants payable (note 6c) b Costs incurred on support & administration Governance costs Independent examiner's fee Other Office and building running costs Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Other costs Total expenditure |
2025 £ 632 632 2025 £ 367,678 1,153 17,245 21,149 37,888 2,657 80,244 28,918 - 556,931 52,976 609,907 4,080 3,890 7,970 42,329 2,513 2,185 54,997 664,904 |
2024 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 2024 £ 328,136 1,142 16,870 19,470 23,930 3,132 71,743 23,846 7,366 |
||
| 495,635 41,834 |
||
| 537,468 | ||
| 3,960 3,279 |
||
| 7,239 38,546 3,459 1,108 |
||
| 50,352 | ||
| 587,820 |
In addition to the fees payable for the preparation and examination of the accounts, the charity paid £1,153 (2024: £1,472) to Stewardship for payroll bureau services
c Grants payable
| Grants for UK and overseas mission Grants for the relief of poverty The comparatives for the previous year are as follows: Grants for UK and overseas mission Grants for the relief of poverty The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised: Anthem Church Leicester Commission George Muller Charitable Trust Newday Bridges for Communities Home for Good South Lakes Church Grants to institutions for less than £1,000 each |
Institutions £ 51,176 1,800 52,976 Institutions £ 38,493 3,340 41,834 |
Individuals £ - - - Individuals £ - - - 2025 £ 23,700 18,824 - - - 1,200 8,382 870 52,976 |
2025 £ 51,176 1,800 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52,976 | |||
| 2024 £ 38,493 3,340 |
|||
| 41,834 | |||
| 2024 £ 14,000 20,493 1,690 2,000 1,000 1,100 - 1,550 |
|||
| 41,834 |
Page 18
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
7 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration
| ysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gross wages and salaries Social security Pension costs |
2025 £ 249,232 19,508 24,254 292,995 |
2024 £ 258,123 20,603 22,540 |
| 301,266 |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 9 (2024:10.25). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.
One member of staff received salaries between £60,000 and £70,000 (2024: nil).
During the year key management received employment benefits totalling £201,891 (2023: £155,475).
8 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 September 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 August 2025 Accumulated depreciation At 1 September 2024 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposal At 31 August 2025 Net book value At 31 August 2025 At 31 August 2024 9 Debtors Falling due within one year: Tax recoverable Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 10 Cash at Bank and in Hand Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits |
Fixtures, fittings and equipment £ 27,505 1,050 (1,199) 27,356 22,383 2,513 (1,199) 23,697 3,659 5,122 2025 £ 11,199 3,333 15,578 30,110 2025 £ 479,420 87,011 566,431 |
Total 2025 £ 27,505 1,050 (1,199) |
|---|---|---|
| 27,356 | ||
| 22,383 2,513 (1,199) |
||
| 23,697 | ||
| 3,659 | ||
| 5,122 | ||
| 2024 £ 7,817 3,442 10,015 |
||
| 21,275 | ||
| 2024 £ 473,872 85,000 |
||
| 558,872 |
Page 19
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
11 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year
| itors: liabilities falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals |
2025 £ 4,697 1,323 7,239 13,259 |
2024 £ 9,161 410 7,313 |
| 16,885 |
12 Pension commitments
During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £28,610 (2024: £20,970) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes.
13 Funds
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
| Designated Funds Leadership Development and Buildings General Unrestricted Funds Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds New venue fund City Hands Fishponds Site Streetlife Hope into Action Anthem Church Leicester Social Action Fund Trainee Pastor Fund South Lakes Other restricted funds Aggregate of funds |
Opening balance 2025 £ 147,441 147,441 322,307 469,748 49,304 1,332 250 14,765 4,875 6,953 5,000 12,500 - 3,656 98,636 568,384 |
Incoming resources 2025 £ 3,213 3,213 611,677 614,890 11,206 - - 4,322 1,500 23,122 - - 20,591 7,829 68,571 683,461 |
Outgoing resources 2025 £ (57,475) (57,475) (545,890) (603,365) - - (250) (5,684) - (23,700) (4,076) (12,500) (8,462) (6,867) (61,539) (664,904) |
Transfers in the year 2025 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Gains and losses 2025 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Closing balance 2025 £ 93,179 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93,179 388,094 |
||||||
| 481,273 | ||||||
| 60,511 1,332 0 13,403 6,375 6,374 924 - 12,130 4,619 |
||||||
| 105,668 | ||||||
| 586,941 |
Analysis of net assets by fund
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
| Tangible fixed assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors falling due within one year |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 3,659 - 23,965 3,510 373,729 89,669 (13,259) - 388,094 93,179 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ - 2,635 103,033 - 105,668 |
2025 £ 3,659 30,110 566,431 (13,259) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 586,941 |
Page 20
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
13 Funds (cont.)
In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
| Opening balance 2024 £ Designated Funds Leadership Development and Building 109,779 109,779 General Unrestricted Funds 346,237 Total Unrestricted Funds 456,016 Restricted Funds New venue fund 43,232 City Hands 1,472 Fishponds Site 366 Streetlife 18,616 Hope into Action 3,375 Anthem Church Leicester 10,317 Social Action Fund 5,000 Trainee Pastor Fund 12,500 Other restricted funds 2,578 97,456 Aggregate of funds 553,472 |
Incoming resources 2024 £ 52,775 52,775 517,960 570,735 6,073 - - 3,118 1,500 10,635 - - 10,671 31,997 602,732 |
Outgoing resources 2024 £ (26,808) (26,808) (530,195) (557,003) - (140) (116) (6,969) - (14,000) - - (9,593) (30,817) (587,820) |
Transfers in the year 2024 £ 11,695 11,695 (11,695) - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Gains and losses 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Closing balance 2024 £ 147,441 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 147,441 322,307 |
|||||
| 469,748 | |||||
| 49,304 1,332 250 14,765 4,875 6,953 5,000 12,500 3,656 |
|||||
| 98,636 | |||||
| 568,384 |
Analysis of net assets by fund
In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
| Tangible fixed assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors falling due within one year |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 5,122 - 19,788 520 313,034 146,921 (15,637) - 322,307 147,441 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ - 967 98,917 (1,248) 98,636 |
2024 £ 5,122 21,275 558,872 (16,885) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 568,384 |
The New Venue fund holds gifts given for activities related to identifying, purchasing or developing buildings for core church The City Hands fund is for grants and donations given to support the work of our social action project City Hands. The Fishponds Site fund is set aside towards the set up costs of establishing a third site of City Church in east Bristol.
The Streetlife fund is set aside to cover the ongoing running costs of providing food, clothing and supplies every Saturday evening in Bristol City Centre.
The Hope into Action fund (formerly the Green Pastures fund) is for monies directly donated toward the establishment of a house run and supported by City Church to home the vulnerable.
The Anthem Church Leicester fund is for monies donated towards an associated church plant in Leicester. The Social Action Fund is for grant monies received towards our social action initiatives.
The Trainee Pastor Fund is for a trainee pastor at the Bradley Stoke site.
The South Lakes Fund is for monies donated towards an associated church plant in South Lakes.
Other restricted funds includes one-off gifts given for specific causes in line with our charitable objectives and hardship funds.
Page 21
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
14 Operating lease commitments
The charity has an operating lease for its church office. The minimum amount payable (until the next break clause and ignoring the potential effect of future rent reviews) in respect of this lease is as follows:
potential effect of future rent reviews) in respect of this lease is as follows: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Within one year Between one and five years After five years Payments falling due: |
2025 £ 4,136 - - 4,136 |
2024 £ 21,857 12,750 - |
| 34,606 |
During the year the charity was charged £ 23,061 (2024: £21,348) for its operating lease.
15 Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity:
-
a) received donations totalling £37,810 (2024: £32,604) from related parties (which includes trustees, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
-
b) paid £1,511 (2024: £1,265) for a weekend away for Trustees and Leaders including Key Staff.
During the year the charity also made the following payments to, or for, related parties:
- a) Sarah Todd, who is married to Nicholas Todd, a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £9,014 (2024: £7,734) for providing administrative services to the charity.
Except as disclosed in note 6 'Analysis of staff costs', there have been no other transactions with related parties during the year.
16 Events since the year end
Subsequent to the year end, the trustees have begun progressing plans to acquire a property at an agreed purchase price of £850,000. At the date of approval of the financial statements, a memorandum of sale is in place; however, contracts have not yet been exchanged and the purchase has not completed.
The trustees intend to finance the purchase through a combination of borrowing and existing funds, including:
a £200,000 mortgage, and
a £450,000 development loan to fund refurbishment works.
These borrowings are expected to be secured on the property.
As this matter arose after the reporting date and remains subject to contract, no liability has been recognised in the financial statements.
Page 22
CITY CHURCH BRISTOL
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments Other income Total income and endowments EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities: 6 Total Expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 13 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 13 |
General Designated 2025 2025 £ £ 581,465 3,213 26,866 - 2,714 - 632 - 611,677 3,213 545,890 57,475 545,890 57,475 65,787 (54,262) - - 65,787 (54,262) 322,307 147,441 388,094 93,179 Unrestricted funds |
Restricted 2025 £ 68,571 - - - 68,571 61,539 61,539 7,032 - 7,032 98,636 105,668 |
Total 2025 £ 653,249 26,866 2,714 632 683,461 664,904 664,904 18,557 - 18,557 568,384 586,941 |
General Designated 2024 2024 £ £ 497,539 52,775 19,814 - 607 - - - 517,960 52,775 530,195 26,808 530,195 26,808 (12,235) 25,967 (11,695) 11,695 (23,930) 37,662 346,237 109,779 322,307 147,441 Unrestricted funds |
Restricted 2024 £ 31,997 - - - 31,997 30,817 30,817 1,180 - 1,180 97,456 98,636 |
Total 2024 £ 582,311 19,814 607 - 602,732 587,820 587,820 14,912 - 14,912 553,472 568,384 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 23