NORTH EAST CHURCHES ACTING TOGETHER North East Churches Acting Together Annual Report and Financial Statements Year ended: 31 August 2025 Charity no: 1157138
North East Churches Acting Together Reports and Financial Statements Year ended: 31 August 2025 Contents Legal and administrNe information Trustees, annual report 2-5 Indèpendanl examinerfs rewrt Statement of financi81 actwities Balance shee Notes to the finanaal statements 9-12 Legal and admlnlstrative information Tiustees.. Or MA 8onnington Mrs R Maudslay Mrw Offler Rt Revd M Wr Revd A Currer (Appointed 23102r251 Chairman.. Dr MA Bonnington Acting Treasu.. Dr MA Bonnington RlOn81 Officer.. Address.. 30 Fieldhouse Lan& Durham DH14LT Independent Examiner.. Neil Mullen FCA FCCA Mullen Stoker Ltd Mullen Stoker House Mandale Business Park Belmont Industrial Estat& Duiham DH1 1TH Bankers.. Bardays Bank PLC The North Tyneside Group 3 Northumbedand Square North Shields NE30 IQX
North East Churches Acting Together Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2025 The Trusteès present their port and the unaudited financial statements of the charty for the year ending 31 August 2025 Reference and AdminiStrave Dètsils Name of the charity Charity number Registered office North East Churches Acting Together 1157138 30 Fieldhouse Lana Dutham DH14LT The Trustees The Trustees who served the Charity durin9 thè yèar endgd 31 August 2025 were.. Dr MA Bonnington Mrs R Maudsley Mrw Offler Rt Revd M Wroe Revd A Currer (Appointed 23102r25} Indèpèndent Examiner Nèil Mullen FCA FCCA Mullen Stoker Ltd Mullen Slokei House Mandale Business Park Belmont Industrial Estate Outham DH1 1TH Banker8 Barclays Bank PLC The North Tynesido Group 3 Northumbedand Square North Shield5 NE30 1QX
North East Churches Acting Together Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2025 Structuro, Governance and Managemènt North East Churthes AGting Together {NECAD was iegisleied as a thaiitable inwrpoialed organisalK>n {CIOI on 21st May 2014. The governing documents are the rnemorandum and articles of assoa&tion of the CIO. Oryanisattonal Structure The Trustees consist of nominated trustees representing the Churches Together groups. the regional denominational ecumenul offir5 and the Northern Church leaders as well as other 8ppoinled Ttuslees. The Trustee$ who havè setvèd during the year and since the year end are set out on page tsvo. Tru$tee8 usually rneet foul times ea¢h year and ar& responsible for fomalty m(>nitoring the Charity. Trustees theirtime voluntarily and receive no beneffit from the Charity. No expen8e8 were reclaimed by Trustees from the Ch8rty during the yèar. T¢¢¥ Valley Ministry Oversighl and financial guidance ol Tees Valley Ministry is the responsibility of NECAT. Objective¥ To advance tho Christian ieligion and the promotim of the thur¢ho8 mission in the North East of England fortho benefft of chufth members, local churches, the wider church, and the public generally through.. idénh"fying opportunities for prayer and worship. promoting stiritU81ty 8nd theological iefle¢tion. providing 8(fvicg, support and training to local thurches, 10¢81 ¢huTche8 together groups and other ecumenical bodie5. idenh"fying piiorities and managing resources. bringing together slalulory. voluntary, communty. ¢J)Me91. arb"slic, and ctural agencies in a o)mmon attempt to advance the churches mission. interpreting key social and economic trends and issues from the perspective ol the Christian faith and developing appropriate responses. promoting religK)us harrnony for the benefit ofthe wmmon good. NECAT is an ¢cum¢nical body in the North East of England. serving 8 region with a distinct culture, spiritual life and self- aW8renes$. NECAT was formed as a resull of a review of the ecurnenical structures in the North East and a combining of North East Chnslian Churehes Together INECCTI and The Churces' Regional Commission in ihe North East ICRCNEI. NECAT seeks lo serve the Kingdom ofGod in the North East by being a partnership ol churches and Christian organisations dedicated to answering th8 call of Jesus Christ and worf(ing ecumenically for the renewal of the region through spec¢fic and t1 action to bring about change ft>rthe comtnon good. NECAfs aim and method ofworking is to encourage and support churthes to work togèther and wlh othèr partn8ts both locally and regic¥)ally and to identify and release resources which will bring tangible benefi15 especially lo communitie5 arvj ¢hur¢hes workiNJ Vth vulnerablé pooplg and groups. Its piocess wilhin the rich inheritance of the Christian tradition is for action-reflection aimed to bring about changes whith will improve Ihe lives of people in local communities at)d the region. NECAT will offer a Vol for the region and rts eCUmenal vision in national and InteT-iegional forums. NECAT will be 8bout action lo encourage renewal, and the action being undertaken with otheis wherever possible. Working together will be a eatalyst foi tslking together. Rofle("on and 8naly$is 11 follow pr8(*c81 acb"on8 benefrtting local cthnmunibes across the region. North East Churches Acting Togetherworks to support the churches ofthe North E8St in their relatiwship5 VAth one another and in their wider mission in the world. Our aim is to work in partnership and help to encourage partnership working with d)urches, voluntary agencies and other public bodies. Churches Together Groups in the region hold 8 key iole in Contributing lo the WO of the church locally. They and othtrr Ecumenical agencies are supported by Ihe Regional Officer and denominational Ecumenical Offitsrs who togethgr wth répresentation from the Northem Church Leader's Group forni the Local Ecumenical Group ILEGI.
North East Churches Acting Together Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2025 Churches Together Seventy Iwo Chur¢he8 Together groups are formally registered with NECAT, varying fr(xn large groups, who arg in themselve5 separate charities. to small loczl alliances and fellowship gioup5. In these last couple of years after the Covid pandemic some gioups are recovering well while others are struggling to re-estsblish Ihetnselves wrth reduced vunteer engagement. Many groups support their cornmunity with food banks, debt advi, clothing bank5, warm fi)od and other support. Other groups engage their community by providing Dernentia-friendly hubs, Holiday Fun and Food. Attér School or Breakfast dubs or by going into local sthools to delwer 'Open the Book, sessions or Collective Worship or to Off volunteer time to support children wrth reading. Agencies and other voluntary sector groups in the community. Chur¢hés Togèthér groups continue lo provide fellowship and opportunrties to learn from on8 another and to worship together. bringing peoFle from an ever-growing range of churches together to grow loyelher and lo pray for their local communities. During the general election period Churches Togethergroups whowere able to hold eledion hustings for theii local communrfties, particularfy with a short timetr8me for planning and organizing. This enabled our CT groups to act as a hub for civic and iespecrful dialogue in their community. The database of Ix)ntact Information for the groups has been updated, and we sent out quarterfy newstetter5 and kept our social media and website ypdaled with events. The Regional Church Lèaders. Gro The North East Regional Church Leaders Group continues to meet online lo pray together. disujss local and national i&sues and to liaise wlh one another across the thjrches. Thére have been a number of transitions in leadership ovèr the past year and we have welcomed several new church leaders to this group. Rl Rev Paul Butler retired as Bishop of Durham, during the prevKius financial year and this role is curiently in vacancy. In the interim we have worked with the Acting Bishop of Durham. and Bishop of Jarrow. Rt Rev Sarah Clarke. Revd Dr Stephen Lindridge retired from his posttion as Chair of the Newcast Methodist district, in the previous finanaal ye8r. and we welcomed Rev Jona Sewell lo this position on 1 Septembèr 2024. We also welcomed the two new Regional Minsters of the Northern Baptist Assoaation, in the previous financial year, Johnny Pouo and Linda Donaldson. Rl Rev P8uI Feiguson retired as Bishop of Whilby and we welcome the new Bishop of lIby, Rt Rev Barry Hill. o)nsecrated on 10 October 2024. We continue to focus on building partnershipswith all our regional church groups and the Regional Officèr attènd1 denominational Synods and Assemblies dLEring her appoinlmenl. There have beèn no ecurnenical visits since thè Covid pandemic by the Church Leaders group as it warts for the new thurch leaders to take th8ir position and become familiar with the regK)n. Tees Valtey Ministry {TVM} TVM 15 a charity set up to work in the Tees Valley to promote aThJ support workplace chaplaincy by supportiThJ volunteer chaplains and being an advocate of the chrisb.an in the workplace. It has been part of NECAT Sin 2015 and NECAT continue lo work wlh Regional Church leaders to dIsrn the luture direction and proieds ofTVM. Regional olfreer Coryn Stehguwerstarted in herposl on 1 January 2024. She has worked to visit and meet many Churches Together groups to build relationships and support ecumenical work in the region. This includes supporting ChurGhgS Together groups seeking to re-vislon and make changes in thr groups to best reflect the changing needs and dynamics faced in their churches and communibes. She has been building relationships with Orthodox and evangelicallindependent churches in the legion lo broaden our ecumenical partnerships and supported a number of nèw ecumenical initiatives including new LEPS. Churches Together gioups. and r&forming the Ecumenical Environrnent group. Coryn's work has also included relati¢bnships wth ecumenral dieS, denominational synods and intef-church activities. and partldpating in Churches Together in England's training, enabling groups, arKI mission Confence.
North East Churches Actlng Together Tru•t•••' AnTrual R•port forthe yoarended 31 August 2025 r•twn to C8n•Ja fty famNy rea80n& She e¥presged IMIrn98 gratitude for the support and w<me she ha• rn7¥ed from the NECAT Trust the North Egst Chuff Leadws Group, the DE(Y& wvj Ihe many ch6$ Togeth•r grtyjp mBmber5 as well a$10¢81 mlnlefS. member3. so t)thers that made thls such a valuable exwencg. Her dep11¢ was gred vAth wrrtJesw08d tspFnfrb1 Oin tht •ff•c 0frWork and of ts work ofNECAT IwrdShIp. Th8 Thte¢s fa¢lWed qn appthrthiiwl pro¢w8 fc¢ • Region81 Ollkv Offic4r was aFvilnted to eomm•Kevwrk In SprfTrJ 20X. E•umenlcal ofik••Y and th• LoG•l Ecum•nlc•l Group NECAT acts as tlp boty for fomwl acuman11 Slnrlurns th the Noth Et In¢d9 tho Local EUThnl GTWP tth. on bemf oftt dgnomThttons, Is avthbl¢ ID SUPPOrt Local E•Jn[c41 Ptrrp5 ar Inillate revkn. The D•TrJmhalonal OIfiLWS (DEOI COrth to meet T8gLAaty to off•r Ih•t suprort to LEh. Covenartt Pathetshlp8 andotherepJmen¥c4lstnthrns and f&)klonvardtowothgilh th• r Reoion81 OffKef vthen th8y In posL The team d dentrnkn811onal olkers tharyed in year 2021tr25 arnl a welcome perfod of blty with # law te•x. Tr& fylgthg COMMtt to m185•1 rthworlty Is fKW more de•pty embadded Ln Ihèwyk ofeerS acri8s the won. E¢um•nle•l lnlllatl Norfh EastCM¥resAdlng T(pi h¢¢ffiRlllted In pgrfrnr4h andlrylffjto • Itnk orbthld n¢tths b•fren dlfferert anrt denoTrlnth8 8r¥J brtw•en cuvthes •NI olherageth. Pln8 farfvrn p•rfodB The NECAT Tru rIad out tr appolntrr• pwxe lor 8 rw Regknroj to i•Wxe MS Coryn St•lw •)d wg hopo to havo 8orn•oM Ihg Swln9 rf2tr28. Ift orfer, 09 ftraB Poss, lo malrt the momerrtwn In NECATS vKYk In 225. alw 8qekKtq a r•pl8rMnert lor Mr l)anny rvtsb41¢ l& www.r•L.uk and Fx•book p8p All Churels Tog•lher Grny •txI Irthmal grJJps at4• to 8ubm# hr ffijndwffj far woth th mNyvlth lo do In Ihe lo1 comm[e9. FurihwlffoMl8llon and ad%rfc• Can obtaIned fromthg follry•lno •maV ad Logionaloffior neiaLvJ.uk. Fln•n¢l•l r•vl•w donallons rtt4ved from the Churd¢$ Toyethwl&w in th8 North EaBI. R•r¥ polky The Tru•es aim to ma¥rtakn r•8tprns in 4 rejtrkted lurKI at • Iw•f whkh to 8prnale1y •iY ments of umstrl(I8d tharftabh wonB¢8. The TN8tew constder that Ihts lufflrnI fdS to engurE lh supwt &4wemw¢ecost8arBcovered. Tt)ta roswnsat31 Augu$12025AmMtsdto£117.10112¢r24.. £107,345)ofvhth£5&1)43 Thla I¢rtw •Fvrov•d by the TpxteeB 1&W2020. c DrM*k Bonnliio Chatr ofTntst•g¥
North East Churches Acting Together Year ended: 31 August 2025 Indepèndènt Examinerf5 Report to thè Truste¢$ of North East Churches Actlng Tog&th•r I report to the Charity ttusle8s on my examination of the acix)unt$ of the d)arity (number 11571381 for the year ended 31 August 2025 whith 8re sel out on pages 7 to 12. Responsibilities and basi$ of report As the Chaiity's Iruslees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance with the reqU1MentS of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect (rf my examination of the Charty's a¢counls Carried oul under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Cornrnission under seth'on 145151{bl of the Act. Independent exam18 ststsment I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have oyne lo my attention in (x)nrbection with the examinadon giving me cause to believe that in any malerkAI rest)ect'. a¢counling records were not kèpt in respect of the Charity as requirèd by section 130 of the Charites Act", or the accounts do not accord with those recA)rds- or the acLounts do not ¢*mpty with the appli(able requiwements ConmIng the forni and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Account5 and Reports) Regulations 2008 oilher than any requirerTrent that the accounts give a 'true and fair vEw' which is not a matler ¢IS1dered as part of an independent examination. I have no concoms and have come across no othar matters in connection with the examination lo vA)ich attention should be drawn in Ihi% report in order to enat46 a pro1 understanding of the aceounts lo be reached. Neil Mullen FCA FCCA Mullen Stoker House Mandale Business Park Belmont Industrial Estate Durham DH1 1TH Dale 1810312026
North East Churches Acting Together Statement of FinanGial Activities including summary income and expenditure acGountfor the year ended 31 August 2025 Unre8trict8d Oesignated Restricted Funds Funds Fund$ Total 2025 Total 2024 Income from: Churches and denomin8titsns Churches logelh6r groups Sundry Incorne Investment income- Bank interest Investment income- Dividends Total 27,234 80 27,234 80 8,183 245 449 866 636 1,315 636 1,167 621 27,763 1,502 29.265 10.216 Expenditure on: NECAT operation TVM operation 18,493 18,493 31.7( 18,493 18,493 31,7( Total Nel incoming re50urcos I (resources expended) before transfers Transfers between fijnds 9,270 1,502 10,772 (21.4901 Nèt incorning resources1lrÈsourc expended) Realised Ilossllgain on investment assets 9.270 1,502 11,0161 10,772 {21,4901 {1,018} 1,864 Net incomlng rèsources I (resources expended) including realised gains on investments Unrealised gain on inv8stment assets 9,270 9,756 119.626} Net movement in funds Fund balances brought forward at 1 September 2024 Fund balan$ carried forward al 31 August 2025 9,270 27,598 36.868 486 57,557 58,043 9,756 119,626) 107,345 126,971 117,101 107.345 22,1 22,1 All (>f the 8bove results are deriv from continuing aCtivth"es_ All gains and losses reox)gnised in thè year a induded atx)ve.
North East ChurGhe8 Acting Together Balance Sheat as at 31 August 2026 Charfty 2025 Crity Char 2024 2024 2025 Inveslmerts 22,246 22.246 23262 Cunentassets Cash at bank In Iwnd 86003 8657 Cr•thrn'. •mowts Ialllny y8ar 13.687) (2,7741 Netcurr•nt •¥ts 94,855 107.345 117,101 107.345 Fundj: G¢n¥ral fuTrJ 27,598 D•slgnatsd fun MissM fwd RgseThe fund 2.190 20.C 2190 20,LJX) 211 22.1S4) T¢)t41 unr•strktsd fund• 60,058 Publtryty fvThJ Refuges and aSyM Seekets fund Blg Sodety fthd TVN fund 814 f,525 9.4Q2 46,502 614 1.525 4fj.016 57.S57 Total fund8 107,101 107.345 The fftwnclal 8tthments on pages 8 to 12 were appro¥ed by the EX1¥¢ Commlttee and authorlsed for issue by tr trustee$ on 18 Marckn 2026 artyj signed on thelr b•half by.. Mrw Offer Cholmian
North East Churches Acting Together Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 Accounting policies lal Basis of preparation and going concern The financial statements have been prepared under the hist()rical wsl convention. with the exception of investments which are included at Maet value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wrth the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities prepafing their aoUNts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Républic of Ireland IFRS 102} and the Charities Acl 2011. The financial statements are prepared in steding, which is the fUnctIal currency of the tharity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1. The Charity constitutes a Public Benofil Entity as defira by FRS 102. The trustees consider that the arè no material uncertainties about the Charty's alIty to continu8 as a going concem. {bl Fund accounting General fvnds are unrestricted funds whh are available for use at the discretion of INslees in furtherance olthe general objectNes oflhe eharity and whith have not been deggnaled for other purpo. Designated funds have been transferred from unrestricted fvnds for a particular purpose and are to be used in ac(x)rdae with that purpose as imposed by thè tfustees. Restricted fijnds are funds which are lo be used in accordance with speciffic restrictions itnposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity fora partieu18r purpose. The cost of raising and admlnislering such funds are charged against Ihe speryfic fund. InvestrrÉnl income an¢J gains are allocated lo the approprkate fund. Ic} Incomlng resources AJI in¢oming resources are induded in thè St8temenl of Financial Activities when the tharity is legally ente lo the income and the amount can be quanttfied with re8$onable accuracy. Gifts in kind donat8d for distribution are induded at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed to the projects. Grfts dollat for resa are includéd as income when they are sold. Donated facilities are included at the value lo the i*arity where this can be quantffied and a third party is bearing thè cost. No amounts are induded in the financial stat8tnenls for services donated by volunleeis. {dl Grant income Grants and contributions received for current year expenditure are recognised in full in the Staternelll of Financial Activities in the period in whith they are received, provided that thé CONd'0n$ for receipt have been cornplied with. Vthere income is received in advan for expenditure in 8 future 8c¢ounting period, it is defèrred and re¢ognised the fvture period to which rt relates. le} Resources expend¢d All expendtture is accx>untsd for on an accruals baS an¢J h8s been d888Tfied under headingsthat aggregate all costs related lo the category. ifj Investsents Investments are stated al market value at the balance sheet d8te. The Ststement of Finan(yal Aetwilies indudes the net gains and losses arisin9 on revaluations and disp)sa15 throughoul the year.
North East Churches Acting Together Notes to the financial ststements for the year ended 31 August 2025 (g) Dgfined contrlbutlan pènsion s¢hamè Existing employees of the Charity were entifjed to join The Peoples Partnership which is funded by contributions from the employee and employèr. New and existing employees were automatically enrolled into the master trust with the option to opt out should they choose to do so. 2 Related party transactions and trustees. expenses and remuneratlon The trustees give freely their time and expertise without any fomi of remuneration or olhef benefft in c&sh or kind 12024.. £nil). Expenses, in rèspèct of travd and substslencè, p8id lo Iw81ees in the year lotalled £nil {2024: £nill. Inv•sbn8nt incom• Unr•s¢tod Deslgnat¢d R¢$ffi¢t¢il Funds Funds Funds Total 2025 Totsl 2024 Interest receNable- Barclays A¢tive S8ver 8lc Interest receivable- CBF Deposit alc 449 449 666 278 889 449 1,315 1,167 4 Resources expended Unr•gtriet•d Desigts ReBtrlcted Totsl 2025 Total 2024 Slalionery and printing Computer softwartheb&te Telephone- emails Travel and subsisten Conferences and coursed Subscriptions Insurance Salari8S Employers pension payment Sundfies Wage$Pp processing Independent examination TPP set up Interest on ¢werdue PAYEINI 122 314 470 2,410 678 761 415 22.310 2.060 238 338 990 380 446 701 380 701 518 518 54 13,477 1,020 310 361 990 13,477 1,020 310 361 990 170 170 18,493 18.493 31,7(6 The average number of employees during the year was I 12024.. 11 wrth 811 employee time involved in providing eilhef support to the govemance of the drity or support services to Charitable activities. The total employment benefits including employer pension contributiC>ns of the key management personnel were 21.020 12024.. £2,060). No ernployees had employee beneffits (excluding èmployer pens o)sls} in excess of £60.00012024.. £nil). 10
North East Churches Acting Together Notes to the fJnanGial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 S Fix•d assèt Inv8stsn4nts 2025 2024 rthin the UK Church of England Investment Fund at rnaet value 22.246 23.262 6 Prepayments 2025 2024 Insurance Subscriptsons 260 7 Cred5tors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year Unro$trlcted Restricted 2025 2024 Creditors and accruals.. HMRC PAYE and Nl Employers pension payment Regional Officer expenses Independent examin8tion Wage$PP processin9 1972 680 1972 936 680 28 990 140 990 45 990 45 11
North East Churches Acting Together Notes to the financial statsments for the year ended 31 August 2025 8 Statement of funds At 1 Sept 2024 InvoStm&nt Ilo$$Vgaln At 31 August 2025 Exwndlture Trdnsfo Unr•strlcted General fijnd 27,598 27,763 118,4931 36,868 D8signat•d funds: Mission ftjnd Reserve fund 2,190 20,0(XJ 2,190 20,000 Total unr8strfictrd funds 49,788 27,763 {18,4931 59,058 Restricted funds: Publitily fund Refugees and asylum seekers fund Big sO*ty fund TVM fLJnd 614 614 1,525 9,402 46,016 1,525 9,402 46,502 1,502 11,0161 Totsl restrlcted funds 57,557 1,502 11,0161 58,043 Total funds 107,345 29,26S 118,4931 11,0161 117,101 General funds are avaiLable for use at the discretion of the Iruslees in furtherance of the general objeth'ves of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Mission fvnds provkle small grants to Local Churches Together and similar groups such as Regional bodies11118thyes and ad hot groups formed for a particular event. Detsignated re$etve funds are to be used to pay expenses due should the aims and objectives of NECAT, as originally envisaged, cease resulting in the cessatKin of NECAT. Publicity fvnds are for the purpose of publicising NECAT and lor reglonal events. Refug66S ond asylum seekers fvnds seek to provide support and Intration into the community. Big society furKI is a social impact fund which looks into thefeasibility of using church land aTKI buildingslo provKle affordable housing. 11 supports a feasible project's fijrther planning and securing its financing where appropriate. TVM fund operates in the Tees Valley to promote and support workplace chaplaincy by SUping vdunteer thaplaM)S a)d 'ng an advocate of the Chrlstian in the WorkPCe. 12