City Church Chester
Report and Accounts Year ended 28 February 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
CITY CHURCH CHESTER
YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE City Church Chester 11 Sheldon Avenue Vicars Cross Chester CH3 5LF GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated 2012, amended October 2014 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1159254 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Jonathan Keegan MANAGING THE CHARITY Matthew Chilvers Luke Cassell Phil Jones BANKERS HSBC INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA, CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Page 2 Independent Examiner's Report Page 3 Receipts and Payments Account Page 4 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 5 Notes to the Accounts Appendix Trustees' report
Page 1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
CITY CHURCH CHESTER
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of City Church Chester ('the charity') for the year ended 28 February 2025 on pages 3 to 5 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Archie McDowall
Archie McDowall (Jul 21, 2025 12:07 GMT+1)
Archie McDowall BA, CA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Jul 21, 2025
Page 2
CITY CHURCH CHESTER
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
| Notes Income receipts Donations, legacies and grants Gift aid receipts Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
General Funds £ 20,826 3,925 24,751 24,751 23,568 5,928 29,496 29,496 (4,745) 1,000 - (5,745) 10,859 5,114 |
Restricted Funds £ 4,712 4,712 4,712 - 7,403 7,403 7,403 (2,691) 1,000 (1,691) 1,665 (26) |
2025 £ 25,538 3,925 29,463 29,463 23,568 13,331 36,899 36,899 (7,436) - (7,436) 12,525 5,088 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28,305 4,770 |
||||
| 33,075 | ||||
| 33,075 |
||||
| 20,242 10,817 |
||||
| 31,059 |
||||
| 31,059 | ||||
| 2,016 - |
||||
| 2,016 10,509 |
||||
| 12,525 |
The notes on page 5 form part of these accounts.
Page 3
CITY CHURCH CHESTER
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
| General funds £ A Cash funds Cash at bank 5,017 Petty cash 97 5,114 B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity 2,134 2,134 C Liabilities Fee for Independent Examination 936 936 D Assets retained for charity's own use Equipment Current values have been estimated by the trustees. |
Restricted funds £ 26 - - 26 - 325 325 - - |
2025 £ 4,991 97 5,088 2,459 2,459 936 936 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12,428 97 |
|||
| 12,525 | |||
| 3,580 | |||
| 3,580 | |||
| 912 | |||
| 912 | |||
| Current value £ |
|||
| 14,000 | |||
| 14,000 | |||
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by J Keegan date Jul 11, 2025 -------------------------------------------J Keegan (Jul 11, 2025 11:58 GMT+1) ------------Jonathan Keegan
The notes on page 5 form part of these accounts.
Page 4
CITY CHURCH CHESTER
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Rent Pastoral Services (Note 4) Insurance Support services Church activities Repairs, maintenance and equipment Independent examination 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Organisations: Avail Grace Mission Life Grace Homeless Drop in Les Wheeldon India Mission Rora Christian fellowship Campbell Hall Repairs Other organisations < £1,000 Ukraine Offering - Baptist Church of Poland Individuals |
General funds £ 5,920 8,960 402 1,757 4,079 1,538 912 23,568 1,200 1,200 1,100 - 1,000 1,000 240 - 188 5,928 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 180 412 2,511 3,500 550 - 250 7,403 |
Total 2025 £ 5,920 8,960 402 1,757 4,079 1,538 912 23,568 1,200 1,200 1,280 412 3,511 1,000 3,500 790 - 438 13,331 |
Total 2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,310 7,520 321 1,877 3,616 698 900 |
||||
| 20,242 | ||||
| 1,200 1,200 625 1,353 - - - 478 500 5,462 |
||||
| 10,817 |
4 Transactions with related parties
The charity does not have any employees.
Matthew Chilvers, a Trustee, was paid a consultancy fee of £8,960 (2024: £7,520) for Pastoral Services. This payment is permitted by the Charity's governing document.
No amounts were paid, or are payable, to any other trustee or to any person connected to them.
5 Movement of funds
| General funds Restricted funds One Way Mission: Les Wheeldon Campbell Hall Repairs Foodbank Fund Teen Challenge Offering for India Other Total funds |
Balance at 29 Feb 2024 £ 10,859 - - 15 550 850 250 1,665 12,524 |
Receipts £ 24,751 412 2,500 - - 1,650 150 4,712 |
Payments £ (29,496) (412) (3,500) - (550) (2,511) (430) (7,403) (36,899) |
Transfers £ 1,000 - - 1,000 - - 1,000 - |
Balance at 28 Feb 2025 £ 5,114 - - 15 - 11 - 30 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 - |
|||||
| 29,463 | 5,088 |
The One Way Mission: Les Wheeldon is funds restricted for a gift from the One Way Mission to Les Wheeldon for his visit to Finland to visit the one way Mission
The Campbell Hall Repairs funds are funds donated towards the repairs needed on Campbell Hall The Foodbank Fund is funds donated for use by the Foodbank
Teen Challenge is funds restricted for use of Teen Challenge general charitable fund
Offering for India are donations which are restricted for the work of Geoff Brown in his support of the Indian Pastors network. Other restricted funds are for smaller donations given for specific charitable purposes
Page 5
Trustees’ annual report (including Directors’ report) for the period
From: 1[st] March 2024 To: 28[th] February 2025
Charity name: City Church Chester
Charity registration number: 1159254
Objectives and activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | (a) Advancement of the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in Chester, the UK and the world as the Trustees see fit (b) Advancement of the education of the public in the Christian faith in Chester, the UK and the world as the Trustees see fit (c) To relieve persons in need financially, physically or mentally in Chester (d) To promote other charitable purposes beneficial to the community and the public generally |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The current activities of the Charity in relation to the Objects are:- (a) Maintaining a place of Worship and weekly worship meetings fully open to the public. Meetings are held on Sunday mornings at Campbell Community Hall and during the week in people’s homes. Sunday School and creche are also run weekly to serve the children of the church and the public. (b) Preaching and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and engaging in evangelism and missionary activities. This is outworked through outreach events and one on one relational evangelism (c) Providing pastoral care to those attending the church and giving |
| spiritual and practical help to such persons and members of the public. The Elders of the church provide this along with those running Student Work for the pastoral support of students at Chester University. One of the Elder’s also chairs the Advisory Committee for the CU along with other church leaders in Chester. (d) Providing financial or practical help to people suffering from financial need or the effects of sickness or disability. This happens as and when the Trustees see fit. (e) Providing facilities for members of the church and the public with the object of improving their health and/or quality of life. This happens specifically at Homeless Drop and visiting parisoners. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on Public Benefit issued by the Charity Commission. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers form an integral part of the work of City Church Chester. There are no employees of the Charity and all activities happen as a result of the dedication and commitment of members of the Church who act as Volunteers in multiple areas of the Charitable work. This includes volunteers in the areas of:- • Sunday School, • Homeless ministry, • Pastoral Team, • Welcome Team, • Tech Teams, • Women’s & Men’s Bible Study Leaders, • Community and church Lunches, • Foodbank Co-ordinators, • Children’s Buddys, • Administration; and • Worship teams. |
| Other |
Achievements and performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | (a) The Charity income for 2024-25 was £29,463.00 including restricted gifts. This was a small reduction on the previous year but the charity is maintaining itself and there are no concerns as to the ongoing capacity of the charity. (b) We are continuing to welcome new church members and baptising new christians (c) There are two Sunday School groups 2-6 year olds and 6 upwards. (d) The Charity still gives to the local foodbank weekly and is in good contact with the local foodbanks maintaining a list of the most required items. (e) The giving to Missionary’s abroad continued this year to India and the Avail Missionaries in Thailand. (f) The giving to those in financial hardship has also increased specifically to Teen Challenge. (g) The Homeless drop in continues to be very well attended and there are many volunteers from City Church who help with this. (h) Connect Groups and Community groups continue to thrive and an extra day time group has been started. (i) In terms of worship, City has connected with another church in the City to host Joint Worship evenings on Sunday evenings. This has been a great display of unity in the city (j) An evangelistic event is planned with Rico Tice in June of 2025. |
|---|---|---|
----- Start of picture text -----
(k) We are planning to welcome other
missionaries from the Avail charity
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Para 1.41
Achievements against
objectives set
Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set
Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives
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Other
Financial review
| Financial review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The total funds held at the end of the year are £ 5,088.00 . The Trustees intention is to continue to use the general funds that are in excess of the reserve to increase giving to missionaries and missional work in Chester, Nationally and abroad. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The reserves are held to be able to give to various national, international and local charitable causes as and when required. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | The Charity keeps a reserve of £2,500.00 and has never gone below the reserve amount since the reserve was made. This reserve has been reviewed and is being kept at £2,500.00 for the next year. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | There are various monthly outgoings such as rent, website etc that must be paid every month so a reserve is required in the event that the monthly giving dropped dramatically for some reason in order that those contracts/leases could be paid as required until the contract/lease could be ended. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | There are no concerns in this respect. If any issue arise the Trustees will deal with the uncertainty as it arises. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Para 1.47
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.46 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 A description of the principal risks facing the charity Other
Structure, governance and management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document: for example,trust deed, memorandum and articles of association etc |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed dated February 2012 as amended by deed dated October 2014 |
| How is the charity constituted? for example limited company, unincorporated association, CIO |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutionalprovisions e.g. |
Para 1.25 | Every Trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution of the Trustees |
election to post or name of passed at a special meeting (under Clause any person or body entitled 15 of the Trust Deed) to appoint one or more trustees
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Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and Para 1.51
training of trustees
Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works
Para 1.51
Relationship with any related
parties
Other
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Reference and administrative details
Charity name City Church Chester
Other name the charity uses - Registered charity number 1159254 Charity’s principal address 11 Sheldon Avenue, Vicars Cross, Chester, CH3 5LF
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) 1 Matthew Chilvers Chair 2 Jonathan Keegan 3 Luke Cassell 4 Phil Jones 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Chilvers | Chair | ||||
| Jonathan Keegan | |||||
| Luke Cassell | |||||
| Phil Jones | |||||
| Director name | |||||
| N/A | |||||
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|
| N/A |
– Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others N/A
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
-
Other optional information
Declarations
The company has taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption in preparing the report above.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report (including directors’ report) above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees/directors
Signature(s) P Jones (Jul 14, 2025 07:11 GMT+1)P Jones J Keegan (Jul 11, 2025 11:58 GMT+1)J Keegan
Jonathan Keegan
Full name(s) Philip Jones Position (for example Trustee Secretary, Chair, etc)
Trustee
Date Jul 11, 2025