Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
## Crawley United Reformed Church Charity
Charity registration number: 1164196
Independent Examiners Ltd The Grain Store Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester West Sussex PO20 7EG
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **CONTENTS**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 5|
|Independent Examiner's Report|6|
|Statement of Financial Activities|7|
|Balance Sheet|8|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|9 to 15|
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Trustees**
Bridget Russell Derek Hugh Russell Jennifer Frances Gill Patricia Helen Chesson (resigned 26 November 2025) Susan Elizabeth Fenwick Anne Thorne Margaret Eleanor Steele Cristina Cipriani
## **Charity Registration** 1164196 **Number**
**Principal Office** Worth Park Avenue Pound Hill Crawley West Sussex RH10 3DF **Independent Examiner** G W Schulz FCMA Independent Examiners Ltd The Grain Store Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester West Sussex PO20 7EG **Bankers** The Co-operative Bank 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
Page 1
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT**
The Trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
The principal object of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith.
## _**Public benefit**_
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Achievements and performance**
## _**Review of activities**_
There were no changes in Eldership during 2025. The current Elders (Trustees) are therefore: Rev. Cristina Cipriani, Sue Fenwick, Bridget Russell, Derek Russell, Margaret Steele, Anne Thorne, Jenny Gill (Treasurer) and Patricia Chesson (Church Secretary).
The Elders have continued their regular monthly meetings at which the church life as a whole, and particularly a pastoral review of all our regular congregants, is considered.
Events of note:
Attendance at Sunday services has averaged 39 plus 2 children.
## _Worship_
Our minister takes services on 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month and we are led by a mix of ordained and lay preachers at other times giving us a good variety of styles in worship. Junior Church met on 1st and 3rd Sundays.
## _Crawley Community Café (formerly known as Community Caring Café)_
The café meets on a Saturday morning once a month, providing a safe space for people who live alone and those with dementia (and their carers), to socialise and participate in various seated activities.
## _Bereavement Support Group_
We have had less input from St Catherine’s Hospice in 2025 as they have had to make significant staffing cut backs. However, this group continues to meet every Thursday from 1-3pm. The purpose is to provide a quiet time for newly bereaved people to relax and enjoy a cup of tea with others in the same position.
## _Refugees Welcome_
We have continued to work with local charity Refugees Welcome Crawley. Together with volunteers from that Charity we provide a space for social activities on a Saturday afternoon with some of our members attending to give practice in speaking English.
Page 2
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _Hall and Car Park Lettings_
We generate 64% of our main income from the letting of hall spaces to third party organisations and the letting of car park spaces to commuters who travel from a nearby mainline station. The strategy for hall booking income is to focus on regular monthly income rather than ad hoc bookings.
## _The Manse_
This has been maintained as required with our minister in residence.
## _Property/Church Fabric_
No structural changes have been made to the property during the year. The fabric of the building is sound. Maintenance has been ongoing including mandatory safety checks and dealing with other issues as required. Of note,
- Inspections have noted that the fire alarm system needs several
- amendments. These will be actioned in 2026.
- With the aid of a grant, a new screen has been installed in the sanctuary
- providing clearer images for the presentations during services.
- A minor burglary in September has prompted a rethink of security with
- actions ongoing.
- The playgroup now has a cover over their outside play area (funded by the
- playgroup).
- The car park soakaway has continued to be ineffective despite maintenance
- and in the long term will need to be replaced.
- Some lighting has been upgraded to LEDs inside and outside.
## _Community Garden Project_
The garden team continued to meet twice a month between March and November keeping up with the general jobs that need doing in the gardening year. The group has members of the church and community in it and the local Rainbows and Brownies also look after a part of the raised beds. If the last two years were about clearing the invasive sedge from the borders, this year has been about filling the gaps with mainly donated plants and sorting out our compost bins. These have now been moved to the car park and a leaf cage created where they had been. The installation of a leaf cage means that hopefully from this autumn we will be able to compost all the leaf litter on site.
## _Charities_
Throughout the year we have continued to raise funds in support of: (i) the local charity: Crawley Open House; (ii) the ‘national’ charity, St Catherine’s Hospice, representing the hospice movement and (iii) the international charity: Commitment for Life. In addition to the above we also supported, Christian Aid, the Children’s Society, Gatwick Detainees and Refugees Welcome Crawley. Due to the national crisis in funding for hospices we gave extra support to our local hospice, St Catherine’s.
Page 3
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **Financial review**
With the loss of several older members, the income from the congregation continues on a downward trend.
However, finances have remained at healthy levels throughout 2025 with steady premises and car park income bolstering the giving of our congregation. This has enabled us to donate to St Catherine’s Hospice from church funds as well as collecting from our congregation. In 2025 property maintenance costs were less than 2024 at 16% of annual expenditure. Our contributions to the central URC funds represented 28% of our outgoings.
Our current and savings account are now both held with the Co-operative Bank.
## **Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
Crawley United Reformed Church Charity is a registered charity, number 1164196, and is constituted under a Trust deed.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of Trustees**_
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
## _**Risk management**_
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that sysems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Page 4
CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED)
Statement of Responslbllltles
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, report and the financial
statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for
each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity
and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements. the Trustees are required to..
selert sultable accounting policie5 and then apply them consi5tentlyi
observe the methods and principles In the Charlties SORP;
• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any
materlal departures disclosed and explained in the financlal statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless It Is Inappropriate
to presume that the charity will continue in buslness.
The Trustees are responslble for keeping proper accounting records that disclose wlth
reasonable accuracy at any tlme the financial position of the charity and enable them to
ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Art 2011, the Charities
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The
Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the a55et5 Qf the charlty and hence for
tsking reasonable step5 for the prevention and detection of fraud and other
Irregularities.
The annual report was approved by the TnJ5tees of the charity on
signed on its behalf by:
and
Jennifer Frances Gill
Trustee
Page 5
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Crawley United Reformed Church Charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity Trustees of Crawley United Reformed Church Charity 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 Crawley United Reformed Church 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 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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Crawley United Reformed Church Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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.
...................................... G W Schulz FCMA Independent Examiners Ltd The Grain Store Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester West Sussex PO20 7EG
19 May 2026
Page 6
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Note**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
50,810
Charitable activities
3
38,592
Other trading activities
4
3,212
Investment income
5
253
Other income
6
3,665
Total income
96,532
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
7
96,069
Total expenditure
96,069
Net
income/(expenditure)
463
Net movement in funds
463
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought
forward
48,630
Total funds carried
forward
12
49,093|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
1,702
-
-
-
-
1,702
2,216
2,216
(514)
(514)
1,049
535|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
52,512
38,592
3,212
253
3,665
98,234
98,285
98,285
(51)
(51)
49,679
49,628|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
44,236
38,393
4,137
18
5,368|
|---|---|---|---|
||||92,152|
||||91,487|
||||91,487|
||||665|
||||665
49,014|
||||49,679|
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
2025
2024
Note
Current •ets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
io
4,959
5,200
50,300
50,352
Credltors: Amounts falllng due wlthln one year li
672
673
Net assets
Funds of the charlty:
Re5trlcted Income funds
Restricted fund5
535
1,049
Unrestrlcted Income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
12
The financlal statements on pages 7 to 15 were approved by the Tru5tee5, and
authorlsed for i55ue on .ICI.W2ki. and signed on their behalf by..
Jennifer Frances Gill
Trnstee
The notes on page5 9 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 8
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis of preparation**
Crawley United Reformed Church Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
## **Going concern**
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Income and endowments**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
## _**Gift aid**_
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
## _**Interest receivable**_
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.
Page 9
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)**
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## _**Grant provisions**_
Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.
## **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Liabilities**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the Trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Page 10
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)**
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
Donations and legacies;
Donations
37,199
Legacies
2,011
Gift aid reclaimed
11,600
50,810
**3 Income from charitable activities**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
Lettings and car park
37,962
Other charitable activities
630
38,592
**4 Income from other trading activities**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
Events income;
Charity shop
3,212
3,212
**5 Investment income**
Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
1,702
-
-
1,702
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
253|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
38,901
2,011
11,600
52,512
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
37,962
630
38,592
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
3,212
3,212
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
253|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
39,036
-
5,200|
|---|---|---|---|
||||44,236|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
37,763
630|
||||38,393|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
4,137|
||||4,137|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
18|
Page 11
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)**
## **6 Other income**
|Sundry income
**7 Expenditure on charitable activities**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Note**
**General**
**£**
Minister's stipend
contribution
27,720
Mission costs
1,380
Ministerial expenses
816
Other teams
2,346
Restricted fund
expenses
-
Manse running costs
9,355
Manse maintenance
2,155
Utilities
8,989
Maintenance
32,720
Office costs
5,115
Miscellaneous
1,824
Independent
examination
852
Grant funding of
activities
8
2,797
96,069
**8 Grant-making**
**Analysis of grants**
Grants|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
3,665
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
285
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,931
2,216|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
3,665
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
27,720
1,380
816
2,346
285
9,355
2,155
8,989
32,720
5,115
1,824
852
4,728
98,285|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
5,368|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
26,400
1,409
1,175
3,232
12,187
7,081
10,360
9,222
11,842
4,325
218
852
3,184|
||||91,487|
|||||
|||**Grants to institutions**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
4,728
3,184||
|**Grants to **|**institutions**|
|---|---|
|**2025**|**2024**|
|**£**|**£**|
|4,728|3,184|
Page 12
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)**
## **9 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
During the year, one of the Trustees has been paid remuneration or has received other benefits from an employment related to the Charity. The minister Rev'd Cristina Cripirani is employed directly by the Synod. The church makes contributions to the Synod Ministry and Mission fund from which the salary is paid. These contributions amounted to £27,720 during the year (2024: £26,400).
The only other payments made to the Trustees, or any person connected with them, consisted of reimbursements of expenditure incurred on behalf of the charity in furthering the charity's objects.
## **10 Debtors**
|**10 Debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
|Accrued income
**11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals|**2025**
**£**
4,959
**2025**
**£**
672|**2024**
**£**
5,200|
|||**2024**
**£**
673|
Page 13
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)**
## **12 Funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Funds
**Restricted funds**
Other charities fund
Other restricted funds
**Total funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Funds
**Restricted funds**
Other charities fund
Other restricted funds
Manse maintenance fund
**Total funds**|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2025**
**£**
48,630
606
443
1,049
49,679
**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2024**
**£**
37,948
686
10,380
-
11,066
49,014|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
96,532
1,621
81
1,702
98,234
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
79,886
1,925
2,250
8,091
12,266
92,152|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(96,069)
(1,931)
(285)
(2,216)
(98,285)
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(69,204)
(2,005)
(12,187)
(8,091)
(22,283)
(91,487)|**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2025**
**£**
49,093
296
239|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||535|
|||||49,628|
|||||**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
48,630
606
443
-|
|||||1,049|
|||||49,679|
Page 14
## **CRAWLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)**
## **13 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
49,765
(672)
49,093
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
49,303
(673)
48,630|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
535
-
535
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
1,049
-
1,049|**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2025**
**£**
50,300
(672)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||49,628|
||||**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
50,352
(673)|
||||49,679|
Page 15