CHARITY (OMMISSION Independent Examinei's Report on the Accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Repoft Repowt to the tiuslee5/members of awiily N On account5 for the year ended EYUE4 Charily no (if any) Set out on pages I(rI•lThthJt Ihepago nutyths otaOth'lvJn&l theeisl Respective fesponsibilities of trustees and examinei The charily's truslees are iesponsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's Itustees considei that an audit 15 not iequired for thi5 year under section 144 of Ihe Charilies Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an tndependent examination is needed. It is my Fesponsibility to-. examine the accounts undet section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Chafity Commission (under section 145{5)(b> of the Chaiities Acl), and to state whethef particular matters have come lo my atlention. Basis of independent examiner's statement My examinalion was cairied oul in accoidance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting recoids kept by the charity and a compaiison ol the accounts presenled wilh those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations fiom the tiuslees conceining any such malters. The piocedures underlaken do not provide all the evidence that would be iequiied in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts presenl a 'true and fair, view and the iepoit is limited to those mallers set out in the statemenl below. Independent examiner's slatenwit In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention (other than thai disclosed below"): (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material Fe5pect, the requirements- to keep accounting records in accordance with sectioft 130 of the Charities Acl; to prepaie accounts which accord with Ihe accounting fecoids and cofflply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have nol been met,. or {2) to which. in my opinion, atlention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the account5 to be leached. . Please delete the wwds in the biockets if they do not opply. Signed Date Name Relevant professional qualificalion{5) or body (if any) Addiess kj IER March 2012
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight mateiial pioblems Give here brief details of any items thal the examiner wishe5 to ijisclose IER March 2012
Lancaster City Church Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 0110412024 3110312025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest to the nearest £ to the fi•art £ to tho nrest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Tithes Gift D3yS Weekend away Other Incx)me Gift Aid KCK Contributions 69,B84 21,718 8,022 3,278 16.881 69,884 21,718 8,022 3.278 18,881 72,226 13,089 8.563 3.264 tota ross income or AR) 121.783 121.783 97.142 A2 Asset and investment sales. (see table). Total receipts A3Pa ments Trailling Newday l Devoted Worship Salanes Cheque Paymentslother Costs Rentals Weekend Away ApostolicJAdmin Admin 4,617 1,282 71,005 24,278 7.381 13,713 3,262 1.282 71.005 24.278 7.381 13.713 3,262 39.687 20,526 11.962 2,072 Sub total 120,921 120,921 85.210 A4 Asset and investment urchases see table Sub total zzza Total payments 120.921 120,921 85,210 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 862 862 11.932 96,300 96,300 95,438 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 0610112026
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to rthqrest £ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ B1 Cash funds Bank Current Accx)unt Total Cash funds 96,300 sl} Unrestricted funds to rwrest £ Restrlcted funds to nèarest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ Details Fund to which asset belon Cost lopttonall Current value tional Details Fund to which asset belon Crnt value tional Details Cost loptiorlall B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to which relates AmoLtnt due tiona When due tional Details B5 Liabllities Signed by one or two trystees on behalf of all the Irustees Date of roval Signature Print Name f F i F-P CA(£iMG IOKJ Ollo i l?( CCXX R2 accosjnts ISSI 0610112026
City Church Lancaster
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
1172291
Principal address
4 Prospect Drive Hest Bank Lancaster Lancashire LA2 6HX
Trustees
Mr Malcolm Robinson (Chair) Mr Scott Lingard Mr Peter Carrington Mr Jethro Niven Mrs Hannah Little Miss Heather Tallents Mrs Miriam Clissold
Independent Examiner
John Fazackerley A.C.M.A (retired) 6 Queens Drive, Preston, PR2 9YH
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. This deed of trust was first adopted on 01/03/2017.
Trustee Selection
Potential trustees are identified by current trustees. Candidates are then recommended to the board of trustees and if no objections are raised then candidates are formally appointed.
Charity Organisational Structure
Corporately the trustees hold responsibility for the financial health and legal requirements of the charity. The day to day running of the charity is carried out under the leadership of the eldership team with the authority of the charity’s trustees.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
In all cases two signatories are required to authorise online payments and appropriate records including receipts and invoices to support payments are held. Our financial risks are managed by our financial controls policy.
Appropriate insurance cover is in place and is reviewed regularly to ensure that the charities risks are covered adequately. A health and safety policy is in place and additional policies in place for all the charities projects.
We also have safeguarding policies in place and all staff and volunteers who work in relevant projects are subject to a DBS check. We also subscribe to a Protection Advisory Service to ensure compliance with rules and regulations relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Objectives
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i. To promote the Christian faith and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world with particular focus on the Lancaster and Lancashire area.
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ii. The relief of poverty, hardship and distress in particular but not exclusively within the areas of Lancaster and Morecambe through provision of grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty
Activities and achievements
Over the past year, City Church Lancaster has experienced continued growth in its community and activity. Weekly Sunday services have been attended by approximately 100–140 people, supported by six small groups that meet regularly during the week and form an important part of the church’s community life.
The church’s work is supported by a staff team of five, including three leadership posts and two administrative roles. During the year, trustees approved a modest increase in staff hours to reflect the growing demands of the church’s programmes and responsibilities. This decision was made possible through stable patterns of regular giving and the responsible use of existing financial reserves.
A wide range of activities has been delivered in pursuit of the church’s charitable aims. These have included an Alpha course exploring the Christian faith, informal Café Church gatherings designed to engage those who may not otherwise attend church, and a programme of seasonal events, including services at Christmas and Easter. As a church we once again enjoyed a brilliant residential weekend way in North Wales in February, providing opportunities to grow in community, worship and the Gospel. In January, the church set aside a week focused on prayer. Al this is alongside the continuation of regular discipleship, mentoring and pastoral care for individuals within the church.
In response to ongoing social and economic pressures, the church has provided direct financial assistance to individuals facing hardship through its cost of living fund. In addition, City Church Lancaster has contributed to wider local and national social action initiatives through volunteering and financial support.
Leadership and oversight of the church continue to be provided by the Core Leadership Team, working under the guidance of the church’s two elders. During the year, the church expanded its external connections by beginning to engage with the 24-7 Prayer network, alongside its existing network partnerships.
The trustees remain actively involved in ensuring good governance and accountability. Over the past year they have undertaken specific pieces of work, including an accessibility review and a use of power audit. Trustees also convened a general meeting in December to update the wider church community on financial matters and governance arrangements, and to reaffirm the church’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and maintaining a safe and open culture where concerns can be raised appropriately.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves Policy
It is intended that sufficient reserves are retained in order to enable the charity to undertake its financial commitments for a minimum of three months. Principle funding sources are generous contributions and regular giving from individuals who are a part of the church.