2025 Trustees Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity Church Oswestry Reference and Admlnlstration Charity name: Holy Trinity Church Oswestry Church address.. Roft Street, Oswestry, Shropshire Correspondence address: HolyTrinity Church, Roft Street, Oswestry PCC Membership Ex Officio member5 Vicar Rev Paul Darlington Warden Warden Mr Alistair Nurden (also Treasurer) Mr Mark Elliot Elected members Mrs Alison Elliot, representative on Deanery Synod Mr Malcolm Hubbell, representstive on Deanery Synod Mrs Soo Short, representative on Deanery Synod (from April 2025) Mr Mark Addison (from April 2025) Mrs Sally Ashwood Mrs Judy Breese Mrs Lydia Cranston Mr Adrian Dyer Mr Mike Horner Bankers.. CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Ave, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4JQ Independent Examiner: Mr Paul Evison, Garner Pugh & Sinclair, 19 Salop Road, Oswestry, SYII 2NR Vicar: Rev Paul Darlington, 29 Balmoral Crescent, Oswestry, SYII 2XQ Registered charity number 1173814. Structure, Governance and Management The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Power* AAeasure (1956} as amended, and rhurch Repre:entati0li RL'le.* that came into effect on I, January 2020, as amended. Holy Trinity registered as a separate charity with the Charity Commission in July 2017, as it5 annual income was in excess of £lOO,000. The method of appointment of PCC members is Set out in the Church Representation Rules I" January 2020. At Holy Trinitv the membership of the PCC consists of the Vicar, Curate, Church Wardens and members elected by those Inembers of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All members of the congregation are encouraged and given opportunity to register on the electoral roll. The trustees of the Charity are aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit and have had regard to it in thetr administration of the Charity. The trustees believe that, by promoting the work of the Church ot England in the Ecclesiastical Parish ot Holy Trinity it Fielp5 to promote the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical) more effectively, within the Ecclesiastical Parish, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public by: Providing facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual. moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offer5. and Promoting Christian values and service by members of the Church in and to their communities, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole. The PCC members are responsiblefor making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. New memk)ers receive initial training into the workings of the PCC. The PCC met six times during the year and average attendance was good. During the year the PCC have continued to keep regular oversight of all matters relating to finance, employment, health and safety, safeguarding, Holy Trinity Primary Academy and issues relating to the church building and its contents. The PCC appointed a Standing Committee comprising Vicar, Church Wardens, Treasurer and a PCC member, which during 2025 was Judy Breese. A Strategy Group, consisting of the staff team and various PCC members and other church members, met during the year to consider different areas of church life, and how they could be improved, each time giving a full report back to the PCC. A Human Resources sub-committee, chaired by a PCC member, has been established to oversee all aspects of the PCC'S employment of staff. This sub-committee have reviewed the staff salarie5, making recommendations to the PCC. The PCC are grateful to this sub-committee for all the work they have dotle. The Standing Committee, on behalf of the PCC, have considered the area of Ri:F Management, and are satisfied th4t the Trustees are not being exposed un-necessarily, and will keep this under review in the future. The PCC re-appointed Jenna Middleton in May 2025 as safeguarding officer. The PCC are very grateful to her for all the work that has been done in this area. DBS checks continue to be made for those that need them. The PCC accepted the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy. Issues that have arisen during the year have been dealt with. Objectlves and Actlvltles The primary aim of the PCC is to promote the gospel and to uphold the doctrines of the Church of England. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at Holy Trinity. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the rnany groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer, scripture, music and sacrament. To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of Holy Trinity Church. The furnishings, furniture and silverware are all in good order. The PCC strives to ensure that activities are available for all ages, and achieve5 thi5 through Sunday services and children's groups; young people's groups, midweek ladies and home group Bible studies; midweek Bible study at church. preacher's workshops; mission prayer meetings; Sunday evening prayer meeting; courses for those exploring tho Christian faith,. informal coffee & chat each month. The PCC are grateful to the large number of church members who give their time on a voluntary basis to help run and lead the various church groups and activities; who undertake practical tasks to keep the church building and outside areas clean, free of rubbish and functioning; and who help in a variety of ways to help Sunday morning services run smoothly. In particular, the PCC are grateful to all those who clean the church on a regular basis. Achievements and Performance The main focus each week is the Sunday morningservice at 10am-a Service of the Word and Holy Communion. During this service there is a group for children (aged 3-11), called Lighthouse and Mini Lighthouse for under 3s, Attendance varied but there are usually around 155 people in total in attendance1115 adults and 40 children). As well as our regular service, we enable our church and wider community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God's blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping. There were 4 weddings during 2025. 1 adult baptism, 8 young people were baptised and 3 children. During the year, there were 11 funeral ervices in church. and 8 funeral services at a crematorium or cemetery. Members of the wider community have joined with church members at the childTen'5 Holiday Club in February, when over 100 children spent five days enjoying King of The Castle, a castle themed holiday club, overseen by over 80 members of the congregation, adults and teenagers. At Christmas around 200 people joined together for Christmas Cracker Christingle, where the Christmas story was explained and everyone enjoyed crafts, game5 and Christmas food. During the year church members have had opportunitie5 to study God's Word together in small groups or in one-to- one meetings. There have been increasing opportunities on a Sunday for lay preachers and those who may see church leadership as a future option, to gain some valuable experience and training. The PCC are enormously grateful to Mark Addison, Associate Minister (Youth and Families), for all the great work that is done amongst the children and young people, and training those who help him, especially Sam Hodgins until August 2025, arid since then Jed Walkingshaw. The PCC would also like to thank Rev Andy Cranston for all tliat he has done during 2025 to support, equip and encourage church members. The PCC are grateful to Kathryn Chedgzoy for a15 the various administrative tasks that she undertool( to support the clergy, PCC and church members. Kathryn stepped down from this role towards the end of 2025 and the PCC were delighted to appoint Sarah Sadler in her place. Holy Trinity was pleased to continue to welcome some Ukrainian families to the church during 2025. The weekly 'Ukraine Welcome, meeting that used to run on Thursday afternoons was replaced with a monthly Sunday lunch, and that itself has now stopped as the Ukrainian folk are settled in England and much better able to support themselves and their fellow countrymen. A highlight of 2025 was the biennial Church Weekend Away at the Quinta Christian Centre, with friends from All Saints, Gobowen. Over 130 people joined together at Quinta and it was a delight to welcome the Weaver farnily back to Shropshire. James kindly led the main teaching sessions from the book of Isaiah. Other ministry initiatives carried on durin8 2025, including the monthly Cuppa, Cake & Chat which attracts a number of elderly folk who live locally and for whom this is their sole contact with the church. A number of people who have been coming to Cuppa Cake & Chat have now become regular attendees on a Sunday morning. There has also been a regular pattern of evangelistic courses, which have been well attended and well supported by church members. Holy Trinity Primary Academy continued to be supported by the church with the Vicar, Curate and Mark Addison visiting the school, to take an assembly or run the Bible Club. The PCC have been pleased to support the school with donations to the school hardship fund.The PCC receive a regular update on the various school activities and any issues being faced. Plans to open the Holy Trinity Community Hub at the school have been dropped as the building that was to be used for this initiative was withdrawn from the Community Asset Transfer Programme by Shropshire Council. The PCC have been kept updated regarding various matters relating to the church building. There are still unresolved issue5 regarding the roof of the new kitchen, and water ingress. These matters are being pursued with the contractors and architect. The latest Quinquennial Inspection was carried out in March 2024 and the report was issued to all PCC members. The electrical installation also has a full 5-year inspection during 2024. A number of recommendations contained in the Quinquennial report have been attended to, and quotes have been obtained to undertake repairs to the boundary wall and stone entrance pillar and this work is due to be completed in March 2026. Other longer term work will be kept under review. The fire extinguishers were serviced as usual in November. A Buildings Team has continued to oversee and undertake work to the fabric of the church and the PCC are grateful to those who give of their time and expertise in this way. The PCC spent a lot of time during 2025 discu55ing and praying about what was happening with the Church of England nationally and were very concerned by the decisions that had been taken by General Synod. The situation within the Oswestry Deanery has continued to give much cause for concern, with lirnited attempts at any mean&ngful resolution. The PCC are very grateful to the Church of England Evangelical Council {CEEC) for the work they are doing leading the traditional and evangelical response nationally. The PCC has continued to pay its Common Fund request via the Ephesian Fund, and in 2025 tliis was paid iii full, along with the outstanding amount from 2024. Flriar.=lal Pie4iev• The accounts for 2025 have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Planned giving amounted to £127,103. This is an increase of £14,254 from 2024. The general expenses of running Holy Trinity remain fairly constant. There was a small surplus for 2025 of £6,768 Gift Aid received during the year amounted to £26,465 for the general fund. The PCC are grateful to the generosity of church members in giving to support God's work at Holy Trinity. There was an encouraging response to a stewardship campaign in January 2025, from which around £15,000 was either given or pledged. The PCC are very encouraged and grateful to God for his continued provision. There is still a challenge in 2026 to raise sufficient extra funds to break even and to continue to build up reserves. At the end of the year the PCC had a total cash balance of £13,786 held mainly in a CAF Bank account. The PCC agreed a reseNe5 policy in 2025. At the end of £2025 sufficient funds were held to cover 2 month. worth of unrestricted payments, which is lower than the amount Stipulated in the reserves policy. However, with the amount of Gift Aid owing and yet to be claimed, the situation was deemed to be acceptable. The PCC aim to continue building up the reserves during 2026. Mr Paul Evison of Garner PuRh and Sinclair was appointed as Independent Examiner at the APCM in 2025 and the PCC are grateful to him for the work involved in putting the accounts together. Signed on behalf of Holy Trinity Cliurcli PCC by Rev Paul Dailifigloii, Chaii n)an. Datp 3, March 2026 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. OSWESTRY Reglstered Charlty Number: 11738 l4 Conteiht5 OC the financlal SiatemeSbts for the YeAY Ended 31st Deeember 2025 Pagc Indepeiidenl Exaininerfs Report Stalem¢nt of Financial ALtivitie5 Balaiicc Sh¢¢t Notes to Ihc Fin9nLidl Stalcincnls 4t08 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE P.c.c. or HOLY TRINITY CHL'.RCH OSWESTRY is¢ered Cli&Yl Number: 1173814 We rcport on the aLcounls for the year ended 3 1st Deccmber 2025 which are out on pages 2 to 8. RESPII CTIVK RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE P.C.C. AND INDEPENDENT EXAMIP4ER The Imcinbers of the P.C.C. al'e respon55ble for tlic preparation of Ihe accoun¢8 and consider that an audit is ii()t i'equircd for tliis year under ￿¢10]) 144(2) ot. Il)c Chai'klies Acr 2UI I (tlic 2011 A¥t) and tliaf ali indcpcndeni ¢xamiiiation is i)eedcd. It is our rcsponsibility to examine Il)e acci)uiits uiid¢i' section 145 of Ille 201 l Act- tollow th¢ procedures laid duwn in tlic Gencral Directions given by th¢ Charity Coinmisyionets seelion 145(51(b) of the 2011 All. and slate whciher particular matters havc c￿The lo our attenrion. BASIS or INDEPENDENT KXAMINER'S STATEMENT Our exllii)inulion was cun'ied out in accordance ivith the G¢neral Di￿110nS givcn by ihc Charity Coiniiiissioii. Ali exlliniiiatioii includu a review of Ihc nccounting r¥¢urds kept by th¢ P.C.C. and a Lomparison ol'ili¢ acu)ui)¢s pr¢sented with thc)s¥ IE¢oi'ds. It also inLlude8 consideratiun of any unusual items or dI￿,105￿re5 in tli¢ a¢¢ounts. and seeking explanations fi'oin Ihe mana&iuneiil ¢oinii)ittcc ¢onceii)ing any sucli Inallcrs. The proccdures undcrt#ken do iiot provide illl tlie evidenLe that would be requircd iii ali audit, and ¢on5equcAily iio opinion is given as io whether (he u¢¢ounts present o 'lrue and fail. view, and tlie Irpoi'l is liiiiiled to those mallers sct out in th¢ next siDlcine￿t. INDEPENDENT AMINER'S STATEMENT lil coniicctiuii wilh gur exaini118tion. no m&tters Iiuvr coinc lo our ailcntion wl)icl) give us reasonJble c&u$e lo belicve that in material respeci ihe requircm¥iiis 10 keep ?¢coui)ling reeords in a¢v)rdlliic¢ with $.130 of thc 201 l Act: or lo piEparc eLcouni8 which acco]￿ with tliese accounting recor(L8 and coinply wilh the accoun¢in8 requireincnls of the 201 l Acl liave not be¢n Inel; or 2) to whiLh. in our opinion, atlention should bc drawn in order to enable a propcr understaiiding of Ihc 8wounis lo bc reachcd. ulncj Garne. Pugli & Sinc air Chllit¢red A¢couiilants 19 Sal(?p Road Osiiiestry Shvopsl)ii'c SYII 2NR 3rd Mur¢l1 2026 Page I THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, OSIVESTRY S¢#temen¢ of Financl&l Aetivtlies for ihe Year Ended 31st December 2025 2025 Total Funds 2024 Total Fuiids See not¢ 7 foi. full comparativ¢ Unr¢sthLled Funds ResÈi'icte(t Funds Notes 1￿comIn&l Resource5 Donations uiid Lcga¢i¢ Chorilable AeÈivilies Other Ti'ading Aelivirie% Ii)v¢slin¢nls 184,298 5,589 9,103 390 600 184,898 5,589 9.103 390 151).199 1,392 3.782 58 2b 2d TotAI 199,380 600 199,980 164.431 Resources Expended Chprildble Activities 189,012 310 189,322 164,950 Total 189,012 310 189,322 164,950 Nel 8ainl(losses) on investtneni Nel IncoincllExpenditure) 10,368 290 10,658 (519) Ti'ansf¢i' between Funds Nel iiioveiiieiii lil fiiiiilj 10.368 290 10,658 (5191 Tolnl Flind8 brouLiht foriyayd (1st Jail) 7.017 550 7,567 8.086 Total fi uiid$ ¢4rrled forivard (31st Dee) 17,385 840 18,225 7.567 Page 2 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. OSWESTRY St&teJn¢nt of Asseis Lifibilities Al 315t DeCe￿ber 2025 2025 Total Funds 2024 Total Fuiids Nol¢s Ciiri'eni Ass¢t$ Bank current a¢L'ounts BJi)k deposit accouiits 7,851 10,374 7.553 14 TOT AL T ASSETS 18,225 7,SC)7 P*i'lsli fi unds Ullres¢1'icted Funds General Rcslricled Fui)ds 17.385 840 7,017 550 TOTAL FUNDS 18,225 7,567 Tlic fiiioncial slalcJn¢iits were approved by th¥ Par￿11181 Church Couii¢il on 3rd March 2026 and w¢re signed on ils belialf by., Rev Paul Dui'linglon - Chaiiin Alislaii. Nurd¢n - Tr¢8surer The alla¢hLul notes forni part of thesy firkancial Matctnents Page 3 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRI.NITY CHURCH, OSWESTRY Notes to the finaiicial Stateinents for the YeAr Ended 31st Decetllbcr 2(125 Accoun¢li) Pollrles Tiic fiiiancial 8tatancnts Iiave bccn preparcd in gccordance with the Statein¢nt of Rccommended Praclicc for Charili&8 (SORP) and applieablc YCLounliii¥ standard FRSIU2. The Iinaiicial slaleinents hwve becn pi'epared und¢r Ihc hi¥torical Lu%1 Lonvcnlivn. The fiiiaiicial statcmcnis include all traiisactions, ass¢ts and liabilities for which tlic PCC is respoiisibl¢ li) law. Thcy do not include the acLuunls of ¢liurch groups that owe their inain affiliulion to ai)oiher body iior those tliat arc iiifoiinal gutti￿.11]sS ol. Church In￿nbel5. CAsb fiolv Statemeii¢ Tlie Chai'ity has taken advanTage of tli¢ exemption in FRS102 fr￿n the requimnent lo produ¢¢ a ¢ash flow stalcJn¢nt on ilie gi'ouiids Ihal the incomc does noi ¥xceed £500,0(10. Deserl tion or ri uThd$ Restricted fuiid$ coinpi'isc of two elem¢iils:. a) incotne h'oin trusts or ¢ndowincnis which Inay be exp￿de