Trustees Annual Report for Charities Commission 2024
THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES AND USAGES FOR THE TIME BEING OF CONGREGATIONALISM AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS IN THE FOUNDATION TRUSTS. THE CHURCH MAY ALSO ADVANCE EDUCATION RELIEVE NEED AND CARRY OUT OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
In 2024 the Crediton Congregational church continued to run regular Sunday services, a family service for all once a week, and our “reflective” service alternate Sundays. The former is the time when there are children’s and youth groups running alongside the adults service. The latter was mostly attended by our older people and volunteers who staff the activities at the 10.30 service. All-together family services were held on occasion and an experiment started in March with “Breakfast church”, a very informal “seeker friendly” service which has continued to date. Zoom and YouTube screenings were still available. Services were held in the Town square at Christmas and Easter and in local parks as well. An opportunity for healing prayer was offered monthly after Sunday worship.
During 2023-24 a survey was conducted and presented to the Church in Nov 2024. This established the numbers of people attending Sunday services and midweek groups. It appeared that over the survey period the attendance rose from below 140 (adults and children) to consistently above that figure. Taking into account the anticipated reduction in numbers each year, we grew by about 10 people more than we lost. Another significant finding was an overall drop in average age of the congregation reflecting what we could easily observe: an increase in numbers of younger people and families. Growth in interest and attendance is in part due to our increasing presence on social media, begun in 2022.
At the June AGM the count of members was 95 (only adults are members) and this figure grew by 9 by the September Church meeting. New Members courses are run every six weeks and attract both people who are very new to the Church and also those who have attended for a while and not become members.
Church meetings were held in February, April, June (AGM), September and November. They are open meetings but are mostly attended by church members. Those unable to attend in person may do so by Zoom. The aim of these meetings is to keep Leadership and Church in close communication about all major aspects of Church life and are according to the tenets of Congregationalism. They always begin with a half hour prayer meeting and have significant spiritual content.
During 2024, the emphasis was on the implementation of ideas and decisions made by the Leadership team during the two-year period with the Lead Academy. A major change has been away from the five Vision statements eg serving the community, growing in faith, being a church family, to six phrases describing our values. As our website states about the first three and most important ones;
“As a congregation, we believe that God has called us together into community for many reasons, but with particular purpose: we are seeking God, serving people and sharing hope. We might only manage this imperfectly (although with great enthusiasm), but these three actions sit behind everything we do as a church”
Much discussion was held to begin to embed these and three other principles into all our planning and current activities.
A second frequent topic was about the renovations to the main Church building. In Aril 24 the congregation was informed that our applications for planning permission had almost all been accepted by the Mid Devon District Council. We were now allowed to replace windows, install underfloor heating, change the layout of the main church and carry out alterations to the balcony to increase the capacity and quality of the building.
A Grants team was set up to make application for grants to finance this work estimated at approximately £650K.
Thirdly our Financial position is often reported on by our Treasurer. The projected budget for 2024 indicated a deficit or around £20k but giving increased, and by April, the deficit fell to £10K, by November down to £6K. This is for all church’s normal running costs and excludes refurbishment. See Financial documents for further detail.
Frequent discussions on staffing and composition of the Leadership team. The Leader responsible for Community development reached the end of her six-year term. Part of her role has been to run the Food bank for which she had achieved Charity status. This means that it runs independent of the church although it uses church premises. New leaders are sought in conjunction with the church as existing leaders depart. In addition, it was agreed to take on a Children’s work Intern within the SWYM scheme. She began her year in September 2024.
Other aspects of Church life continued as before, namely
Weekly/fortnightly meetings of mid-week church groups “Life Groups”. The survey suggested that the vast majority of people involved greatly valued these and “would recommend to others”
Our mission team brought the work of (mostly overseas) mission organisations to our attention and we continued our sponsorship which rose from £500pa to £1000 pa to each of the four partners from November 24.
To open the church to our community, specifically,
Mainly Music continues (weekly) with an enthusiastic and ever-changing group of babies, toddlers and their carers.
A weekly drop-in café for the same group, less structured, “delightful chaos” as one parent described it. Very busy mornings with an average attendance of 25 adults plus all their children. The Craft table hosts some exciting activities and some deep conversations.
A drop-in café for adults, mostly retired and elderly folk. Many of these people plus others from the town come to the monthly Community Lunch- between 45 and 50 each time, for a twocourse meal and a drink (and good company). Church volunteers organise and run both activities.
A conversation café is run weekly, staffed by church volunteers for the Ukrainian folk living in and around Crediton.
A weekly morning for adults with Learning disabilities continues.
Friday Youth and Friday kids continue to be run for the secondary and primary age groups respectively (weekly in term time).
In April it was calculated that 170-180 people per day come in for events we run and also those hiring our facilities. Many organisations and individuals use our building regularly as a venue and our rental receipts have increased. It is hard work for our administrator and our cleaner to keep on top of the demands of this number.
Our Biennial Fun Day in the park, a free to all event, was held in July and enjoyed by many.
Our Leadership team who are also our trustees work tirelessly to lead and facilitate this work and much more not described here. We are enabled to bring our enthusiasm and love for God to everything we do as we serve each other and our town.
Sue Keogh
CCC secretary.
CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Charity Registration Number: 1175015
CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
We report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 2 and 3.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiners
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of s144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under s145(5)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiners' statement
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiners' statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
-
a) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
i) to keep accounting records in accordance with s41 of the Act; and ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
-
b) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Stapletons Chartered Certified Accountants 4 Market Street Crediton Devon EX17 2AJ
27 August 2025
CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Income Collections and offerings Rent Legacy Grants (Inc £16,274 AV) Donations at Outreach events Parking Interest Expenditure Salaries Pastoral and ministry expenses Light, heat and water Administrative expenses Repairs and renewals Insurance Fees and donations Mission partners Training Refreshments New AV Equipment Outreach events Sundry expenses Bank charges Excess Income over Expenditure |
2024 £ 173,002 44,808 10,000 19,874 2,043 435 2,245 252,407 96,490 3,253 11,457 3,264 9,215 4,727 2,251 7,273 2,981 2,333 2,466 16,274 2,915 1,663 519 167,081 85,326 |
2023 £ 100,556 38,331 - - 1,473 377 1,323 |
|---|---|---|
| 142,060 87,776 2,684 9,727 2,498 5,258 4,220 2,195 6,151 2,833 3,323 1,519 - 1,702 785 113 |
||
| 130,784 | ||
| 11,276 |
Page 2
CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Current Assets Current account Deposit account Debtors Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net Assets Represented By General fund (Note 1) Causeway fund Manse repair fund Total Funds |
2024 £ 19,020 103,572 44,903 167,495 (14,212) 153,283 151,034 678 1,571 153,283 |
2023 £ 11,701 76,327 24,611 |
|---|---|---|
| 112,639 (7,114) |
||
| 105,525 | ||
| 101,682 1,069 2,774 |
||
| 105,525 |
| Note 1 General fund as at 31 December 2024 Spent on replacement windows January 2025 Less Earmarked for next stage of refurbishment Remaining General fund |
£ 151,034 (29,247) 121,787 (85,000) 36,787 |
|---|---|
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CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Charity Registration Number: 1175015
CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
We report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 2 and 3.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiners
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of s144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under s145(5)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiners' statement
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiners' statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
-
a) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
i) to keep accounting records in accordance with s41 of the Act; and ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
-
b) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Stapletons Chartered Certified Accountants 4 Market Street Crediton Devon EX17 2AJ
27 August 2025
CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Income Collections and offerings Rent Legacy Grants (Inc £16,274 AV) Donations at Outreach events Parking Interest Expenditure Salaries Pastoral and ministry expenses Light, heat and water Administrative expenses Repairs and renewals Insurance Fees and donations Mission partners Training Refreshments New AV Equipment Outreach events Sundry expenses Bank charges Excess Income over Expenditure |
2024 £ 173,002 44,808 10,000 19,874 2,043 435 2,245 252,407 96,490 3,253 11,457 3,264 9,215 4,727 2,251 7,273 2,981 2,333 2,466 16,274 2,915 1,663 519 167,081 85,326 |
2023 £ 100,556 38,331 - - 1,473 377 1,323 |
|---|---|---|
| 142,060 87,776 2,684 9,727 2,498 5,258 4,220 2,195 6,151 2,833 3,323 1,519 - 1,702 785 113 |
||
| 130,784 | ||
| 11,276 |
Page 2
CREDITON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Current Assets Current account Deposit account Debtors Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net Assets Represented By General fund (Note 1) Causeway fund Manse repair fund Total Funds |
2024 £ 19,020 103,572 44,903 167,495 (14,212) 153,283 151,034 678 1,571 153,283 |
2023 £ 11,701 76,327 24,611 |
|---|---|---|
| 112,639 (7,114) |
||
| 105,525 | ||
| 101,682 1,069 2,774 |
||
| 105,525 |
| Note 1 General fund as at 31 December 2024 Spent on replacement windows January 2025 Less Earmarked for next stage of refurbishment Remaining General fund |
£ 151,034 (29,247) 121,787 (85,000) 36,787 |
|---|---|
Page 3