St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
Charity registration number: 1178425 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustees’ Annual Report and accounts for the year ended 18[th] October 2024
1
St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
Reference and administrative information
Trustees Rev Aaron Dunne Paul Prescott Rev Christine Daniel Rev Alan Conant Rev Catherine Higgins Principal office St. Annes Vicarage View Road Rainhill Prescot L35 0LE
Independent examiner M R Heaton FCCA FCIE KM Chartered Accountants 1[st] Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Rd Burnley BB11 1JG
2
St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 18[th] October 2024
SHDMGT has at its aims the advancement of the Christian faith for the benefit of the public through: a) the mission and ministry of the Church of England and its engagement with and service to the communities in the geographical area of St Helens Deanery, b) the administration of the mission and growth fund subject to the terms of reference agreed by the St Helens Deanery Synod.
Consistent with these aims a number of projects have been funded over this period. A summary of each of them is described below.
Consistent with these aims a number of projects have been funded over this period. A summary of each of them is described below.
Resources for the Deanery –The allocated funds are spent at the discretion of the area dean and were used this year to support the costs of the deanery Christmas meal in 2023.
Eccleston St Thomas FFM Administration centre/’First steps’ children’s group and community support group Project 765 . The final instalment of a grant was paid to St Thomas’ to develop the first floor space of the gathering area to accommodate offices, meeting room and storage space. This project continues to support a children’s group and community meeting space to further build links with the community. The office space also benefits the Fit for Mission (FFM) Administration team and Clergy Leadership Team involved in the FFM SLP (Single Large Parish). Payment made £1000.
Church St Helens based at St Helens Parish Church . A second year grant of £21,000 was provided to fund Church St Helens Support Services Team. This provides the costs of the central support services team. This grant will continue to run for the next 2 years and will be supplemented by funding from the 11 churches currently part of Church St Helens who hope to make savings to current outgoings by way of economies of scale The central administration is a key feature of the changes being made under the Diocesan Fit for Mission programme.
Part time Children’s and Family worker at Holy Trinity Sutton Project 776 . Funding was approved to provide support for 3 years. It was recommended that first year is used to attract match with funding for the final year reliant on external funding or of evidence of applications. The Mount is working to revitalise this church, and see a key part of that relating to schools work with Sutton Oak next door & new build local housing developments locally). This person would play an important role in the development, growth and discipleship of the church, supporting Rev Bren Noble and making the younger generation a key priority. Grant awarded £17,500.
3
St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 18[th] October 2024
Development of Entrance Area at St Nicholas’ Sutton into a Welcoming Community Space. Funding was approved to facilitate the restructuring of the inside of St Nicholas’ church to accommodate small groups, Thursday coffee morning group and social gatherings after services. This was due to the closure of St Nicholas church hall. Grant awarded £3,500.
Meals with Jesus. Funding was applied for from St Michael’s and All Angels Sutton to provide a community space for hospitality and welcome linked with the Food Pantry based there. Meals with Jesus started is a worshipping community set up in response to the planned closure of St Michael’s Church building, and to reach out to those experiencing food poverty in the Parish of St Michael’s with a view to make new disciples. The meal is followed by faithbased input set around a Biblical theme for the month. This may include a ‘Bible’ talk, sung worship, a craft, a prayer station, or a topical visiting speaker and always prayer. Grant awarded £3,000.
Senior Youth Worker Church St Helens. Funding was approved to support a senior youth worker and mentor for youth work in the N of St Helens based at St Andrews Church. The aim to employ and support workers to deliver with a remit to work across the North and NW area of the Larger Single Parish (LSP) i.e. in partnership with churches such as Christ Church, St Davids, St Helens Parish Church. We would also aim to work with other churches in the geographical area of the deanery to support the mission to young people regardless of parish boundaries if they wanted to be part of this provision. Grant awarded £60,000.
ALLOCATED FUNDS
These funds were not drawn on during the year but remain part of funds allocated from previous years.
Pilgrimages for Laity – An annual amount set aside for pilgrimage or retreat for laity. This could benefit those who would not normally be able to afford to do this. On their return they could share their experience and encourage others. A retrospective application was received from The Mount for a family to attend New Wine in 2023 this was drawn from the allocated funds totalling £1115 (Grant 770). Also a grant was awarded of £765 for two lay people to attend the LyCIG conference from St Luke’s Eccleston (Grant 764).
Mission Contingency Fund. It was suggested that there should be a pot of money for the Deanery to use for mission and growth expenses. This will be the Mission Contingency Fund and the money will be in the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC) fund. SHDMGFT will be provided information on the money spent for an audit trail but spending is at the discretion of the DMPC.
4
St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 18[th] October 2024
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The charity has complied with the public benefit requirement in the Charities Act 2011 in determining the activities it carries out.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The receipts and payments account shows total grants received in the year of £26,815. Grants made amounted to £108,381.
RESERVES
A reserves policy is being prepared. Funds are all used for the various projects that the charity gives grants for, with any administration function provided by the Diocese on our behalf.
The current working arrangement is for the Diocese to hold the balance of St Helen’s Deanery Mission and Growth Funding and to make payments from the fund on behalf of the deanery. New distributions are made each quarter, dependent on the level of Parish Share payment.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The trustees are formulating a risk management policy.
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT
The charity is governed by its constitution of 18[th] May 2018 and is an Association Charitable Incorporated Organisation, number 1178425.
The members of the charity are:
All members of St Helens Deanery Synod are automatically members of the CIO for the entire duration of their tenure
All Trustees are automatically members of the CIO for the entire duration of their tenure as Trustees
The CIO Treasurer is automatically a member of the CIO for the entire duration of their tenure as Treasurer.
There are to be not less than five and no more than nine elected Trustees plus the Area Dean (or nominated deputy) and Lay Chair.
Full training is given to trustees on appointment.
This report was approved by the trustees on 30[th] July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Rev A Dunne Trustee
5
St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
Independent Examiner’s Report
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] October 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
M R Heaton FCCA FCIE DChA KM 1[st] Floor, Block C, The Wharf Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG
30[th] July 2025
6
St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 18[th] October 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 2023
Unrestricted Funds: £ £
Receipts
Liverpool Diocese Grants 26,815 81,204
Miscellaneous receipts - 594
Total Receipts 26,815 81,798
Payments
Grants Paid 108,381 85,695
Independent examination - 1,800
Miscellaneous payments 122 433
Total Payments (108,503) 87,928
Net of Receipts/Payment (81,688) (6,130)
Cash funds brought forward 189,949 196,079
Cash funds carried forward 108,261 189,949
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES AT 18.10.24
Assets
Cash held by Diocese of Liverpool 108,261 189,949
Liabilities
Independent examination 1,800 650
----- End of picture text -----
These accounts were approved by the trustees on 30[th] July 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Trustees
7
St Helens Deanery Mission and Growth Trust (SHDMGT)
Notes to the Financial Statements
Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity
Taxation
The charity is not liable to tax on its charitable activities.
The charity is not registered for VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the expense to which it relates.
Transactions with trustees
No remuneration nor expenses were paid to trustees or any persons connected with them during the period. Trustees are also trustees of other charities or organisations which receive grants. Processes are followed to avoid any issues arising from any conflicts of interest.
8