TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024 CENTRAL READERS' COUNCIL, CIO – Registered Charity no. 1182319
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Background
The Central Readers’ Council (“CRC”) experienced 2024 as a year of change and improvement. Further details are given below.
Objects
The objects of CRC are to advance the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England by supporting the recruitment, training, education and development of Readers and other lay ministers for their ministry in the Church of England, and the Church in Wales. Thus enabled, lay ministers offer public benefit through teaching and pastoral activities under the auspices of the Church.
CRC works to enhance the contribution of lay minsters to the overall ministry of the Church, particularly to encourage the most effective integration with other forms of ministry, ordained and lay. As well as administrative co-ordination and services for dioceses, it arranges events, publishes a quarterly magazine, “Transforming Ministry”, and maintains a website.
CRC manages funds invested from two gifts and Readers can apply for grants in certain circumstances. Members of the CRC Council of Reference and its Working Groups give their time voluntarily, not only when participating in working groups but also in ensuring that the activities of CRC as a whole continue, within its objects.
The Board of Trustees has due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance, where this is relevant to the activities of CRC.
Activities
CRC provides support for Readers and Lay-Ministers in four main areas:
1. Publishing “Transforming Ministry” magazine This quarterly magazine is CRC’s flagship offering. It includes material for theological reflection, book reviews and other helpful resources for Readers and Lay Ministers to use in their work.
The Editorial Group that oversees the magazine continues to seek to widen the readership of the magazine to other lay ministries within the Church of England, to clergy, and the Anglican Communion outside the UK.
2. Social media and website
CRC posts on social media (primarily Facebook and Instagram) under the “Transforming Ministry” banner. Our social media channels now have over one thousand followers and provide a mixture of prayers, information, and updates from The Church of England.
CRC also maintains a website. During 2024, our Education group published new content, including a short course about St Paul. The aim is to provide material – not available elsewhere -which will help Readers and lay ministers in their work. Our training course on funeral ministry continues to be particularly popular.
During 2024 we set up a new website, badged layministry.org.uk, with updated content.
3. Meetings and networking CRC maintains regular contacts with Church of England Ministry Division and with dioceses throughout England and Wales. We encourage networking and contact between our trustees and Wardens of
Readers/ Lay Ministers, to support one another, and to share expertise. During 2024 we also participated in a review of the “Bishops’ Regulations for Lay Ministry”.
Our 2024 annual meeting in London was attended by 32 delegates from 21 different dioceses.
4. Providing training grants for Readers
CRC administers funds that are available to assist Readers in their ministry. The Adams-Myland fund provides small grants which allow Readers to attend a training course, or to help towards the costs of an academic qualification. During 2024, CRC made grants totalling £3,850.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
CRC ended the year with a small loss of £5,087. This compares to a surplus of £45,107 in 2023, although that included a one-off donation of £70,579 and spending of £22,990 on a new database.
The trustees recognise that CRC’s income comes mainly from dioceses, whose finances remain under severe pressure. We continue to seek cost savings and efficiencies, and to bring additional value to the services we provide.
On 31 December 2024, CRC held approximately £105,000 of realised income in its funds. Of this, £40,082 is in the Adams-Myland fund, to use for making training grants. Almost 59% (2023 – 56%) of the value on the balance sheet relates to shares held by the Central Board of Finance for the Church of England.
There are no endowment funds and no restricted funds.
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
CRC would not exist without the commitment of its volunteers (including trustees and Advisory Council) and its dedicated employees. During the year, there were several changes of personnel.
In May 2024, Imogen Clout retired as Chair. We are grateful to Imogen for her many years of service and for guiding CRC through some challenging times. Following Imogen’s retirement, Dr Stephanie Hayton and Lynn Comer became acting co-Chairs of the charity.
During the year, Kate Bradshaw, Huw Thomas and Tony Jefferis retired as trustees. Three new trustees were appointed: Dolapo Ogunbawo, Canon Emily Brailsford and Barbara Studd.
Steve Mashford and Ben Martin joined CRC’s Advisory Council. Chris Hammett took over as CRC Secretary.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Board of Trustees
CRC’s management and administration is vested in its Board of Trustees (‘The Board’). The Board met four times during 2024, mainly online.
Much of the trustees’ work is delegated to four committees: Communication, Education, Finance and Policy. These meet regularly online, and report to the Board.
CRC Council of Reference
CRC has a wider body known as the ‘Advisory Council’, which includes wider membership and advisors called in as needed to provide support to the Board.
The membership of the Advisory Council during 2024 was:
Chair Imogen Clout
retired May 2024
Trustees Dr Stephanie Hayton Warden acting co-chair from May 2024 Lynn Comer Warden acting co-chair from May 2024 Petter Kringberg Treasurer James Behrens Reader Sarah Mortimer Reader Dolapo Ogunbawo Reader from January 2024 Barbara Studd Reader from May 2024 Canon Emily Brailsford Reader from July 2024 Kate Bradshaw Reader retired April 2024 Huw Thomas Reader, Church in Wales retired April 2024 Tony Jefferis Reader retired Nov 2024 Other members Richenda Milton-Daws Editor, “Transforming Ministry” magazine Carrie Myers Head of Lay Ministries ex officio Steve Mashford Reader from May 2024 Ben Martin Warden from May 2024 Chris Hammett Secretary ex officio from 1 Jan 2024 Andrew Carr PA to Secretary ex officio
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The Central Readers’ Council, CIO is a registered charity, number 1182319. Its address is Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ. The Secretary is Chris Hammett.
The charity is governed by its constitution, which was revised in May 2024. Banking facilities were provided by the CAF Bank, West Malling.
CRC continues to work in close association with the Ministry Development Team of the General Synod of the Church of England.
Signed on behalf of the CRC,
Secretary
Dated: 24 July 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Statementoffinancial activities(SOFA) | 2 |
| Balancesheet | 3 |
| Notesto theaccounts | |
| Accountingpolicies | 4(a)and 4 (b) |
| Analysis ofSOFA | 5 |
| Analysisofdelegatedfunds | 6 |
| Analysisofdesignatedfunds | 7 |
| lnvestmentsandTrusteenotes | 8-9 |
| lndependentExaminer'sreport to theTrustees | 10 |
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | funds | funds | Total 2024 Total2023 | |||
| gCEE€ | ||||||
| INCOMINGRESOURCES | 2 | |||||
| voluntarylncome | ||||||
| Diocesancontributions | 2s,531 | 0 | 25,53t | 21,075 | ||
| Generated lncome | ||||||
| Magazine andWebsite lncome | 63,629 | 0 | 63,629 | 61,419 | ||
| sundrysales | L,92s | 0 | L,925 | 1,839 | ||
| 65,554 | 55,55463,258 | |||||
| Donations received | 838 | 0 | 838 | 7L,790 | ||
| Investment lncome Total lncome |
7,940 99,863 |
0 0 |
7,940 99,863 |
5,L37 162,260 |
||
| TOTATINCOMINGRESOURCES | 99,863 | 0 | 99,863 |
162,250 | ||
| RESOURCESEXPENDED | 2 | |||||
| Costof GeneratingFunds | ||||||
| Fundraising costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| CostofGenerated lncome | ||||||
| Magazine andWebsitecosts | 62,355 | n | 62,355 | 67,378 | ||
| Costofsundrysales | 788 | 0 | 788 | 1,407 | ||
| 63,143 | 0 | 63,143 | 68,785 | |||
| Other CharitableActivities | ||||||
| EducationalModules | 264 | 0 | 268 | 433 | ||
| Subscriptionsweb | site/database | 7,503 | 0 | 7,503 | 22,990 | |
| General | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Grants made | 3,8s0 | 0 | 3,850 | L,150 | ||
| 7t,62t | 0 | 7t,62t |
24,573 | |||
| Governance costs | 30,186 | 0 | 30,186 |
23,795 | ||
| TOTATRESOURCES USED | 104,950 | 0 | 104,950LLl,L53 | |||
| NETRESOURCES | -5,087 | 0 | -5,087 |
45,107 | ||
| UNREATISEDGAINS | ||||||
| (Decrease)/lncreaseinvalue | of investments | 2,968 | 0 | 2,968 |
t1,,249 | |
| -2,LL9 | 0 | -2,1t9 |
s6,356 | |||
| FUNDSasat1st JANUARY2024 | 228,697 | 0 | 228,597 L72,34L |
|||
| FUNDSAT 31STDECEMBER2024 | 226,578 | 0 | 226,57A228,697 |
| 2024 | m23 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| f_ | f | t € |
||
| FIXEDASSETS-Tangiblefixedassets | 0 | 533 | ||
| tONGTERM INVESTMENT | ||||
| CBFlnvestmentFund Shares | 132,727 | 729,759 | ||
| (at marketbid value)(Note7) | ||||
| CURRENTASSETS | ||||
| Stock | 5,553 | 5,653 | ||
| Sundrydebtors | (Note8) | 5,347 | 39,360 | |
| CBFGeneral Fund Deposit A/C | 32,899 | 62,899 | ||
| CBFAdamsMylandDeposit A/C | L9,320 | 19,319 | ||
| CAFBankCurrent A/C | 55 | 3,288 | ||
| CAFBankDeposit A/C | 29,6t9 | 895 | ||
| CAFBankAdams-Myland | A/C | 2,622 | 0 | |
| 95,515 | L31,474 | |||
| LESS:CURRENTtlABlLlTlES | ||||
| Creditors | (Note9) | 7,664 | 33,009 | |
| 93,8s1 | 98,405 | |||
| NETASSETS | 226,578 | 224,697 | ||
| FINANCEDBY: | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| Capital fund | 12,483 | 72,483 | ||
| Unrealised surpluson investments | 109,05r. | 106,083 | ||
| 121,534 | 118,566 | |||
| lncomefunds | ||||
| Gen eraI | (Note2) | 65,930 | 74,000 | |
| DelegatedFunds | (Note3) | (e68) | (2,2s3). | |
| Adams-Myland | (Note4) | 40,082 | 38,424 | |
| 105,044 | 110,131 | |||
| TOTALFUNDS | 226,578 | 228,697 |
| Recognitionofincomingresource | sTheseareincludedinthe StatementofFinancialActivities(SOFA)when: |
|---|---|
| 1the charitybecomesentitled totheresources; | |
| 2the trusteesarevirtuallycertain theywillreceivetheresources; and | |
| 3themonetaryvalue can be measuredwithsufficient reliability. | |
| lncomingresourceswlthrelated expenditure |
Where incomingresources haverelated expenditure(aswith fundraising or contractincome)theincomingresources andrelated expenditureare reportedgrossintheSOFA. |
| Grants anddonations | Grants anddonationsareonly includedintheSOFAwhen the charityhas unconditionalentitlement totheresources. |
| Thevalueofanyvoluntary helpreceivedisnot includedintheaccounts | |
| butisdescribedinthe trustees' annual report. | |
| lnvestment income | Thisisincludedintheaccountswhenreceived |
| This includes any gainorlossonthesaleofinvestmentsand any gainor | |
| lnvestmentgains and losses | lossresultingfromrevaluing investmentstomarketvalue attheendof |
| theyear. |
| CENTRAT READERS'COUNCIT | |
|---|---|
| Notestothe AccountsfortheYearto31st December2024 | |
| (ThesenotesformpartoftheAccounts) | |
| EXPENDITUREANDIIABILITIES | |
| [iabilityrecognition | Liabilities are recognisedassoonasthereisa legalor |
| constructive obligation committingthecharitytopayout | |
| resources. | |
| Governance costs | lncludecostsofthepreparationandexaminationofstatutory |
| accounts,thecostsofExecutivecommitteemeetinSs, | |
| officersexpenses and any legal advicetothe trusteeson | |
| governanceorconstitutionalmatters. | |
| Grantspayablewithout | Theseareonlyrecognisedintheaccountswhena |
| performanceconditions | commitmenthasbeen made andthereare noconditions |
| tobemet relatingtothe grant whichremainsinthe | |
| controlofthe charity. | |
| ASSETS | |
| lnvestments | lnvestments quoted onarecognisedstockexchange are |
| valuedatmarketvalue attheyear end. | |
| Stocks | Theseare valued atthe lower ofcostor net reaiisable |
| value. |
| 2.AnalysisofStatementofFinancia | lActlvities | lActlvities | lActlvities | lActlvities | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeneralDelegatedDesiBnated | ||||||
| funds | funds | funds | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| (Note3) | (Note4) | |||||
| lncome | ||||||
| Diocesancontributions | 25,s31 | 2s,53L | 21,,075 | |||
| Salesofmerchandise | t,92s | 7,925 | 1,839 | |||
| Reader Magazine lncom€ | 63,554 | 63,564 | 67,354 | |||
| Donationsreceived (Note4) | 433 | 405 | 838 | 71,790 | ||
| lnterest etcreceived | 2,837 | 5,103 | 7,940 | 6,1,37 | ||
| Otherincome | 65 | 55 | 65 | |||
| Total lncome | 30,791 | 63,564 |
5,50899,863 | 162,260 | ||
| 30,79L | 63,564 | 5,50899,863 |
L62,260 | |||
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Salaries | 22,986 | 22,946 | L9,378 | |||
| Professionalfees | 8,307 | 8,307 | 8,740 | |||
| Officers' expenses | 9s0 | 9s0 | 399 | |||
| ExecutiveCommittee | 3,O77 | 3,O7t | 2,61,2 | |||
| Other committeemeetings | 0 | 391 | ||||
| EducationalModules | 268 | 268 | 433 | |||
| Magazineproductioncosts | 53,932 | s3,932 | 53,148 | |||
| Subscriptionswebsite | 7,679 | 7,619 | 4,808 | |||
| Subsfiiptionsdatabase | n | 22,989 | ||||
| Costofmerchandise sold | U | L,492 | ||||
| Grants made | 3,850 | 3,850 | 1,150 | |||
| lndependent examiner fee | 100 | 100 | 0 | |||
| Adminexpenses | 3,334 | 3,334 | L,573 | |||
| Depreciation | 533 | s33 | 0 | |||
| Total expenditure | 38,861 | 62,239 |
3,850 | 104,950 | !L7,ts3 | |
| Surplus(Delicit) fortheyear | (8,070) | t,325 | 1,658 | (s,087) | 45,1O7 | |
| Transferbetween funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Balancesbroughtforward Balancescarriedforward |
65,930 74,000 |
(968) 12,2931 |
40,082 38,424 |
L05,044 1t0,13t |
LL0,732 65,025 |
|
| Unrealised surplus on investments | ||||||
| Asat1stJanuary 2024 | 1,833 | 0 | L04,250 | 106,083 | 94,834 | |
| Change invalueduringyear | 29b | 2,672 | 2,968 | 7L,249 | ||
| Asat 31st December 2024 | 2,729 | 0 | 106,922 | 109,051 | 106,083 |
| communlca | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| tions | 2024 | 2023 | |
| lncome | |||
| Magazinesubscriptions | 54,571 | 54,571 | 55,540 |
| Magazineadvertising | 8,993 | 8,993 | 5,8L4 |
| 63,564 | 63,564 | 6L,354 | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Salarycosts | 0 | 0 | t67 |
| Officers'expenses | 0 | 0 | 391 |
| Professionalfees | 8,307 | 8,307 | 8,780 |
| Magazineproductioncosts | 53,932 | 53,932 | 53,148 |
| Meetings | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Subscriptions databasemaintenance | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cardhandling fees | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 62,239 | 62,239 | 62,486 | |
| Magazinesurplus/(deficit) | 1,325 | t,325 | 11,r?21 |
| Less:Legacytechnology | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| lncrease(Decrease) | t,325 | 7,32s | (t,7321 |
| Transfer | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Balancesat1stJanuary Balancesat 31st December |
12,2e3l (968) |
(2,2931 (958) |
(1,160) (2,2921 |
| Adams- | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myland | special | Total 2024rotal2023 | ||
| lncome | ||||
| lnvestment | 5,103 | 5,103 | 4,344 | |
| Donationsfromdioceses | 405 | 405 | 219 | |
| 5,508 | 0 | 5,508 |
4,s63 |
|
| Expenditure | ||||
| Grants made | 3,850 | 850 3 |
1,150 | |
| SocialMedia | 0 | 0 | ||
| Meetings | 0 | 0 | ||
| Subscriptionsdata base | 0 | 0 | 22,990 | |
| Subscrlptionswebsite | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3,850 | 0 | 3,850 |
24,140 | |
| Netincomebeforetransfers | 1,658 | 0 | 1,6s8(19,s77] |
|
| Transfers | ||||
| 1,658 | 0 | 1,658 | .19,s77r. | |
| BalanceatLstJanuary | 38,424 | 0 | 38,424 | s8,001 |
| Balanceat 31st December | 4Q,O82 | 0 | 40,08238,424 |
| 4.DesignatedFunds(continued) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams- | |||||
| Myland | Special | Total2024Total2023 | |||
| CapitaIlnvestment | |||||
| Original investment | 72,4a3 | 12,483 | L2,483 | ||
| Saleof shares at cost | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| lnvestmentcarriedforward | 72,483 | 0 | t2,48372,483 |
||
| Changein marketvalue | |||||
| toLstJanuary | L04,249 | 0 | 704,249 | 94,130 | |
| Realisedsurplus on shares | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| lncrease (decrease)inthe year | 2,672 | 2,672 | 10,119 | ||
| At31st December | to6,92t | 0 | 10692LL04,249 |
||
| lnvestmentvalue | |||||
| asat 31st December | 719,404 | 0 | L19,404t76,732 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Salaries& Nationallnsurance | 22,986 | 79,378 |
| 7.lnvestments | ||
| Designated | ||
| fundsGeneralfund Total2024Total2023 | ||
| At1stJanuary | L76,732 | t3,O27129,759118,510 |
| (Decrease)/lncreaseduringyear At 31st December |
2,672 L79,N4 |
296 2,96817,249 L3,323132,727t29,7s9 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| 8,sundry Debtors | ||
| Accounts Receivable | 3,501 | 31,345 |
| Sundry Debtors | U | 2,829 |
| Accrued income | 0 | 3,842 |
| Stripe ClearingAccount | 7,846 | 7,304 |
| 5,347 | 39,360 | |
| 9.Creditors | ||
| Prepaidincome | 0 | 3t,345 |
| Sundry Creditors | 1,,664 | 1,664 |
| 7,664 | 33,009 |