CHARITY COMMISSION OF ENGLAND AND WALES
Trustees' annual report for the period Period start date 01-01-2023.
Period end date 31-12-2023
Charity name ACTA Charity No. 1187587
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
The objects of the CIO are to advance, develop and foster a full understanding of the Roman Catholic faith by:
3.1 Encouraging the discovery of and sharing of people’s skills and opportunities to serve both within the Roman Catholic Church as an enriched community, and more generally for good works in the wider community.
3.2 Promoting knowledge and awareness of the Roman Catholic faith by organising workshops and conference events with an emphasis on scholarship and dedication to the tenets of Christian spirituality; hosting a website and other social media discussion groups, and book reviews for the wider educational and spiritual benefit of those within and outside the Roman Catholic faith.
3.3 Promoting dialogue within the structures of the Roman Catholic Church as a means of sharing spiritual insights, identifying common areas of concern, promoting good practice and providing examples of service within the Roman Catholic Church and the wider communities it serves.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
ACTA was established in order to encourage dialogue between the constituent parts of the Church. The development of a synodal process was an opportunity to encourage such dialogue. As this process has continued, ACTA has re-focused its work towards helping to encourage participation. There is a need for ACTA to bring to the general public the implications of this process.
One significant piece of work undertaken by ACTA in 2023 was to bring together those who had contributed to the Prague Assembly – the Continental phase of the Synodal process.
The Trustees started to work with diocesan groups and the wider membership to frame a Response to the Synthesis Report of the Synod of Bishops This work began in late 2023 and would extend well into the following year.,
Additional Information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38
Policy on grant making.
Policy on social investment includin g P ara
1.38 program related investment
Contribution made by volunteers.
Para 1.38 All expenses [ with the exception of website management costs] were donated to the charitable work of ACTA
Other
October 2016
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Achievements and Performance
SORP reference Summary of the main
achievements Para 1.20 of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its be neficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.
Major conference on the Continental Assembly held in Prague [ May 2023] with contributions from three participoants including Bishop Nicholas Hudson
We have worked closely with the School for Synodality – a charity that has similar aims to ACTA in promoting best practice.
ACTA has worked with other reform groups to bring the work of the synodal journey of the Church to a wider membership
Several articles on the Synodal process were published in The Tablet in the course of 2023
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant
about: SORP reference Achievements against objectives set para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities Para
- 1.41 against objectives set
P ara 1.41
Investment performance against objec t ives
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Financial Revie
SORP reference Para 1.21
Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held
The CIO has cash in the bank approximately equal to the annual income and treats this as the reserves.
Amount of reserves held
P ara 1 .22
Para 1.22
Reasons for holding zero reserves. Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit
Para 1.24
P ara 1.23
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern
Additional information (optional) You may choose to
include further statements where relevant about:
SORP
reference
The charity's principal sources of Para 1.47 funds (including any
fundraising)
Para 1.46
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy
adopted
Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity
Other
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Structure, Governance and Management
Descript ion of charity's trusts: SORP reference Para 1.25 Type of governing document | (trust deed, royal charter) How is the charity constituted?
The Charity is a CIO and is a charitable trust.
P a ra 1.25
(e.g unincorporated association, CIO) Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees
Trustees are appointed from active volunteers who are able to devote time and energy to the charity’s activities.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference Policies and procedures adopted for Para 1.51 the induction and training of trustees
The Trustees received some initial training from the two members of the Board of Trustees who had fashioned the initial application for CIO status. One is a qualified solicitor.
The charity's organisational structure Para 1.51 and any wider network with which the charity w orks Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51
ACTA has worked with other similar organisations involved in supporting clergy/laity dialogue across England and Wales and with similar entities in Scotland. ACTA is a member of the International Church Reform Network and sits on the Steering Committee.
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Reference and A dministrative details
Charity name
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number Charity's principal address
Trustee name
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Office (if any)
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Reference and A dministrative details
Corporate trustees - names of the directors at the date the report was approved:
Director name:
Frank Callus - Chair
Andrew Hornsby Smith- Secretary Maidi Brown – Treasurer Alex Walker – Member
Fr Joseph O’Hanlon – Member
Jo Fenton- Member
Jordan Pullicino - Member
i Name of trustees holding title to property belong ng to the charity
None
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser
Name
Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
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Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.
Signed on behalf of the char ity's trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Francis Benedict Callus
Position Chair
Date 14 / 07 /2024
A CALL TO ACTION (ACTA)
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2023
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Starting balance at 1[st] January 2023 £ 2,894 2. Income from donations and HMRC refund £ 631.46
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Expenditure Direct costs (Website maintenance) (£ 276.84) Advertising in The Tablet (£ 600.00) Donation to CAFOD (£ 200.00) Other (K. Holden) (£ 172.66) Total (£ 1,249.50)
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Closing balance at 29[th] December 2023 £ 2,275.96
Maidi Brown
ACTA Treasurer
25[th] June 2024