TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the twelve months to
31[st] December 2025
Colchester Churches Charitable Trust
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Registered at the Charities Commission, Charity number 1196920
1. Reference and administrative information
Trustees
Trustees who served during the year were as follows:
Revd E B E Lammens, Chairman Mr N G Humphreys, Treasurer Revd J Chandler, Secretary Revd H R Cooper Miss L Gettings
Appointed 10 March 2025 for five years Appointed 22 December 2021 for five years Appointed 22 December 2021 for five years Appointed 9 January 2023 for five years Appointed 7 August 2023 for five years
Registered Address
4 Longdryve, Wavell Avenue, Colchester Essex CO2 7HH
Bankers
CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME194TA
Independent Examiner:
Revd Canon D S Ainge, 42 Abels Road, Halstead, Essex CO9 1EW
Investment Managers:
CCLA Investment Management Ltd, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4ET
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2. Report of the Trustees for the period ended 31[st] December 2025
The Trustees present their report for the financial and reporting year to 31[st] December 2025.
The financial accounts have been prepared compliance with the Charity’s constitution, the Charities Act 1993 and the Statements of Recommended Practice: Reporting and Accounting by Charities published in 2005.
3. Structure, Governance and Management
The Colchester Churches Charitable Trust was constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a Constitution dated 22[nd] December 2021. It was established with an initial gift where the donor wished to remain anonymous but nominated ways in which the CIO’s assets should be distributed, which the Trustees have recorded as the Objects of the CIO.
We do not actively fundraise but would accept donations provided that they are unrestricted, for use in accordance with our objectives; or the Trustees may resolve to accept a specific donation for Restricted use, providing the restrictions are acceptable to the Trustees and in accordance with our objectives.
The Constitution requires a minimum of four Trustees and a maximum of ten; there are currently five Trustees, all of whom served throughout the year. Trustees will normally be appointed for periods of five years, and that on expiry of their term of office they may put themselves forward for reappointment. Revd Lammens, appointed on inception of the Trust in December 2021, served until the Annual Meeting in 2025, at which he was re-elected Trustee and Chairman.
All decisions relating to grants are made in meetings of Trustees; correspondence is through the Secretary and the administration of finances is managed by the Treasurer in accordance with mandates.
All Trustees have confirmed that they are fully conversant with the legal requirements of being Trustees and with the Constitution of the CIO.
All Trustees give of their time freely and received no remuneration in the period ended 31[st] December 2025.
There were five trustees’ meetings in the year.
4. Risk Management
The Trustees have considered the various risks to which the CIO is exposed, and consider the variability of the value of financial investments to be the major risk, as evidenced by the volatility of financial markets. They have sought to minimise the risk by keeping the investments with CCLA, a long-established Fund Manager whose investment policy and performance will be kept under review by the Trustees.
A secondary risk is that money granted to beneficiaries may not be used well or in accordance with the objects of the CIO. Processes have been put in place to assess all
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applications against the CIO’s objects and to obtain assurances as to the deployment of the funds.
5. Reserves policy
The Trustees intend to maintain free reserves in liquid assets to meet a minimum of three months’ grant expenditure, as evidenced by the information given in grant applications. Other funds will be kept in an Investment Account, the terms of which allow withdrawals on request.
The financial accounts demonstrate that we are adhering to the Reserves Policy.
6. Objectives for public benefit
The objects of the CIO are, in summary, to advance the Christian faith by making grants to assist Churches in the improvement, maintenance, repair or preservation of Church buildings.
7. Grant making policy
Trustees have developed a detailed grant-making policy, the main aspects of which are that applications will be considered from Parochial Church Councils in the Church of England Deanery of Colchester, to assist with Capital project expenditure. The Trustees operated a policy during the year that a grant may be for up to 50% of the total Capital cost to a maximum of £10,000 in any three-year period for each Church building or a building which is a PCC asset, where applicants can show that there is a missional purpose to the project.
Additionally, any donations accepted by the Trust on a Restricted basis will be used to make grants in accordance with the agreed conditions of the donations.
The Trustees have published grant application guidelines and procedures which are designed to ensure that the projects undertaken by potential recipient Parochial Church Councils meet the objects of the CIO, and that the ultimate beneficiaries are the general public within those Parishes.
8. Review of activities in the period
a) Making grants
i) The main Grant Fund for Capital works
The CIO has approved 14 grants since inception, eleven of which had been paid out by 31[st] December 2024. The remainder await completion of formalities – i.e. the Parish’s application for release of the funds when the Project has begun.
The Trust received and approved five of the above grant applications in 2025 and received a further application in December 2025 which awaits a decision in early 2026.
Sums awarded and not yet paid out are held in the accounts of the CIO until requested by the Beneficiary PCC. It is a condition of the grant that the Beneficiary PCC meet certain criteria, which they are to certify when accepting the grant.
Grant Awards will lapse after three years from the date of the Award if application for the funds has not been made by that date.
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ii) Mission Opportunity Fund
Donations have been received annually from 2023 from Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance, use of which was to be restricted, with the Trustees tasked to distribute them to Parishes in accordance with given criteria. The 2023 and 2024 grants were both underspent, carrying over £4,141 to be spent in 2026; a further grant of £29,000 has been received in 2025, with therefore £33,141 to be granted to Parishes in 2026.
In addition, the Trust received a donation of £20,000 in December 2025 where we await direction from the donors as to how it is to be distributed.
Interest was received on cash funds and the Trust’s assets were revalued at the end of 2025. In brief, the financial position is summarised as follows:
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We have continued to award grants and distribute the funds when conditions have been met
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From the initial balance of the Trust’s funds of £200,000, the total amount of grants awarded in the years to 31[st] December 2025 was £122,043, of which £92,043 has been paid out; but with the increase in the value of funds invested, the amount remaining available for future applications is £100,800.
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Grants received from the Diocese of Chelmsford and held in a Restricted Fund are expected to be distributed in full to Parishes in 2026.
9. Impact of the Charity’s activities
The sole activity of the Charity is the making of grants to Parishes in the Church of England Deanery of Colchester. Applications state the purpose of the grant, which we insist will assist the Church’s mission. Our financial control procedures ensure that the funds are spent on the projects for which the grants are made, and every effort is therefore made to ensure that there is a positive outcome for the benefit of the Parishes and the communities they serve.
Parishes continue to express their gratitude for the grants, and Trustees are able to see tangible benefits from the underlying projects.
10. Plans for future periods
The trustees intend to continue to operate the current grant-making policy and make further grants in the coming year and beyond.
It is likely that the unrestricted funds of the Charity will enable grants on this basis to continue for at least three more years. Any funds donated to the Trust on a restricted basis will continue to be distributed in accordance with the conditions of those donations.
11. Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial accounts
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements
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- prepare the financial statements on an ongoing basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and enable them to ascertain to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information on the charity’s website.
Approved by the Trustees on 13[th] April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Erwin B E Lammens Chairman of Trustees
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE COLCHESTER CHURCHES CHARITABLE TRUST
I report on the accounts for the period from 1[st] January 2025 to 31[st] December 2025, which are set out on page 7 of the Trustees Annual Report.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Revd Canon David S Ainge 42 Abels Road Halstead Essex CO9 1EW
20[th] March 2026
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| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS 1 January to 31 December 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Receipts Donations £49,000 Refund Bank interest £1,136 Investment Income Total Receipts £1,136 £49,000 Payments Grants awarded (not yet released) £10,000 Grants awarded and released £35,000 £29,250 Bank Charges £60 Total Expenditure £45,060 £29,250 Net gains/ (losses) (£4,261) on investments Net movement in funds (£48,185) £19,750 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward £148,985 £33,391 Total Funds carried forward £100,800 £53,141 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ASSETS Cash funds CAF Bank Current Account £51,015 CCLA Deposit Account £32,158 £2,126 Total Cash funds £32,158 £53,141 Investments CCLA Investment Account £98,642 Total Investments £98,642 TOTAL ASSETS £130,800 £53,141 LIABILITIES Creditors: Sums due within one year £30,000 £53,141 TOTAL LIABILITIES £30,000 £53,141 NET ASSETS £100,800 FUNDS OF THE CHARITY General Fund £100,800 Mission Opportunity Fund TOTAL FUNDS £100,800 |
2025 Total Funds £49,000 £1,136 £50,136 £10,000 £64,250 £60 £74,310 (£4,261) (£28,435) £182,376 £153,941 £51,015 £34,284 £85,299 £98,642 £98,642 £183,941 £83,141 £83,141 £100,800 £100,800 £100,800 |
2024 Total Funds £29,000 £190 £1,652 |
|---|---|---|
| £30,842 | ||
| £5,000 £14,888 £60 |
||
| £19,948 | ||
| £7,885 | ||
| £18,779 | ||
| £163,787 | ||
| £182,566 | ||
| £36,288 £33,185 |
||
| £69,473 | ||
| £162,903 | ||
| £162,903 | ||
| £232,376 | ||
| £83,391 | ||
| £83,391 | ||
| £148,985 | ||
| £148,985 | ||
| £148,985 |
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