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2025-12-31-accounts

Northstowe Church Network

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025

Charity Number: 1206577 Registered Address: Church House, 6 Woodpecker Close, Northstowe, CB24 1AW

Northstowe Church Network Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] Dec 2025

Charity Information ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Area of Benefit: The Northstowe Development ..................................................................................................................... 3 Overview of the Northstowe Church Network ........................................................................................................................ 4 Values, Objectives, and Aims ................................................................................................................................................ 6 Achievement, Performance, and Public Benefit .................................................................................................................... 8 2025 in Statistics .............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Demonstrating Public Benefit ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Mission Initiative Electoral Roll and Ecumenical Membership of the Northstowe Church Network ...................................... 12 Ministerial Provision ............................................................................................................................................................ 12 Volunteers ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Safeguarding ....................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Church Policies ................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Financial Review ................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Fundraising ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Reserves Policy .............................................................................................................................................................. 17 Assets Report ................................................................................................................................................................. 17

Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheets, and Independent Examiners Report................................................ 17

Charity Information

Address for correspondence

Church House, 6 Woodpecker Close, Northstowe, CB24 1AW contact@northstowe.church

Trustees

The clergy serve ex officio:

Charitable Status

The Northstowe Church Network registered as an Association Model Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 17 January 2024, with Charity number: 1206577.

Constitution

The stipulations for the governance of the charity are set out in the CIO Constitution

The Partnership Agreement, approved by the Relevant Authority of each of the Participating Denominations, sets out the agreed principles and practises in ecclesial matters.

The LEP looks to the Participating Denominations for support, encouragement and advice, which is given through the Ecumenical Support Cabinet. The Trustees work with the Ecumenical Support Cabinet to maintain the Operating Procedures, which describe the local leadership and governance of the LEP.

Governance and Risk Management

Trustees are elected by the members in accordance with the CIO Constitution and serve alongside the Pioneer Minister, who is an ex officio trustee. Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity, compliance with charity law and denominational frameworks, financial oversight, safeguarding governance, and ensuring that the charity’s activities deliver public benefit.

Trustees meet regularly throughout the year. Additional sub-groups and delegated committees operate as required, including the Faith & Community Land Bid Committee and Growing Faith team. Delegated authority is used where appropriate, while key decisions are formally minuted and approved by the full Trustee body.

New trustees receive induction support appropriate to the scale and responsibilities of the charity. Trustees collectively bring experience in governance, finance, education, safeguarding, community development, and ecumenical partnership.

Trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have reviewed systems to mitigate these risks. The principal risks identified during 2025 include:

Mitigation measures include:

Trustees are satisfied that appropriate systems are in place to manage the charity’s risks proportionately and responsibly. Risks are reviewed at Trustee meetings and are reflected in budget setting, safeguarding dashboard monitoring, and strategic planning processes.

Area of Benefit: The Northstowe Development

Northstowe is a new town near

Cambridge, being developed on the former Oakington Barracks and airfield site. It will house over 24,000 residents across three phases:

Area of Benefit aligns with the civic parish boundaries of the new town. It spans parts of the 5folds Benefice, Cottenham, and Oakington ecclesiastical parishes.

Overview of the Northstowe Church Network

The Northstowe Church Network (‘Network’) is:

Founded in 2018 as a fresh start pioneer initiative led by the Rev’d Dr Elizabeth Cope (Beth), The Network began with three households, all new to Northstowe and to one another. It has grown alongside the town itself. By the end of 2025, the combined worshipping community of adults and children across three communities was 86, alongside significantly wider engagement through schools, civic partnerships, festivals, and community initiatives.

Rooted in a commitment to “ Praying, Exploring, and Sharing,” The Network understands worship and mission not as separate activities, but as deeply connected to everyday life. As Northstowe continues to expand, The Network seeks to offer both spiritual depth and practical contribution to the common good.

The Network’s worship and pastoral care reflect its ecumenical identity and the diversity of the town. From family-centred, interactive gatherings to contemplative evening prayer, these varied expressions foster spiritual wellbeing, belonging, and intergenerational connection. The whole Network gathers at key festivals and civic moments, modelling unity in diversity and strengthening shared identity within a developing community.

As a charity embedded in a developing new town, the Network understands its role not only as a worshipping community but as a contributor to long-term place-making and social infrastructure.

The Network’s strategy is shaped by prayerful discernment and sustained listening to the community. Rather than replicating activities already well-served by surrounding villages, The Network adopts a service-first approach, closely aligned with Asset-Based Community

Development principles. This means identifying existing strengths within Northstowe and partnering with residents, schools, charities, and faith groups to co-create initiatives that are locally rooted and sustainable.

UNDERPINNED BY PRAYER AND ONGOING LISTENING TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY [“service first image from http://www.soulaction.co.za/8596-2/]

This approach has shaped partnerships with The Pathfinder School, Northstowe Youth Hive, local Muslim communities, and civic stakeholders. It also underpins the Faith & Community Land proposal, which seeks to create a long-term, environmentally responsible community facility combining shared public spaces with dedicated worship provision.

Accessibility and inclusion are foundational. Activities are designed to reduce barriers to participation, including financial constraints, disability, neurodiversity, and social isolation. Safeguarding, volunteer policies, and governance structures are continually reviewed to ensure that growth remains responsible and community-facing.

In this way, The Network aims not simply to establish church activities, but to contribute to the flourishing of Northstowe as a whole — spiritually, socially, environmentally, and relationally — as the town continues to develop.

Values, Objectives, and Aims

Values: praying, exploring, and sharing

The objects of the Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) are given in our constitution as:

The aims for the next 5 years were adopted at the first church meeting after charity registrations:

Inspired by Isaiah 54, we will ‘stretch wide the tent’ – bringing together those new to faith with those of many Trinitarian Christian traditions – grasping missional and formational opportunities to allow everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, to develop our relationship and love of God, equipping us to fulfil God’s purposes for us in the places He has called us to be.

Therefore, we commit to sharing – partnering with those who live, work, study, or are called to love Northstowe, creating safe spaces where questions can be asked, confidence developed, and Spirit-breathed plans turned into action. We dare to explore new expressions of church as well as pioneering future inherited modes of church. These individual missional and worshipping communities will develop contextually and organically. Locally led, they will be part of a visible and sustainable network, not just sharing ecumenical governance but periodically coming together in prayer, worship, and to do things that could not be done alone. Across the network, we long to be known for our peaceful, prayerful presence, having the confidence to hold the ministry of hospitality and loving service alongside acts of Christian worship.

Through the ‘tent pegs’ of prayer and exploration of the still-unfolding story of God’s encounter with his people, we will be rooted, deep into the soil, which is slowly, person by person, house by house, school by school, and phase by phase becoming Northstowe.

To put this into practice, 15 measurable objectives were agreed as part of the BMO review process and adopted by the church meeting in April 2024 as a focus for the quinquennial. These cover areas for the whole Network (developing the organisation, auditing, supporting whole-church faith-in-action), and a focus on specific areas as part of ‘Developing Multiple Expressions – Experimental, Inherited, and Built’.

Achievement, Performance, and Public Benefit

2025 in Statistics

The Network welcomes anyone interested in taking part to its services and activities— whether church members or part of the broader community. We have made significant strides in engaging the community, offering support, and advancing its mission to serve the people of Northstowe. Our activities this year have directly aligned with the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit Test, ensuring that our work has a clear and tangible impact on the local community Here are some highlights of how we’ve served and engaged Northstowe over the past year:

Community Engagement

Worshipping Communities

o Pathfinder Church Sunday

Youth and Schools Work

1 Rooted Stations: A series of evolving, Scripture-rooted reflective installations developed in partnership with The Pathfinder Church of England Primary School. Often grounded in the Christian liturgical year (e.g. Lent, Easter or Pentecost), Rooted Stations invite children and adults to reflect on spirituality as “a way of thinking and feeling that helps us understand ourselves, our relationships with others, and our place in the world, often involving awe and wonder” Participation is invitational and accessible to those of all faiths and none, while remaining explicitly shaped by the Christian story

2 https://churchsupporthub.org/all-resources/what-is-growing-faith/

Life Event Services

Although Northstowe currently lacks a registered church building for weddings or to support key life event services:

Team Development

Demonstrating Public Benefit

The Network’s activities are rooted in the theological belief that God’s love extends to all people, inspiring efforts to create a positive impact in the world. Working collaboratively with individuals and groups of all beliefs, the Network seeks to make Northstowe a thriving, inclusive place to live.

Trustees of the Northstowe Church Network have the responsibility of co-operating with the Pioneer Minister, the Rev’d Dr Elizabeth Cope, in promoting in the geographic area of Northstowe the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. When planning our activities for the year, the ministers, ministry team, leadership teams, and trustees have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Throughout 2025, Trustees have ensured that governance, safeguarding, financial oversight, and strategic planning are aligned with this commitment, particularly as the charity prepares for long-term growth through the Faith & Community Land opportunity.

Key areas of public benefit include:

community facility with shared spaces open to local groups, alongside dedicated worship provision. Trustees have exercised robust oversight of governance, professional appointments, partnership working, and financial modelling to ensure that the proposed development delivers measurable public benefit beyond the worshipping community. The bid has been supported by professional architectural, planning, financial and governance advice, with phased staffing and sustainability modelling underpinning long-term viability. During 2025, Trustees also engaged in exploratory discussions with potential partners and anchor users to ensure that any future facility would reflect town-wide need and sustainable shared use. The submission is scheduled for January 2026, with a decision expected in June 2026.

By living out its commitment to “Praying, Exploring, and Sharing,” The Network demonstrates how faith can inspire practical, relational, and sustainable contributions to the wellbeing of a new and growing town. Trustees are confident that the charity’s activities provide clear and ongoing public benefit to Northstowe and the surrounding area.

Mission Initiative Electoral Roll and Ecumenical Membership of the Northstowe Church Network

Membership of the Northstowe Church Network is made up of all those who are on any of the (Church of England) Northstowe Church Network Mission Initiative Electoral Roll (whose stipulations mirror the Church Representation Rules for a parish), the Northstowe Church Network Baptist Church membership, or the Northstowe Church Network United Reformed Church.

All members have opted to be members of all the rolls to which they are eligible, with teenagers being entered onto the Anglian Electoral as well as the other membership lists when turning 16.[3]

Since the 2024 AGM, 1 adult moved away; 3 adults have been welcomed into membership of the CIO; 2 have applied to join the CIO Membership at the start of the AGM, which (if approved) will increase voting members (including clergy) to 29.

Ministerial Provision

The Revd Dr Elizabeth (Beth) Cope is the full-time Pioneer Minister for Northstowe, as well as serving as the Bishop’s Advisor for New Housing and on Churches Together England’s New Housing Group. The Pioneer Minister’s involvement in diocesan and national newhousing networks continues to inform local strategy, enabling Northstowe to contribute to and benefit from wider learning in church planting, education partnership, and sustainable community development.

3 As required by the Church Representation Rules, the Anglican Electoral Roll is available on request from the church office. At the Church of England deadline of 25th April 2026, 28 lay adults (over 16) had applied to be on the Anglican Electoral Roll. While young people can be voting members of Northstowe Church Network CIO, they are only eligible to join the Electoral Roll of the Bishop’s Mission Order when they are 16. Church Children are not counted as Voting Members but play a full part in the life of the church, and their voices are listened to and acted upon, including at the AGM.

While the local church are increasingly contributing to Ministry Share[4] , we are grateful that Ely Diocesan Board of Finance (EDBF) receives a grant from the Benefact Trust to subsidise associated costs.

Volunteers

The Network’s ministry and community engagement are supported by 10 trained volunteers serving in leadership, music, early-years work, administration, youth activities, and community event coordination.

Volunteers are recruited and supported in accordance with the Network’s Volunteer and Safeguarding Policies. Continuing volunteers receive defined role descriptions, safer recruitment checks (including DBS where required), induction, and appropriate safeguarding training. Supervision and review processes ensure accountability and wellbeing.

Alongside this core team, a wider group of members and young people contribute informally to event support, school partnerships, and civic engagement

Trustees recognise volunteer capacity as both a strength and an area requiring careful oversight, and systems are in place to ensure that volunteer involvement remains safe, structured, and sustainable.

4 Ministry Share: The Church of England’s system of shared financial support across the Diocese, through which parishes contribute towards the stipend and housing of clergy, as well as safeguarding, training, and wider diocesan oversight. Revd Dr Beth Cope is licenced by the Diocese of Ely, and her stipend is paid by the Diocese. As a Local Ecumenical Partnership, the Network also makes proportionate financial contributions to its other partner denominations (the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union) in recognition of their ongoing governance, accountability, and wider support beyond the provision of a minister.

Report on Trustee Meetings

Trustees met regularly throughout 2025, maintaining oversight of Safeguarding, Finance, Risk, Policy Review, Correspondence, and the public benefit of the charity. Each meeting included prayerful discernment alongside formal governance responsibilities.

Key areas of focus included:

February

Finalisation of the Annual Report and first Charity Commission submission; denominational reporting; Parish Share commitments; early-stage Faith Land bid preparation; and next steps on Inclusion and governance processes.

April

Health & Safety policy review; safeguarding dashboard oversight; Growing Faith budget planning; curate discernment; church–school partnership development; and progression of the Faith Land bid, including professional appointments.

June

Dedicated safeguarding focus meeting (including policy sign-off and workflow review); Financial Control Policy update; Fundraising Regulator registration approval; independent examiner reappointment; grant applications; and formal approvals relating to the Faith Land bid.

September

Volunteer and church–school policy adoption; safeguarding training and oversight structures; finance software approval; Inclusive Church registration; anchor tenant engagement and bid governance; and insurance and risk approvals for events.

November

Environmental and Photography policy approval; 2026 budget approval; annual return submission; safeguarding action plan review; Faith Land PR trajectory approval; and review of schools work, partnerships, and interfaith engagement.

Throughout the year, Trustees formally approved policies, delegated appropriate authority where necessary, monitored financial performance against budget, and ensured compliance with safeguarding, charity law, and denominational requirements.

Personnel: In addition to the elected and ex officio trustees, Rachel Cope and Rachel Addison served as Deanery Links, either Rachel Cope on Diocesan Synod, Tristan Pithers as URC Link, and Michelle Kemp serves as Safeguarding Officer. Emma Clubley took on the role of minutes secretary for part of 2025. While there are no legal provisions for BMO Churchwardens, it’s common practice for BMOs to appoint individuals to share local oversight with the designated Leader: Will Addison has held this role through 2025.

Safeguarding

Michelle Kemp has served as our safeguarding officer since 2022, overseeing safeguarding@northstowe.church, and continues in this role for 2026.

The Trustees are committed to safeguarding all members of our church community, particularly children and vulnerable adults. Our ecumenical agreement is that we will adhere to legislation, national Church of England frameworks, and the Ely Diocesan Safeguarding procedures, utilizing the Parish Safeguarding Dashboards (details at www.elydiocese.org/safeguarding).

Our safeguarding statement and policy are prominently displayed on our website, with supporting leaflets and posters available weekly. Leaders wear lanyards to indicate their safeguarding status:

All ministers and volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults are safely recruited following Church of England guidelines, with appropriate checks, including DBS, completed. Mandatory safeguarding training (C0, C1, C2, and Domestic Violence Awareness) is up to date for all required roles.

We encourage all regular participants to consider completing C0 training to further foster a safe and informed community.

The Network actively participates in Safeguarding Sunday every year in order to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding.

Ely Diocesan Safeguarding Duty Telephone Number: 01353 652747

Church Policies

These notices and policies are available to view or download via the church website:

  1. Safeguarding Poster and Policy

  2. Church complaints policy

  3. Data privacy notice

  4. Equalities policy statement

  5. Health and Safety Policy

  6. Financial Control Policy

  7. Photography Policy

  8. Recruitment of ex-offenders

  9. Whistleblowers Policy

  10. Volunteer Policy

  11. Environmental Policy

Financial Review

Total donations and gift aid in the year 2025 was £28,738. We are grateful to the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants for pro bono work to value of £33,800 and Ely Diocese for a grant of £16,413, both in support of our work to prepare for the bid for the S.106 land in Northstowe. We are also grateful to the Church Schools of Cambridge for their financial support to the work in Northstowe last year.

Unrestricted ministry and activity costs during the year were £10,130 and £12,000 was shared with ecumenical partners in grateful recognition of their support of the post of a Pioneer Minister.

Net income for the year was £3,319. Trustees designated funds for future building of the church, and at the end of the year there were total funds of £67,500.

Trustees consider the charity as a going concern.

Fundraising

The Network undertakes fundraising activity in support of its charitable objects, including voluntary giving, grant applications, and occasional sponsored or community events. During 2025, the Trustees approved registration with the Fundraising Regulator and are committed to adhering to its Code of Fundraising Practice.

The charity does not currently employ professional fundraisers or engage in unsolicited fundraising approaches. Fundraising activity is conducted in a manner consistent with the charity’s values, ensuring that participation is always voluntary and that no undue pressure is applied.

No fundraising complaints were received during the year.

Reserves Policy

The Church Council aim to keep at least 3 months’ running costs in our reserves.

As in the Charity Commission guidance, we use the term 'reserves' to describe the part of a charity's funds that are available to be used in the future for whatever the charity needs. 'Reserves' are therefore the resources we have or can make available to spend for any or all of the charity's purposes once we have met our commitments and covered our other planned expenditure. (‘Restricted funds’ can never be regarded as general reserves)

Assets Report

Our most significant assets are:

Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheets, and Independent Examiners Report

overleaf

This report was prepared by the Trustees and approved at a meeting on 2nd Mach 2026 Signed (chair)

NORTHSTOWE CHURCH NETWORK DRAFT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Income
Donations and Legacies
Grants
Investment Income
Church/Charitable Activities
Income Total
Expenditure
Charitable Activities
Support and Governance
Expenditure total
Net income/(expenditure)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
8
Total funds b/f
Total funds c/f		 Unrestricted
Other
Restricted
2025
Total
Unrestricted
Other
Restricted
2024
Total
28,738
33,800
62,538
28,696
-
28,696
-
16,752
16,752
-
10,499
10,499
185
-
185
162
-
162
127
-
127
304
-
304
29,050
50,552
79,602
29,162
10,499
39,661
10,130
54,153
64,283
6,975
5,212
12,187
12,000
-
12,000
9,500
-
9,500
22,130
54,153
76,283
16,475
5,212
21,687
6,920
(3,601)
3,319
12,687
5,287
17,974
50,825
13,356
64,181
38,138
8,069
46,207
57,745
9,755
67,500
50,825
13,356
64,181

All income and expenditure relates to continuing activities

The following notes form part of these financial statements.

NORTHSTOWE CHURCH NETWORK DRAFT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025

BALANCE SHEET

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
1
TOTAL FIXED ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank and in hand
Accrued income
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
2
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS
3
Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
1
TOTAL FIXED ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank and in hand
2
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
2
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS
3		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Other
2025
Total
3,623
-
3,623
3,623
-
3,623
57,721
9,755
67,476
3,919
-
3,919
61,640
9,755
71,395
7,518
-
7,518
54,122
9,755
63,877
57,745
9,755
67,500
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Other
2024
Total
4,103
-
4,103
4,103
-
4,103
48,290
13,356
61,646
48,290
13,356
61,646
1,568
-
1,568
46,722
13,356
60,078
50,825
13,356
64,181

The notes on pages 35 to 36 form part of the financial statements The financial statements were approved by the Church Council on: 2nd March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

NORTHSTOWE CHURCH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025

1. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

2025 2024
Equipment TOTAL Equipment TOTAL
VALUE B/F AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 4,350 4,350 2,598 2,598
Additions - - 1,752 1,752
VALUE C/F AT END OF YEAR 4,350 4,350 4,350 4,350
DEPRECIATION B/F AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 247 247 - -
Depreciation charge 480 480 247 247
DEPRECIATION C/F AT END OF YEAR 727 727 247 247
NET BOOK VALUE AT END OF YEAR 3,623 3,623 4,103 4,103
2. CREDITORS
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL
Payable 7,351 - 7,351 1,423 - 1,423
Expenses due 167 - 167 145 - 145
7,518 - 7,518 1,568 - 1,568

3. RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Name of Restricted fund

Worshipful Company of Management Consultants Pro Bono support to develop the business plan Feasibility Study Funds received from the URC to conduct a feasibility study Youth Hive Funds Funds received to support youth work in Northstowe Church Schools Cambridge Funding to support projects in the school Growing Faith Project Funds to experiment with intergenerational learning at the overlap of home, school and church

The members of the Church are grateful for all support received towards the aims and objectives of the charity

NORTHSTOWE CHURCH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025

RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT OF FUNDS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Restricted Funds
Feasibility Study
Church Schools Cambridge
Growing Faith
Benefit in Kind
Ely Diocese grant		 Funds b/f
1 Jan 2025
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
Funds c/f
31 Dec 2025
2,487
-
(2,487)
-
-
339
(339)
-
10,869
-
(1,114)
9,755
-
33,800
(33,800)
-
-
16,413
(16,413)
-
13,356
50,552
(54,153)
9,755

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

EAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Restricted Funds
Feasibility Study
Church Schools Cambridge
Growing Faith		 Funds b/f
1 Jan 2024
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
Funds c/f
31 Dec 2024
2,487
-
-
2,487
-
499
(499)
-
5,582
10,000
(4,713)
10,869
8,069
10,499
(5,212)
13,356

4. TRUSTEE’S EXPENSES

Trustees’ expenses paid during the year were £NIL (2024: Nil)

5. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There are no related party disclosures during the 2025 year.