**Charity number: 1207822** 

**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER CHAPTER'S REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 




## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Cathedral, its Chapter and advisers**|1|
|**Chapter's report**|3 - 12|
|**Chapter's responsibilities statement**|13|
|**Independent auditors' report on the financial statements**|14 - 17|
|**Consolidated statement of financial activities**|18|
|**Consolidated balance sheet**|19|
|**Cathedral balance sheet**|20|
|**Consolidated statement of cash flows**|21|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|22 - 50|





## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CATHEDRAL, ITS CHAPTER AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

- **The Chapter:** The Very Revd. P Howell Jones, The Dean of Blackburn Revd. Canon J Gaffin, Residentiary Canon Canon J Lawrence, Residentiary Canon Canon DP Gascoigne FCA, Appointed by the College of Canons Mrs. M McClintock, Bishop's Appointee Mr. K Roberts FCA, Bishop's Appointee Canon A S Horsfall, Representative of the Bishop's Council (appointed interim 16 July 2025) Janet Thomas OBE, Senior Non Executive Member of Chapter 

**Charity number:** 1207822 

**Full Name** : The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Blackburn 

**Address:** Cathedral Office Cathedral Close Blackburn BB1 5AA 

**Chapter Clerk:** Mr. I White **Chief Operating** Mr. I White **Officer** : 

**Director of Music:** Mr. J Robinson 

**Minutes Secretary:** Mrs. P Rowe 

**Finance Comittee:** Mr. D. Gascoigne FCA (Chair) The Very Revd. P Howell-Jones Mr. D Kay Mrs. M Wood (resigned March 2024) Mr. K Roberts FCA 

Page 1 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CATHEDRAL,ITS CHAPTER AND ADVISERS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

|**Fabric Advisory**|Mrs. E Birkett (Chair)|
|---|---|
|**Comittee:**|Mr. C. O Flaherty|
||Mr. I. Wilson|
||Mr. T. Comer|
||Ms. K. Shuttleworth|
||The Dean|
||The Precentor|
|**Cathedral**|Ms. L Priestman|
|**Architect:**|Shaw & Jagger Architects|
||1 Candale Park|
||Beckwith Head Road|
||Harrogate|
||North Yorkshire|
||HG3 1RY|
|**Cathedral**||
|**Archaeologist:**|Mr. G Keevill|
|**Bankers:**|National Westminster Bank plc|
||PO Box No. 33|
||35 King William Street|
||Blackburn|
||BB1 7DL|
|**Auditors:**|Armstrong Watson Audit Limited|
||James Watson House|
||Montgomery Way|
||Rosehill|
||Carlisle|
||CA1 2UU|
|**Investment**||
|**Manager:**|CCLA|
||Senator House|
||85 Queen Victoria Street|
||London|
||EC4V 4ET|



Page 2 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Public Benefit Entity** 

From 1 April 2008 section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 requires all charities to meet the legal requirements that its aims are for the public benefit. The Charity Commission in its "Charities and Public Benefit" Guidance states that there are two key principles to be met in order to show that an organisation's aims are for the public benefit: firstly, there must be an identifiable benefit and secondly, that the benefit must be to the public or a section of the public. 

The Chapter confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the Charity. The Chapter are satisfied that the aims and objectives of the Charity, and the activities reported on the above to achieve those aims, meet these principles. 

## **Governing Statute** 

The Constitution and Statutes of the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, which came into effect on 12 April 2024. 

## **The Cathedral's Role within the Diocese** 

The Cathedral is the Seat of the Bishop, supporting him in his mission and ministry in the Diocese and beyond, and offering welcome and hospitality at diocesan services and other events to all the parishes of the Diocese. 

## **The Cathedral's Organisational Structure** 

Under the 2021 Cathedrals Measure, the Chapter is the sole governing body of the Cathedral. The revised constitution and statutes came into force on 12 April 2024, when the Cathedral was registered with the Charity Commission, and can be found on the Cathedral web site https://blackburncathedral.com or on application to the Chief Operational Officer. The Chapter is supported in its work by the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, which advises the Chapter on financial policies and procedures, and by the Nominations Committee that advises the Chapter on lay appointees and their training. The Bishop of Blackburn, in consultation with the Chapter, appoints the Senior Non-Executive Member. A Safeguarding Management Committee, on which the Chapter is represented, advises and supports the Chapter on safeguarding at the Cathedral, and a Fabric Advisory Committee takes particular responsibility for the care, maintenance and improvement of the Cathedral fabric. 

Officers in attendance at the Chapter include the Chapter Clerk and the Executive Assistant and Minutes Officer. 

Page 3 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **The Chapter** 

The management of the Cathedral is executed by the Cathedral Chapter. The Chapter is responsible for the oversight and administration of Cathedral affairs, specifically the ordering of worship and the promotion of the Cathedral's mission; the management, repair, and maintenance of its properties; the preparation of an annual budget, an annual report, and audited accounts; keeping under review the Constitution and Statutes of the Cathedral; and keeping the Cathedral Council informed of planned developments. The Bishop as Visitor is kept informed of developments by the Chapter. 

Details of the members of Chapter, the Executive and the Minute Secretary that served during the year and subsequent to the year-end are noted as part of the legal and administrative information. 

## **The College of Canons** 

The College of Canons consists of: The Dean The Bishops Suffragan The Archdeacons The Residentiary Canons The Honorary Lay and Ecumenical Canons 

## **Blackburn Cathedral Developments** 

This company has been established to handle the acquisition and development of property on behalf of the Chapter. Its sole member is the Cathedral. 

## **Blackburn Cathedral Enterprises Limited (Enterprises)** 

This company has been established to handle the trading and commercial activities on behalf of Chapter and is 100% owned by the Cathedral. 

## **Blackburn Cathedral Trust (the 'Appeal')** 

This company was incorporated on 15 October 2009, is limited by guarantee and is a registered charity. The company was established to administer and run the general appeal on behalf of the Cathedral. The company operates under a separate trust but is wholly for the benefit of the Cathedral. 

Relationship with other organisations The Cathedral works closely with: The Church Commissioners The Association of English Cathedrals The Bishop and Diocesan officials Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Lancashire County Council Representatives of other Christian denominations and Faith groups 

## **Induction and Training of New Members of Chapter** 

New members meet with the Dean for a general briefing about the role of the Chapter and the key issues that it is currently, and in the future, to deal with. Training is offered by The Association of English Cathedrals (AEC). 

Page 4 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Investment Powers** 

Under the Cathedrals Measure 2021, the Chapter may invest the Cathedral's funds in any of the following: 

•Land. 

- •Funds administered for the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England by CCLA Investment Management Limited. 

- •Investments in which the trustees may invest under the general power of Investment in the Trustee Act 2000. 

- •The improvement or development of property belonging to the Cathedral, except that endowment funds may not be used to improve or develop the Cathedral itself and its ancillary buildings. 

## **Risk Management** 

Risk assessments are the responsibility of the Chapter and are built into its annual schedule of business. 

## **Volunteers** 

The lifeblood of any cathedral is the dedicated service of the many volunteers across many areas of cathedral life. Here at Blackburn Cathedral, we are blessed with an amazing group of friends and other members of our Welcoming Team gathered from across the Diocese who tirelessly staff the Welcome Desk. We are very grateful also to our Cathedral Wardens, servers, stewards, singers, flower arrangers, bell ringers and Pastoral Care Team who visit the sick and housebound. 

## **Message from The Dean** 

Our Annual Review offers an insight into the many blessings, achievements and causes for celebration which have marked a year of confident change and development in many areas of our mission and commercial activity. 

Becoming a registered charity during the year marked a significant moment for us as a Cathedral. The process has enabled us to develop our governance structures and renew our policies and procedures to ensure that we are fit for purpose. 

As the Cathedral Church of the Diocese, we continue to support the Bishop of Blackburn in his leadership and ministry. This involves the hosting of many diocesan services, ordinations and festivals together with active involvement by our clergy team in mission weekends, clergy training and episcopal support throughout the year. 

Attention to safeguarding culture, processes and policies is an essential part of what it means to be a caring Christian community, as is providing a safe place where everyone can flourish. 

In the coming year we will implement a number of changes highlighted by the INEQE Safeguarding Audit. 

By God’s grace, it has been a positive and exciting year for Blackburn Cathedral, blessed with a clear strategy and commitment to be authentic, enterprising, welcoming and effective in our commitment to growing God’s kingdom in everything we seek to do. We look forward with hope and joyful expectancy to the coming year. 

## **Worship, services and liturgy** 

The year began appropriately with the welcome to and installation of our new Canon Precentor, Revd Dr Jenny Gaffin, on 2 February, and in September we were delighted to welcome Revd Dr Joe Kennedy for his installation as Bishop of Burnley. 

In the course of the year, the Cathedral hosted Diocesan ordinations, civic services including the D-Day commemoration attended by the Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Amanda Parker, the regional Mothers’ Union service, the Prayerbook Society and a wide range of visiting choirs. We also took part in a BBC Radio 3 Evensong broadcast in October that elicited a record level of positive feedback. 

Page 5 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Worship, services and liturgy (continued)** 

The choir has built on a post-pandemic music programme to widen its repertoire for key moments in the Cathedral’s liturgical cycle of prayer, praise and performance. Our Organist in Residence, Mr John Hosking is not only nationally acclaimed for his improvisations, the exemplar of the Cathedral’s colourful organ, but gives outstanding choral accompaniment. 

The choir’s 6th form choral scholars have produced a healthy young sound and been able to rely on the experience of the paid singers and excellent volunteers. A particular pleasure was the first graduating scholar through the ABRSM examinations, leading to UCAS points and a university place to read music. Saturday mornings are now focused on ABRSM music theory and singing examination preparation, supported by funding from the Mrs Waterhouse Trust. In addition, the Cathedral Music Trust has supported choral workshops for our choristers by leading vocal experts. 

Mrs Abigail Birch-Price has contributed her second outstanding year as Music Administrator, including successful events around International Women’s Day, taken on the department’s social media, extending our reach and increasing audiences, and managed PRS payments. The Cathedral Youth Choir has continued to thrive under Ms Helen Davies and new singers are joining our ex-choristers, with teenagers making cathedral music their own. Efforts are also being made to recruit more girls into the choir. St Paul’s Voices (the voluntary choir) has reached new heights under Mr Hosking’s direction, although at times it has had to perform as a women’s choir when insufficient tenors and basses were available. 

The care of the organ has become a focus in recent months, as its avant-garde caselessness makes it particularly prone to dirt building up in the pipes. Restoration work to clean all the pipes and regulate the voicing is needed, and in independent review by Mr William McVicar, organ curator at the Royal Festival Hall, has clarified what is needed, and is leading to detailed project scoping and fundraising for the work. 

Some special thanks are due. The first is to Dr John Bertalot, aged 93, whose renowned Music and More magazine has disseminated news and recollections about our music for decades, but who has at last had to call a halt. We also thank Mr Alan Taylor who has generously donated a lovely mechanical action organ that he has built himself for the newly restored Crypt, inspiring young musicians and adults for generations to come. 

Behind the scenes the Virgers underpin all the worship by their efficient and committed ministry, and we are delighted to welcome Mr Yrene Lettan to the team, with his special brief to support our visitors. 

The Wardens have worked tirelessly, and we offer particular thanks to Mrs Julie Eatwell, who has stepped down as Head Warden, and welcome Mrs Louise Hicks who has taken up the role. 

The Cathedral is supported by a growing group of willing volunteers who make many contributions to worship and welcome. They have been particularly patient as we have sought to resolve some technical challenges with our livestreaming that enable people to participate in worship from afar. Finally, we warmly thank our flower arrangers for the colour, variety and beauty they bring to the Cathedral’s congregations. 

The Ringing Master, Mr Roy Hutchings, is able to report another successful year of change ringing. Only four out of fifty ringings for the Sunday Eucharist were missed, and in addition there were one full peal and six quarter peals, including for the D-Day commemoration and for the wedding of local ringers. Thursday practices continued, and visits from neighbouring churches took place during the year. 

Page 6 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Mission and outreach** 

The Canon Missioner, Revd James Lawrence, continued his ministry as chaplain at Blackburn College, holding services at Easter and Christmas and making regular pastoral support available to students. 

For the Diocese he gave a keynote address at a training weekend for curates and had a curate working with him at the Cathedral for six weeks in the autumn. He joined the inspiring Children and Youth Committee and the Project Board for Making Disciples, and gave mission lectures on the Assistant Lay Minister training course. 

With Bishop Jill he and others hosted a Diocesan Festival of Healing in October, while on the same weekend the Cathedral partnered with the Message Trust at St Luke’s to host the ‘No More County Lines’ tour, with a week of visits to local school assemblies across Blackburn that culminated in a concert of rap and RnB artists attended by 300 young people. 

The Cathedral was delighted to host two important exhibitions that emphasised Blackburn’s connections with the textile industry. The first, ‘Threads Through Creation’ by Ms Jacqui Parkinson was held in the North Transept from early March to mid-April. 

The second, ‘Festival of Making’, combined art, manufacturing and the making of communities across the region. This giant exhibition happens annually in July and fills the Cathedral as well as the town. 

The annual garden party and congregational barbeque took place at Whalley Abbey, and a new initiative was launched; WISCA teas (With you in Spirit but Can’t always Attend). This initiative complements the regular and often unseen home visits by clergy and lay ministers, for which Canon Michael Wedgeworth makes a particularly important contribution. 

The highlight of the year was of course the exhibition of the Museum of the Moon, a touring artwork by Mr Luke Jerram. Officially opened on 4 November, it brought some forty thousand visitors to the Cathedral during the month, with five thousand candles lit. 

Planning for the event gave the Cathedral the opportunity to recruit and train additional volunteers, and the team now numbers 120, with safe recruitment and improved volunteer administration. The exhibition also gave the opportunity to run a series of science and faith events, including a distinguished guest speaker, the Revd Professor David Wilkinson FRAS, to speak on the search for meaning and faith in our scientific world, while the Faraday Institute at Cambridge provided a special schools visit for 150 pupils. 

Meanwhile at Easter the Cathedral launched its new website, the culmination of nine months’ work that has brought about a substantial increase in online activity and outreach. Inside the Cathedral a new signage system was installed that aids visitors while also telling them about the story of the building and makes connections with the Christian faith. 

## **Governance** 

The Cathedral made its historical move to become a charity registered with the Charity Commission in line with the Cathedrals Measure 2021 on 12 April 2024. 

The Chapter’s away day at Lancaster in July was used to explore the implications of this change, and Chapter members were commissioned as trustees at Evensong on 8 September. The full complement of revised committees has become operational and the Chapter welcomed Ms Janet Thomas as our Senior NonExecutive Member. 

The reconstituted Finance, Audit and Risk Committee now has a strategic risk register of all the Cathedral’s activities and assets, and the Nominations Committee has been active in searching out new members to replenish the Chapter’s lay membership. The Chief Operating Officer is also the secretary of the Fabric Advisory Committee. 

The Chapter, after many months of focus on the shift to the new Measure, was able to turn attention to its strategic objectives, in the context of preparation for the Centenary of the Cathedral in 2026. 

Page 7 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Governance (continued)** 

In January Mr Daniel James joined the staff team as the Centenary Campaign Manager, and his expertise in design, website and social media content has made a significant impact on the quality of all aspects of the Cathedral’s visual presence and hence its engagement with all sections of the local and regional population. At most Chapter meetings throughout the year, the Chapter received a section of the strategic plan on rotation and was able to interrogate its progress. 

The College of Canons met twice to discuss a range of matters relating to the Cathedral and the Diocese. 

As far back as November 2022 the Chapter had been informed that a BBC investigation into the Church of England’s handling of an historical safeguarding issue relating to a senior member of clergy at Blackburn Cathedral was taking place. 

Preparatory steps were taken with the Diocese and the National Church, including a communications plan, to plan for a broadcast, and a Serious Incident Report was filed with the Charity Commission on 7 August 2024. 

When the broadcast finally took place on 13 August, including an interview with the Dean on local television, the planned arrangements ensured that Cathedral, Diocese and National Church actions all dovetailed. A virtual meeting with the Charity Commission on this compliance case took place on 22 August, and additional documents were subsequently supplied as requested. 

The Cathedral’s IT systems had been known to require remedy for some time, and during the year a substantial upgrading took place. The transfer of data into the Cloud has improved data security and over time will save money on infrastructure. A rolling programme to replace the aging hardware and to standardise equipment is in place to make future maintenance easier. 

## **Safeguarding** 

The Cathedral continued to follow the Church of England’s policy, ‘Promoting a safer church’ and to follow its guidance. 

Safeguarding remains the responsibility of the Dean and Chapter, assisted by the Safeguarding Management Group (CSMG), and overseen on a day to day basis by the Cathedral’s safeguarding volunteers, the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer and the Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

The CSMG consists of Ms Carolyn Johnson (in the chair), the Dean, the COO, the Canon Precentor, the Director of Music, and the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (Ms Cath Smith), and membership has remained constant. Five meetings took place in 2024, in February, April, June, September and November. 

The committee is grateful to have the expertise of its independent chair, Ms Carolyn Johnson. She attended a Chapter meeting in September and reported back that its members were engaged, challenging to and supportive of the work of CSMG. The Chapter reviewed and approved he CSMG terms of reference and resolved to invite its chair to attend the Chapter annually. 

The group has completed the following actions: an agreed and signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Diocese; a Low Level Concern policy document for the Chapter that was adopted by them; a three-year safeguarding strategy that was signed off by the Chapter in July; a final SCIE action plan; and approval of a lone working policy. The group received a safeguarding risk register and resolved to review it twice a year, and job descriptions for the Cathedral’s safeguarding volunteers were updated. 

Group discussions took place about the following: preparations for the independent audit in February 2025; Cathedral access to link and support people; consultation on the IICSA pilot; NST consultation on a draft of the new Learning and Development framework; an update of the Cathedral’s Safeguarding Handbook; and the new Safeguarding Standards and their implications for Cathedral safeguarding. 

The national redress project was introduced, and will be further considered at future meetings, with the aim of raising awareness amongst victims and survivors. 

Page 8 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Education** 

The Education Department exceeded all previous records in 2024, with 2,918 visitors and a significant income stream. 

This result was achieved by Mrs Sian Howell-Jones on only two days a week, working with a team of dedicated volunteers. 

Visitors range from infant school pupils to post-school students, including specialist schools, as well as adult care groups. During Lent there was a display of the remarkable textile exhibition, ‘Threads Through Creation’, by Ms Jacqui Parkinson, that proved to be a great success both with general visitors and school groups. 

The annual GCSE religious education conference in November coincided with the Museum of the Moon exhibition, and accordingly the opportunity was taken to work with the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at Cambridge. 

This collaboration included a keynote speech on ‘How do we know what we know?’ that was accompanied by a series of workshops on scientific topics, and brought in additional schools as well as science teachers. 

The regular trails and workshops continued, tailor made to the particular needs of individual schools, with the new website attracting additional visits. 

The level of visitor feedback has risen, with 100% approval for what the department is providing to allow visitors and pupils to engage with the essence of Christian faith and what it might mean in their lives. 

## **Finance** 

The new Finance, Audit and Risk Committee began its work in May, with Canon David Gascoigne in the chair and the COO as its secretary. 

Particular thanks are due to Mrs Maureen Wood for her many years of commitment to its predecessor body. 

Tight control of expenditure continued, but a renewed emphasis on income generation was highlighted. This work included the production of an appeal brochure, ‘2026 Centenary Projects’, with targets for work on the Crypt, choir endowment, West Door replacement, new lighting, organ maintenance and additional artwork. 

The Cathedral was greatly helped in its endeavours by the growth and innovation of Blackburn Cathedral Enterprises under the leadership of Ms Sian Goggins. 

At a time of challenging trading conditions she and her team achieved a 35% increase in income over the previous year, as well as supporting two members of staff through Level 3 and 4 apprenticeships. Outside catering contributed to this success, including for Whalley Abbey, Blackburn College and the Blackburn Mayor’s Office. 

Internal commercial events in support of concerts and exhibitions, especially the Museum of the Moon, brought in welcome additional revenue, while building up a track record on which to build for future years. 

During the year some difficulties were faced because of delays in payments due to the Cathedral, but it is a particular pleasure to report a year end that is expected to show a significant positive balance. 

Page 9 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Blackburn Cathedral Partners** 

Blackburn Cathedral Appeal Trust 

The Trust exists to support the Cathedral to ensure it continues to provide an outstanding environment, not only for worship, but also for hosting a range of diverse activities. 

Since 2015 it has worked closely with communities across Lancashire and the prime aim during this period has been to support the refurbishment of the Crypt into a multi-purpose space for entertainment, exhibitions and events. Once completed it will become a central resource for the town and the wider region, forming an important part of the Cathedral’s commercial strategy. 

The Trust raises funds in a variety of ways and holds a lively programme of events throughout the year including literary lunches, garden parties, talks and a popular annual golf day, held at Clitheroe Golf Club. 

The Trust also hosts the High Sheriff and Dean’s Banquet and this year over 200 guests from across Lancashire gathered under The Museum of the Moon to enjoy a formal dinner in the company of choirs from the Cathedral. The keynote speaker was Sir Tim Smit KBE, co-founder of the Eden Project. 

## **The Friends of Blackburn Cathedral** 

The Friends completed the year with 243 members, under the continuing leadership of its chair, Mr David Thornton, and its Council trustees. 

Four meetings were held, including an AGM in July at which Mr Ian White gave an interesting illustrated talk on his role and responsibilities at the Cathedral. Advent Sunday was celebrated by a reception for all members of the congregation who were present at the service. 

The Friends donated £8,000 to the Cathedral during the year, that covered: sponsorship of an organ composition competition; flowers for the Cathedral; engraving a commemorative plaque; and a mobile merchandise cabinet. 

The Friends will also purchase a display board to show the contributions made to the Cathedral since 2012, currently totalling £147,495. 

Grateful thanks are due to the Dean and Mr White for their input and to the executive officers and trustees of the Friends’ Council for their continued support. 

## **Fabric** 

Under the watchful eyes of our Cathedral Architect, Ms Louise Priestman, the good condition of the main Cathedral structure is a cause of pleasure, although repairs to the interior of the bell tower are required, as well as the refurbishment of the West Doors. 

After testing many options, Church House is partly let to two small businesses and a concept for a business centre is being developed. 

The major infrastructure development has been the renovation of the Crypt. 

Work began in the summer, with an expected completion by Easter 2025. 

The aim is to create a multi-purpose space in the former Builders’ Yard as a venue for educational meetings, concerts and exhibitions, and revenue-generating events managed by Blackburn Cathedral Enterprises. 

The £400,000 investment has been funded by The Blackburn Cathedral Trust, the Benefact Trust, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and The Garfield Weston Foundation, and all the work is being undertaken by local contractors and craft workers. 

We are delighted that the Changing Places facility formed part of the plans and is now operational. 

Page 10 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

The Cathedral was able to move forward with confidence to implement a strategic plan that fulfils its mission of Christian witness and service as we prepare to celebrate the Centenary in 2026. 

Chapter Members: 

The Very Reverend Peter Howell-Jones Senior Non Executive Member of Chapter The Reverend Dr Canon Jenny Gaffin The Reverend Canon James Lawrence Canon David Gascoigne The Reverend Canon Andrew Horsfall Marion McClintock, MBE Keith Roberts Ian White - Chapter Clerk Janet Thomas OBE Senior Non Executive Member of Chapter 

Finance Committee – Finance Audit and Risk Committee from 12th April 2024 

Jonathan Wood Chair (resigned April 2024) Canon David Gascoigne  Chair from April 2024 Keith Roberts David Kay Maureen Wood (resigned April 2024) The Dean 

Nominations Committee (from 12th April 2024) 

Canon Andrew Horsfall - Chair Canon David Gascoigne 

## **Financial Review** 

The results for the year are shown in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities. During the year there was net unrestricted income, including gains on investments, of £63,665 (2023: £8,575). The total unrestricted funds were £1,281,067 (2023: £1,070,315). 

The restricted funds showed net income, including gains on investments, of £207,092 (2023: £632,851) with income largely consisting of grants from the Church Commissioners. With transfers between funds total restricted funds were £368,314 (2023: £533,406). 

The endowment funds showed net income, including losses on investments, of £1,266 (2023: £649,904). At 31 December 2024, endowment funds totalled £3,362,174 (2023: £3,135,811). 

Gains recognised on the revaluation of investments across all funds amounted to £10,096 (2023: £1,828 loss). 

The net cash outflow from operating activities was £69,855 (2023: £1,131,787). Cash reserves at the year-end were £183,838 (2023: £478,542). 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The Trustees maintain a reserves policy designed to safeguard the Cathedral’s financial stability and ensure its long-term sustainability. These reserves provide essential protection against unexpected financial pressures, enabling the Cathedral to continue its mission, worship, and outreach with confidence 

Page 11 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHAPTER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Disclosure of Information to Auditor** 

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' report is approved has confirmed that: 

- so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable group's 

- auditors are unaware, and 

- that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of 

- any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable group's auditors are aware of that information. 

Approved by order of the members of the board of Chapter and signed on their behalf by: 

Andrew Horsfall (Sep 26, 2025 09:21:09 GMT+1) 

**Canon A S Horsfall** Trustee Date: 26/09/2025 

David.P.Gascoigne David.P.Gascoigne (Sep 26, 2025 11:52:46 GMT+1) **Canon DP Gascoigne FCA** Trustee 

26/09/2025 

Page 12 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **STATEMENT OF CHAPTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

The Chapter are responsible for preparing the Chapter's report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Chapter to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Charity and of their incoming resources and application of resources, including their income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Chapter are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102); 

- make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business. 

The Chapter are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

Approved by order of the members of the board of Chapter and signed on its behalf by: 

Andrew Horsfall (Sep 26, 2025 09:21:09 GMT+1) 

**Canon A S Horsfall** Trustee Date: 26/09/2025 

David.P.Gascoigne David.P.Gascoigne (Sep 26, 2025 11:52:46 GMT+1) **Canon DP Gascoigne FCA** Trustee 26/09/2025 

Page 13 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF  BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Blackburn Cathedral Chapter (the 'parent charity') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Consolidated statement of financial activities, the Consolidated balance sheet, the Charity balance sheet, the Consolidated statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

In our opinion the financial statements: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the Group's and of the parent charity's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the Group's incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

## **Conclusions relating to going concern** 

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Chapter's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's or the parent charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Chapter with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 

Page 14 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF  BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER (CONTINUED)** 

## **Other information** 

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Chapter are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- the information given in the Chapter's report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or 

- the parent Charity has not kept sufficient accounting records; or 

- the parent Charity financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

## **Responsibilities of trustees** 

As explained more fully in the Chapter's responsibilities statement, the Chapter are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Chapter determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Chapter are responsible for assessing the Group's and the parent charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Chapter either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Page 15 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF  BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER (CONTINUED)** 

## **Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

We have been appointed as auditor under section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: 

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows: 

- the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations, such as the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and the Charities Act 2011; 

- we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the Cathedral through discussions with Trustees and other management; 

- we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management; and 

- identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit. 

We assessed the susceptibility of the Cathedral's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by: 

- making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and 

- considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations. 

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we: 

- performed analytical procedures as a risk assessment tool to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships; 

- tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions; 

- tested the operating effectiveness of key controls over key transaction cycles such as income, purchases and wages; and 

- reviewed the application of accounting policies including the application of capitalisation of tangible assets. 

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to: 

- agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation; and 

- enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims. 

Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing fraud or noncompliance with laws and regulations and cannot be expected to detect all fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations. 

Page 16 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF  BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER (CONTINUED)** 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the Cathedral's Chapter, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Cathedral's Chapter those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Cathedral and its Chapter, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

## Armstrong Watson Audit Limited 

Armstrong Watson Audit Limited (Sep 29, 2025 15:46:37 GMT+1) 

## **Armstrong Watson Audit Limited** 

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Carlisle 

Date: 29/09/2025 

Armstrong Watson Audit Limited are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. 

Page 17 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

|**Note**<br>**Income and**<br>**endowments from:**<br>Grants, donations and<br>legacies<br>2<br>Charitable activities<br>3<br>Other trading activities<br>4<br>Investments<br>5<br>Other income<br>6<br>**Total income and**<br>**endowments**<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Raising funds<br>7<br>Charitable activities<br>8<br>**Total expenditure**<br>**Net income before**<br>**net gains/(losses) on**<br>**investments**<br>Net gains/(losses) on<br>investments<br>**Net income**<br>Transfers between<br>funds<br>22<br>**Net movement in**<br>**funds**<br>**Reconciliation of**<br>**funds:**<br>Total funds brought<br>forward<br>Net movement in<br>funds<br>**Total funds carried**<br>**forward**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**262,746**<br>**65,116**<br>**521,904**<br>**143,227**<br>**11,018**<br>**1,004,011**<br>**493,096**<br>**451,741**<br>**944,837**<br>**59,174**<br>**4,491**<br>**63,665**<br>**147,087**<br>**210,752**<br>**1,070,315**<br>**210,752**<br>**1,281,067**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**687,151**<br>**41**<br>**-**<br>**4,919**<br>**-**<br>**692,111**<br>**-**<br>**489,207**<br>**489,207**<br>**202,904**<br>**4,188**<br>**207,092**<br>**(372,184)**<br>**(165,092)**<br>**533,406**<br>**(165,092)**<br>**368,314**|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**1,266**<br>**1,266**<br>**225,097**<br>**226,363**<br>**3,135,811**<br>**226,363**<br>**3,362,174**|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**949,897**<br>**65,157**<br>**521,904**<br>**148,146**<br>**11,018**<br>**1,696,122**<br>**493,096**<br>**940,948**<br>**1,434,044**<br>**262,078**<br>**9,945**<br>**272,023**<br>**-**<br>**272,023**<br>**4,739,532**<br>**272,023**<br>**5,011,555**|_As restated_<br>_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_1,912,295_<br>_73,314_<br>_313,499_<br>_143,397_<br>_35,094_<br>_2,477,599_<br>_293,947_<br>_890,494_<br>_1,184,441_<br>_1,293,158_<br>_(1,828)_<br>_1,291,330_<br>_-_<br>_1,291,330_<br>_3,448,202_<br>_1,291,330_<br>_4,739,532_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|



The Consolidated statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. 

The notes on pages 22 to 50 form part of these financial statements. 

Page 18 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

|**Note**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>13<br>Investments<br>15<br>Investment property<br>14<br>**Current assets**<br>Stocks<br>17<br>Debtors<br>18<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within one<br>year<br>19<br>**Net current liabilities / assets**<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>Creditors: amounts falling due after more<br>than one year<br>20<br>**Total net assets**<br>**Charity funds**<br>Endowment funds<br>22<br>Restricted funds<br>22<br>Unrestricted funds<br>22<br>**Total funds**|**53,182**<br>**148,415**<br>**183,838**<br>**385,435**<br>**(528,010)**|**2024**<br>**£**<br>**3,612,582**<br>**1,058,148**<br>**483,400**<br>**5,154,130**<br>**(142,575)**<br>**5,011,555**<br>**-**<br>**5,011,555**<br>**3,362,174**<br>**368,314**<br>**1,281,067**<br>**5,011,555**|_43,146_<br>_104,767_<br>_478,542_<br>_626,455_<br>_(472,109)_|_2023_<br>_£_<br>_3,232,163_<br>_1,019,623_<br>_483,400_<br>_4,735,186_<br>_154,346_<br>_4,889,532_<br>_(150,000)_<br>_4,739,532_<br>_3,135,811_<br>_533,406_<br>_1,070,315_<br>_4,739,532_|
|---|---|---|---|---|



The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Chapter and signed on their behalf by: 

Andrew Horsfall (Sep 26, 2025 09:21:09 GMT+1) David.P.Gascoigne David.P.Gascoigne (Sep 26, 2025 11:52:46 GMT+1) **Canon A S Horsfall Canon DP Gascoigne FCA** Trustee Trustee Date: 26/09/2025 26/09/2025 

The notes on pages 22 to 50 form part of these financial statements. 

Page 19 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CHARITY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

|**Note**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>13<br>Investments<br>15<br>Investment property<br>14<br>**Current assets**<br>Stocks<br>17<br>Debtors<br>18<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within one<br>year<br>19<br>**Net current liabilities / assets**<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>Creditors: amounts falling due after more<br>than one year<br>20<br>**Total net assets**<br>**Charity funds**<br>Endowment funds<br>22<br>Restricted funds<br>22<br>Unrestricted funds<br>22<br>**Total funds**|**3,373**<br>**201,526**<br>**95,808**<br>**300,707**<br>**(413,064)**|**2024**<br>**£**<br>**3,595,693**<br>**1,058,148**<br>**483,400**<br>**5,137,241**<br>**(112,357)**<br>**5,024,884**<br>**-**<br>**5,024,884**<br>**3,362,174**<br>**310,693**<br>**1,352,017**<br>**5,024,884**|_5,030_<br>_304,203_<br>_323,833_<br>_633,066_<br>_(401,117)_|_2023_<br>_£_<br>_3,215,690_<br>_1,019,623_<br>_483,400_<br>_4,718,713_<br>_231,949_<br>_4,950,662_<br>_(150,000)_<br>_4,800,662_<br>_3,360,908_<br>_533,406_<br>_906,348_<br>_4,800,662_|
|---|---|---|---|---|



The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Chapter and signed on their behalf by: 

David.P.Gascoigne Andrew Horsfall (Sep 26, 2025 09:21:09 GMT+1) David.P.Gascoigne (Sep 26, 2025 11:52:46 GMT+1) **Canon A S Horsfall Canon DP Gascoigne FCA** Trustee Trustee 26/09/2025 Date: 26/09/2025 

The notes on pages 22 to 50 form part of these financial statements. 

Page 20 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

|**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Net cash used in operating activities<br>**Cash flows from investing activities**<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets<br>Proceeds from sale of investments<br>Purchase of investments<br>Rents received<br>Investment income received<br>Interest received<br>**Net cash used in investing activities**<br>**Cash flows from financing activities**<br>Repayments of borrowing<br>Interest paid<br>**Net cash used in financing activities**<br>**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**|**2024**<br>**£**<br>**69,855**<br>**(463,632)**<br>**62,146**<br>**(90,575)**<br>**94,096**<br>**49,131**<br>**4,919**<br>**(343,915)**<br>**-**<br>**(20,644)**<br>**(20,644)**<br>**(294,704)**<br>**478,542**<br>**183,838**|_2023_<br>_£_<br>_1,131,787_<br>_(61,390)_<br>_363,300_<br>_(898,894)_<br>_75,475_<br>_63,078_<br>_4,844_<br>**(453,587)**<br>_(518,000)_<br>_(36,407)_<br>**(554,407)**<br>**123,793**<br>_354,749_<br>_478,542_|
|---|---|---|



The notes on pages 22 to 50 form part of these financial statements 

Page 21 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **1. Accounting policies** 

## **1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. 

Blackburn Cathedral Chapter meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. 

The Consolidated statement of financial activities (SOFA) and Consolidated balance sheet consolidate the financial statements of the Charity and its subsidiary undertakings. The results of the subsidiaries are consolidated on a line by line basis. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

At the time of approving the accounts, the Chapter have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months. Thus the Chapter continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts. 

## **1.3 Income** 

All income is recognised once the Cathedral has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. 

The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Cathedral has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Cathedral, can be reliably measured. 

Grants are included in the Consolidated statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued. 

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable. 

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service. 

Page 22 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **1.4 Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. 

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Group to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading. 

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Group's objectives, as well as any associated support costs. 

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT. 

## **1.5 Interest receivable** 

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Group; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited. 

## **1.6 Taxation** 

The Cathedral Chapter is a statutory exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011 and, as such, is entitled to claim exemption from the charge to tax on income and capital gains as stated in section 258 TCGA 1992. Accordingly, with the exception of Value Added Tax and Employer's National Insurance, no liability to taxation arises. 

Income is shown net of value added tax. Input value added tax is reclaimable on a percentage basis subject to partial exemption rules. All irrecoverable value added tax is included under the appropriate classification of expenditure, irrecoverable VAT on fixed asset purchases is capitalised within the cost of the asset. 

## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation** 

Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably. 

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost. 

Page 23 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation (continued)** 

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method. 

Depreciation is provided on the following bases: 

|Freehold property|- Not depreciated|
|---|---|
|Office equipment|- 20%|
|Computer equipment|- 33%|
|Other fixed assets|- 10% - 20%|



## **1.8 Heritage assets** 

The Cathedral holds a number of heritage assets with historic and artistic value. The nature and scale of the collection and inventory belonging to the Chapter of Blackburn include: 

- The Medieval Pax 

- Blackburn Cathedral Archives 

- Blackburn Cathedral wall monuments 

- Blackburn Cathedral 20 th Century Art works 

- Mark Jalland's 'The Healing of the Nations' 

- The Whalley Seals and Misericords 

- Other artefacts, including the Saxon Hammer and ancient manuscripts. management, and disposal of heritage assets are described in Section 24(1) of the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011. 

Note 16 of these financial statements gives further details regarding the age and history of the Cathedral, together with the insured value of the Cathedral buildings and its content. 

The Cathedral inventory comprises of purchased and donated items over several centuries and these are retained by the Cathedral for religious, architectural, archaeological, artistic, and historic interest. 

Valuation of the Cathedral Inventory is not deemed necessary for the day-to-day operation of the Cathedral. The quantity of items and the diverse nature of the collection would make valuation prohibitively expensive compared with the additional benefits derived by the Cathedral and users of the financial statements. As a result, no value is reported for these assets in the Balance Sheet. 

Expenditure which is required to preserve or prevent further deterioration of individual items, is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when it is incurred. 

## **1.9 Investments** 

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Consolidated statement of financial activities. 

## **1.10 Stocks** 

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads. 

Page 24 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **1.11 Debtors** 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. 

## **1.12 Cash at bank and in hand** 

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. 

## **1.13 Liabilities and provisions** 

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. 

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Cathedral anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. 

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Consolidated statement of financial activities as a finance cost. 

## **1.14 Financial instruments** 

The Group only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## **1.15 Pensions** 

The Chapter contributes to a pension scheme for the clergy staff administered by the Church of England Pension Scheme.  This scheme operates as an occupational pension scheme and contributions, at a rate determined having regard to actuarial advice, are paid into a separate fund in the trusteeship of the Church of England Pensions Board. Benefits arising from pensionable service are provided from that fund. The contributions to the fund by the Cathedral are charged to the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities as incurred, as the scheme is a multi-employer scheme, and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities relating to the Cathedral.  These contributions are funded by a grant from The Church of England Church Commissioners. 

The Chapter also contributes to personal pension schemes for selected employees, these costs are charged to the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities as incurred. 

From 1 January 2016 Chapter operated an auto-enrolment pension scheme, in addition to those previously mentioned, for all eligible employees. The costs of this scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred. 

Page 25 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **1.16 Fund accounting** 

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Chapter in furtherance of the general objectives of the Group and which have not been designated for other purposes. 

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Chapter for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Group for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund. 

## **2. Income from donations and legacies** 

|Donations<br>Legacies<br>Grants<br>Tax recoverable under Gift Aid<br>Donations<br>Legacies<br>Grants<br>Tax recoverable under Gift Aid|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>118,275<br>40,000<br>91,362<br>13,109<br>262,746<br>_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_102,776_<br>_48,500_<br>_38,354_<br>_11,999_<br>_201,629_|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>687,151<br>-<br>687,151<br>_Restricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_564,932_<br>_471,584_<br>_-_<br>_1,036,516_|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>_Endowment_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_100,000_<br>_574,150_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_674,150_|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**118,275**<br>**40,000**<br>**778,513**<br>**13,109**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**949,897**|
|||||_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_202,776_<br>_1,187,582_<br>_509,938_<br>_11,999_|
|||||_1,912,295_|



Page 26 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **3. Income from charitable activities** 

|Educational visits<br>Facility and other fees<br>Income from Blackburn Cathedral Trust<br>Other income<br>Educational visits<br>Facility and other fees<br>Income from Blackburn Cathedral Trust<br>Other income|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>10,666<br>35,837<br>4,500<br>14,113<br>65,116|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>31<br>-<br>10<br>41<br>_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_8,208_<br>_32,853_<br>_3,750_<br>_28,503_<br>_73,314_|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**10,666**<br>**35,868**<br>**4,500**<br>**14,123**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**65,157**|
||||_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_8,208_<br>_32,853_<br>_3,750_<br>_28,503_|
||||_73,314_|



## **4. Income from other trading activities Income from non charitable trading activities** 

|Catering income<br>Enterprise income|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,504<br>520,400<br>521,904|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**1,504**<br>**520,400**|
|---|---|---|
|||**521,904**|



Page 27 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **4. Income from other trading activities (continued)** 

## **Income from non charitable trading activities (continued)** 

|Catering income<br>Enterprise income|_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_1,329_<br>_312,170_<br>_313,499_|_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_1,329_<br>_312,170_|
|---|---|---|
|||_313,499_|



## **5. Investment income** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>Income from investment property<br>94,096<br>Income from other investments<br>42,431<br>Car park income<br>6,700<br>143,227<br>_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>Income from investment property<br>_75,475_<br>Income from other investments<br>_56,378_<br>Car park income<br>_6,700_<br>_138,553_|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>4,919<br>-<br>4,919<br>_Restricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_4,844_<br>_-_<br>_4,844_|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**94,096**<br>**47,350**<br>**6,700**|
|---|---|---|
|||**148,146**|
|||_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_75,475_<br>_61,222_<br>_6,700_|
|||_143,397_|



## **6. Other income** 

|**Unrestricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|
|**funds**|**funds**|
|**2024**|**2024**|
|**£**|**£**|
|11,018|**11,018**|



Other income 

Page 28 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

|**6.**<br>**Other income (continued)**<br>Other income<br>**7.**<br>**Expenditure on raising funds**<br>**Fundraising trading expenses**<br><br>Enterprise expenditure excluding wages and depreciation<br>Enterprise expenditure - wages and salaries<br>Enterprise expenditure - NI<br>Enterprise expenditure - pension costs<br>Enterprise expenditure - depreciation<br>Enterprise expenditure excluding wages and depreciation<br>Enterprise expenditure - wages and salaries<br>Enterprise expenditure - NI<br>Enterprise expenditure - pension costs<br>Enterprise expenditure - depreciation|_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_35,094_<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>263,842<br>213,997<br>10,654<br>2,804<br>1,799<br>493,096<br>_As restated_<br>_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_152,508_<br>_133,266_<br>_6,047_<br>_1,728_<br>_398_<br>_293,947_|_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_35,094_|
|---|---|---|
|||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**263,842**<br>**213,997**<br>**10,654**<br>**2,804**<br>**1,799**|
|||**493,096**|
|||_As restated_<br>_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_152,508_<br>_133,266_<br>_6,047_<br>_1,728_<br>_398_|
|||_293,947_|



Page 29 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities** 

## **Summary by fund type** 

|Ministry<br>Cathedral and precincts upkeep<br>Education and outreach<br>Community, parish and congregation<br>Other expenditure<br>Ministry<br>Cathedral and precincts upkeep<br>Education and outreach<br>Community, parish and congregation<br>Other expenditure|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>42,180<br>198,987<br>-<br>13,190<br>197,384<br>451,741<br>_As restated_<br>_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_45,474_<br>_171,012_<br>_-_<br>_7,870_<br>_241,891_<br>_466,247_|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>411,120<br>36,155<br>17,626<br>39<br>24,267<br>489,207<br>_Restricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_326,340_<br>_51,445_<br>_15,376_<br>_15,293_<br>_15,793_<br>_424,247_|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**453,300**<br>**235,142**<br>**17,626**<br>**13,229**<br>**221,651**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**940,948**|
||||_As restated_<br>_Total_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_371,814_<br>_222,457_<br>_15,376_<br>_23,163_<br>_257,684_|
||||_890,494_|



## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities** 

|Ministry<br>Cathedral and precincts upkeep<br>Education and outreach<br>Community, parish and congregation<br>Other expenditure|**Activities**<br>**undertaken**<br>**directly**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>423,592<br>146,274<br>17,626<br>654<br>-<br>588,146|**Support**<br>**costs**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>29,708<br>88,868<br>-<br>12,575<br>221,651<br>352,802|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**453,300**<br>**235,142**<br>**17,626**<br>**13,229**<br>**221,651**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**940,948**|



Page 30 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)** 

|Ministry<br>Cathedral and precincts upkeep<br>Education and outreach<br>Community, parish and congregation<br>Other expenditure|_As restated_<br>_Activities_<br>_undertaken_<br>_directly_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_352,691_<br>_122,465_<br>_15,376_<br>_550_<br>_-_<br>_491,082_|_As restated_<br>_Support_<br>_costs_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_19,123_<br>_99,992_<br>_-_<br>_22,613_<br>_257,684_<br>_399,412_|_As restated_<br>_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_371,814_<br>_222,457_<br>_15,376_<br>_23,163_<br>_257,684_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_890,494_|



## **Analysis of direct costs** 

|Staff costs<br>Travel & entertainment<br>Repairs & maintenance<br>Musician fees<br>Cathedral insurance<br>Music outreach project|**Ministry**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>374,459<br>20,131<br>-<br>29,002<br>-<br>-<br>423,592|**Cathedral**<br>**and**<br>**precincts**<br>**upkeep**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>90,697<br>-<br>55,577<br>-<br>146,274|**Education**<br>**and**<br>**outreach**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>17,626<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>17,626|**Community,**<br>**parish and**<br>**congregat'n**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>654<br>654|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**392,085**<br>**20,131**<br>**90,697**<br>**29,002**<br>**55,577**<br>**654**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**588,146**|



Page 31 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)** 

## **Analysis of direct costs (continued)** 

|Staff costs<br>Travel & entertainment<br>Repairs & maintenance<br>Musician fees<br>Cathedral insurance<br>Music outreach project|_As restated_<br>_Ministry_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_295,136_<br>_21,862_<br>_-_<br>_35,693_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_352,691_|_As restated_<br>_Cathedral_<br>_and_<br>_precincts_<br>_upkeep_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_82,990_<br>_-_<br>_39,475_<br>_-_<br>_122,465_|_As restated_<br>_Education_<br>_and outreach_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_15,376_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_15,376_|_As restated_<br>_Community,_<br>_parish and_<br>_congregation_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_550_<br>_550_|_As restated_<br>_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_310,512_<br>_21,862_<br>_82,990_<br>_35,693_<br>_39,475_<br>_550_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||_491,082_|



## **Analysis of support costs** 

|Depreciation<br>Advertising<br>Printing, stationery & postage<br>Telephone<br>Repairs & maintenance<br>Legal fees<br>Licences and permits<br>Utility expenses<br>Rates<br>Sundry expenses<br>Interest and similair charges<br>payable<br>Computer expenses<br>Subscriptions<br>Investment costs<br>Accounting and audit fees<br>Consultancy fees|**Ministry**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>7,647<br>19,610<br>-<br>1,989<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>462<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>29,708|**Cathedral**<br>**and**<br>**precincts**<br>**upkeep**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>76,902<br>11,966<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>88,868|**Community,**<br>**parish and**<br>**congregat'n**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>12,575<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>12,575|**Other**<br>**expenditure**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>79,456<br>-<br>3,632<br>8,096<br>-<br>3,456<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14,171<br>14,229<br>13,439<br>1,771<br>6,418<br>42,857<br>34,126<br>221,651|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**79,456**<br>**7,647**<br>**23,242**<br>**8,096**<br>**1,989**<br>**3,456**<br>**12,575**<br>**76,902**<br>**11,966**<br>**14,633**<br>**14,229**<br>**13,439**<br>**1,771**<br>**6,418**<br>**42,857**<br>**34,126**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**352,802**|



Page 32 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)** 

## **Analysis of support costs (continued)** 

|Depreciation<br>Advertising<br>Printing, stationery & postage<br>Telephone<br>Legal fees<br>Licences and permits<br>Utility expenses<br>Rates<br>Sundry expenses<br>Interest and similair charges<br>payable<br>Computer expenses<br>Subscriptions<br>Investment costs<br>Accounting and audit fees<br>Consultancy fees|_As restated_<br>_Ministry_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_2,324_<br>_16,799_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_19,123_|_As restated_<br>_Cathedral_<br>_and_<br>_precincts_<br>_upkeep_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_90,731_<br>_9,261_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_99,992_|_As restated_<br>_Community,_<br>_parish and_<br>_congregat'n_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_7,375_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_15,238_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_22,613_|_As restated_<br>_Other_<br>_expenditure_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_55,688_<br>_-_<br>_3,243_<br>_6,880_<br>_20,611_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_13,517_<br>_32,720_<br>_10,763_<br>_1,826_<br>_16,801_<br>_43,568_<br>_52,067_<br>_257,684_|_As restated_<br>_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_55,688_<br>_2,324_<br>_20,042_<br>_6,880_<br>_20,611_<br>_7,375_<br>_90,731_<br>_9,261_<br>_28,755_<br>_32,720_<br>_10,763_<br>_1,826_<br>_16,801_<br>_43,568_<br>_52,067_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||_399,412_|



Page 33 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **10. Auditors' remuneration** 

||**2024**|_2023_|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|_£_|
|Fees payable to the Cathedral's auditor for the audit of the Cathedral's|||
|annual accounts|**21,950**|_20,258_|
|Fees payable to the Cathedral's auditor in respect of:|||
|All non-audit services not included above|**2,500**|_4,884_|



## **11. Staff costs** 

|Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Contribution to defined contribution pension<br>schemes|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**561,764**<br>**37,476**<br>**20,300**<br>**619,540**|_Group_<br>_As restated_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_410,352_<br>_24,578_<br>_16,623_<br>_451,553_|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**347,767**<br>**26,822**<br>**17,496**<br>**392,085**|_Charity_<br>_As restated_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_277,086_<br>_18,531_<br>_14,895_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_310,512_|



The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows: 

|Clerical - full time<br>Lay - full time<br>Lay - part time|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**No.**<br>**3**<br>**18**<br>**6**<br>**27**|_Group_<br>_2023_<br>_No._<br>_3_<br>_7_<br>_4_<br>_14_|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**No.**<br>**3**<br>**13**<br>**5**<br>**21**|_Charity_<br>_2023_<br>_No._<br>_3_<br>_7_<br>_4_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
|||||_14_|



No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year. 

Page 34 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **12. Chapter's remuneration and expenses** 

Three members of Chapter were remunerated for their services in 2024. As authorised by the Cathedrals Measure 1999 and the Cathedral constitution, the remuneration (including pension contributions are paid in accordance with scales laid down annually by the Church Commissioners and the Church of England Pensions Board). 

The three members received emoluments during the year as follows: 

|||**2024**|_2023_|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|_£_|
|Revd. P Howell-Jones|Remuneration|**41,755**|_39,477_|
||Pension contributions paid|**8,513**|_8,909_|
|Revd. Canon J Gaffin|Remuneration|**28,796**|_-_|
||Pension contributions paid|**6,175**|_-_|
|Canon James Lawrence|Remuneration|**31,346**|_30,906_|
||Pension contributions paid|**1,228**|_13,954_|



In addition these members received reimbursed expenses of £5,524 (2023: £6,842). These stipends are not included in the income and expenditure of the Cathedral, as these are paid directly to the clergy from the Church Commissioners. 

Page 35 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **13. Tangible fixed assets** 

## **Group** 

|**Cost or valuation**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Additions<br>At 31 December 2024<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Charge for the year<br>At 31 December 2024<br>**Net book value**<br>At 31 December 2024<br>_At 31 December 2023_|**Cathedral**<br>**Use**<br>**Property**<br>**£**<br>**3,050,600**<br>**-**<br>**3,050,600**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**3,050,600**<br>_3,050,600_|**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**£**<br>**213,602**<br>**144,285**<br>**357,887**<br>**126,223**<br>**42,484**<br>**168,707**<br>**189,180**<br>_87,379_|**Cafe**<br>**£**<br>**403,622**<br>**6,243**<br>**409,865**<br>**309,437**<br>**40,730**<br>**350,167**<br>**59,698**<br>_94,185_|**Crypt**<br>**Development**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**313,104**<br>**313,104**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**313,104**<br>_-_|**Total**<br>**£**<br>**3,667,824**<br>**463,632**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**4,131,456**|
||||||**435,660**<br>**83,214**|
||||||**518,874**|
||||||**3,612,582**|
||||||_3,232,164_|



Page 36 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **13. Tangible fixed assets (continued)** 

## **Charity** 

|**Cost or valuation**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Additions<br>At 31 December 2024<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Charge for the year<br>At 31 December 2024<br>**Net book value**<br>At 31 December 2024<br>_At 31 December 2023_|**Cathedral**<br>**Use**<br>**Property**<br>**£**<br>**3,050,600**<br>**-**<br>**3,050,600**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**3,050,600**<br>_3,050,600_|**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**£**<br>**196,089**<br>**140,112**<br>**336,201**<br>**125,184**<br>**38,726**<br>**163,910**<br>**172,291**<br>_70,905_|**Cafe**<br>**£**<br>**402,102**<br>**6,243**<br>**408,345**<br>**307,917**<br>**40,730**<br>**348,647**<br>**59,698**<br>_94,185_|**Crypt**<br>**Development**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**313,104**<br>**313,104**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**313,104**<br>_-_|**Total**<br>**£**<br>**3,648,791**<br>**459,459**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**4,108,250**|
||||||**433,101**<br>**79,456**|
||||||**512,557**|
||||||**3,595,693**|
||||||_3,215,690_|



Page 37 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **14. Investment property** 

## **Group and Charity** 

|**Valuation**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>At 31 December 2024|**Freehold**<br>**investment**<br>**property**<br>**£**<br>**483,400**<br>**483,400**|
|---|---|



Clergy Court was valued as at 31 December 2023 by Lea Haugh Chartered Surveyors. The trustees believe that the value has not materially changed as a result it remains at the same value as 31 December 2023. 

## **15. Fixed asset investments** 

|**Group and Charity**<br>**Cost or valuation**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>Revaluations<br>At 31 December 2024<br>**Net book value**<br>At 31 December 2024<br>_At 31 December 2023_|**Listed**<br>**investments**<br>**£**<br>**514,004**<br>**90,575**<br>**(62,146)**<br>**(854)**<br>**541,579**<br>**541,579**<br>_514,004_|**Unlisted**<br>**investments**<br>**£**<br>**505,619**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**10,950**<br>**516,569**<br>**516,569**<br>_505,619_|**Total**<br>**£**<br>**1,019,623**<br>**90,575**<br>**(62,146)**<br>**10,096**<br>**1,058,148**<br>**1,058,148**<br>_1,019,623_|
|---|---|---|---|



## **16. Cathedral building and Inventory** 

In accordance with the guidelines for Accounting and Reporting Regulations for English Anglican Cathedrals, the Cathedral building, and Inventory are not included in the financial statements. 

The building dates from 1824 and was extended in the twentieth century. 

Cathedral Court is included in the financial statements. 

All Cathedral buildings (including those in fixed assets) and their contents have an insured value of £37,072,000 (2023: £27,100,000). 

Page 38 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **17. Stocks** 

|Goods for sale in shop and catering<br>**18.**<br>**Debtors**|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**53,182**|_Group_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_43,146_|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**3,373**|_Charity_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_5,030_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||



|**Due within one year**<br>Trade debtors<br>Amounts owed by group undertakings<br>Other debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**22,880**<br>**-**<br>**67,900**<br>**57,635**<br>**148,415**|_Group_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_30,412_<br>_-_<br>_22,319_<br>_52,036_<br>_104,767_|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**14,577**<br>**67,465**<br>**67,133**<br>**52,351**<br>**201,526**|_Charity_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_24,505_<br>_209,513_<br>_24,126_<br>_46,059_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
|||||_304,203_|



## **19. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

|Other loans<br>Trade creditors<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**241,796**<br>**129,889**<br>**11,420**<br>**48,211**<br>**96,694**<br>**528,010**|_Group_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_91,796_<br>_116,889_<br>_10,801_<br>_7,680_<br>_244,943_<br>_472,109_|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**241,796**<br>**64,559**<br>**8,547**<br>**12,863**<br>**85,299**<br>**413,064**|_Charity_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_91,796_<br>_57,961_<br>_5,937_<br>_6,771_<br>_238,652_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
|||||_401,117_|



The Church Commissioners value linked loan is repayable in June 2029, together with the entitlement of the Church Commissioners to 22.5% of the proceeds from the sale of the underlying property, the property having been disposed of in 2016 to facilitate the funding of the Cathedral Court. The sum repayable to the Church Commissioners will be the redemption sum as at the point of sale of the underlying property plus RPI from that time until the date of redemption. This loan is included in Other loans. Interest is charged on the loan at RPI. 

Included within Other loans is an amount of £150,000 (2023:Other loans >1 year £150,000) from the John Booth Foundation which post year end notification has been received that the loan will be converted to a donation. 

Page 39 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **20. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year** 

||**Group**|_Group_|**Charity**|_Charity_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**|_2023_|**2024**|_2023_|
||**£**|_£_|**£**|_£_|
|Other loans|**-**|_150,000_|**-**|_150,000_|



## **21. Restatement of comparatives** 

The comparative financial information contained within these financial statements have been restated as follows: 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities - Expenditure on Raising Funds has increased by £293,947 and Expenditure on Charitable Activities has reduced by the same amount to account for the Blackburn Enterprises expenditure as a cost of raising funds. 

Unrestricted expenditure on Charitable Activities has changed as follows: 

||Restated|Previously|Change|
|---|---|---|---|
|Ministry|45,474|196,087|(150,613)|
|Cathedral and precincts upkeep|171,012|180,687|(9,675)|
|Community, parish and congregation|7,870|17,448|(9,578)|
|Other expenditure|241,891|365,972|(124,081)|
||**466,247**|**760,194**|**(293,947)**|



The split of expenditure between direct and support as well as between the various charitable activities has also been restated however in total remains the same as the prior year. 

A full analysis of expenditure can be seen in note 9 of the financial statements. 

The staff costs note in the comparative year contained the Chapter's remuneration in addition to the staff costs borne by the Chapter itself.  As the Chapter's remuneration is paid via a third party, these costs have been removed from the staff costs note. 

The Trustees are content that the restatements noted above are required to show a true and fair view and better reflect the underlying nature of the transactions in question.  None of the restatements have impacted on the previously reported surplus for the period. 

Page 40 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **22. Statement of funds** 

## **Statement of funds - current year** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Designated**<br>**funds**<br>Designated<br>Funds<br>**General funds**<br>General Funds<br>**Total**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>Property<br>HC Haworth<br>Chadwick<br>Memorial<br>Choristers<br>Endowment<br>St Paul's<br>School<br>General<br>Purposes<br>May Abbott<br>Trust|**Balance at 1**<br>**January**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**143,542**<br>**926,773**<br>**1,070,315**<br>**2,456,002**<br>**67,549**<br>**481**<br>**26,307**<br>**1,292**<br>**27,701**<br>**556,479**<br>**3,135,811**|**Income**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**1,004,011**<br>**1,004,011**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**(944,837)**<br>**(944,837)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**Transfers**<br>**in/out**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**147,087**<br>**147,087**<br>**225,097**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**225,097**|**Gains/**<br>**(Losses)**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**4,491**<br>**4,491**<br>**-**<br>**334**<br>**-**<br>**149**<br>**7**<br>**69**<br>**707**<br>**1,266**|**Balance at**<br>**31**<br>**December**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**143,542**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**1,137,525**|
|||||||**1,281,067**|
|||||||**2,681,099**<br>**67,883**<br>**481**<br>**26,456**<br>**1,299**<br>**27,770**<br>**557,186**|
|||||||**3,362,174**|



Page 41 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **22. Statement of funds (continued)** 

|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>Margaret Kay<br>Gift<br>Cathedral<br>Music Trust<br>Centenary Fund<br>Digital media<br>fund<br>Pinnacles<br>Funding<br>PA Upgrade<br>System<br>Changing<br>Places<br>Other<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>May Abbott<br>Crypt<br>Development<br>Repair Fund<br>Vestments<br>Fund<br>Thornber Music<br>Fund<br>Outdoor Play<br>Area<br>**Total of funds**|**Balance at 1**<br>**January**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**7,064**<br>**21,602**<br>**(2,281)**<br>**-**<br>**10,220**<br>**18,147**<br>**62,000**<br>**57,983**<br>**146,932**<br>**-**<br>**143,214**<br>**1,938**<br>**43,981**<br>**22,606**<br>**533,406**<br>**4,739,532**|**Income**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**103,800**<br>**3,179**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**4,520**<br>**341,493**<br>**-**<br>**215,000**<br>**3,794**<br>**48**<br>**20,277**<br>**-**<br>**692,111**<br>**1,696,122**|**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**(12,014)**<br>**(53,619)**<br>**(3,179)**<br>**-**<br>**(4,829)**<br>**(11,655)**<br>**(328,425)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**(33,076)**<br>**-**<br>**(37,621)**<br>**(4,789)**<br>**(489,207)**<br>**(1,434,044)**|**Transfers**<br>**in/out**<br>**£**<br>**(7,064)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**(10,220)**<br>**(13,318)**<br>**(54,865)**<br>**(71,184)**<br>**(146,932)**<br>**(215,000)**<br>**164,216**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**(17,817)**<br>**(372,184)**<br>**-**|**Gains/**<br>**(Losses)**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**133**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**3,128**<br>**39**<br>**888**<br>**-**<br>**4,188**<br>**9,945**|**Balance at**<br>**31**<br>**December**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**9,588**<br>**47,900**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**281,276**<br>**2,025**<br>**27,525**<br>**-**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**368,314**|
|||||||**5,011,555**|



Page 42 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **22. Statement of funds (continued)** 

## **Funds Carried Forward** 

The Thornber Music Fund are being applied towards various musical objectives, including the promotion and performance of music to the highest attainable standard. 

The Repair Fund will be used for repairs to the cathedral building and fabrics, including some related professional fees. 

The Vestments Fund will be used for the repair and replacement of clergy vestments. 

Centenary Fund - To support staff and related expenditure for the 2026 celebrations. 

Cathedral Music Trust - 2 year contract to fund music administrator 

## **Fully Utilised Funds** 

The Margaret Kay Gift is to be used for items contributing to the adornment of Blackburn Cathedral, particularly furniture. As part of this work a refurbishment of the Bromsgrove Guild War Memorial has been undertaken. 

Digital media fund - This is a sustainability fund to support digital media costs for reputation management. 

Pinnacles Funding - The repair of pinnacles on the Lantern Tower 

PA Upgrade system - To improve the Cathedral's sound system. 

Other restricted funds principally represent the grant received from the Church Commissioners which funds stipends and salaries. 

Changing places - To install a "Changing Places" toilet facility. 

May Abbott - To be used to support buildings, repairs and maintenance 

Crypt Development - To refurbish the crypt into usable space. 

Outdoor Play Area - To create a play area in Cathedral Square. 

Coronation lunch fund - Funds received to cover the coronation lunch 

Page 43 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **22. Statement of funds (continued)** 

## **Statement of funds - prior year** 

|**Unrestricted funds**<br>**Designated funds**<br>Designated Funds<br>**General funds**<br>General funds<br>**Total Unrestricted funds**<br>**Endowment funds**<br>Property Fund<br>H C Haworth fund<br>The Chadwick Memorial fund<br>Endowment Chorister's<br>endowment fund<br>Endowment St Paul's School<br>Fund<br>General Purposes fund<br>May Abbott|_Balance at_<br>_1 January_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_229,159_<br>_732,581_<br>_961,740_<br>_2,038,002_<br>_71,473_<br>_481_<br>_28,059_<br>_1,377_<br>_28,515_<br>_-_<br>_2,167,907_|_Income_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_762,089_<br>_762,089_<br>_100,000_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_574,150_<br>_674,150_|_Expenditure_<br>_£_<br>_(54,346)_<br>_(705,848)_<br>_(760,194)_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_|_Transfers_<br>_in/out_<br>_£_<br>_(14,798)_<br>_121,478_<br>_106,680_<br>_318,000_<br>_(3,924)_<br>_-_<br>_(1,752)_<br>_(85)_<br>_(814)_<br>_(17,671)_<br>_293,754_|_Balance at_<br>_31_<br>_December_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_160,015_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||_910,300_|
||||||_1,070,315_|
||||||_2,456,002_<br>_67,549_<br>_481_<br>_26,307_<br>_1,292_<br>_27,701_<br>_556,479_|
||||||_3,135,811_|



Page 44 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **22. Statement of funds (continued)** 

|**Restricted funds**<br>Repair fund<br>Pinnacles funding<br>PA upgrade system<br>Changing places<br>May Abbott<br>Vestments fund<br>FOBCM fund<br>Thornber music fund<br>Outdoor play area<br>Coronation lunch<br>Cathedral music trust<br>Margaret kay gift<br>Other restricted funds<br>**Total of funds**|_Balance at_<br>_1 January_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_158,983_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_1,740_<br>_17,834_<br>_67,841_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_7,064_<br>_65,093_<br>_318,555_<br>_3,448,202_|_Income_<br>_£_<br>_3,736_<br>_21,875_<br>_18,147_<br>_62,000_<br>_564,932_<br>_48_<br>_-_<br>_11,380_<br>_25,000_<br>_4,250_<br>_25,000_<br>_-_<br>_304,992_<br>_1,041,360_<br>_2,477,599_|_Expenditure_<br>_£_<br>_(31,258)_<br>_(11,655)_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_(17,834)_<br>_(38,575)_<br>_(2,394)_<br>_(4,250)_<br>_(3,398)_<br>_-_<br>_(314,883)_<br>_(424,247)_<br>_(1,184,441)_|_Transfers_<br>_in/out_<br>_£_<br>_11,753_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_(418,000)_<br>_150_<br>_-_<br>_3,335_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_500_<br>_(402,262)_<br>_(1,828)_|_Balance at_<br>_31_<br>_December_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_143,214_<br>_10,220_<br>_18,147_<br>_62,000_<br>_146,932_<br>_1,938_<br>_-_<br>_43,981_<br>_22,606_<br>_-_<br>_21,602_<br>_7,064_<br>_55,702_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||_533,406_|
||||||_4,739,532_|



Page 45 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **23. Summary of funds** 

**Summary of funds - current year** 

|Designated<br>funds<br>General funds<br>Endowment<br>funds<br>Restricted<br>funds|**Balance at 1**<br>**January**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**143,542**<br>**926,773**<br>**3,135,811**<br>**533,406**<br>**4,739,532**|**Income**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**1,004,011**<br>**-**<br>**692,111**<br>**1,696,122**|**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**(944,837)**<br>**-**<br>**(489,207)**<br>**(1,434,044)**|**Transfers**<br>**in/out**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**147,087**<br>**225,097**<br>**(372,184)**<br>**-**|**Gains/**<br>**(Losses)**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**4,491**<br>**1,266**<br>**4,188**<br>**9,945**|**Balance at**<br>**31**<br>**December**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**143,542**<br>**1,137,525**<br>**3,362,174**<br>**368,314**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**5,011,555**|



## **Summary of funds - prior year** 

|Designated funds<br>General funds<br>Endowment funds<br>Restricted funds|_Balance at_<br>_1 January_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_229,159_<br>_732,581_<br>_2,167,907_<br>_318,555_<br>_3,448,202_|_Income_<br>_£_<br>_-_<br>_762,089_<br>_674,150_<br>_1,041,360_<br>_2,477,599_|_Expenditure_<br>_£_<br>_(54,346)_<br>_(705,848)_<br>_-_<br>_(424,247)_<br>_(1,184,441)_|_Transfers_<br>_in/out_<br>_£_<br>_(14,798)_<br>_121,478_<br>_293,754_<br>_(402,262)_<br>_(1,828)_|_Balance at_<br>_31_<br>_December_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_160,015_<br>_910,300_<br>_3,135,811_<br>_533,406_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||_4,739,532_|



## **24. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysis of net assets between funds - current period** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>931,483<br>Fixed asset investments<br>228,268<br>Investment property<br>-<br>Current assets<br>407,530<br>Creditors due within one year<br>(286,214)<br>**Total**<br>1,281,067|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>187,205<br>-<br>181,109<br>-<br>368,314|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>2,681,099<br>642,675<br>483,400<br>(203,204)<br>(241,796)<br>3,362,174|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**3,612,582**<br>**1,058,148**<br>**483,400**<br>**385,435**<br>**(528,010)**<br>**5,011,555**|
|---|---|---|---|



Page 46 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **24. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)** 

## **Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period** 

|Tangible fixed assets<br>Fixed asset investments<br>Investment property<br>Current assets<br>Creditors due within one year<br>Creditors due in more than one year<br>**Total**|_Unrestricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_160,016_<br>_222,064_<br>_-_<br>_913,055_<br>_(224,819)_<br>_-_<br>_1,070,316_|_Restricted_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_21,548_<br>_183,017_<br>_-_<br>_328,841_<br>_-_<br>_-_<br>_533,406_|_Endowment_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_3,050,600_<br>_614,542_<br>_483,400_<br>_(615,441)_<br>_(247,290)_<br>_(150,000)_<br>_3,135,811_|_Total_<br>_funds_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_3,232,164_<br>_1,019,623_<br>_483,400_<br>_626,455_<br>_(472,109)_<br>_(150,000)_<br>_4,739,533_|
|---|---|---|---|---|



## **25. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities** 

|Net income for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities)<br>**Adjustments for:**<br>Depreciation charges<br>Investment income<br>Increase in stocks<br>Decrease/(increase) in debtors<br>Decrease in creditors<br>Income from property<br>Interest and similair charges<br>(Gain)/loss on investment<br>**Net cash provided by operating activities**|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**272,023**<br>**83,214**<br>**(54,050)**<br>**(10,036)**<br>**(43,648)**<br>**(94,251)**<br>**(94,096)**<br>**20,644**<br>**(9,945)**<br>**69,855**|_Group_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_1,291,330_<br>_56,740_<br>_(67,922)_<br>_(6,640)_<br>_8,944_<br>_(113,425)_<br>_(75,475)_<br>_36,407_<br>_1,828_<br>_1,131,787_|
|---|---|---|



Page 47 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **26. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents** 

|Cash in hand<br>**Total cash and cash equivalents**|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**183,838**<br>**183,838**|_Group_<br>_2023_<br>_£_<br>_478,542_|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||_478,542_|



The reduction in the Cash in hand balance is due to accumulated grant funding in preparation for the crypt develpment project. 

## **27. Analysis of changes in net debt** 

|Cash at bank and in hand<br>Debt due within 1 year<br>Debt due after 1 year|**At 1**<br>**January**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**478,542**<br>**(91,796)**<br>**(150,000)**<br>**236,746**|**Cash flows**<br>**£**<br>**(294,704)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**(294,704)**|**Other non-**<br>**cash**<br>**changes**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**(150,000)**<br>**150,000**<br>**-**|**At 31**<br>**December**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**183,838**<br>**(241,796)**<br>**-**<br>**(57,958)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|



## **28. Pension commitments** 

The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. Contributions payable by the group during the year amounted to £20,300 (2023: £29,405) and have been recognised in the profit and loss account. As at the balance sheet date there were £543 accrued contributions due (2023: £nil). 

Page 48 



**BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **29. Related party transactions** 

Blackburn Cathedral Developments, a company limited by guarantee, is controlled by the Cathedral. The results and balance sheet of the company are consolidated in these accounts. The company made a deficit of £2 (2023: £9,563) during the year and had net liabilities of £30,102 (2023: £30,103) at 31 December 2024. The accounts of the company include income from the Cathedral of £nil (2023: £nil). Included within debtors on the Cathedral's own balance sheet is £18,959 (2023 : £145,350) owed by Blackburn Cathedral Developments 

Blackburn Cathedral Enterprises Limited is a company limited by shares and is controlled by the Chapter. The results and balance sheet of the company are consolidated in these accounts. The company made a surplus of £70,092 (2023: £27,368) during the year and had net liabilities of £40,317 (2023: £31,029) at 31 December 2024. The accounts of Blackburn Cathedral Enterprises include income from the Cathedral of £4,270 (2023: £321,311) and expenditure of £25,151 (2023: £nil). Included within debtors on the Chapter's own balance sheet is £35,506 (2023: £64,163) owed from Blackburn Cathedral Enterprises Limited. 

The Chapter also paid £13,692 to a company connected to a member of the Cathedral Chapter for accountancy services (2023: £19,280). There was a year end creditor of £720. 

The Friends of Blackburn Cathedral and Blackburn Cathedral Trust operate independently of the Chapter but are wholly for the benefit of the Cathedral. Income receivable from these entities in the financial statements. 

||Friends of Blackburn Cathedral|Friends of Blackburn Cathedral|Blackburn Cathedral Trust|Blackburn Cathedral Trust|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||2024|2023|2024|2023|
|Gross Income|8,322|7,695|97,306|50,540|
|Net income before|6,119|6,674|80,275|32,891|
|payments to Cathedral|||||
|Paid to Cathedral|8,180|27,849|164,600|21,260|
|Gross assets|135,855|159,291|78,236|162,357|
|Net assets|135,855|137,916|76,583|160,907|
|Amounts owed (to)/from|-|(21,375)|-|-|
|Blackburn Cathedral Chapter|||||



The financial statements of the Friends of Blackburn Cathedral, from which these figures are extracted, are unaudited but did receive an independent examination. The examiner found no matters to which he wished to draw attention. 

The financial statements of the Blackburn Cathedral Trust, from which these figures are extracted, are unaudited but did receive an independent examination in 2023. The examiner found no matters to which they wished to draw attention. The 2024 figures are extracted from draft accounts yet to be subject to Independent Examination. 

The Lantern Music Trust (Registered Charity no. 1203918) exists to provide a long-term endowment to support the music foundation. The Trustees are The Dean, The Canon Precentor, and the Director of Music. Funds held at the end of December 2024 are £34,235. 

A close family member of a Chapter member was paid salary costs of of £28,320 in year end 2024, this was partly funded by Blackburn Diocese grant (£13,000). 

Page 49 



## **BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL CHAPTER** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **30. Post balance sheet events** 

An independent audit by INEQE safeguarding group as part of a rolling programme across the church has identified some substantive recommendations in respect of the cathedrals safeguarding policies and procedures.  At the point of sign off the Chapter has taken swift and decisive action to implement the most urgent recommendations and are working towards the implementation of all recommendations in full. 

The Dean was suspended from duties on 27th June 2025. 

Page 50 



## 02702 NF - The Cathedral Church of St Mary The Virgin Blackburn - 2024-12-31 - Final Accounts preparation 

Final Audit Report 

2025-09-29 

Created: 2025-09-18 By: Chelsey Shaw (Chelsey.Shaw@armstrongwatson.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAA0_SbC3XhSOa6ueTgSKlhIJVclub5LGEe 

"02702 NF - The Cathedral Church of St Mary The Virgin Blackb urn - 2024-12-31 - Final Accounts preparation" History 

Document created by Chelsey Shaw (Chelsey.Shaw@armstrongwatson.co.uk) 

2025-09-18 - 08:58:52 GMT- IP address: 62.89.135.74 

Document emailed to interimdean@blackburncathedral.co.uk for signature 2025-09-18 - 09:17:19 GMT 

Email viewed by interimdean@blackburncathedral.co.uk 

2025-09-25 - 12:32:25 GMT- IP address: 149.86.86.174 

Email viewed by interimdean@blackburncathedral.co.uk 

2025-09-26 - 08:13:38 GMT- IP address: 5.61.122.207 

Signer interimdean@blackburncathedral.co.uk entered name at signing as Andrew Horsfall 2025-09-26 - 08:21:07 GMT- IP address: 82.3.52.132 

Document e-signed by Andrew Horsfall (interimdean@blackburncathedral.co.uk) Signature Date: 2025-09-26 - 08:21:09 GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 82.3.52.132 

Document emailed to davidpgascoigne@gmail.com for signature 2025-09-26 - 08:21:11 GMT 

Email viewed by davidpgascoigne@gmail.com 

2025-09-26 - 08:26:03 GMT- IP address: 140.248.40.24 

Signer davidpgascoigne@gmail.com entered name at signing as David.P.Gascoigne 2025-09-26 - 10:52:44 GMT- IP address: 51.14.74.46 



Document e-signed by David.P.Gascoigne (davidpgascoigne@gmail.com) Signature Date: 2025-09-26 - 10:52:46 GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 51.14.74.46 Document emailed to Karen Rae (karen.rae@armstrongwatson.co.uk) for signature 2025-09-26 - 10:52:48 GMT 

Email viewed by Karen Rae (karen.rae@armstrongwatson.co.uk) 

2025-09-26 - 11:00:56 GMT- IP address: 62.89.142.49 

Signer Karen Rae (karen.rae@armstrongwatson.co.uk) entered name at signing as Armstrong Watson Audit Limited 

2025-09-29 - 14:46:35 GMT- IP address: 62.89.135.74 

Document e-signed by Armstrong Watson Audit Limited (karen.rae@armstrongwatson.co.uk) Signature Date: 2025-09-29 - 14:46:37 GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 62.89.135.74 

Agreement completed. 

2025-09-29 - 14:46:37 GMT 

