Docusign Envelope ID: 8B6E1DD5-B2F0-4229-995A-F8492A579E25
THE RURAL PROJECT
(A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
COMPANY NUMBER: CE037181
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1209578
Cound & Co LLP Chartered Accountants 1 Princes Court Royal Way Loughborough Leics LE11 5XR
Tel: 01509 214163
Docusign Envelope ID: 8B6E1DD5-B2F0-4229-995A-F8492A579E25
THE RURAL PROJECT
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
CONTENTS
1 - 3 Report of the Trustees 3 Independent Examiners’ Report 4 Statement of Financial Activities 5 Balance Sheet 6 - 8 Notes forming part of the financial statements.
Docusign Envelope ID: 8B6E1DD5-B2F0-4229-995A-F8492A579E25
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THE RURAL PROJECT
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees present their first annual report together with the Financial Statements of the charity for the period ending 31 March 2025 .
The accounts comply with the Charities Act and 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015).
1) Structure, Governance and Management
The charity was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 13 August 2024.
The management of the charity is the responsibility of the trustees who are elected under the terms of the governing document. New trustees are advised of their obligations under charity and company law.
New trustees are put forward by the current trustees for consideration.
The trustees determine the day-to-day operations of the charity or appoint appropriate officers to whom this responsibility is delegated.
2) Reference and Administration
Trustees
R R G Scothern (Appointed 13 August 2024) R P B Strivens (Appointed 13 August 2024) J I Bond (Appointed 13 August 2024)
Company Registered Number
CE037181
Charity Registered Number
1209578 Registered in Scotland 06 June 2025 SCO54292
Registered Office
50 Burton Edge Bakewell DE45 1FQ
Independent Examiners
Cound & Co LLP Chartered Accountants 1 Princes Court Royal Way Loughborough Leics LE11 5XR
Docusign Envelope ID: 8B6E1DD5-B2F0-4229-995A-F8492A579E25
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THE RURAL PROJECT
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2) Reference and Administration (continued)
Bankers The Co-Operative Bank PLC 1 Ballon Street Manchester M4 4BE
3) Objectives and Activities
The Objectives and Activities of the Trust are as follows:
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(A) The advancement in rural communities of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith and the principles set out in the Ethos Statement: and.
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(B) Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith and the principles set out in the Ethos Statements in rural communities, and the relief of those in need because of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.
We, as trustees, recognise that it is our legal obligation to ensure that the trust's activities are in line with our Objectives and Activities and we are satisfied that this is the case for the period in question. The trustees also confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission and OSCR’s guidance on public benefit.
4) Achievements and Performance
Key Events
The Rural Project was formally established as a CIO in August 2024 after several years of preparatory work during which a Project Leadership Team of leaders operating in rural church contexts was established, and regular meetings of interested parties commenced. An inaugural conference was held in Bakewell in September 2023 and a second conference in Culloden was held in September 2024. These conferences and regular smaller meetings gather those with a passion for rural mission to share experiences, learn, pray and grow together.
A training course in Rural Ministry was created in partnership with Crosslands Training during the year and church members from a number of rural contexts attended this course.
A major milestone was the establishment of the first Rural Project church planting residency. Matthew Coates was selected to fill this appointment and started work with Wooler Evangelical Church, Northumbria in January 2025. Matthew is employed directly by Wooler Evangelical Church and is funded by generous donations from individuals and churches across the UK and beyond. The Rural Project played an instrumental role in helping to raise this support to enable Wooler Evangelical Church to employ Matthew. The residency will run for three years at the end of which the prayerful plan is that a new church will be planted or an existing church revitalized in Northumbria.
Looking ahead the trustees are prayerfully focused on continuing and expanding the work of the charity through further conferences, networking opportunities, training for church members and leaders and another church planting residency in 2026.
5) Financial Review
The Charity had an income this financial year of £1 with no expenditure. This was to open the Charity’s bank account. The charity had no other incoming resources or expenditure in the year. Peak Trinity Church (Charity number 1192271) incurred (in line with its own charitable objectives which are closely aligned to The Rural Project) a small amount of set-up costs on behalf of the charity to enable the charity to be established. The charity had no reserves at the start of the accounting period end £1 in unrestricted reserves at the end of the accounting period. During the coming year the trustees expect to receive donations from individuals and partner churches to support the small ongoing operating costs of the charity.
Docusign EnvelopÈ ID." 8B6E1DD>82F0-422S95A-F84g2As79E2s THE RURAL PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Reserve5 Poli£ The tNstees recognise the importance of a reseryes policy to help demonstrate giM)d stewardship and financial management and to manage its reputation. This policy will be discussed by the Trustees and implemented in the current year. R R G Scothern Trustee 5 December 2025
Docusign EnvelopÈ ID." 8B6E1DD>82F0-422S95A-F84g2As79E2s INDEPENDENT ExItNERS, REPORT TO THE OFFICERS OF THE RURAL PROJECT IDdependent Examiner's Report to the oificers ofTbe Rur41 Project I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 4 to 7. Responsibilities and bAsis of report As the charity's Inistees you are responsible for the prepardtion of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the chariry's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out Jny examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Clwity Commission under section 145(5)Ibl of the Act. IDdependellt tMIner'S statement I have COTnpleted my exarnination. I conf]rni that no material matters bave come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by StiOn 130 of the Act" or tbe accounts do not accord with those records I have no concerns and have come aeross no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in tbis report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be rbed. DocuSlgn•d by.. D R Gradon MA FCA Cound & Co LLP Chartered AccoulltaTLts I Princes Court Royal Way Loughborough Leics, LEI 15XR sNdbY.. 5th December 2025 72EOD$EFD8314
Docusign Envelope ID: 8B6E1DD5-B2F0-4229-995A-F8492A579E25
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THE RURAL PROJECT
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund Note 2025 2025 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations 2 1 - __ _ EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities - - TOTAL EXPENDITURE - - NET INCOME (EXPENDITURE) 1 - TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS - - NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 1 - RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: - - Total funds brought forward ___ TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD £1 £- |
Total Funds 2025 1 |
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| ______ - |
|
| ______ - |
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| __ 1 - _ 1 - ___ £1 |
Docusign EnvelopÈ ID." 8B6E1DD>82F0-422S95A-F84g2As79E2s THE RURAL PROJECT BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 Notes 2024 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at Bank and in Hand LIABILITIES- Creditors falling due within one year NET CURRENf ASSETS NET ASSETS £1 THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY: Unrestricted Funds Restricted Fund £1 These fmallcial ststements were approved by tbe trustees on 5th December 2025 and signed on its bellllf by R R G Scothern Trustee
Docusign Envelope ID: 8B6E1DD5-B2F0-4229-995A-F8492A579E25
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THE RURAL PROJECT
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
These 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 FRS102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS102”) (effective 1 January 2016)’, FRS102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective September 2016), and the Charities Act 2011. The disclosure requirements of Section 1A of FRS102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity under FRS102.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transactional value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note and the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the financial currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.
b) Company Status
The Rural Project was registered as a charitable incorporated organisation on 13 August 2024 and is governed by a constitution dated 13 August 2024 and registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1209578.
c) Fund Accounting
Undesignated general funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The aim of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
d) Incoming Resources
All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income after performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reasonably and it is probable that the income will be received. No amount included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with SORP (FRS102).
e) Resources Expended
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the church to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attached are fulfilled.
Docusign Envelope ID: 8B6E1DD5-B2F0-4229-995A-F8492A579E25
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THE RURAL PROJECT
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2025 2025 Donations received 1 - |
Total 2024 £1 |
|---|---|
3 STATEMENT OF FUNDS
| 3 | STATEMENT OF FUNDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | At 13 August 2024 Unrestricted Funds - Restricted Funds - __ Total Funds £- ____ ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by: Current Assets Current Liabilities Total Net Assets |
Income Expenditure Transfers 1 - - - - - __ _ £1 £- £- Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 1 - - - ___ £1 £- |
_ | At 31 March 2025 1 - _ £1 Total Funds 1 - __ £1 |