2025-04-05-accounts

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

5 APRIL 2025

Registered charity number 234331

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

Contents

Trustees and advisors	3
Report of the trustees	4
Independent auditor�s report	15
Consolidated statement of financial activities	18
Charity statement of financial activities	19
Consolidated & charity balance sheets	20
Consolidated cash flow statement	21
Notes to the financial statements	22 - 52

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

TRUSTEES AND ADVISORS

The Charity is governed by a Trust Deed dated 31 July 1934 (as subsequently amended by schemes of the Charity Commission) and is registered by the Charity Commission of England and Wales as charity number 234331. The Diocese was created by the Holy See in 1924, the northern area formerly having been within the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and the southern area having been within the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Address

The Pastoral Centre Balmoral Road Lancaster LA1 3BT

Trustees

The following served as trustees during the year: The Right Rev Bishop P Swarbrick Rev Canon M Docherty Rev Canon P Embery Rev Canon P Hart Mr P Briers Mr M Callagher Mrs S Greenwood Ms N Wisdom Mr A Woowat

Appointed after the year end

Rev A Dawson (October 2025)

Custodian Trustee

Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered a body incorporated under the Charitable Trustees Incorporation Act 1872 (now Part 12 of the Charities Act 2011).

The custodian trustee holds the property and other assets of the charity on behalf of the Charity Trustees.

Secretary to the Trustees

Mrs K Woods (appointed July 2025) Ms K Heaton-Brown (retired June 2025)

Investment managers Solicitors Auditors Quilter Cheviot FMGS Law Ltd MHA One Kingsway 1 Middle Street Richard House London Lancaster 9 Winckley Square WC2B 6AN LA1 1JZ Preston, Lancs PR1 3HP

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Aims and objectives

The principal purpose of the charity is the furtherance of the Catholic religion within the Diocese of Lancaster. This is achieved by such charitable purposes as the Bishop of Lancaster, in his absolute discretion, shall think fit in accordance with the Trust Deed, the principal objectives of which are as follows:

• The provision, maintenance and upkeep of churches, public chapels and presbyteries.

• The provision of religious services in these churches and public chapels.

• The provision and maintenance of houses and colleges for the education and training of priests and persons wishing to become priests.

• The maintenance, support and provision of medical and surgical aid and accommodation for infirm and aged priests and the burial of deceased priests.

• The provision of support for priests and clerics working in the Diocese.

• The relief of poor persons professing the Roman Catholic Religion.

• The provision and maintenance of schools and colleges for young people.

• The provision and maintenance of houses, study halls and residences for teachers.

• The provision and upkeep of accommodation for infirm or aged priests.

• The provision and maintenance of cemeteries.

• The provision and maintenance of parish rooms and halls for the enlightenment, education and religious and moral benefit of people of the diocese.

• The provision and maintenance of hospitals and sanatoria for the poor.

• The acquisition of sites for buildings in connection with the above.

• Generally, for any such charitable purposes as, in the opinion of the Bishop, may be conducive to the advancement or maintenance of the Roman Catholic religion in the Diocese of Lancaster.

• Such charitable purposes as shall advance the religious and other charitable work of the Diocese as the trustees with the approval of the Bishop shall from time to time think fit. If at any time the Diocese shall cease to exist or there shall cease to be any religious or other charitable work carried on by the Diocese, then for such other lawful charitable purposes connected with the advancement of the Roman Catholic religion as the trustees shall determine.

Organisation, governance and decision-making

The Diocese of Lancaster has at present 70 parishes with regular services available in around 100 churches and chapels and 81 schools (a mix of academies and VA schools) throughout the whole of the historic county of Cumbria (now administered by the unitary local authorities of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness) and those parts of Lancashire, north of the River Ribble and the west of the Pennines. The communities served by the charity are quite diverse and include towns/cities in Cumbria such as Barrow, Workington, Carlisle and Whitehaven and the whole of the Lake District. In urban areas, parishes might be just a few square miles in size, whereas in the more rural parts of Cumbria, parishes can be 200+ square miles. In Lancashire the coastal resorts of Blackpool and Morecambe fall within our boundaries, as does the city of Preston.

Although a clear structure of accountability and authority exists within the Catholic Church, as far as possible, day-today decision-making and actual pastoral practice takes place at local level in accordance with diocesan policies and wider Church beliefs. Individuals are encouraged to be involved with the delivery and planning of the services that our parishes provide to local communities. Parishes are, for example, expected to have various committees to advise priestleaders on finance and property as well as the care of the charity�s beneficiaries. As there are declining numbers of priests in this country, local communities are increasingly taking a greater responsibility in the running of their parishes. Whilst the trustees of the charity have overall responsibility in civil law matters, many of these local committees are constituted in Church Law, and act in an advisory capacity to Parish Priests, Priests in Charge etc ; however, their work to support their Parish Priests, Priest in Charge etc and the trustees in their own responsibilities is invaluable.

Meetings of the board of trustees, at which the operation of the charity is discussed, are held regularly through out the year with at least nine meetings per annum. Although overall governance is vested with this body, its decision-making is informed by the work of sub-committees through their regular reports. Trustees play a significant role on each of the charity�s main sub-committees.

The principle sub-committees are:

Trustees� Safeguarding Sub-Committee

The diocese and its trustees are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk in accordance with civil and national Church guidelines.

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The Lancaster Diocesan Trustees� Safeguarding Sub-committee oversee safeguarding matters in accordance with recommendations arising from the recent ICSSA enquiry into historic sexual abuse. The diocese is working towards full compliance with the newly developed national catholic safeguarding standards. The Safeguarding Sub-Committee will oversee the necessary governance arrangements in order to monitor that procedures are followed and best practise is developed and maintained. The diocese is subject to on-going audit by the National Catholic Standards Agency (CSSA) which has regulatory, advisory and audit functions.

Day to day safeguarding work is undertaken by the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator whose responsibilities include oversight of the creation and continuation of a safe environment throughout the diocese; responding when concerns are raised and undertaking the necessary liaison with statutory agencies; supporting those hurt by abuse and managing those church personnel who have caused harm. Each parish has one or more safeguarding representatives .

Finance Sub-Committee

This committee, which is supported by a Certified Accountant who is a diocesan officer, monitors the day to day financial activities of the charity, particularly its liquidity and financial health, setting and controlling the central diocesan budget, and monitors delegated expenditure by parishes. A parish may spend up to £8,000 (including VAT) per project or item without prior approval of the trustees. The Diocesan Finance Office, which reports to this committee, processes most of the charity�s Gift Aid claims and the internal �annual financial returns� submitted from parishes and other bodies; these are then consolidated into the main charity accounts. The charity�s strategies against fraud (and possible bribery) also sit with this committee. The committee does not of itself currently have delegated spending powers; it is also responsible for liaising with the charity�s external auditors. The Finance Committee in conjunction with the Property Committee is delegated to approve expenditure on individual property maintenance projects above the parish delegated limit of £8,000 up to £25,000. Both committees must agree otherwise the matter is to be referred to the board of trustees.

Property and Health & Safety Sub-Committee

This committee is supported by a qualified surveyor, who is also a diocesan officer, examines and makes judgment on the appropriateness, and the value for money of, property projects submitted by the trustees, or parishes of the diocese. Again, parishes must seek prior approval of the trustees for any project with a cost over £8,000. The committee also examines proposed leases, and land sales or purchases in accordance with best practice and Charity Law. Currently, all proposed leases are ratified by the full trustee body on the first granting of a lease. The Property Committee in conjunction with the Finance Committee is delegated to approve expenditure on individual property maintenance projects costing up to £25,000 and lease renewals, if no material changes to the lease. Both committees must agree otherwise the matter is to be referred to the board of trustees.

This sub-committee ensure that the statutory duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other relevant statutory instruments are met within the Diocese of Lancaster. It will represent the diocese on health and safety and act to protect the health and safety of the clergy, diocesan employees, congregations and other people who might be affected by their business within the Diocese of Lancaster. We continue to develop the computerised system introduced across the diocese for the evaluation, monitoring and reporting of health and safety at each �site� operated. Training and health and safety advice and support is provided with this system.

Investment Sub-Committee

Members are drawn primarily from the Finance Sub-Committee and the diocesan Faith and Justice Commission. This sub-committee is responsible for setting policy and monitoring performance of the charity�s investments, most of which are designated to individual parishes, but are under the control of the charity in civil law. Professional investment fund managers externally manage the portfolio of investments. The charity was one of the first Catholic diocese to introduce an ethical and socially responsible investment strategy, and it uses an ethical screening service to this end. The portfolio manager issues a quarterly report of investment performance and an ethical screening report twice yearly as well as meeting face-to-face annually. The investment manager ensures that the portfolio complies with the Diocesan Ethical Policy.

Board of Education and Formation

The Education Service supports 81 schools to ensure that they are successful and act in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Diocese. This involves offering advice and direction on a broad range of educational matters such as, Religious Education and curriculum issues, Catholic Life of a school, staffing and recruitment, governance, admissions, capital and academy developments. The Diocesan Schools Commissioner works closely with the Catholic Education Service, the Regional Schools Commissioners (North and Northwest), Parishes, Local Authorities, and the Department for Education to secure the best support for the schools of the Diocese.

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Our Catholic schools and sixth form college have an important part to play in the mission of the Church. Our Diocesan schools make a strong contribution to education in Cumbria and North Lancashire. They exist so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is announced to future generations. As Bishop Paul Swarbrick says, �Our Catholic schools have been the bedrock of our mission to make Jesus Christ known and loved in our communities for nearly two centuries. Events in recent years have highlighted how vital our schools are and how their work and witness reveal Jesus Christ's presence in their locality. Our schools are an integral and critical part of the Diocese of Lancaster's mission�.

Diocesan Schools Buildings Committee

This monitors the repair and development budgets for school buildings of Voluntary Aided Schools in the Diocese. In the voluntary sector, building work is commissioned by the governors/schools with the State paying up to 90% of eventual costs in grant-aid. This is provided in the form of an annual budgeted amount of �SCA� money, which is then bid for by schools through a local committee process, aided by a professional officer, to prioritise projects according to need, and to ensure best value for the taxpayer.

As the academisation program progresses the monitoring and control of schools� building will change and this will impact on the operation and function of the Schools Building Committee.

Diocesan Youth Service Management Group

Currently two trustees serve with others on this committee which oversees the direction and management of our Diocesan Youth Service. Youth Service staff co-ordinate and train volunteers in the parishes and assist with the organisation of events for young people, including the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes where our youngsters learn to work with elderly, sick and disabled individuals and groups. The residential diocesan youth centre at Castlerigg in Keswick, which has been open for more than 40 years, draws together young people from schools and parishes from all over the Diocese and beyond, supporting both Catholics and those not of our tradition alike. The centre helps educate young people to develop their physical, mental, moral and spiritual abilities so that they grow up to enable them to contribute positively to society as well as helping them achieve their potential as human beings.

Other diocesan commissions and agencies

See below for information on other diocesan commissions and agencies.

Trustees

In accordance with clause 15 of the Trust Deed, new trustees are appointed by resolution of the trustees but only with and subject to the approval of the Bishop of Lancaster. Trustees are appointed with a view to the overall needs of the Diocese, and considering their skills and backgrounds. Recruitment is undertaken internally or externally whenever a vacancy arises, or at any time, to ensure there is an appropriate pastoral and professional representation including educational, finance, accountancy, legal and property experience. Trustees are not expected to have knowledge of all the operations of the charity upon appointment, but will learn about these through the way trustees� meetings are conducted as well as by serving on sub-committees. The responsibilities of trustees in law are clearly explained on the Charity Commission website, and training opportunities are offered as appropriate; though it is appreciated that many trustees are already in full-time employment.

The central administration of the charity has paid qualified staff supporting the work of the trustees. There are also many volunteers working at every level within the charity, many of whom have considerable professional experience. We would estimate (broadly) that volunteers provide a full-time equivalent of 75 employees, representing a donation of time equivalent to at least £1.5m for each year.

Subsidiary entities

The charity has several subsidiary charities and limited liability companies that it controls. Details of these are given in note 2 to the account. The subsidiary charities have similar aims to those of the Diocese of Lancaster. The limited companies carry out trading activities, mainly that of social centres and clubs. The financial results of all these subsidiary entities are consolidated into the group accounts.

Investment powers, policy and performance

The trustees' investment powers are governed by the Trustees Act 2000. By an Order of the Charity Commission dated 10th January 1996, the trustees were empowered to delegate certain management and dealing authority to their investment manager. Investments comprise a mix of UK FTSE 350 equities, UK gilts, cash & unit trusts, North American equities, European equities and Alternative Investment, the latter include �green� investments. All individual investments conform to the Trustees� Investment Policy which includes criteria established in accordance with the Diocesan Ethical Investment Policy which is reviewed regularly. The return on investments in recent years has been

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

good when considered against comparable benchmarking. The trustees are satisfied that the capital performance and income generated are more than satisfactory and meet our current needs and strategies.

Planning for the future

In line with many other Catholic diocese in England and Wales, the charity is facing the issue of how best to deliver its services for stakeholders against the backdrop of declining numbers at church. Buildings for worship were often constructed in years gone by when demographics were quite different to today and when the principles of design were also quite different.

Our church buildings and parish communities have a special place in the hearts of many Catholics; therefore the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances does not always come easy, and the Bishop together with the trustees recognise this when plans are being considered. An important strategic review document, formed after extensive consultation, �Fit for Mission?� remains the blueprint for many of the changes that necessarily must take place.

Our schools however remain popular, with overall pupil numbers broadly static. Many of our schools serve areas of relative social deprivation. We also have well-used church halls across the diocese, many of which are used by the wider community for non-religious use.

Review of activities � general

The activities of the charity are carried out in three main areas: parishes, schools and diocesan. All are directed towards promoting the Faith and spreading the Word of God. Most direct contact with beneficiaries is via parishes and schools, with a significant amount of support provided by the diocese to the schools and parishes. It is difficult to quantify the Spiritual �success� of these activities, but most parishes remain well supported despite the overall decline in Mass attendance and the number on roll at schools remain high. It is also difficult to gauge the financial benefit of activities. How can the �success �of rich and poor parishes be compared?

Review of activities - parishes

Most of the charity�s beneficiaries� contact with the charity is at local level; that is our parishes. The reach and impact of parish ministry includes contact with people in schools, hospitals, higher education establishments, care homes and prisons. As well as religious services, parishes provide many additional activities including youth groups, social groups, and important support for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

Practical support for those in need, both at home and abroad, feature prominently in the regular activities of many parishes. Although many parish activities nourish those who attend church or are closely connected to it, the evangelising nature of the Gospel imperative and the call to service, mean that our parishes are also outward-looking communities with a sense of contributing to the common good of the wider community and building-up �social capital�. Parishes have a degree of autonomy within the charity, not least because locally delivered services are best planned and delivered by local people. Each parish has its own bank account and is responsible for its own income and expenditure, according to the principle of subsidiarity. Financial records are also kept locally, with annual financial returns being submitted. Independent Financial Examiners are appointed in each parish and several parishes are randomly selected for more detailed external audit each year. All bank balances and account transactions can be viewed centrally for monitoring purposes, with an alert system in place for any unusual or significant transactions.

There are at present (December 2025) 46 diocesan priests working for and within the diocese, together with 11 priests on loan to us from elsewhere. A further 4 diocesan priests are engaged in non-parochial ministry outside of the diocese. There are also 30 retired priests for whom we care. Some priests and sisters from religious communities have a presence in the diocese, either working with the charity or doing similar work under their own auspices. The Diocese has undertaken several initiatives to welcome more religious priests and sisters to minister in our community. Their presence in the Diocese adds a new and vibrant element which will be beneficial to the Diocesan Family. Any overseas religious coming to the Diocese comply with all immigration and safeguarding requirements.

The diocese is aware that immigration is an important national issue, and always seeks, as a recognised Level 1 Sponsoring Body, to only invite an appropriate number of individuals into the country. These have clearly defined religious roles and the diocese undertakes to provide for their upkeep. Thanks are due to the United Kingdom Visa and Immigration Office for the role they play. It should be noted that such invitations are to complement the work done by indigenous priests (a shortage occupation at the current time) and religious communities, not replace it. Our strategy for promoting vocations to priesthood remains at the forefront of our minds, though it is recognised that this �career� does not fit neatly into usual �recruitment� models or remuneration packages.

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Review of activities - diocese

In addition to the principal trustees� sub-committees listed above, diocesan structures exist to support and implement the decisions of the Bishop and trustees. These include a range of committees, service delivery bodies, advisory boards and commissions to provide assistance to the Bishop in his ministry of oversight and service within the diocese. There are also several funds managed at diocesan level for the general benefit of the diocese as a whole; these include:

Chaplaincy services

Various chaplaincies exist in schools, hospitals and prisons. Chaplaincy work may be arranged by the Diocese or via individual parishes or a nominated priest may act as the chaplain to an organisation.

Faith & Justice Commission

The commission works with parishes, schools and youth groups throughout the diocese in promoting justice and peace issues, particularly in raising awareness and encouraging involvement with these. Significant emphasis is placed on a greater understanding of world development. The commission organises conferences and produces regular newsletters for the people of the diocese. A part-time worker is employed to support this work.

Sick & Retired Priests Care Fund

The diocese looks after its aged and infirm clergy through the Sick and Retired Priests Care Fund. This is a restricted fund to support those priests who have retired and those recovering from illness. The fund provides a discretionary retirement grant for priests no longer in active ministry, and a home where needed. Some retired priests continue to serve the diocesan community in a reduced role providing occasional help. The fund provides support for some retired housekeepers and manages residential properties for retired clergy situated in the diocese.

Whilst many priests generously continue to serve past conventional retirement age (75 for clergy in Church Law), we do have an increasing number of those retired due to longevity of life and medical advances. Care of these priests is included as an integral part of the diocesan Trust Deed.

Ecclesiastical Education Fund

This (restricted) fund provides financial support for the selection and formation of students preparing for the Priesthood and for the Permanent Diaconate in the diocese. Currently we have three students in training for the Diocesan Priesthood. It also supports ongoing formation of the clergy and provides for priests undertaking postgraduate studies in the UK or abroad. The fund also supports the Vocations Directors for Priesthood and the Permanent Diaconate and their teams in the work of promoting vocations.

Lancaster Diocesan Pilgrimage Trust

The Pilgrimage Trust oversees the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes for the sick and disabled pilgrims and their families. The pilgrimages are extensively supported by the young people and volunteer medics and carers of the diocese who assist in the care and transporting of the sick and disabled.

Public benefit

The Charities Act 2006 has included "Public Benefit" in the definition of a charitable purpose, such that all organisations wishing to be recognised as charities must demonstrate explicitly that their aims are for the public benefit. Based on the Charity Commission guidance, specific examples of a public benefit include the advancement of religion, the advancement of education, the prevention or relief from poverty, the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill health, disability, financial hardship etc. As a "mainstream" religious denomination (and that religion has been stated by parliament to be a charitable purpose) the trustees are confident that the existing aims and activities of the charity, as set out above, sit comfortably within the Charity Commission guidelines.

Many parishes have outreach groups/activities committed to actively working for the needy in their locality. As far as is possible, practical help is given at the point of need, rather than to schemes and projects, though the latter also often happens. Many parishes in urban areas are now involved with local food banks.

International aid also features in the activities of many parishes, usually using existing recognised charities established for this purpose (e.g. CAFOD), or through religious orders who have people on the ground to ensure that aid is used for the purpose it is given. Some parishes have formal links with the projects they support and this ensures good communication and education about the issues facing people in difficult situations abroad.

It should also be recognised that well over 1,000 weekly visits are made to the elderly in their homes throughout the year. We also have teams of chaplains working in hospitals (often on 0.2 of a post) and other healthcare facilities; with

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

many of the clergy working in these places offering a round-the-clock availability throughout the year. Many of these are undertaken by volunteers.

One of the principal activities within each parish is the celebration of Mass by the parish priests. Approximately 11,500 (December 2024) people attend Sunday Mass within our Diocese. But parish priests do far more than celebrate Mass: they are active leaders in our communities and many of our clergy are involved with people at important times of their lives, such as births, marriages and bereavement. Although a church service may take only one hour, this is usually preceded by several hours of contact and preparation with those concerned. Most clergy engage in personal counselling, even if informally; others have trained to use sign-language to provide spiritual support to those who have serious hearing impairments. There is clear evidence that most of our schools - which are open to non-Catholics as well as Catholics - produce good results, both academically and socially. Although our schools are denominational in nature, OFSTED reports often comment on their positive achievements in areas of social inclusion, community cohesion, mutual respect and understanding, and promoting citizenship. Faith groups also provide important support and anchor points for persons who are new to the country. One of the strengths of church communities is that they provide community �anchor-points�, which often includes the church building itself, which has sometimes been used by generations of the same family. Of its nature, the Church does not only look after its �own�, but serves the wider locality; it is difficult to gauge the full amount of social investment that is accumulated from the efforts of people of faith, not least because they often do their work deliberately unnoticed and unsung. We know that many parishioners participate in other local charitable endeavours which may or may not have any faith connection.

The stability of parish life is important in a changing world, but that does not mean that local communities are not responding to changing times. Some youth groups, for example have been around for many years with inflow and outflow of young people; other activities for young people are established in the knowledge that they will have a timespan to serve a particular group of young people, who will inevitably move on to other things as they get older or move to university.

It is worth mentioning that many church communities collaborate with other non-Catholic church communities in social projects, so that the interaction generated avoids duplication and best allows delivery of a quality service. One such project includes the �Street Pastors� initiative which puts volunteers on the streets of cities and towns at night to coincide with young adults� social activities. The initiative not only provides a listening ear, but often helps people get home more safely, and frees up the emergency services to deal with more pressing matters � such initiatives are always done in partnership with the local authority and the Police.

Our Lake District churches and youth centre serve people who come to the area for recreation. Similarly, those coming to seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Morecambe, often come to services during their stay and receive hospitality.

Charitable objectives

The principal objectives of the charity are the provision of churches, religious services, halls, welfare of clergy, relief of poverty and education. The days of diocesan expansion through construction of new church buildings are all but over. The challenge now is to keep existing places of worship open in the context of declining numbers of worshippers and fewer clergy. Creative twinning or merging of parishes is an on-going process, led by the diocesan bishop, who has the primary responsibility for the conduct of public religious worship. It is also true that use of motor vehicles aids mobility and facilitates journeying to other Catholic churches further afield; this being said, there is still great loyalty to local parishes.

The charity continues to respond to developments in education. Our one sixth form college and 11 secondary schools and 69 primary schools, some of which are in socially deprived areas, are run by good staff and are overseen by volunteer governing bodies. OFSTED reports are generally very positive with some outstanding schools being identified, or good schools with some outstanding features. The provision of an academy support trust, and close liaison with local authorities by the Diocesan Education Service helps to ensure that our faith-led education sector keeps up with change and can respond to developing needs quickly.

Our diocesan priests are required to take on more work as their numbers decline. The boom years for clergy were the 1960�s and early 1970�s. Since then the ratio of priests to people nationally has returned to where it was for much of the late 1800�s and early 1900�s (that is 1:750). However, we now have more churches open than 100 years ago, all of which need staffing (even if part-time). In common with other diocese and denominations, clergy are developing new ways of working to ensure the provision of quality and quantity of worship and pastoral services to our beneficiaries, which includes an ever greater use of lay leadership and deacons. At the same time, our clergy are to be commended, that they have not withdrawn from other areas of pastoral ministry to prisons, hospitals and schools for example.

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Serious incident reporting

No serious incidents have been reported during the year of review.

Review of financial performance

The group (including social clubs) reported a deficit, before investment gains, of £28k for the year (2024 surplus of £796k).

The charity (parishes and central diocese only) reported a deficit of £74k (2024: surplus £757k), including gains on sale of assets (surplus properties) of £249k (2024: £370k).

There was a decrease in the market value of group investments £1.67m (2024: increase £4.50m). Investment values have remained fairly stable post year end. The market value of group investments at 5 April 2025 was £32.25m compared to £34.57m at 5 April 2024.

At the end of the financial year, the diocese (charity) had net positive group credit bank balances of £15.4m (2024: £14.70m), with additional cash balances of £569k (2024: £201k) held as part of the investment portfolio.

The following is a summary of the financial performance of the Diocesan charity for the last six years: -

Net results of the charity Gains/(losses) on investment Net movement in funds	2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 (74) 757 (131) 412 (523) (2,647) (1,546) 4,265 (4,027) 1,118 7,558 (4,164) (1,620) 5,022 (4,158) 1,530 7,035 (6,811)

Total charity funds at 5 April 2025 were £80.42m (2024: £82.04m) and total group funds were £83.04m (2024: £84.73m).

Income

Total charity incoming resources were £10.15m (2024: £9.97m) and the charity reported a deficit on activities of £74k (2024: surplus of £757k). There was a decrease in the value of investments and the unrealised loss on these for the charity was £1.55m (2024: unrealised gain £4.26m) resulting in total fund movement (decrease) of £1.6m (2024: increase £5.02m). There was a gain on disposal of assets of £249k (2024: gain £370k).

There has been a decrease in voluntary income streams of the charity with the total of donations and legacies etc decreasing from £5.56m to £5.28m. Legacy receipts decreased from £1.38m to £935k. Donations received increased from £853k to £986k. Income from Charitable Activities has increased overall from £1.48m to £1.77m.

Mass offertory collections have increased from £2.34m to £2.43m reflecting Mass attendance returning to a �new normal� following the pandemic. Mass offertory and Mass attendance remain below pre Covid 19 pandemic levels and there is an underlying downward trend in Mass attendance which has been the trend for many years now.

The average giving per head for 2025 was £4.10 (2024: £4.35) on the reported average Mass attendance figure of 11,626 (December 2024) per week, before Gift Aid, and not including other donations. This Mass attendance figure for 2024 is higher than that recorded in December 2023 of 11,020 but still significantly lower than pre-pandemic level which was circa 14,000 per week. Future Mass attendance is not expected to increase.

As the name suggests, �voluntary donations� or �donations� are at the discretion of the donor, and at the present time pushing for more, especially in poorer communities might be deemed inappropriate. However, the trustees note that other charities have had to respond to drops in their income by developing new methods of fundraising. The scope for this within church on a Sunday is limited, but a possible fundraising initiative in the future might be adopted.

Thanks are due to our parishioners and other donors for their continued and generous support.

Income of the charity from stocks and shares investments showed an increase from £927k in 2024 to £1m for 2025. Bank interest received increased to £234k from (2024: £196k) received. Future bank interest receipts will depend on future rates and the amount of funds placed directly on deposit. Interest is no longer paid on the total of net bank balances held.

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Trading/cost of raising funds

The trustees do not consider that the charity has any trading income and that any sale of goods etc is from charitable activities and such activities are fund raising and not trading. Such income only forms a small part of the charity�s total income. Although the charity has used the standard SORP heading �Other trading activities� which include �social clubs� and �fund raising � fetes etc�, the income from these is not trading income. The trading of parish centre bars and proprietary parish clubs is operated through separate limited companies the results of which are consolidated in the group accounts.

Donated goods form only a very small amount of charity income, although there is no practical method of valuing donated goods, but the total value of these is not expected to be significant. Many of these would be given as raffle prizes.

Expenditure

Resources expended by the charity in 2025 were £10.2m and the comparable figure for 2024 was £9.21m. The cost of the provision of places of worship and other buildings, including repairs and maintenance, increased from £4.25m to £5.36m. The increase in expenditure is directly attributable to the increased costs of heating and lighting and the costs of repairs and maintenance.

Two of the highest areas of expenditure are the provision of places of worship & ancillary buildings at £5.36m (2024: £4.25m), a significant number of which are listed buildings, and the provision of religious services and pastoral care at £2.57m (2024: £2.37m). These two cost headings account for approximately 77% (2024: 71%) of total expenditure of the charity and equate to around 78% (2024: circa 66%) of the total income of the charity. The cost of heating of buildings, particularly churches, and maintenance of buildings, many of which are listed, have increase significantly and are likely to remain high. Total heating costs have more than doubled. It is noted that many church heating systems are out of date and inefficient. The age and listed status of many of our properties mean that locally installed renewables, such as solar power are not often possible to consider.

The charity rarely makes external grants from central diocese; however parishes have a degree of discretion in supporting local causes. Those organisations supported by central diocese include ecumenical partnerships, £12k (2024: £12k) and for the structures of the Catholic Church nationally £69k (2024: £92k). Total of grants, donations and levies for the charity amounted to £557k (2024: £672k).

Staff costs

Total staff costs for the year were higher at £1.45m (2024: £1.43m) with most staff engaged by the parishes.

One employee of the charity received remuneration of more than £60,000 (2024: 2). See note 5 to the accounts for more details. No trustee received payment for services as a trustee, though any clergy serving as trustee will receive payment as office holders (i.e. clergy in active ministry).

We employ several professionals as senior management, to work in the central administration of the diocese in the areas of financial management, property management, safeguarding and education. There is a total of 17 (2024: 17) professional staff and support staff with a total remuneration (including pension and National Insurance cost) of circa £663k (2024: £634k).

Again, it should be noted that some of our management, and most of the charity�s governance, is by the efforts of volunteers, many of whom have a lifetime of experience in their given field. This applies to the main trustee body, principal sub-committees and diocesan commissions. Parishes rely heavily on volunteers in all aspects of parish life.

A total of £504k (2024: £469k) was paid to clergy as office holders in active ministry. There has been a change in the remuneration available to priests which has resulted in the increased cost. The number of priests in active ministry has decreased from 57 to 56 as recorded at 5 April annually, including priests on loan from other religious orders, of which there were 11 at 5 April 2025 (11 as at April 2024). The decline in the number of serving priests is due to more priests retiring on reaching retirement age than there are men joining the priesthood. An increasing number of priests will retire in the coming years reducing further the number of those in active ministry.

Staff pay is determined by the trustees for those staff not engaged at parish level. The trustees may decide directly or via one of the sub-committees or boards. The pay of parish staff is decided locally following available guidance from the trustees. The Diocese is committed to ensuring that all staff, wherever engaged, are remunerated at least to the living wage level.

11

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Fund Raising

Fund raising within the diocesan charity is carried out at local parish or department level and there is no co-ordinated diocesan wide fund raising structure or activity. We do not use any professional fund raisers and are not registered with any fund raising body or organisation.

Local fund raising is usually by means of appeals made at public events such as Mass or by organising events such coffee mornings, sales or fetes for example. Appeals and events are organised by the Parish Priest or by parishioners on his behalf. A parish priest may on occasion approach an individual parishioner direct for support, but this would be rare and by exception and only if the parishioner was well known to him.

Although these public events are open to all, the majority of those who attend are regular and well known supporters i.e. local parish congregations and are often social occasions as well as fund raising opportunities. The members of the congregation are all well known to and by the parish priest and many to each other. These close relationships allow for the easy identification of people who are vulnerable and to take appropriate action to protect them such as involving a family member if a person were to offer a large or unusual donation.

The Catholic Church has a long tradition of raising funds from its supporters. These supporters range from those who are extremely poor to those who are very wealthy and will include many vulnerable people. The Church has taken care to ensure the people can only give what they can afford and that donations are freely given. People are free to attend events or not, will not be pressurised to donate and will not be contacted at home.

The Diocesan Trustees do not have a formal system for monitoring of fund raising activities and due to the nature and widespread location of such activities it would not be possible or practicable to introduce one. The Trustees will investigate any complaints or concerns regarding fund raising as part of the Diocesan Safeguarding procedures.

Reserves policy

The Diocesan Trustees recognises that the reserves of the Trust reflect the full range of activities across all parishes and the other diocesan activities. There are funds that are held for specific purposes (restricted funds). Detailed records are held which identify the range of reserves for internal management purposes (see note 13), and it should be noted that the policy for the financial management of these reserves will vary with the purpose for which they are held. All restricted funds are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that funds are being used for the purpose of each fund.

Parish based reserves often reflect endowments or legacies from previous years, many of which have been given or established to provide for the longer-term costs associated with the care of often large and old buildings, some of which are �listed� for the public benefit of the nation. It is also important to recognise that in the canon law of the Catholic Church, each parish is an individual entity and the designation of the finances of each entity must be respected; therefore it is often not possible for cash-based funds to be simply moved from one part of the charity to another. However, given that a levy is paid on various sources of parish income to contribute to the costs of centrally provided diocesan services, then those parishes which are better off, or which have reserves are, in fact, contributing to the common good of all.

Many regular voluntary donations by the charity�s beneficiaries and donors in parishes will be spent on the general purposes of the charity in that parish within a reasonably short amount of time as �revenue� expenditure.

When a parish with unrestricted reserves in any asset class requires funding for a particular project, the trustees will consider using these reserves as either partial, or occasionally as full, funding for the project, whilst taking the longer term future of the parish and the overall diocesan position into account. However, some fundraising at local level is normally expected for significant projects, so that parish reserves are not exhausted all at once, unless this is necessary.

Diocesan reserves reflect funds held for broader or group obligations, such as those for investing in the formation of future clergy and the care of sick and retired priests, as well as funds held for specific purposes. There is no doubt that the diocese needs to consider how these reserves can best be applied in the future to help support changes that will take place due to changes in demography, pastoral need and the actual practise of the faith from place to place (i.e. where the charity is committed to provide churches in order to maintain genuine accessibility by the charity�s beneficiaries, even where a particular church might be deemed financially non-viable as a standalone unit). It should be noted that the central diocesan administration does not presently hold any long term reserves itself, but has an internal historic debt to parishes, which represents previous unfunded expenditure. With the agreement of parishes, a long term plan is in place to repay this debt over an appropriate period, primarily using �windfall� receipts.

12

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The nel asset distribubon of the reserves set OLrt in Tr)te 14 ￿fl￿t$ consu￿5 de¢isi(M)s which have been taken in Tgspe¢tof liquidity and longer lem investment Across the chanty, banking aThJ market based investment arrangements are pooled. and the trustees are sa"sfied that the unrestrict&J rese￿eS are sufficientty li4uid and under their contrd that they can fvnd the actNrtie5 Ot the diocese fry a per￿ ol rnore than 12 moths. I ne cnarity Is currenity meeting 1 rts penS￿n conmDLmon a1rar￿ernentS and Is tyjiiy Cr￿[11#￿1 with au￿ gnrc4meni. All pension arrangements are contn"butOry s¢hemes there e no final salary xhemes. Clergy retirement grants are pah from a separate restricted lundvjith its man•Jemfjntb￿. The Ckrgy investm￿ pcrftfolio is also actlvely managed by Qui11gr Che¥￿. The total of group reserves. inclLJing erbj0￿nent fiJMls and restrKted funds, 8t 5th April 2025 was £83.04m 12024.. £84.73ml wrth £36.71m12024'. £36.89ml In flxed assets. Ihe majonty of whith is property {mostty churches arKI pr8sbyteri&sl.' investments in shareSlstc￿kS £32.24m12024.' £34.57m) arJ £16m in cash at banK incl￿alrY4 that held as part of the investmènt portfolio12024 £14.90m). Inv•8tm•nts Reserves are held Sn severil dlffefent asset cfasses, whkh Indude cash. market-basod investments and property. On cKcaskn, reserves held in physical a89ets (land and bLildirssl mgy b¢ ￿[￿erted frorn one a5$et Class to another to provide a b8tter irKomo retum. A8 indScatod abov•, p8rl8h e88h re6•rvo balanctt which • not ne•do(I lor in tha short to rnedium-tarm rn8y bg pooled with Ihoso ro$erV￿ ofolhors fry investmeni purposes. Our investments have Fwfmed quite well over several years. Most oflhe investment a￿ held In FTSE 350 ccmpans. UK 9ilts and rr¥)re recent￿ some North American and Eur¢)pean ¢ompanie$. Th¢ F4yrfolig valua1￿ * 5th April 2025 was £32.24m12024. £34.57ml Indudin9 the investments ollhe re8lri¢ted fund lor $￿k ond Retired Priests valued at £3.44m12024'. £3.80ml 16 held in a separate fvnd wth a greatsremphasis on the geneTatK)n ofirrtometo provlde a sowc offvbwjlng lorour revenu• cl)￿9&￿ In th18 regard. Our investment manager has a m•dium high balarK•d risk bnef fc pot¥nts"al progressive caprtal growth and income. In rKont years the perfomance of our investments has compared favourabty with the finaw¥l $e¢lor ben¢hmark8 n•id•r¢d by tho lrnioJtsnent Committeé Thé Invostmont F)olity ho) been ¢hongod to ollt)w wldor invootmont In overseas cemp8nSes pro￿￿e￿ that all Imieslments ¢omply wth ￿ Owxesan Ethical IrNeslment Pdlcy. Investment Income of the Group for the year was £1m12024.' £985kl and there was an urwealised ¢8pital 10$8 of £1.7m12024'. Lmrealised galn £4.SOml Rlsk management Tho Iruet006 active￿ th• mqjpr rtBks bo11•￿ th• rhwity IÈ pthntsa1￿ •xpo••d to. Id•ntrfying th• typ•t of dsk and the likdihood and potential impact of OccuThe￿e, as well as the steps U)al can be taken to mth'gale against Iheso. To mstigatè risks the Iruslees maintsin and wlarty review a risk regist￿ aThJ have put in place insuranceB, check8, cJntrols and y¢Jcedure$ whth •r¢ ¢crfnmUni￿tOd to parishes and other dioce6an organi8ation8. A $Sgnificanl percentage of vduntary ¢tr)n0￿ are in ¢a$h. Systeffls exist in parish for tha collecbng and recordirw of incom•. in¢luding ¢•8h Th• Finarbc• offit• <erulinri• #ll parish Annual Financial r@ttirn$ for anomgli•$ cy discrepancie5. A nurnber of parish Annual Finan¢i81 Relums a￿ atso Sekthd tr •xaminaknon each yeaT ty tho extemd auditcn WI￿ visrt th089 parishes s•18cl•d. staff In our FinarKe Office xrulinoe8 thal bat ac¢ount WorKes daity. nolln9 arry svJThficant &count mvements whl¢h are reported totr)e Finance Su1￿MIltee. urg￿ &lion *ill betsken to Immedlatdy Invo$Jgate arky $u$plclous transactions or acccxjnt acti¥ty. The Prcperty Sutrtommittee mmittys apyoved prLrye¢ts to escaalicffl ofcosts. Parishes are required lo report

ignificant variaticn8 on any proi8ct'8 eosts. Schod prci•¢ts ¥• 4$0 ¢h)sety monitorgd thmgh th• Se￿)01 Building

Committee. At the present lime. forty ore 8cw the dicwe have converted to acadwny 5tstus. with e&h schocl being part of one of three diocesan mLlb academy trusts. Several trustee5 are 'members' of each of these three academy trusts. Tha aim is for all diocesan schwls to convert to ac&Jenry stabJ5 in Cwrse. NttKJugh we have a good track record wth our VLluntary schct4s. &ademy status is a area of risi eS￿alty as the directors of academy trusts e responsible for aducalic￿ standards arKI finarThil contro5. The on-going financial and pastrfjal viabilty of a number of p￿she5 continues lo be a matter of concwn. ￿ere a parish makes a finanaal loss tr three yws in a rv•4. this is fgrmalty rewted lo the tru51ee5. 13

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The central administration b(fjl 1$ Thwrtlyed nKMrthty a ¥artar￿ rewt is presented to tru51ee5. Truste•s' responslbllStl8s In rnspgct of the financlal stat•rn•nts The law applicable lo chants.es in ErYJland and ￿￿leS require$ the twslees to prepare finanaal statements for each financial year which gNe a true and fair ol finan¢ial a¢tiwtiès ol the charity durin9 the year and of its finan¢lal srtion at the end of the year. In ￿parIng fir￿¢￿al statements, gNiTrJ a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practke ￿d.. - select suitable aCC￿n0'n9 pOI￿leS and t￿n appty them consistenty. make Judgem￿1$ and 8$timat&s tw are reasonable prLJeni, state whether applicable accwnb.tvj stsndards and statements of recommended prxb.ce have been fdlowed. subj'ect to any departures discknsed and explane4J in the finanaal s&ements. prep• finardal stattynents￿l goiNJ COn￿M ba$1$ unl•ss Ihis basis is tKJt considered appropriat•. The trustees are resp)nSIb￿ lor ke8ping ￿CoUn￿.￿l wfith dlsckw v•ith reasonab￿ accuraw the financial posrtion of the charity and to ensure that the financial statements Cc￿pty with the applicable law provi8ion5 of the Trust Oeed5. The trustees are also responsible ts safeguarthrvJ the as8ets of the charfty and iaklrvj reasonable steps for the prevention deteCt￿n of Irwd and dhef iryuLarFbes Appolntm•nt of audltor> A resdution to re-appoint MFiA as auditors 7AfjII be al a meetiryJ of Ihg InBt898. Dats.. 13 Januwy 2U28 14

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST Oplnlon We have audited th& finanoal ststements ofthe LancasterRornan Catholic Diocesan Trust lthe'parent charity'l and its subsidiaries Ithe'group'l for the year ended 5 April 2025 which comprise the consolidated ststement ol financial activities, the chanty statement of financial actIv￿"e5. the consolidated and charity balance sheet. the consolidated cash flow staternent and the notes to the finanoal statements. The finanoal reporbng frameworf¢ that has been applied in their preparation 15 applicable law and United KITigdorn Accounting Standards, induding Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Slandard applicable in the LIK and Republic of Ireland (United ngdorn Generally Accepted Accounting Pr￿'Cel. In our opinion the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the state of the gThp's aThJ parent chanty's affaits as at 5 Apnl 2025, and of the group's Incorning resourr£5 and applicatson of resources, I￿JudirffJ rts income and 8XP8nditur8. forth8 y88r then end9d', have been properly prepared in acC￿rdanceWith United Kingdom Generally Accepted AccountirrfJ Practs'ce.. and have been prepared in ￿COrdanceWith the requirwnents ofthe Charib'es Act2011. Ba$18 lor oplnlon We conducted our audrt in accordance with Intemabcwl Stsndards on Audity'ng IUKI IISAS IUKII and applic8ble law. Our responsibilities un¢Jer thosè standards are lurther deS¢n￿ In the Audrtor's responsibilities lor the audit ol the financial statsments section of our report. We a￿ independent of the group and parent charity in accordance with the ethical ￿quIrementS that are relevant to our audit ol the financial statements In the UK. Including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfill8d our other ethical responsibilitses in accordance wth ¢￿Se requirements. We believe that th6 audit evidènce wè havè obtained Is sufficiènt and appropnatè to provide a basis for our opinion. Conelu8lon8 r•latlng to g￿n0 eone•m In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that Ihe Irus¢ees' use of the going concem basis ol accountsng In thè prèparation ol the fin8ncial statèmènts Is apprc)natè. Based on the work we have perfomied. we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or eondititsns that. Individually or eollèctively. May cast sKJnifieani doubl on tha group and parènt ehanty's ability to continue as a going concern for a pen(wJ of al least Nvelve months from when the financ4al statements are authorised for issue, Our responSi￿.11t1es and the responsibilities olthe trustees respect to goiThJ con&8m a￿ d8scribed in the relevant se¢tions of this report. Other InfomialSon The other Infomabon compris8s Iha infom)ation indud8d in the trusts8s' annual ￿pOr¢ oth&r than tha financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are ￿spOnsible for the other infomiats'on. Our opinion on the financial stat8ments doas not cO￿r Ihé othèr infomation and wè do not èxprss any fom) 018ssur8ncè condusion thereon. Our responsibility is to rea¢J the other Infom)ats"on and. In doing so. cOnS￿Or vthetherthe other Information is matenglly inconsistent wlh Ihe financial slaternents or our kno￿edge c*Jtained in the course ofthe audit or otherwise appears to bè mattrrially misstatod. If wa Identify such matènal Inconsistenciès 01 apparent matènal misstatements. We 8r• required to determine whether this gives rise to a matenal rnisslalemenl in the financial statements themselves. If. based on the work we have performed. we conclude that Ihere is a maierial misstatemenl of this other information, are ￿qUired to report that fact. We have nothing to ￿port in this ward. Matter8 on whlch we are requlred lo report by excepvon We have nothing lo ￿port In respect of the following matters in relab.on towhKh the Charities (Accounts an¢J Reports) Regulats'ons 2008 require us to report to you if. in our cpinion.. the information given in the trustees, report is ino)nsistentin any material respectwith the financial statements., or suffioent accounting records have not been kept, the financisl staternents are not In agreernentwith the accounting ￿rds", or W8 h8V8 not ￿e￿lY8d 811 inforrnation aw¥J explanations￿￿ wuite foroui 15

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST Responslbllltles of trustees As explained more fvlly in the trust88s' re5ponsibilib.es slaternent, the trustses are responsible forthe preparation of the finanual ststements and for being satssfied that they give a true and fair view. and for such internal control as the trustees determine Is necessary to enable the preparation of finanaal statements that are tree from material misstatement, wfiether due to fraud or error. In preparing the finanaal statements, the trustees are ￿spOnSible for assessirKJ the group and parent charity's ability to continue as a going COn￿M. disdosing. as applicable. matters related to going COn￿M and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to Iv4UKlate the group or the parent charity or to ￿ast operations. or have no realists"c alternative bul to do so. Audltor responslbllltoes forthe audlt olthe flnanclal statements We have been appointed as auditor under 58Ction 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and T￿Ort in aeetsrd8nce with the Act and relevant regulations mafje or having effect the￿under. Our obj8ctiv8s ar8 to obtain reasonable assurance aboutwhethèTthé financial staternènts as a whole arè free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. aThJ lo Issfft an auditor's report that Includes our opinion. Re850n8ble 8ssuranr£ is a high k8vel of assuranc8. but is not a guarantee Ihat an audit C￿nducted In accordance with ISAS IUKI will always detect a matenal misstaternent wthen it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, indiwoually or In Ihe aggregate. they could reasonabty be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis ol these financial statements. Irre9ularities, including trawl, are inslanc*s of non<cffipliance wth laws and re9ul8ty'on8. We desi9n prwedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect matenal misstatements in respect ol Irregularities, induding fraud. The extent to which our prrKedures are capable of d8tecty.ng Irregularityes, including fraud is detailed b810w.' Enquiries with the board about any known orsuspected Instances ol non-ccmpliance wrth laws and r8gul8tions, Including Iraud. An evaluation ofthe risk of management ovemde of¢ontrols and subs¢qutrnttgs)'ng. induding thr¢vgh testing journal entr￿$ and other adjustments for appropriateness, Auditing the risk of fraud In income by way of transactional testing at parish and central diocesan level, testing incomè r8cognition in accordance vath tha SORP. an¢J testing for completènass ol Incomg around the yèar and, An evaluation of th8 charity's intemal ¢l￿tTe1 8Mronm8nL Challenging assurnpt'ons andjudg8ments made by the board. in paiticularin relation to future perfomiance of th• charity and, A r•vi6w ol board minut•s. 8ae8usè of thè inherent limitations of an audit. thèra is a risk that wè will not dètèet all irragularitias, including thos8 leading to a material misslatement in the financial statements or non•compliancewith regulation. This risk increases the morè that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from thè avants and tr8nsactsons rèflèctad in thè financial statements. as we wll be less likety to become awa￿ ol Instan￿$ ol non-compliance. The risk is also greater r8garding IrregUlan￿eS occurnng due to fraud rathtr than èrror. as fraud involvas intèniitsnal eoncealmant, forgery, collusion, omission or Mis￿preSenta￿0n. A lurther de5CnPtion of our responsiknlities is availablè on thè FRC'S wèbsitè at h ."Ilwww.fre. .ukl8udit 18U assurancelauditor-s-res onsibilrties-for-Ihe-audrt-of_th&fildescn orwf.th&audit0rt￿E2°k8o%g9$-res This de5CriPtion forms part of our audrtor's repJrL 16

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST Use ol our report This ￿pOrt is made Slye￿ to the charitys twstees. as a bo(fy. in accordanc2 with Part 4 of the Charities IAccounts and Reports) Regulations 2CK18. Our aLKlit wotk has been undertaken 50 that we might state to the chatty's trustees those matters we are required to state lo them in an audilorfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent pertnitted by law, w8 do not accept or assurne respon51bility to anyone othei Ihan the chanty and the charity's trust885 as a body. for our audit work. for this repryl. or for the cyinions have fonned. MHA Chartered Accountants and Statutory A￿jrtor 14 Mannin Way L8nca5terBusires3 P8rk Lancaster LA1 3SW Data. 3° Fabruary 2026 MHA is Il>& trading namè OIMHA Audit LLP, a limiÈèd lièts.l￿pèrtntrtshjp in England and Wal8$ Iregisterednumber OC455542J. MHA is eligibl6 forgppointmenl as auth'ts¥olthe group by virtu• olils •hgibilityforoppointm8ntas avditorof a company undersects.on 1212 olthe Comp8nAeS Acl 2(￿6 17

Group 2024 £000 5,563 1,476 1,839 1,182 370	10,430	584 9,042 8	9,634		796	4,503	5,299	-	5,299		79,437	84,736
GROUP TOTAL £000 5,283 1,780 2,074 1,305 265	10,707	630 10,104 1	10,735		(28)	(1,666)	(1,694)	-	(1,694)		84,736	83,042
PARISH CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 INCOME FROM: 3.1 Donations and legacies 5,052 21 - 5,073 116 94 210 Charitable activities 511 185 - 696 1,044 40 1,084 Other trading activities 1,951 - - 1,951 106 17 123 Investments 722 - 21 743 193 369 562 Other 265 - - 265 - - - TOTAL 8,501 206 21 8,728 1.459 520 1,979 EXPENDITURE ON: 4.1 Raising funds 558 13 - 571 59 - 59 Charitable activities 7,632 28 - 7,660 2,024 420 2,444 Other - - - - 1 - 1 TOTAL 8,190 41 - 8,231 2,084 420 2,504					NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) before other recognised gains 311 165 21 497 (625) 100 (525) Net gains/(losses) on investments 10 (1,006) - (34) (1,040) (122) (504) (626) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (695) 165 (13) (543) (747) (404) (1,151) Transfers between funds (612) (164) (21) (797) 831 (34) 797				NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (1,307) 1 (34) (1,340) 84 (438) (354) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

¢D¢4¢fJo Iiiui •p)v>￿ Is- li ro OE e > xrJ£ QL>oC0￿ wcLL)5

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 BALANCE SHEET GROUP CHARITY 2025 2024 2025 2024 £000 FIXED ASSETS Tan9ible assets Investments 36.716 36.891 34,572 36.474 36.646 10 68.962 CURRENT ASSETS St￿kS Debtors Cash al ￿nk ¥nd in ￿nd 17 11 705 14,670 15,381 16,439 14.705 Credit￿$.. tmOLrts I￿lIng dyg wilhin one year 12 11388} (2.1011 12,7191 12,871 NET CURRENT ASSETSIILIABILITIES) Creditors.. affl0￿)ts falllng due after m than nn• yèar 12 14n NET A&8ETS FUNDS R88tri¢t8d incom• fiffido Endowment funds Parfsh gener￿ fvnd$ DirKesan g•neral fiJnds 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13,718 617 63,836 4874 14.153 651 65,142 4.790 13,718 617 83,673 2,414 651 84.992 2.244 TOTAL FUNDS 82,040 Approved by the Trustee8 on 13 Januwy 2028 arhj spJned ￿ their bew by The Right Reverend P Swarbrick Bishop ol Lancaster & Chair of the Trustees Re¥èrwwJ A Dawsc Fina￿ NAministratty & Tn

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

2025 2024 £000 £000 Cash flows from operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (1,643) (660) Cash flows from investing activities: Dividends, interest and rents from investment 1,305 1,182 Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment 417 467 Purchase of property, plant & equipment (5) (370) Proceeds of sale of investments 3,037 3,112 Purchase of investments (2,009) (2,370) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 1,102 1,361 Cash flows from financing activities: Repayment of borrowing - - Cash inflows from new borrowing - - Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - - Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period 1,102 1,361 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 14,906 13,545 Change in cash and cash equivalents due to exchange rate movement - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 16,008 14,906 Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities +1 Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial activities) (1,694) 5,299 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges 12 12 (Gains)/losses on investments 1,666 (4,503) Dividend, interest and rents from investments (1,305) (1,182) Loss/(Profit) on sale of fixed assets (249) (370) (increase)/decrease in stocks (6) - (increase)/decrease in debtors (367) (10) increase/(decrease) in creditors 300 94 Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities (1,643) (660) Analysis of change in cash in hand and at bank Bank 15,439 14,705 Held by investment fund managers 569 201 16,008 14,906

change 734 368 1,102

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 ACCOUNTING POLICES

Basis of accounting

Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust is a registered charity in the United Kingdom. The address of the charity, the nature of its operations and its principal activities are all detailed in the Trustees� report and Trustees and Advisors pages of these financial statements.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at valuation. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.

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 Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate in the preparation of the financial statements. The period of assessment is one year from the date of approval of these financial statements. The trustees have concluded that there are no material uncertainties that cast doubt on the ability of the charity/group to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion, based on available financial data, that there will be sufficient incoming resources and assets to meet future liabilities when they fall due taking into account the expected reduction in income with expenditure remaining unchanged during the period of assessment.

A significant area of uncertainty is the value of investments and the income from these which can be drastically affected by economic and other factors beyond the control of the trustees. The trustees are of the opinion that the Charity can withstand a significant fall in the value of these and in investment income receipts, though this in not anticipated.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the group incorporate the financial statements of the Diocesan Trust, �the charity� which comprise the parishes and central diocesan agencies and subsidiary entities over which the diocese is considered to exert control. Details of the subsidiary entities are given in note 2.

Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 �Basic Financial Instruments� and Section 12 �Other Financial Instruments Issues� of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity�s balance sheet when the charity becomes party to contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset�s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

De-recognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charity transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Classification of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities including creditors are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

De-recognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity�s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Judgement and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the charity�s accounting polices the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

In the opinion of the trustees there have been no significant estimate or judgements made in the process of applying the charity�s accounting policies that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Income recognition

Income is included in the period in which the charity/group becomes entitlement to the income, it is probable that it will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. Specific polices apply to the categories of income noted below.

Legacies are accounted for on entitlement which is considered to be the earlier of notification from the executor that probate has been granted and confirmed that there are sufficient assets to make a distribution or a when a distribution is received.

Collections, including Mass offerings, and other donations are accounted for on a cash received basis as such voluntary donations can only be measured with certainty upon receipt.

Gift Aid donations are accounted for on a cash received basis with any related Gift Aid or Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme tax credits accounted for on an accruals basis.

Revenue grant income is accounted for when received.

Capital grants are recognised as restricted income when received or receipt can be measured reliably and associated costs are charged against these restricted funds.

Investment income is accounted for an accruals basis.

Income from charitable activities is accounted for on a cash received basis.

Income from fund raising activities is accounted for on a cash received basis.

Rental income from functional properties is accounted for when received under the terms of the lease or hire agreement and when it is probable that it will be received and the amount can be reliably measured.

Trading subsidiary accounts are produced on an accruals basis.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount can be reliably measured. All expenditure is included in the financial statements on an accruals basis inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Expenditure on direct charitable activities mainly comprise: the provision of places of worship and associated buildings e.g. presbyteries; provision of religious services and pastoral care and support; support of education and youth services; training of priests and deacons and the financial support of sick and retired priests.

Support costs include the costs of the Finance and Property Offices, Health & Safety services, Safeguarding Office, the provision of the Pastoral Centre, which houses the administrative offices of the diocese and provide a central meeting venue, and governance costs. Support costs are apportioned to charitable activities based on an estimate of management and employee time spent in support of these activities.

Governance costs are now included under support costs and comprise those costs of the organisation administration and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements including external audit, legal and other professional services. Governance costs are apportioned to charitable activities based on an estimate of management and employee time spent in support of these activities.

Investments

Investments are initially recognised at their transaction value then subsequently included in the balance sheet at their fair value using the closing quoted market price. Any realised and unrealised gains and losses on revaluation or disposals throughout the year are included in the statement of financial activities.

Tangible fixed assets - other than schools

Functional freehold properties including churches, presbyteries, houses, parish hall/centres and similar buildings are included in the balance sheet at deemed cost. The deemed cost is the discounted insurance value at 1997, which

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

have been discounting based on inflation statistics to arrive at original cost. For the purposes of these financial statements and in line with the provisional arrangements of FRS 102 these estimates of depreciated value at 1997 are now the deemed cost.

The charity took advantage of the transitional provisions under FRS 102 to take the value of freehold property as deemed cost on transition at 6 April 2014 but as historical cost is unknown and cost per the accounts refers to an earlier valuation by the charity, the trustees have continued to show brought forward valuation and accumulated depreciation at transition date in the notes to the accounts. Depreciation has not been charged on freehold property following the introduction of FRS 102 as this charge is considered meaningless.

Freehold properties purchased since 1997 are recorded at cost. Properties donated after 1997 are included at valuation.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost, or valuation, of tangible fixed assets, less their estimated residual values over the expected useful economic lives of the assets concerned. The principal annual rates and method used for this purpose are as follows:

	Rate	Method
Fixtures, fittings and equipment	25%	reducing balance basis
Motor Vehicles	25%	reducing balance basis

All additions to fixtures, fittings and other fixed assets after 6th April 1995 more than £5,000 are included at purchase cost less accumulated depreciation.

The charity owns a number of works of art, including paintings, manuscripts and sculptures. All parishes own silverware, in daily use for the purposes of the parish, which are on display within the diocese and parishes. Many have been donated, bequeathed or inherited by the diocese or parishes. Such items are not included at any value in the financial statements because it is considered that no meaningful value can be attributed to them.

Tangible fixed assets � schools property

The diocese owns land on which its voluntary aided and academy schools are built. The school buildings are occupied, improved, extended and repaired by the school governors. All voluntary aided schools, which are exempt charities, and academy schools, occupy land and buildings rent free. The nature of occupation of the land and buildings by these exempt charities and academies means that the diocesan trustees do not have the power to dispose of the land or buildings until a school ceases its occupation, which in turn would require the approval of the governing body and the Secretary of State and may involve recovery of grant aid by the DCSF or the obligation to use the proceeds for other educational provision. Consequently such land and buildings are not in direct use by the charity, do not generate any income, cannot be disposed of on the open market and cannot be used for any other purpose during the schools� occupation, which may be indefinite. In view of these restrictions the trustees believe the recoverable amount of these assets is nil and are included at nil valuation in these financial accounts.

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Debtors and creditors within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable and payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Cash and cash equivalents

Liquid resources comprise amounts held on deposit with recognised banks and building societies and cash on hand at parishes etc.

Provisions

These are recognised when there is a commitment made to the incurring of expenditure.

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme. Contributions are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Fund accounting

The charity/group has various types of funds for which it is responsible, and which require separate disclosure within the financial statements. These are:

Endowment funds

Funds given to the charity or its subsidiaries, subject to the restriction that they are held as capital. Income derived from endowment funds is included in the Statement of Financial Activities and may be restricted to a particular purpose.

Restricted funds

Donations, grants or legacies received which have been given for a specific purpose or purposes as specified by the donor, where such purposes are within the overall aims of the organisation. These funds may represent capital only (where the capital must be retained) or income and capital (where the donation and income deriving from them may be utilised).

General funds

These represent unrestricted funds which are available at the discretion of the Trustee in furtherance of the objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds

These are funds included within the general funds that have been set aside and designated by the trustees for specific purposes.

Parish funds

There are included within the general funds. In civil administration a parish is not a distinct legal entity but forms part of the wider diocese, but with a degree of independence and autonomy. Parish funds and assets, unless subject of a separate trust recognised in law, are funds of the Diocesan Trust and therefore the responsibility of the diocesan trustees. In Canon Law a parish is a public juridical person with the parish priest conducting his ministry under the authority of the Bishop. A parish has the right under Canon Law to acquire, retain, administer and alienate temporal goods subject to the norms of Canon Law.

Taxation

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster is a charity within the meaning of section 1119 Corporation Taxes Act (CTA) 2010. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by sections 478 - 489 of the CTA 2010 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 2010, to the extent that such income or gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes.

The charity�s subsidiary and associated undertakings are subject to corporation tax in the same way as any commercial or charitable organisation, as appropriate.

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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

2 GROUP BODIES

The charity has interests in associated and subsidiary undertakings, which are consolidated in the financial statements, as follows:

Limited companies

St Kentigern�s Parish Centre Ltd Subsidiary 100% Social club/centre St Anthony�s Parish (Preston) Centre Ltd Subsidiary 100% Social club/centre St Margaret Mary's Parish Community Centre Subsidiary 100% Social club/centre (Carlisle) Ltd

All the above companies are incorporated in the United Kingdom.

Trusts and Charities

The charity has consolidated the financial statements of the following associated or subsidiary trusts and charities into these financial statements:

The Moyston Trust

Lancaster Diocesan Pilgrimage Trust St Cuthbert�s Carlisle School Charity St John�s Poulton 1838 Charity

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2024 £000 2,345 858 1,389 417 554 -	5563	, 113 - 144 435 46 54 119 - 314 79 172	1476	, 69 504 1,266	1839	, 197 985 - -	1182	, 370 -	370		10,430
2025 £000 2,433 989 936 348 577 -	5283	. 345 - 160 491 35 97 58 - 481 46 67	1780	, 88 569 1,417	2074	, 235 1,070 - -	1305	, 249 16	265		10,707
PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Donations and legacies Collections 2.433 - - 2,433 - - - Donations 858 21 - 879 60 50 110 Legacies 846 - - 846 56 34 90 Special collections 338 - - 338 - 10 10 Gift Aid 577 - - 577 - - - Other - - - - - - - 5052 21 - 5073 116 94 210		. . Charitable activities Grants received 163 170 - 333 12 12 Service charges receivable - - - - - - - Sale of candles, votives etc 136 15 - 151 9 - 9 Youth Service income - - - - 491 - 491 Insurance claim receipts 35 - - 35 - - - Income from chaplaincy 85 - - 85 12 - 12 Subscriptions and other charges 20 - - 20 2 36 38 Inter diocese re-charges - - - - - - - Education Service income - - - - 481 - 481 Income for graveyards & funerals 46 - - 46 - - - Other * 26 - - 26 37 4 41 511 185 - 696 1044 40 1084		, , Other trading activities Parish hall income 88 - - 88 - - - Fund raising - fetes etc 569 - - 569 - - Rental income 1,294 - - 1,294 106 17 123 1951 - - 1951 106 17 123		, , Investments Bank interest received 96 - - 96 123 16 139 Dividend income 626 - 21 647 70 353 423 Rental and leasing income - - - - - - - Other - - - - - - - 722 - 21 743 193 369 562					8,501 206 21 8,728 1,459 520 1,979

2023 £000 2,265 714 924 380 443 - 4,726	2023 £000 2,265 714 924 380 443 - 4,726	151 - 135 442 28 79 180 - - 47 135 1,197	151 - 135 442 28 79 180 - - 47 135 1,197	318 104 1,301 1,723	318 104 1,301 1,723	121 949 - - 1,070	121 949 - - 1,070	Other Gains and losses on sale of fixed assets 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 Other - - - - - - - - - 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 TOTAL GROUP INCOME 2024 7,061 73 17 7,151 2,682 597 3,279 10,430 8,762 * restated	Other Gains and losses on sale of fixed assets 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 Other - - - - - - - - - 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 TOTAL GROUP INCOME 2024 7,061 73 17 7,151 2,682 597 3,279 10,430 8,762 * restated	Other Gains and losses on sale of fixed assets 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 Other - - - - - - - - - 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 TOTAL GROUP INCOME 2024 7,061 73 17 7,151 2,682 597 3,279 10,430 8,762 * restated	Other Gains and losses on sale of fixed assets 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 Other - - - - - - - - - 98 - - 98 272 - 272 370 46 TOTAL GROUP INCOME 2024 7,061 73 17 7,151 2,682 597 3,279 10,430 8,762 * restated
2024 £000 2,345 858 1,389 417 554 -		113 - 144 435 46 54 119 - 314 79 172		69 504 1,266		197 985
	5,563		1,476		1,839		1,182	370 -	370		10,430
PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Donations and legacies Collections 2,345 - - 2,345 - - - Donations 583 70 - 653 30 175 205 Legacies 388 - - 388 1,001 - 1,001 Special collections 417 - - 417 - - - Gift Aid 553 - - 553 1 - 1 Other - - - - - - - 4,286 70 - 4,356 1,032 175 1,207		Charitable activities Grants received 4 3 - 7 56 50 106 Service charges receivable - - - - - - - Sale of candles, votives etc 123 - - 123 21 - 21 Youth Service income - - - - 435 - 435 Insurance claim receipts 46 - - 46 - - - Income from chaplaincy 62 - - 62 (8) - (8) Subscriptions and other charges _93 - - 93 94 46 140 Inter diocese re-charges - - - - - - - _Education Service income - - - - - - - Income for graveyards & funerals 79 - - 79 - - - Other * 124 - - 124 248 - 248 531 3 - 534 846 96 942		Other trading activities Parish hall income 69 - - 69 - - - Fund raising - fetes etc 499 - - 499 5 - 5 Rental income 976 - - 976 271 19 290 1,544 - - 1,544 276 19 295		Investments Bank interest received - - - - 197 - 197 Dividend income 602 - 17 619 59 307 366 Rental and leasing income - - - - - - - Other - - - - - - - 602 - 17 619 256 307 563

3.2 ANALYSIS OF INCOME � CHARITY CURRENT YEAR PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES 2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Donations and legacies Collections 2,433 - - 2,433 - - - 2,433 2,345 Donations 858 21 879 56 51 107 986 853 Legacies 846 - - 846 56 33 89 935 1,387 Special collections 338 - - 338 - 10 10 348 419 Gift Aid 577 - - 577 - - - 577 553 Other - - - - - - - - - 5052 21 - 5073 112 94 206 5279 5557	2024 £000 2,345 853 1,387 419 553 -	5557	, 113 - 144 435 46 54 119 - 314 79 172	1476	, 69 125 1,248	1442	, 196 927 - -	1123	, 370	370		9,968
	2025 £000 2,433 986 935 348 577 -	5279	, 334 6 160 492 35 85 68 - 481 45 67	1773	, 88 128 1,397	1613	. 234 1,002 - -	1236	, 249	249		10,150
			, , Charitable activities Grants received 164 170 - 334 - - - Service charges receivable - - - - 6 - 6 Sale of candles, votives etc 136 15 - 151 9 - 9 Youth Service income - - - - 492 - 492 Insurance claim receipts 35 - - 35 - - - Income from chaplaincy 85 - - 85 - - - Subscriptions and other charges 20 - - 20 12 36 48 Inter diocese re-charges - - - - - - - Education Service income - - - - 481 - 481 Income for graveyards & funerals 45 - - 45 - - - Other * 26 - - 26 37 4 41 511 185 - 696 1037 40 1077		, , Other trading activities Parish hall income 88 - - 88 - - - Fund raising - fetes etc 128 - - 128 - - Rental income 1,294 - - 1,294 86 17 103 1510 - - 1510 86 17		, , Investments Bank interest received 95 - - 95 123 16 139 Dividend income 627 - 21 648 1 353 354 Rental and leasing income - - - - - - - Other - - - - - - - 722 - 743 124 369 493 Other Gains and losses on sale of fixed assets 249 - - 249 - - - 249 - - 249 - - - TOTAL CHARITY INCOME 2025 8,044 206 21 8,271 1,359 520 1,879					8,044 206 21 8,271 1,359 520 1,879

2023 £000 2,265 711 924 380 443 - 4,723	2023 £000 2,265 711 924 380 443 - 4,723	148 - 135 442 28 79 180 - - 47 135 1,194	148 - 135 442 28 79 180 - - 47 135 1,194	84 104 1,284 1,472	84 104 1,284 1,472	121 891 - - 1,012 46 46	121 891 - - 1,012 46 46	121 891 - - 1,012 46 46	121 891 - - 1,012 46 46	8,447
2024 £000 2,345 853 1,387 419 553 -										9,968
	5,557	113 - 144 435 46 54 119 - 314 79 172	1,476	69 125 1,248	1,442	196 927 - -	1,123 370	370
CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 - - - 25 176 201 1,000 - 1,000 - - - 1 - 1 - - - 1,026 176 1,202		56 50 106 - - - 21 - 21 435 - 435 - - - (8) - (8) 94 46 140 - - - - - - - - - 248 - 248 846 96 942		- - - 5 - 5 253 19 272 258 19 277						6,681 73 17 6,771 2,600 597 3,197
PARISHES Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total £000 £000 £000 £000 2,345 - - 2,345 582 70 - 652 387 - - 387 419 - - 419 552 - - 552 - - - -	4,285 70 - 4,355	4 3 - 7 - - - - 123 - - 123 - - - - 46 - - 46 62 - - 62 93 - - 93 - - - - - - - - 79 - - 79 124 - - 124	531 3 - 534	69 - - 69 1.20 - - 120 976 - - 976	1,165 - - 1.165	- - - - 602 - 17 619 - - - - - - - -
Donations and legacies Collections Donations Legacies Special collections Gift Aid Other		Charitable activities Grants received Service charges receivable Sale of candles, votives etc Youth Service income Insurance claim receipts Income from chaplaincy Subscriptions and other charges _Inter diocese re-charges _Education Service income Income for graveyards & funerals Other*		Other trading activities Parish hall income Fund raising - fetes etc Rental income

2024 £000 45 - 169 194 94 82 -	584	4,248 2,356 1,242 135 309 671 81	9,042		8	8	9,634
2025 £000 37 - 191 259 107 30 6		5,363 2,567 1,057 116 323 577 101	10,104		1		10,735
	630
PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Expenditure on raising funds: Parish fund raising events� costs 24 13 - 37 - - - Other fund raising events� costs - - - - - - - Social club bar purchases 191 - - 191 - - - Social club other costs 259 - - 259 - - - Investment management costs 78 - - 78 29 29 Rental property management costs - - - - 30 - 30 Other 6 - - 6 - - - 558 13 - 571 59 - 59		Expenditure on charitable activities Provision of places of worship & ancillary buildings 5,012 6 - 5,018 345 - 345 Provision of religious services & pastoral care 2,018 22 - 2,040 520 7 527 Support of education & youth services - - - - 1,057 - 1,057 Training of priests, deacons & seminarians (2) - - (2) 11 107 118 Support of retired priests - - - - 17 306 323 Grants, donations & levies 543 - - 543 34 - 34 Other charitable activity costs 61 - - 61 40 - 40 7,632 28 - 7,660 2,024 420 2,444			Other - - - - 1 - 1 TOTAL GROUP EXPENDITURE 2025 8,190 41 - 8,231 2,084 420 2,504		8,190 41 - 8,231 2,084 420 2,504

4.1 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE � GROUP PREVIOUS YEAR 5 April 2024	2023 £000 49 4 99 144 84 81 - 461	2023 £000 49 4 99 144 84 81 - 461	3,958 2,464 769 161 364 687 6	8,409	6 8,876	6 8,876	6 8,876	6 8,876
	2024 £000 45 - 169 194 94 82 -	584	4,248 2,356 1,242 135 309 671 81	9,042		8		9,634
	PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Expenditure on raising funds: Parish fund raising events� costs 38 - - 38 7 - 7 Other fund raising events� costs - - - - - - - Social club bar purchases 169 - - 169 - - - Social club other costs 194 - - 194 - - - Investment management costs 51 - - 51 16 27 43 Rental property management costs 8 - - 8 74 - 74 Other - - - - - - - 460 - - 460 97 27 124		Expenditure on charitable activities Provision of places of worship & ancillary buildings 4,018 20 - 4,038 204 6 210 Provision of religious services & pastoral care 1,867 18 - 1,885 466 5 471 Support of education & youth services - - - - 1,140 102 1,242 Training of priests, deacons & seminarians - - - - 5 130 135 Support of retired priests - - - - 7 302 309 Grants, donations & levies 600 44 - 644 27 - 27 Other charitable activity costs 37 1 - 38 43 - 43 6,522 83 - 6,605 1,892 545 2,437 Other 8 - - 8 - - - TOTAL GROUP EXPENDITURE 2024 6,990 83 - 7,073 1,989 572 2,561

2024 £000 38 - - - 78 81	197	4,247 2,337 1,242 135 310 672 71	9,014	9,211
2025 £000 37 - - - 91 30	158	5,364 2,568 1,057 116 323 557 81	10,066	10,224
PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Expenditure on raising funds: Parish fund raising events� costs 24 13 - 37 - - - Other fund raising events� costs - - - - - - - Social club bar purchases - - - - - - - Social club other costs - - - - - - - Investment management costs 78 - - 78 13 - 13 Rental property management costs - - - 30 - 30	102 13 - 115 43 - 43	Expenditure on charitable activities Provision of places of worship & ancillary buildings 5,023 6 - 5,029 335 - 335 Provision of religious services & pastoral care 2,019 22 - 2,041 520 7 527 Support of education & youth services - - - - 1,057 - 1,057 Training of priests, deacons & seminarians (2) - - (2) 11 107 118 Support of retired priests - - - - 17 306 323 Grants, donations & levies 543 - - 543 14 - 14 Other charitable activities 60 - - 60 21 - 21 7,643 28 - 7,671 1,975 420 2,395		TOTAL CHARITY EXPENDITURE 2025 7,745 41 - 7,786 2,018 420 2,438

2023 £000 52 - - - 66 75 193	2023 £000 52 - - - 66 75 193	3,960 2,448 768 160 364 685 -	8,385	8,578
2024 £000 38 - - - 78 81	197	4,247 2,337 1,242 135 310 672 71	9,014	9,211
PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Expenditure on raising funds: Parish fund raising events� costs 38 - - 38 - - - Other fund raising events� costs - - - - - - - Social club bar purchases - - - - - - - Social club other costs - - - - - - - Investment management costs 51 - - 51 - 27 27 Rental property management costs - - - - 81 - 81 89 - - 89 81 27 108		Expenditure on charitable activities Provision of places of worship & ancillary buildings 4,017 20 - 4,037 204 6 210 Provision of religious services & pastoral care 1,867 18 - 1,885 447 5 452 Support of education & youth services - - - - 1,140 102 1,242 Training of priests, deacons & seminarians - - - - 5 130 135 Support of retired priests - - - - 8 302 310 Grants, donations & levies 601 44 - 645 27 - 27 Other charitable activities 37 1 - 38 33 - 33 6,522 83 - 6,605 1,864 545 2,409 TOTAL CHARITY EXPENDITURE 2024 6,611 83 - 6,694 1,945 572 2,517		6,611 83 - 6,694 1,945 572 2,517

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

5 EMPLOYEES AND OFFICE HOLDERS (including key management personnel)

The number of employees, which excludes clergy and volunteers, during the year was: -

Central diocesan: administration and support services Education Service Youth Service including Castlerigg Parochial Clubs & centres The aggregate remuneration paid to employees was: - Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs Amounts paid to clergy during the year: - for active ministry retirement gratuities	2025 13 4 14 60 15 106 £000 1,305 79 70 1,454	2024
		13
		4
		11
		61
		18
		107
		£000
		1,305
		66
		60
		1,431
	504 175 679
		469
		220
		689

The number of employees who earned more than £60,000 (including benefits but excluding employer�s national insurance and pension contributions) during the year was as follows: -

£60,001 - £70,000 £80,001 - £90,000	2025 - 1 1	2024 1 1 2

Employees include administrative staff at both Diocese and Parishes, together with associated and related entities. Clergy are self-employed office holders and not employees.

Key personnel

The trustees consider the board of trustees as the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling the charity and running and operating the charity on a day to day basis. All trustees give their time freely, and no trustee receives any remuneration in respect of the work undertaken in the role of trustee. There are members of the board of trustees who are also clergy of the Diocese of Lancaster, and as with other members of the clergy receive a remuneration for the work they undertake in their clerical role only. These trustees are identified in the list of trustees on page 3 " Trustees and Advisors".

Details of trustees' expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in the notes the accounts. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the diocesan secretary and in accordance with the trustees' policy withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest may arise.

36

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

6 TRUSTEES

No trustee received any remuneration during the year or previous year. Certain trustees received allowances as serving clergy but not in their capacity as trustee.

During the year 4 trustees (2024: 4) received expenses to the value of £3,034 (2024: £3,021) in respect of travel and subsistence costs in respect of their position as a trustee.

Trustees who are also serving clergy may receive expenses in connection with their clerical role. Any such expenses have not been quantified and are not included above.

7 NET EXPENDITURE

This is stated after charging: - Depreciation Audit	2025 £000 12 44	2024 £000 12
		39

8 ALLOCATED SUPPORT COSTS

Support and governance costs incurred during the year were:

Governance Safeguarding Finance & Gift Aid Offices Property Office & Health & Safety Pastoral Centre IT	2025 £ 000 121 117 103 148 48 28 565	2024 £ 000 73 - 102 129 35 -
		339

*No amount included in the previous year

The above costs were allocated as follows based on estimate of staff and trustees� time spent of each category of activity:

Fund raising Provision of place of worship Provision of religious services and Pastoral care Support of Education and youth services. Training of clergy Support of sick and retired priests Grants, donations and levies Other charitable activities	11 345 119 57 11 17 5 - 565	7 200 68 31 4 8 14 7
		339

37

----- Start of picture text -----
370 (28) 12 - 1
2024 £000 £ 45,156 (125) 45,401 8,526 8,510 36,630 36,89
£ 5 12 6
£000 45,401 (210) 8,510 (42) 8,480 36,891 7136,
2025
45,196
- - - 2 -
£ 7,394 7,394 1,288 1,290 6,106 6,104
Total £000
132 - - 132 130 - 2 - 132 2 -
£
£000
Fixtures,
fittings and equipment
21 - - 21 21 - - - 21 - -
£
Motor £000
vehicles
- - - - - 4
CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES 01
£ 7,241 7,241 1,137 1,137 6,104 6,
land & £000
Freehold buildings
£ 5 (210) 7,222 (42) 10 - 7,190
38,007 37,802 30,785 30,612
Total £000
5 - - 8 - 0
£ 1,092 1,097 1,049 1,057 43 4
£000
Fixtures,
fittings and equipment
42 - - 42 29 - 2 - 31 13 11
PARISHES £
Motor £000
vehicles
- (210) 6,144 (42) - - 6,102 1
£ 30,729 30,56
land & £000
Freehold buildings
36,873 36,663
9.1 GROUP Cost or valuation At the beginning of the year Additions Disposals At end of the year Depreciation and impairments At beginning of the year Eliminated on disposals Depreciation Impairment At end of the year Net book value Net book value at the beginning of the year Net book value at the end of the year
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
367 (28) 5 -
2024 £000 £ 44,831 (125) 45,073 8,450 8,427 36,381 36,646
£ 45,073 - (210) 44,863 8,427 (42) 4 - 8,389 36,646 36,474
2025 £000
- - - 3 -
£ 7,274 7,274 1,281 1,284 5,993 5,990
Total £000
134 - - 134 128 - 2 - 130 6 4
£
£000
Fixtures,
fittings and equipment
21 - - 21 16 - 1 - 17 5 4
£
Motor £000
vehicles
- - - - -
CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES
£ 7,119 7,119 1,137 1,137 5,982 5,982
land & £000
Freehold buildings
£ 37,799 - (210) 37,589 7,146 (42) 1 - 7,105 30,653 30,484
Total £000
965 - - 965 965 - - 965 0 0
£
£000
Fixtures,
fittings and equipment
42 - - 42 37 - 1 - 38 5 4
PARISHES
£
Motor £000
Vehicles
£ - (210) 6,144 (42) - - 6,102
36,792 36,582 30,648 30,480
land & £000
Freehold buildings
Cost or valuation At the beginning of the year Additions Disposals At end of the year Depreciation and impairments At beginning of the year Eliminated on disposals Depreciation Impairment At end of the year Net book value Net book value at the beginning of the year Net book value at the end of the year
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LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

10 INVESTMENTS CHARITY Equities & unit trusts Fixed interest Less Held for subsidiary entities Held for third parties Cash Charity GROUP Equities & unit trusts Fixed interest Less: Third party Cash Group	Market value at start of year Costs of investments purchased Proceeds of sale of investments £000 £000 £000 29,212 534 (632) 5,141 1,475 (2,398)	CIMV Market value at end of year £000 £000 (2,009) 27,105 343 4,561
	34,353 2,009 (3,030)	(1,666) 31,666
	1,845 289 - 23 -	(119) 2,015 (1) 22
	1,868 289	(120) 2,037
	32,485 1,720 (3,030) 199 32,684 29,253 534 (639) 5,141 1,475 (2,398)	(1,546) 29,629 566
		(1,546) 30,195
		(2,010) 27,138 343 4,561
	34,394 2.009 (3,037) 23 - -	(1,667) 31,699 (1) 22
	34,371 2,009 (3,037) 201 34,572	(1,666) 31,677 569
		(1,666) 32,246

The Diocesan Trust operates a pooled investment fund where investors hold units and do not invest directly in discrete holdings.

40

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

11 DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS

11 DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS
Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme recoverable Sundry debtors Prepayments and accrued income Loans to clergy	GROUP		CHARITY
			2025 £000 504 377 183 1,064
	2025	2024		2024 £000
	£000 504 379 183 1,066	£000 395 88 214 2 699
				395
				95
				213
				2
				705

An amount of £55,473 included in sundry debtors is being repaid by an annual instalment of £18,491 each and therefore full repayment will be made within 3 years. Note that no payment was received during the year ended 5 April 2025 of 5 April 2024. All other debtors are receivable within one year.

12 CREDITORS & ACCRUALS

Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors 18 Accruals and deferred income 148 Taxation and social security - Other creditors 2,222 2,388 Amounts falling due after more than one year Other creditors 60	24 59 - 2,018 2,101 47	4 148 - 2,567 2,719 -	11
			59
			-
			2,601
			2,671
			-

41

Closing	balance	2025	£000	5,223	2,032	5,298	9	315	76	21	137	66	41	25	25	(2)	68	13,334
Unrealised	gains on	investments	£000	(230)	(91)	(160)	-	(17)	(4)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	(2)	(504)
Transfers			£000	(35)	(34)	80	-	(16)	(19)	-	-	(10)	-	-	-	-	-	(34)
13.1 RESTRICTED FUNDS �current year Opening Income Expenditure	balance	2024	Charity: Diocesan Central Agencies £000 £000 £000	Ecclesiastical Education Fund 5,418 177 (107)	Poor Missions Fund 2,085 72 -	Sick and Retired Priests Fund 5,442 242 (306)	Funds for Overseas Missions 9 - -	Kirkham Church of St John and RC Purposes 338 10 -	Catforth, Thurnham & Westby Schools 96 3 -	St Ignatius Legacy 21 - -	Diocesan Catholic Caring Fund 134 3 -	Good Shepherd Fund 71 12 (7)	Legacy (M Lawton) 41 - -	Diocesan Schools Singing Program 25 - -	Mary Strand Trust 25 - -	The Moyston Fund (2) - -	Sundry Funds (restated) 69 1 -	Total of diocesan agencies restricted fund 13,772 520 (420)

Opening balance 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers Unrealised gains on investments Closing balance 2025 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 36 - - - - 36 18 - - (18) - - 16 - (4) 29 - 41 193 - - - - 193 30 - (1) - - 29 20 23 (14) - - 29 - 7 (7) - - 35 10 (22) (6) - 17 13 10 - - - 23 10 - - (3) - 7 10 - - (3) - 7 - 120 - (120) - - - 36 - (36) - -	381 206 (41) (164) - 382		14,153 726 (461) (198) (504) 13,716		14,153 726 (461) (198) (504) 13,716

Closing	balance	2024	£000	£000	5,418	2,085	5,442	9	338	96	21	134	71	-	-	41	25	25	(2)	69	13,772
13.1 RESTRICTED FUNDS �previous year 5 April 2024 Opening Income Expenditure Transfers Unrealised gains	balance 2023 on investments		£000 £000 £000 £000 £000	Charity: Diocesan Central Agencies £000 £000 £000 £000 £000	Ecclesiastical Education Fund 4,860 160 (151) (32) 581	Poor Missions Fund 1,915 56 (4) (112) 230	Sick and Retired Priests Fund 5,002 198 (313) 100 455	Funds for Overseas Missions 9 - - - -	Kirkham Church of St John and RC Purposes 295 9 - (8) 42	Catforth, Thurnham & Westby Schools 86 2 - (1) 9	St Ignatius Legacy 21 - - - -	Diocesan Catholic Caring Fund 134 - - - -	Good Shepherd Fund 63 8 - - -	Academy Support Grant 18 - - (18) -	Newman School Rebuilding Fund 144 139 (102) (181) -	Legacy (M Lawton) 41 - - - -	Diocesan Schools Singing Program 25 - - - -	Mary Strand Trust 25 - - - -	The Moyston Fund - - (2) - -	Sundry Funds (restated) 44 25 - - -	Total of diocesan agencies restricted fund 12,682 597 (572) (252) 1,317

Closing	balance	2024	£000	36	18	16	193	30	20	35	13	10	10	-	381		14,153		14,153
Unrealised	gains on	investments	£000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		1,317		1,317
Transfers			£000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		(252)		(252)
Opening Income Expenditure	balance	2023	Charity: Parishes £000 £000 £000	St John Vianney & St Monica, legacy 36 - -	Our Lady of Eden, Carlisle, Reverend Turner legacy 18 - -	Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Carlisle Restoration Fund 16 -	St Mary, Fleetwood, legacy 193 - -	St Wulstan & St Edmund, Fleetwood, Allen Millar Memorial Fund 33 30 (33)	Our Lady of the Assumption & St Cuthbert, Wigton & Silloth 16 25 (21)	Refugee support projects (various parishes) 44 3 (12)	Workington Stella Maris Project 10 15 (12)	St Thomas, Clayton, legacy 10 - -	St Mary & St James, Scorton, legacy 10 - -	St Mary, Hornby, Lottery Community Grant 5 - (5)	Total of parish restricted funds 391 73 (83)		CHARITY total: all restricted funds 2024 13,073 670 (655)		GROUP total 2024: all restricted funds 13,073 670 (655)

----- Start of picture text -----
s, Fleetwood, Lancs. '
s Chapel, Brampton, Carlisle. '
arising from unemployment, sickness, disability or other misfortunes
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Training of priests and deacons of the diocese. Support poor parishes and churches within the Diocese of Lancaster. Financial and medical care of sick and retired clergy of the diocese. Support for overseas missions at the discretion of the Bishop. The provision and maintenance of resources and facilities for the people of Kirkham for the pursuit of the Roman Catholic religion, through the church of St John The Evangelist, Kirkham. The provision and maintenance of resources and facilities for the people of Catforth, Thurnham and Westby for the pursuit of the Roman Catholic religion in these areas and educational purposes. Legacies received and previously held as general parish funds which were given for the upkeep of the parish property now in the Canonical ownership of the Diocese. To provide support for diocesan sponsored caring activities. To assist diocesan projects that aim to support the poor and disadvantaged, particularly the young and those with special needs. To be applied towards the purposes of education in the Diocese of lay adults and children. To be used to support sing in schools To bring relief to those experiencing poverty that life throws To meet similar aim as the Moyston Trust, which is to be merged with the Diocesan Trust, namely to provide for the Roman Catholic education of children and to support the Roman Catholic religion within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese of Lancaster. For the purposes of those funds. For the parish building fund. For the refurbishment/rebuilding of the St Ninian For the saying of Masses for the nominated family members (name not published for privacy) For the restoration of the church of Our Lady & St Wilfrid, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle. For the poor & needy parishioners of the parish of St Wulstan & St Edmund Running of a food bank to assist poor and need in the local parish area Grant received to help towards cost of repairs to the church. To fund repairs works to the church of Our Lady and St Michael, Workington To support Syrian refuge families. Maintenance and upkeep of the church. Maintenance and upkeep of the church. Grant received to help towards cost of repairs to the church. Grants received to help towards cost of repairs to the church.
LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST Food Pantry - Grants -
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Purpose of restricted funds Diocesan Central Agencies Ecclesiastical Education Fund Poor Missions Fund Sick and Retired Priests Fund Funds for Overseas Missions Kirkham Church of St John and RC Purposes Catforth, Thurnham & Westby St Ignatius Legacy Fund Diocesan Catholic Caring Fund Good Shepherd Legacy (M Lawton) Diocesan Schools Singing Program Mary Strand Trust The Moyston Fund Sundry Parishes St John Vianney & St Monica, Legacy Our Lady of Eden, Carlisle, Reverend Turner legacy St Mary, Fleetwood, Legacy Our Lady & St Wilfrid, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle, Restoration Fund St Wulstan & St Edmund, Fleetwood, Allen Millar Memorial Fund Our Lady of the Assumption & St Cuthbert, Wigton & Silloth Our Lady of the Assumption & St Cuthbert, Wigton & Silloth Christ the King, Workington, Stella Maris Refugee support projects (various parishes) St Thomas, Clayton, legacy St Mary & St James, Scorton, Legacy St Francis Goosnargh, Grant Blessed Henry Newman, Morecambe, Grants
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13.2 PERMANENT ENDOWED FUNDS Opening Income Expenditure Transfers Unrealised Closing	balance gains on balance	investments	£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000	CHARITY- Lancaster Capital Common Investment Fund 651 21 - (21) (34) 617		GROUP- Lancaster Capital Common Investment Fund 651 21 - (21) (34) 617		Previous year_5 April 2024_	Charity - Lancaster Capital Common Investment Fund 567 17 - (17) 84 651		Group- Lancaster Capital Common Investment Fund 567 17 - (17) 84 651		The Lancaster Capital Common Investment Fund represents the endowment fund held by the Charity.	As a direct result of the further scheme of the Charity Commission dated 2 May 2000 (applied on this date but sealed 6 November 2000), as mentioned earlier in the Trustees�	Report � Investment Powers, the trustees have transferred a portion of general reserves and reclassified these as an endowment fund �Lancaster Capital Common Investment	Fund�.	13.3 PARISH GENERAL FUNDS(including designated funds) Opening Income Expenditure Transfers Unrealised Closing	balance gains/losses balance	on	investments	£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000	CHARITY 64,992 8,044 (7,745) (612) (1,006) 63,673			GROUP 65,142 8,501 (8,190) (612) (1,006) 63,835		Previous year 5 April 2024	Charity 62,748 6,681 (6,611) (684) 2,858 64,992	Group 62,898 7,061 (6,990) (684) 2,857 65,142

13.4 DIOCESAN GENERAL FUNDS(including designated funds) Opening balance Income Expenditure Transfers Unrealised gains on investments Closing balance 5 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 CHARITY 2,244 1,359 (2,018) 831 (2) 2,414 GROUP 4,790 1,459 (2,084) 831 (122) 4,874 Previous year 5 April 2024 Charity 630 2,600 (1,945) 953 6 2,244 Group 2,899 2,682 (1,989) 953 245 4,790 13.5 DESIGNATED FUND(included in general funds) Opening balance Income Expenditure Transfers Unrealised gains on investments Closing balance CHARITY: Diocesan central agencies £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Evangelisation (support of evangelisation projects within the Diocese as directed by the Bishop) 194 12 (56) 22 - 172 Newbridge House (support spirituality projects within the Diocese as directed by the Bishop) 96 2 - - - 98 Vocations (support vocations at the discretion of the Bishop) 21 1 - (22) - - Special collections (for purposes of each special collection) 49 - - - - 49 360 15 (56) - - 319 Parishes none - - - - - - CHARITY total 360 15 (56) - - 319 GROUP total 360 15 (56) - - 319	4,874	2,244	4,790	Closing balance £000 172 98 - 49	319	-	319		319
	(122)	6	245	Unrealised gains on investments £000 - - - -	-	-	-		-
	831	953	953	Transfers £000 22 - (22) -	-	-	-		-
	(2,084)	(1,945)	(1,989)	Expenditure £000 (56) - - -	(56)	-	(56)		(56)
	1,459	2,600	2,682	Income £000 12 2 1 -	15	-	15		15

£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 232 7 (42) (3) - 194 96 - - - - 96 21 - - - - 21 49 - - - - 49	398 7 (42) (3) - 360	- - - -	398 7 (42) - - 360	398 7 (42) - - 360

14.1 GROUP	2024 £000 36,891 34,572 17 699 14,705 (2,101) (47) - -		84,736
	2025 £000 36,716 32,246 23 1,066 15,439 (2,388) (60) - -		83,042
	PARISHES GROUP BALANCES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES GROUP BALANCES Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets 30,725 - - 30,725 4,870 1,121 5,991 Investments 19,853 - 617 20,470 2,096 9,680 11,776 Stock 17 - - 17 6 - 6 Debtors 1,027 - - 1,027 39 - 39 Cash at bank and in hand 9,566 382 - 9,948 3,342 2,149 5,491 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (964) - - (964) (999) (425) (1,424) Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (60) - - (60) - - - Internal balances: Loans (1,862) - - (1,862) 1,862 - 1,862 Diocesan bonds 5,533 - - 5,533 (6,342) 809 (5,533) NET ASSETS 63,835 382 617 64,834 4,874 13,334 18,208		63,835 382 617 64,834 4,874 13,334 18,208

14.2 CHARITY	2024 £000 36,646 32,684 6 705 14,670 (2,671) - - -	2024 £000 36,646 32,684 6 705 14,670 (2,671) - - -	82,040
	2025 £000 36,474 30,195 6 1,064 15,400 (2,719) - - -		80,420
	PARISHES CENTRAL DIOCESAN AGENCIES Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed Assets 30,483 - - 30,483 4,870 1,121 5,991 Investments 19,853 - 617 20,470 45 9,680 9,725 Stock - - - - 6 - 6 Debtors 1,025 - - 1,025 39 - 39 Cash at bank and in hand 9,523 382 9,905 3,346 2,149 5,495 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (882) - - (882) (1,412) (425) (1,837) Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year - - - - - - - Internal balances: Loans (1,862) - - (1,862) 1,862 - 1,862 Diocesan bonds 5,533 - - 5,533 (6,342) 809 (5,533) NET ASSETS 63,673 382 617 64,672 2,414 13,334 15,748		63,673 382 617 64,672 2,414 13,334 15,748

LANCASTER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

15 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

In the opinion of the trustees there were no contingent liabilities in existence, other than in the normal course of the activities of the charity, as at 5th April 2025 or at 5th April 2024.

16 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Due to the nature of the charity's operations and the composition of the trustee body, it is inevitable that transactions may take place with organisations in which a member of the trustees may have an interest. Such transactions involving organisations in which a member of the trustee body may have an interest are conducted at arm's length.

Following his appointment as Bishop of Lancaster in April 2018, Right Reverend P Swarbrick holds positions on non-diocesan bodies, including Ushaw College.

The diocese is a shareholder in Inter-Diocesan Fuel Management Limited (IFM), a company set up in conjunction with other dioceses in order to obtain competitively priced energy for diocesan properties. Most fuel payments are made through the IFM bulk buying scheme.

At 5th April 2025 an amount of £55,473 (2024 £55,473) was owing to the diocese from IFM in respect of overpaid contributions, disclosed under other debtors and an amount of £749,968 (2024: £533,050) was owed to IFM from individual parishes and other bodies in respect of energy costs, disclosed under other creditors.

The Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust (BEBCMAT). the Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust (Mater Christi) and the Mater Ecclesiae Multi Academy Trust (Mater Ecclesiae) are each considered as related parties as both the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancaster and the Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered are members of BEBCMAT and Mater Christi.

During the year the Diocesan Education Service received the following amounts from the:

BEBCMAT Inspection fees Training & conference fees Academy support services Academy Conversion charge Mater Christi Inspection fees Training & conference fees Academy support services Academy Conversion charge Mater Ecclesiae Inspection fees Training & conference fees Academy support services Academy Conversion charge	2025 £ 4,700 11,526 60,278 18000 6,100 8,535 52,541 6,000 4,000 5,570 48,800 4,000	2024 £ 3,200 3,250 38,640 4,000 4,900 8,195 46,335 - 2,800 2,680 24,995 16,000

17 HERITAGE ASSETS

The diocese, via its parishes, holds work of art, historic treasures, plate and similar items which are not capitalised in these accounts. In the opinion of the trustees these are considered to be historical assets which are integral to the charity's overall objectives of advancing the Roman Catholic religion and do not fall under the definition of heritage assets.

52