Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
Newcastle Diocesan Society
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report & Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2025
Company number 00021135 Registered charity number 247234
A large print version is available on request from
Church House St John’s Terrace North Shields NE29 6HS
E-mail: info@newcastle.anglican.org Telephone: 0191 270 4100
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NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER
| Directors’ and Trustees’ Annual Report | |
|---|---|
| Legal Objects | 1 |
| Aims and Objectives | 1 |
| Achievements in the year | 1 |
| Future plans | 2 |
| Financial review | 2 |
| Structure and Governance | 3 |
| Trustees Responsibilities | 3 |
| Administrative details | 5 |
| Independent Auditor’s Report to the trustees of Newcastle Diocesan Society | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 10 |
| Income and Expenditure Account | 11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 13-21 |
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6 NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The directors, who are trustees as the company is a charity, present their annual report together with the audited financial statements, for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Legal Objects
Newcastle Diocesan Society (“the Society”) is a registered charity (Charity number 247234) acting as trustee and custodian trustee responsible for trust funds and properties held upon trust for the Diocese of Newcastle and Parochial Church Councils (“PCCs”).
The Society meets at least twice a year to agree and confirm actions and/or decisions taken with regards to access to, payments from and management of trust funds, and the allocation of grants from trusts in its care. These actions and decisions are underpinned by the diocesan outward facing values of seeking , sharing and sending .
The Society acts as custodian trustee in relation to St Hilda’s Trust, a separately registered charity, and also in relation to PCC properties and certain diocesan properties.
The directors are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit and have had regard to it in their administration of the Society. The directors believe that, by promoting the work of the Church of England in the Diocese of Newcastle, the Society helps to promote the whole mission of the Church (including pastoral, social and ecumenical) more effectively, both in the Diocese of Newcastle as a whole and in its individual parishes, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public.
Aims and objectives
The Society aims to promote, facilitate and assist with the work and purposes of the Church of England for the advancement of the Christian faith in the Diocese of Newcastle and elsewhere.
The specific aims and objectives for the Society are as follows:
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To manage the funds in accordance with its duties and responsibilities exercising appropriate stewardship for and on behalf of the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance (“NDBF”) and PCCs.
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To monitor the performance of the investment managers acting on behalf of the Society and provide appropriate advice and direction as required.
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To monitor the administration costs of the Society’s unrestricted funds.
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To maintain adequate reserves.
The Society meets administration costs from its own funds and therefore no charges are made to individual trust funds.
Grant-making (beneficiary-selection) policy
This is carried out in accordance with the terms and objectives of each individual trust under the umbrella of the Society with the consent and approval of the directors.
Achievements in the year
Review of 2025
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Investment income of £426,105 (2024: £452,474) represents a drop of 5.8% on the previous year.
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£220,731 (2024: £339,213) was paid out of charitable activities during the year, a 34.9% reduction from the previous year. Parishes used the funds for a number of reasons including:
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(i) church repairs;
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(ii) assisting with support costs for curates; and
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(iii) the payment of parish share.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6 NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Operational performance
The directors continue to seek advice and guidance from their professional advisers in relation to the investments. The Society holds one portfolio with RBC Brewin Dolphin received as part of a legacy from the late Bishop Alec Graham. The Society invests the capital of all other funds in the Central Board of Finance’s Investment Fund or the Central Board of Finance’s Deposit Fund. All funds conform to the guidance given by the Church’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group.
Investment performance
The total value of investments (excluding short-term cash deposits) at 31 December 2025 was £13,954,835 (2024: £10,881,411) and the total return on investment was 32% (2024: 2.94%). The growth in the value of investments during the year amounted to £3,073,424 an increase of 28% on the equity portfolio.
Future Plans
The directors intend to continue to administer the funds in trust and meet the day to day running costs from the general fund. The specific objectives for 2025 remained as they were in previous years. Please refer to aims and objectives on page 1.
Financial Review
Overall financial position
Income before revaluation adjustments totalled £473,074 (2024: £599,097). This comprised £46,969 donation income, and £426,105 investment income. Expenditure amounted to £220,731 (2024: £339,213).
The Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year shows net income of £252,343 (2024: £259,884) before gains on the investment assets.
After accounting for £116,112 gain for the year on the investment assets, the net movement in funds amounted to a surplus of £368,455 (2024: £651,882). During the year, total fund balances increased from £14,901,578 to £15,270,033.
Principal Funding Sources
100% of the income of the Society is from investments or funds used to acquire investments.
Going concern
After making enquiries the directors are satisfied that the Society has adequate resources to continue to operate as a going concern for the foreseeable future and have prepared the financial statements on that basis.
Investment policies
The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the charity permit wide powers of investment. The Society investment strategy is based on two key policies:
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Ethical investment - This includes ensuring that investments are held in companies which have high standards of corporate governance and act in a responsible way towards stakeholders.
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Long-term responsibilities - the directors are aware of their long-term responsibilities in respect of endowed funds and as a result follow a correspondingly prudent approach to investment decisions.
Investment policy for long-term funds is aimed primarily at generating a sustainable income with due regard to the need for the preservation of capital value and the possible need to realise investments to meet operational needs.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6 NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Reserves policy
The directors need to keep a certain level of reserves as protection against unexpected fluctuations in income and to assist at certain times of the year with cash flow. The target level for unrestricted reserves set by the directors is £250k and most of these reserves are held in investment funds to generate income for the Society which can be applied to charitable purposes in the future. At 31 December 2025 the amount available in the Society’s general fund was £259,410 (2024: £284,494). The directors confirm that the unrestricted funds are adequate and readily available to fulfil the obligations of administering the Society in the future.
Structure and Governance
Company status
The Society is a company incorporated in England and limited by guarantee (Company registration number 00021135) by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 1885. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (Charity registration number 247234).
Decision-making structure
The Board of Directors has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day management of the company to the Company Secretary, which involves the maintenance of the accounts, dealing with general enquiries from directors and following through the decisions made by directors. The directors meet at least twice a year. The chairman does have authority to make decisions on behalf of the directors between meetings if it is thought that the matter is urgent. Any such decision is confirmed by the directors at their next meeting. All decisions taken at the meetings are recorded in the minutes.
Appointment of Directors
The directors who served the charity during the period are listed on page 5.
The directors are appointed by the Society after nomination by a written notice as required by the charity's Articles of Association. The articles also stipulate that not more than twenty persons may be so nominated as members of the Society during one year. Directors are given induction training when first appointed and receive on-going training, as appropriate. Where there is an identified training need this is provided in house, or if necessary external training will be arranged.
Directors’ and Trustees’ responsibilities
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the net incoming or outgoing resources of the company for that year.
In preparing those financial statements the directors are required to:
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Select the most suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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Observe the methods and principals in the Charities SORP;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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Follow applicable accounting standards and the SORP, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the corporate and trust assets of the company and ensuring their proper application under charity law and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Disclosure of information to auditor
The directors as a Board confirm that to the best of their knowledge there is no information relevant to the audit of which the auditors are unaware, and that they have each taken all necessary steps to ensure that they themselves are aware of all relevant audit information and that this information has been communicated to the auditors.
Funds held as custodian trustee for others
The Society is custodian trustee for trust investment assets with a market value of £2,914,975 at 31 December 2025 (2024: £3,036,322). The Society also holds property on behalf of the Diocesan Board of Finance (NDBF) and Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) as custodian trustee. There were 125 properties held by the Society at the year end. Due to the nature of the assets concerned it is not possible to place a valuation on the land and buildings. As these are custodian assets any valuation would be for disclosure purposes only. As the NDBF and each PCC is a separate charity these assets are held separately from those of the Society.
Connected charities
The Society has a close relationship with the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance Limited (NDBF) which has trust funds held by the Society.
Risk management
The directors have examined the major business, strategic and operational risks that the Society faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. These risks are mitigated by using Investment management company CCLA to manage the funds. One fund is also managed by Brewin Dolphin.
Appointment of Auditors
The auditor is deemed to be reappointed under section 487 (2) of the Companies Act 2006 until otherwise resolved at a general meeting of the company.
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DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Administrative Details
Directors
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Helen-Ann Hartley The Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the Venerable Dr Catherine Sourbut Groves The Archdeacon of Northumberland, the Venerable Rachel A Wood Canon Simon R Harper (Chair) Dr John C Appleby Isabella McDonald-Booth
Secretary
Canon Christopher Elder
Auditor
UNW LLP Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor Citygate, St. James' Boulevard Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JE
Solicitors
Sintons The Cube, Barrack Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6DB
Bankers
Barclays Bank Plc 5 St Ann’s Street, Quayside Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2BH
Investment Managers
CCLA Investment Management Ltd Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET
Brewin Dolphin 12 Smithfield Street London EC1A 9LA
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DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Registered office
Church House St John's Terrace, North Shields Tyne and Wear, NE29 6HS Telephone: 0191 270 4100
Company registration number 00021135
Registered charity number 247234
By order of the board
Canon Simon R Harper Director
Date: 9[th] April 2026
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NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Newcastle Diocesan Society ( ‘the charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the income and expenditure account, the balance sheet and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 December 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2022.
Basis of opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (‘ISAs (UK)’) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the ‘ Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements’ section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the trustees annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the directors’ and trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
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The directors’ and trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees' remunerations specified by law not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the directors and trustees' report.
Responsibilities of directors’ and trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the directors (who are also the trustees of the charitable company) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company's or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below. However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to
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NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
ensure that the entity’s operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.
We obtain and update our understanding of the charitable company, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the charitable company is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.
Based on our understanding of the charitable company, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation (including related companies legislation), distributable profits legislation, pension legislation and UK tax legislation. In addition, the charitable company is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines and litigation. We considered the extent to which non-compliance with laws and regulations might have a material effect on the financial statements and we have assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
We also evaluated managements’ incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks related to posting inappropriate journal entries to manipulate financial results, management bias in accounting estimates, as well as improper revenue recognition which includes fraudulent posting of journal entries to revenue.
Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
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Inquiry of management and those charged with governance regarding actual and potential litigation or claims as well as whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
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Reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
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Reviewing meeting minutes to identify reported frauds and any potential non-compliance with laws and regulations;
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Identifying journal entries based on risk criteria and testing the identified entries to supporting documentation, in particular journal entries with unusual account combinations; and
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Challenging assumptions and judgments made by management in their significant accounting estimates and evaluating whether there was any evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Anne Hallowell BSC DChA FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of UNW LLP, Statutory Auditor Newcastle upon Tyne
9[th] April 2026
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NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Income and endowments from: | |||||
| 2 Donations |
- | 46,969 | - | 46,969 | 146,623 |
| 3 Investments |
7,658 | 418,447 | - | 426,105 | 452,474 |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| 7,658 | 465,416 | - | 473,074 | 599,097 | |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4/5 |
(22,082) | (198,649) | - | (220,731) | (339,213) |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| **(22,082) ** | **(198,649) ** | - | (220,731) | (339,213) | |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| Net income before investment gains | (14,424) | 266,767 | - | 252,343 | 259,884 |
| Net gain/(loss) on investments | (10,660) | 320,383 | (193,611) | 116,112 | 391,998 |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| Net income | **(25,084) ** | 587,150 | **(193,611) ** | 368,455 | 651,882 |
| Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total funds brought forward 6 |
284,494 | 9,585,401 | 5,031,683 | 14,901,578 | 14,249,696 |
| ──────── | ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | |
| Total funds carried forward 6 |
259,410 | 10,172,551 | 4,838,072 | 15,270,033 | 14,901,578 |
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NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Income | 473,074 | 599,097 |
| Expenditure | (220,731) | (339,213) |
| ──────── | ──────── | |
| Operating profit for the year | 252,343 | 259,884 |
| Net gain on investments | 309,723 | 285,514 |
| ──────── | ──────── | |
| Net income for the year | 562,066 | 545,398 |
| ──────── | ──────── | |
| Total comprehensive income | 562,066 | 545,398 |
| ──────── | ──────── |
The income and expenditure account is derived from the Statement of Financial Activities with movements in endowment funds excluded to comply with company law.
All income and expenditure is derived from continuing activities.
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NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Investments | 9 | 13,954,835 | 10,881,411 |
| ───────── | ───────── | ||
| 13,954,835 | 10,881,411 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors: amounts falling due within one year | 10 | 60,496 | 287,871 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,271,555 | 3,737,174 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 11 | (16,853) | (4,878) |
| ───────── | ───────── | ||
| Net current assets | 1,315,198 | 4,020,167 | |
| ───────── | ───────── | ||
| Net assets | 15,270,033 | 14,901,578 | |
| ───────── | ───────── | ||
| Funds | |||
| Endowment funds | 6 | 4,838,072 | 5,031,683 |
| Restricted income funds | 6 | 10,172,551 | 9,585,401 |
| Unrestricted income funds | 6 | 259,410 | 284,494 |
| ───────── | ───────── | ||
| Total funds | 15,270,033 ───────── |
14,901,578 ───────── |
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The notes on pages 13 to 19 form part of these financial statements. The accounts were approved by the members of Newcastle Diocesan Society on the 9[th ] April 2026 and are signed on their behalf by:
Canon Simon R Harper Director
Company number 00021135
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
1. Principal accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of fixed asset investments which are included at their market value at the balance sheet date. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP 2019), the Companies Act 2006 and applicable accounting standards (FRS102).
The principal accounting policies adopted are as follows:
Basis of preparation
The Board prepares its annual financial statements on the basis of historical cost and the carrying of investment assets (including investment properties) at market value. The financial statements are drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The Society meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.
The Society acts as a trustee responsible for 87 Trust Funds held on behalf of the Diocese and Parochial Church Councils. Income received and expenditure on behalf of and distributions for the specified purposes of the funds in trust are included in the Statement of Financial Activities and are allocated to the capital or income funds as appropriate and in accordance with the terms of the trust deeds of the individual funds.
Fund balances are split between unrestricted, restricted and endowment funds.
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Unrestricted funds represent funds which are expendable at the discretion of the directors in the furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Such funds may be held in order to finance both administration and operational costs.
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Restricted funds represent grants, donations, legacies and assets which are allocated by the donor for specific purposes. These are expendable at the discretion of the Society acting as trustee in furtherance of the objects of the individual trust. Restricted funds may be restricted income funds and/or capital funds, where the assets are required to be invested or retained for actual use rather than expended.
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Endowment funds represent grants, donations and legacies received where the donor has stipulated that the income may be used for general purposes, but the capital must be retained.
“Special trusts” (as defined by the Charities Act 2022) and any other trusts where the charitable company acts as trustee and controls the management and use of the funds, are included in the company’s own financial statements as charity branches, subject to the Charity Commission’s determination of their accounting status.
Trusts where the Board acts merely as custodian trustee with no control over the management of the funds are not included in the financial statements but are disclosed in the Directors’ and Trustees’ Annual Report.
Going concern
The Society holds sufficient cash reserves to allow it to be able to meet its obligations as they fall due for the foreseeable future.
Income
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Board is legally entitled to it as income or capital respectively, ultimate receipt is probable and the amount to be recognised can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
14
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Where a claim for repayment of income tax has or will be made, such income is grossed up for the tax recoverable.
The following accounting policies are applied to income.
-
Investment income is accounted for when receivable and includes the related tax recoverable.
-
Legacies and donations are accounted for when conditions for their receipt have been met and the amount can be reliably estimated. Legacies received in the form of property or investments are accounted for at the lower of probate or market value.
-
Monies from endowment funds are allocated to restricted income funds in accordance with trust terms.
Expenditure
Expenditure is included on the accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the SOFA category. The Society’s operating costs include professional fees and other related costs representing management and administration expenditure.
Distributions to beneficiaries are accounted for when expenditure has been incurred in respect of the various trust funds. Disbursements from trust funds are made strictly in accordance with the terms of the trust for the individual funds. Where the terms of a specific fund require the consent of the Society, this is recorded in the minutes of the Society meeting at which it was discussed.
Support costs represent expenditure incurred in the management of the trust funds, organisational administration, and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. These costs are charged to the General Fund not the individual trust funds.
Investments
Listed investments, which have been classified as fixed asset investments, are measured initially and subsequently at fair value. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year. Investments held by the Society as custodian trustee are not included in these accounts.
Taxation
The activities of the Society are exempt from taxation under Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash at Bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks
15
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.
Financial instruments
The company only enters into financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of basic debt financial assets and liabilities like trade other accounts receivable and payable, cash and bank balances and loans to or from related parties. All such instruments are due within one year and are measured, initially and subsequently at the transaction price.
At the end of each reporting period debt financial assets are assessed for impairment, and their carrying value reduced if necessary. Any impairment charge is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Estimates and judgments
Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Key areas subject to estimation are as follows:
Legacy income
Legacy income is calculated using the best estimate available, taking into account market value of properties unsold within the legacy estate. Any amounts unpaid are accounted for as accrued income and recognised within creditors.
In preparing these financial statements the trustees do not consider there were any significant areas of judgment or estimates that were required in applying the company’s policies as set out above.
16
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2 Donations
| Donations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | - | 46,969 | - | 46,969 | 146,623 |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── |
In the prior year, £2,000 of the donations related to unrestricted funds with the remainder being restricted.
3 Investment income
| Investment income | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Dividends receivable | 7,600 | 299,942 |
- | 307,542 | 282,285 |
| Interest receivable | 58 | 118,505 |
- | 118,563 | 170,189 |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| 7,658 | 418,447 | - | 426,105 | 452,474 | |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── |
In 2024, £444,707 related to restricted funds, with £7,767 being unrestricted.
- 4 Costs of charitable activities by fund type
| Costs of charitable activities by fund type | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Grant funding activities | - | 198,649 |
- | 198,649 | 316,751 |
| Support costs | 22,082 | - |
- | 22,082 | 22,462 |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| 22,082 | 198,649 | - | 220,731 | 339,213 | |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── |
In 2024, £316,751 related to restricted expenditure with the balance being unrestricted.
5 Analysis of support costs
| Analysis of support costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Governance: | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| External Audit | 8,545 | - | - | 8,545 | 8,535 |
| Legal | 47 | - | - | 47 | 35 |
| Grant to NDBF | 11,100 | - | - | 11,100 | 11,100 |
| Accounts package | 2,390 | - | - | 2,390 | 2,792 |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | |
| 22,082 | - | - | 22,082 | 22,462 | |
| ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── | ──────── |
17
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
6. Summary of fund movements
Summary of fund movements
| Balance at 1 Jan | Incoming | Outgoing | Gains, losses | Balance at 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | resources | resources | & transfers | Dec 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted Income Funds: | |||||
| General Funds | 284,494 | 7,658 | (22,082) | (10,660) | 259,410 |
| Restricted Income Funds: | |||||
| Restricted Funds | 9,585,401 | 465,416 | (198,649) | 320,383 | 10,172,551 |
| Endowment Funds: | |||||
| Permanent Endowment Funds | 5,031,683 | - | - | (193,611) | 4,838,072 |
| ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | |
| 14,901,578 | 473,074 | (220,731) | 116,112 | 15,270,033 |
Summary of fund movements – prior year
| Balance at 1 Jan | Incoming | Outgoing | Gains, losses | Balance at 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | resources | resources | & transfers | Dec 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted Income Funds: | |||||
| General Funds | 284,013 | 9,767 | (22,462) | 13,176 | 284,494 |
| Restricted Income Funds: | |||||
| Restricted Funds | 9,040,484 | 589,330 | (316,751) | 272,338 | 9,585,401 |
| Endowment Funds: | |||||
| Permanent Endowment Funds | 4,925,199 | - | - | 106,484 | 5,031,683 |
| ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | |
| 14,249,696 | 599,097 | (339,213) | 391,998 | 14,901,578 |
Funds transferred from endowment to restricted funds represent the unspent income on endowed funds available for use by the beneficiaries, which are held as cash deposits and not investment funds.
7. Directors’ remuneration and expenses
No remuneration or expenses has been paid to any director in their capacity as a director (2024: £nil).
8. Employee details
The Society does not have any employees. All administrative functions are carried out by NDBF staff and the Society makes a grant to the NDBF in recognition of this assistance. The grant for 2025 of £11,100 remained unpaid at the balance sheet date and is therefore included within accruals. (2024: £11,100).
18
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
9. Investments
| Listed | |
|---|---|
| investments | |
| Within the United Kingdom | £ |
| At 1 January 2025 | 10,881,411 |
| Additions | 5,828,436 |
| Disposals | (2,824,567) |
| Revaluation | 69,555 |
| ───────── | |
| At 31 December 2025 | 13,954,835 |
| ───────── | |
| Historical cost at 31 December 2025 | 10,120,290 ───────── |
10. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Accrued income | 60,496 | 287,871 |
| ─────── | ─────── | |
| 11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Other creditors | 153 | 288 |
| Accruals | 16,700 | 4,590 |
| ─────── | ─────── | |
| 16,853 | 4,878 | |
| ─────── | ─────── |
11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
19
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
12. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds
| Analysis of net assets between funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net current | |||||
| Investments | assets | Total | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Restricted Income Funds: | |||||
| Restricted Funds | 8,856,889 | 1,315,662 | 10,172,551 | ||
| Endowment Funds: | |||||
| Permanent Endowment Funds | 4,838,072 | - |
4,838,072 | ||
| Unrestricted Income Funds: | |||||
| General Funds | 259,874 | (464) | 259,410 | ||
| ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | |||
| Total Funds | 13,954,835 | 1,315,198 | 15,270,033 | ||
| ───────── | ───────── | ───────── | |||
| Analysis of net assets between funds 2024 | |||||
| Net current | |||||
| Investments | assets | Total | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Restricted Income Funds: | |||||
| Restricted Funds | 5,579,049 | 4,006,352 | 9,585,401 | ||
| Endowment Funds: | |||||
| Permanent Endowment Funds | 5,031,683 | - | 5,031,683 | ||
| Unrestricted Income Funds: | |||||
| General Funds | 270,679 | 13,815 | 284,494 | ||
| ─────────────────────────── | |||||
| Total Funds | 10,881,411 | **4,020,167 ** | 14,901,578 | ||
| ─────────────────────────── |
At 31 December 2025 the Society managed 87 trust funds (2024: 87 trust funds). These funds were held to cover a variety of purposes including: the upkeep and maintenance of church buildings; church halls or churchyards; the upkeep of church organs or music groups; the charitable purposes of the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance (NDBF); ecclesiastical/charitable purposes; to be used at the discretion of the Bishop of Newcastle, the Society or designated clergy; and to provide funds for the NDBF to help to offset the cost of stipends.
In addition, the Society is custodian trustee for trust in investment assets with a market value of £2,923,629 at 31 December 2025 (2024: £3,036,322). The Society also holds property on behalf of the NDBF and Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) as custodian trustee. There were 125 properties held by the Society at the year end.
13. Related party transactions
Seven of the Society’s directors who served during the year were also directors of the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance (NDBF). During 2025 the Society paid out £30,305 (2024: £32,812) to the NDBF from its various funds, some of which are restricted and required to assist in the payment of stipends, and the remainder unrestricted and covering certain administration costs.
20
Docusign Envelope ID: 371480F5-5C1A-4763-A164-83DD3B10E3E6
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY
The Society acts as custodian trustee over the assets of St Hilda’s Trust. The Bishop of Newcastle was a trustee for both the Society and St Hilda’s Trust. The two charities had no other trustees in common.
14. Contingent asset
The trustees have been notified that the remaining assets from the Bishop Graham legacy have yet to be sold, which is expected to result in a final distribution from the estate to NDS. The amount to be received cannot be reliably estimated at this time and consequently no figure has been attributed to this anticipated receipt within the financial statements to 31 December 2025.
21