2024-12-31-accounts

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2024

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

Company number - 142351 Registered charity number – 249276

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER
Foreword 3
Legal Objects 4
Strategic Report:
Strategic Aims 5
Activities, Achievements in the year & Future Plans 5-6
Financial review 7-10
Strategic risks and uncertainties 11-12
Structure and Governance 13-15
Trustees’ Responsibilities 16
Administrative details 17-18
Independent Auditor’s Report 19-21
Statement of Financial Activities 22
Balance Sheet 23
Cash Flow Statement 24
Notes to the Financial Statements 25-52
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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

FOREWORD

In his letter, St Peter calls the Church to be “like living stones, who are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood” resting on Jesus Christ, our “precious cornerstone”. The past year has been a season of foundation laying for our diocese, of assembling the living stones which are the right people and the right resources, creating a strong and unified base on which God can build. We have seen this in a number of significant reviews that have taken place – reviews of Housing, the Common Mission Fund (CMF) and the School of Mission – which have already led to positive changes and greater sustainability and stability in these key areas.

Bishop Philip has exercised strong pastoral leadership and led our diocesan family to be rooted in Christ, commending the four pillars of his Walking the Wessex Way vision: Serving, Learning, Growing and Loving, and we are so encouraged by the additional episcopal vision and energy brought by Bishop Rhiannon. These developments are already bearing fruit, and we are encouraged by some early signs of strengthening, with CMF up by 11.1% in Q1 2025 and recent Statistics for Mission showing that our diocesan worshipping community increased by 6.8% in 2024.

However, we are not complacent, since our income was nearly £1.6m less than expenditure and that is clear evidence of the challenges still faced by our diocese, though for now increases in value of property and investments have covered this deficit. Our deanery level finance consultation process is proving to be a positive mechanism for engaging and listening to our parishes and clergy about these challenges, and we are working hard on our Strategic Mission & Ministry Development Plan for the next 10 years which will enable us to access national church funding to be invested positively in clergy and parishes where there is already so much innovative, creative, faithful and sacrificial ministry taking place.

I hope you will join with me in St Peter’s prayer, that our hope and expectation will be that God will further the good work He has established in the Diocese of Winchester, and that we “may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. For once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God.”.

Ian Dighé Chair of the Winchester Diocesan Board of Finance

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

The Trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of Company Law, present their annual report, together with the audited financial statements, for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The Directors and Trustees are one and the same and in signing as Trustees, they are also signing the strategic report sections in their capacity as directors.

This combined report satisfies the legal requirements for:

• a Directors’ Report of a charitable company

• a Strategic Report under the Companies Act 2006 and

• a Trustees’ Annual Report under the Charities Act 2011

LEGAL OBJECTS

The objects of the Diocese of Winchester cover most of Hampshire - a part of eastern Dorset, the unitary authority of Southampton and the eastern parts of the unitary authority of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The Winchester Diocesan Board of Finance’s (WDBF) principal object is to promote, assist and advance the work of the Church of England in the Diocese of Winchester, by acting as the financial executive of the Winchester Diocesan Synod.

The WDBF has the following statutory responsibilities:

• i. the management of glebe property and investments to generate income, in order to support the cost of stipends arising from the Endowment and Glebe Measure 1976.

• ii. the repair of benefice houses as the Diocesan Parsonage Board under the Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972.

• iii. the management of investments and the custodian of assets relating to church schools under the Diocesan Board of Education Measure in 2021.

• iv. the custodian of permanent endowment and real property assets, relating to trusts held by Incumbents and Archdeacons and by Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) as Diocesan Authority under the Incumbents and Churchwardens (Trusts) Measure 1964 and the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

The strategic priorities of the company are established by the Diocesan Synod in communication with Deanery Synods, PCCs, and the Bishop of Winchester (in respect of his/her responsibility for the provision of the cure of souls). To this end, significant time and effort is committed to communication between and with these bodies, as well as with the church nationally, taking forward shared commitments and priorities.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

STRATEGIC AIMS

Due to the nature of our organisation, our objectives and strategic priorities are primarily delivered through our network of parishes, clergy, ministers, and worshipping communities. It is therefore vital that we invest in engaging, supporting, equipping, and challenging them to grow our shared mission, as we all seek to grow our mission and ministry.

By carrying out these priorities and in promoting the whole mission of the church (pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical), the directors are confident (having adhered to Charity Commission guidance) that the Charity delivers public benefit.

In 2024, Bishop Philip launched Walking the Wessex Way – a new resource for discussion, reflection and prayer in parishes and worshipping communities – setting out an invitational vision for our dioceses building on our legacy of service, learning, growing and loving as we look to the future. The Bishop’s Staff Team has responded to this vision, setting out a series of ‘commitments’ in their service and leadership of our diocese. These have been shared with our parishes, clergy and stakeholders through our website.

Walking the Wessex Way has provided a foundation to enable us to discern a new Strategic Diocesan Mission & Ministry Development Plan for the next 10 years of our diocese. At the time of writing (May 2025) we are actively consulting on the principles and direction of this plan with our stakeholders and worshipping communities. It is our hope that this will be finalised by late 2025, allowing us to access national Church funding to invest in sustainable local mission and ministry for years to come.

ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR

2024 was another busy year across our diocesan community. Inevitably this report cannot capture the breadth of ministry, the wealth of mission and the impact of daily interactions that our parishes, ministers and chaplaincies have provided. We therefore offer a few reflections on some key activities at diocesan level.

People

• Clergy Stipends were increased by 7% from April 2024 in line with the recommendation from the National Church.

• 16 ordination candidates from our diocese successfully completed the discernment process and began ordination training in 2024.

• 5 new Licensed Lay Ministers (LLM ) began training in 2024, along with 12 new candidates for the Bishop’s Permission to Preach (BPP).

• Successfully applied for permission, and subsequently appointed, a new Bishop of Southampton.

• £43,000 in Welfare grants were paid to members of clergy and their dependents during the year.

• Approved the appointment and funding of a new Diocesan Adviser for Women's Ministry.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

Strategic Reviews

• Our Housing Management Review was successfully completed in 2024, with all maintenance and management of our property portfolio successfully outsourced to Savills. The benefits of this new way of working are already apparent. The quality of service we can offer to our clergy and their families has increased, along with far greater resilience on legislative compliance.

• The Review of the Winchester School of Mission concluded in Q1 2024, with the Bishop’s Council adopting the recommendations in full. The quality of training offered by our internal team was noted, but changes in national funding and policy meant our local ministry training pathway was no longer sustainable. The Directors are sincerely grateful to all members of the Team for their steadfast support and hard work during this time of transition and change.

• The Common Mission Fund Review Group reported to Synod in June 2024 with their proposals adopted in full. Implementation has been started, with a positive impact already visible. At the end of Q1 2025, we have seen an increase of 11.1% in CMF collection rates compared to the same period in 2024.

• In November 2024, the Diocesan Synod was briefed on the challenging state of diocesan finances. The synod requested that a diocesan wide finance consultation and communication process be carried out at deanery level to share these findings and seek people’s views. This process began in early 2025 and will report back later in the year.

• In November 2024, our Diocesan Synod approved a new Racial Justice Strategy for our diocese. This vital and exciting piece of work is already showing fruit and will continue to be implemented during 2025.

• Two more parishes benefited from the Parish Revitalisation & Renewal Partnerships , supported by national funding. A further 4 benefices began the Growing Rural Parishes Programme. The monitoring and performance data to date is really encouraging and exciting.

Governance

• The Directors of the Board of Finance and the Members of the Diocesan Synod, approved changes to the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the WDBF. The core change was to move to a new structure where Diocesan Synod became the Company Members of the WDBF. It is our hope that this change will help ensure a greater synergy between DBF and Synodical governance.

• We were pleased to note that the 2023 Audit process was very positive, and did not identify any issues or challenges within our financial management processes and procedures.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Performance 2024

Our financial performance for 2024 was mixed. Like many organisations, the significant shifts and uncertainties in the global economic climate has impacted on our finances and budgetary assumptions. Across all funds we reported an operating deficit, after realised losses on disposal of fixed assets, of £1.632m (2023: surplus £0.173m) before transfers, investment gains and the impact of property revaluations.

Our total income decreased by 1.2% from £13.18m in 2023 to £13.02m in 2024. Parish income (CMF and Parochial Fees) fell by £421k from 2023 reflecting the financial challenges faced by many of our parishes and communities. Whilst Investment income increased by £113k from 2023, rental income from our properties fell by £149k as more houses were required to accommodate the growth in our clergy numbers. Income from grants, donations and recharges increased by £469k in the year. Strategic Development Funding (SDF) income from Archbishops Council was matched by an increase in related SDF expenditure.

Total expenditure across all funds increased by 12.7% from £13.01m to £14.66m. Ministry Support costs increased by 14% reflecting the increase in clergy headcount in 2024, the 7% increase in stipend rates from Apr 2024 and the increasing costs of repairs and maintenance of our property portfolio. Parish and Schools Support costs increased by 9% driven by a rise in the number of grants to our parishes. Diocesan Support costs increased by 18% and include the impact of increasing legal cost for our Chancellor and Registrar (set nationally), the cost of biennial clergy conference and the cost of providing for doubtful debts. National Support costs fell by 2% in the year.

During the year, we sold 7 houses leading to a small loss on disposal of £55k (2023: gain £132k). We also disposed of 4 glebe assets with a gain on disposal of £82k, and together with the unrealised gain on the revaluation of our investment portfolio of £522k, gave a total gain on investments of £604k (2023: gain £2.96m). The 2024 revaluation of our property portfolio produced an unrealised gain of £4.949m (2023: gain £1.409m). Our accounting policy under FRS 102 for accounting estimates, is to revalue 20% of the property portfolio each year. At the end of 2024, we reduced the value of our property portfolio in the General Fund and the Benefice Houses Fund by £647k to reflect the impact of a legacy issue where some properties had not been correctly recorded in our property portfolio in previous years. This included 4 properties which had been included twice and two properties which had previously been omitted. The discrepancy came to light as part of the due diligence work carried out as part of the outsourcing of the management of our property portfolio to Savills in 2024. We are grateful to our Head of Finance and to our Diocesan Property Manager for identifying these historic anomalies. The revaluation gain of £4.302m is shown net of this adjustment.

The net effect of all the above is an overall increase in the value of all funds of £3.274m for the year (2023: increase £4.542m) to £186.283m. The table below summarises this financial position:

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

	2024	2023
	£'000	£'000
Operating surplus/(deficit) before Other Income	(1,577)	41
Realised gains/(losses) on sale of fixed assets	(55)	132
Net operating surplus/(deficit)	(1,632)	173
Other recognised gains and losses:
Unrealised gains on investments	522	2,941
Realised gains on investments	82	19
Sub-total- Net Gain/(Loss) on Investments	604	2,960
Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets	4,949	1,409
Adjustment to property values for prior years	(647)	-
Sub-total- Net (Loss)/Gain on Property	4,302	1409
Net movement in funds for the year	3,274	4,542
Fund balance at1st January	183,009	178,467
Fund balance at 31st December	186,283	183,009

General Fund

Income decreased by 5% from £11.03m to £10.47m.

Giving from our parishes through Common Mission Fund (CMF), the mutual cost-sharing across the Diocese to fund mission and ministry, is the main incoming resource for the Diocese. We are deeply grateful to all our parishes who have continued to contribute to the CMF whilst tackling rising costs and diminishing reserves. We received £7.90m (2023: £8.36m). This highlights the huge financial pressures and challenges that our parishes continue to face since the start of 2020. Due to the growth in our clergy numbers in 2024 and the sale of a number of our properties, our property rental income for the year decreased from £926k in 2023 to £777k in 2024. Our investment income increased by 1% from £655k to £664k.

Expenditure increased by £0.97m from £11.78m to £12.75m

Resourcing ministry and mission continues to be our most significant expense stream. In 2024, we averaged 105 stipendiary clergy posts across our diocese (2023:102) out of a budgeted total of 116.5 (2023: 116.5). Direct expenditure on clergy stipends was £5.60m compared to £5.23m in 2023. Clergy stipends increased by 7% from 01 April 2024. Our contribution rate to the Church of England Funded Pension Scheme (CEFPS) for clergy, decreased from 28% to 25% of the previous year’s National Minimum Stipend (NMS), from 01 April 2024. Expenditure on clergy housing was £181k higher than 2023 at £2.17m. We outsourced the management of our property and glebe portfolios to Savills in the second half of 2024 and are already seeing the benefit of the expertise and efficiencies that they bring. Resettlement Grants and First Appointment Grants were £245k in 2024 compared to £261k in 2023.

Balance sheet position

The Directors consider that the balance sheet together with details in note 18 show broadly that the restricted and endowment funds are held in an appropriate mix of investment and current assets given the purposes for which the funds are held. While the net assets at the balance sheet date totalled £186m (2023: £183m), it should be noted that included in this total are properties, mostly in use for Clergy, whose value net of loans, used to buy them, amounted to £147.6m (2023: £146.6m). Much of the remainder of the assets

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

shown in the balance sheet are held in restricted funds and cannot necessarily be used for the general purposes of the WDBF.

Free reserves

Having considered financial risk, liquidity requirement and the timing of cashflows throughout the year, the Trustees’ policy aim is to hold a balance of free reserves (general fund less tangible fixed assets net of longterm financing) on its general fund, equivalent to between 3 and 6 months budgeted unrestricted expenditure. The total unrestricted general funds balance of free reserves totals £4.6m. (2023: £4.2m). This balance represents the equivalent of 4.3 months of budgeted expenses for the diocese, which is within the agreed range. Whilst the DBF policy is to hold 3 months budgeted unrestricted expenditure in cash or shortterm deposit (approximately £3.2m), this was exceeded at the end of December 2024 with the balance of cash, deposits and short-term investments in the general fund of £4.6m.

Designated Funds

The Trustees may, with the approval of the Board, designate unrestricted reserves to be retained for an agreed purpose where this is prudent. Such designated reserves are reviewed on an annual basis and returned to the general fund, in the event that the purpose of their designation is no longer considered to be adequate justification for their retention. A description of each reserve together with the intended use, is set out in note 19. At 31 December 2024, total designated reserves were £1.76m (2023: £1.72m).

Restricted and Endowments Funds

As set out within Notes 17 and 18, the WDBF holds and administers a large number of restricted and endowment funds. As at 31 December 2024, restricted funds totalled £11.53m (2023: £11.61m) and endowment funds totalled £137.28m (2023: £131.57m). Neither are available for the general purposes of the WDBF.

Grant making policy

The Memorandum of Association of the WDBF explicitly permits the WDBF to make grants in pursuance of its objects. Details of grants made are shown in note 8.

Investment policy

The WDBF is empowered by its memorandum of association, to invest monies not immediately required for its purposes. In addition, the WDBF acts as Trustee of several trust funds, and these must be invested in accordance with the related trusts. The WDBF’s policy is to regularly review the assets of each fund for which it is responsible, in relation to the purposes of each fund, and to identify appropriate investment vehicles. Note 18 provides details of the assets of each fund, together with the related purposes, and Note 12 summarises the movements in investments during the year.

The majority of our investments are held in the CBF Church of England Funds managed by CCLA Investment Management Limited. Once again, CCLA have performed well in the year against the set benchmarks. In October 2024, a decision was taken to dispose of the holdings in the CCLA Property Fund and to transfer the proceeds to the respective CCLA Investment Funds. There is a lead time of 6 months for Property Fund disposals, and this process was finalised in April 2025. As a participant in the CBF Church of England Funds managed by CCLA Investment Management Limited and a small number of others, the WDBF adopts the ethical investment policies in those funds.

The remainder of our investment portfolio comprises our glebe assets.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

A breakdown of the overall investments portfolio is set out in the below table.

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General Designated Restricted Endowment
Investment Type Fund Fund Fund Fund Total Total
2024 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023
Unlisted Investments £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
CCLA Investement Fund 3,425 611 7,172 11,243 22,451 21,947
CCLA Property Fund - 30 1,136 178 1,344 1,357
CCLA COIF - - 21 - 21 20
3,425 641 8,329 11,421 23,816 23,324
Listed Investments
M&G Charifund - - 40 - 40 36
- - 40 - 40 36
Other Investments
Glebe Portfolio - - - 1,416 1,416 2,134
- - - 1,416 1,416 2134
Total Investments 3,425 641 8,369 12,837 25,272 25,494
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Future Financial Outlook & Priorities

The financial outlook of the WDBF is intrinsically linked to the outlook and sustainability of our 230 parishes. We cannot ignore the very challenging few years parishes have faced both financially and in terms of decline in attendance.

We have therefore been encouraged to hear that the preliminary 2024 Statistic for Mission, showed a 6.8% increase in Worshipping Community across our diocese (against a national average of 1.8%). This shows that there are already signs of hope for growth and a return to sustainability. This in turn will lead to greater financial resilience at a diocesan level.

As noted above the Common Mission Fund review , and the subsequent deanery level Finance Consultation process is proceeding well, helping to address some ‘myths’ and help our stakeholders understand our shared financial challenges. This level of relational engagement and consultation is key to our shared funding model, and we believe has led to the vastly improved CMF performance in 2025.

We have continued to actively engage in the national Diocesan Finance Review , seeking to offer time limited funding to DBFs across the country to address our combined annual deficits of over £62m.

Increases in clergy stipends, national insurance but reductions in pension contributions (previously needed to offset historic shortfalls) have meant our Finance Committee has asked for the three-year budget to be recast to take account of these significant changes.

In this context, it is clear that our future financial outlook is dependent on the missional strength of our parishes and worshipping communities. Our core priority for 2025 is therefore to discern, design, and develop and then deliver our new Strategic Mission & Ministry Development Plan, seeking substantial national funding over the coming 10 years to invest in sustainable missional growth across our diocesan community.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

STRATEGIC RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Directors are responsible for the identification, mitigation, and management of risk. To achieve this, a register of all the risks identified is maintained and, alongside it, a management and mitigation strategy formed. This is subject to review by the Directors on an annual basis with the responsibility for delivery of the mitigation strategies, identified by it, being delegated to the Diocesan Secretary, and through him other responsible officers. The following areas are considered to be the current highest strategic risk areas for the diocese.

diocese.
Risk	Strategic Overview
Growth & Sustainability Continued decline in the numbers of in those involved in, or supporting, the church in any capacity	A continued reduction in numbers of those involved in our Diocese will adversely impact all areas of risk e.g. numbers of clergy in parishes, laity directly involved in mission, macro/micro economic factors, ‘relevance’ due to controversies/ debates at national level, diocesan finance due to fewer and less generous givers, volunteers needing training such as safeguarding. As we look forward it is vital that we continue to discern and invest in sustainable models of ministry and mission that will intentionally seek to address this decline. Accessing national strategic mission & ministry investment funding to invest in clergy and parishes to help them grow their ministry must remain a fundamental priority.
Safeguarding: Child, adult at risk, or domestic abuse An occurrence of child, adult at risk, or domestic abuse by someone working for or on behalf of the Church (in a parish or parish-based organisation or at the Diocesan Office) Non-Current Cases It comes to light that there were instances of abuse in the past which were not appropriately dealt with by the Clergy/Diocese	The Diocese has a Safeguarding Board that is independently chaired and draws in senior officers from statutory agencies, law and education as well as the Dean of the Cathedral. The Board is responsible for developing Safeguarding Strategy and an action plan of improvement. The Board is supported by a Casework Subcommittee (independently chaired). The Board promotes best practice and continuously ensures that the Diocese is adopting and developing appropriate policy and practice. A Safeguarding team, led by a highly qualified and experienced Safeguarding Manager, promotes best practice, supports those making disclosures and manages offenders and those under investigation.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

Risk	Strategic Overview
Financial: Diocesan Board of Finance A serious loss of income, investment market crash, unforeseen major expense, fraud, and theft are all potential serious financial incidents for the Board. Custodian Trustee A parish enters major expenditure without sufficient resources, experiences fraud, has major unforeseen building or staffing issues requiring significant expenditure.	The Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) is supported by a Finance Committee which regularly reviews the management accounts, CMF collection and reserves position, to ensure any unexpected losses in income can be covered whilst remedial actions are undertaken. The DBF issues comprehensive Financial Standing Instructions identifying levels of delegation, responsibility, and accountability. A comprehensive review has been carried out and completed in early 2024 with a further revision made in 2025. Appropriate measures are in place to ensure that financial transactions require two signatures and that all property purchases and major contracts also require two director signatures in addition to the Diocesan Secretary & Chief Operating Officer. The DBF insures against its most significant serious incidents and all insurance policies are reviewed annually. The DBF offers some advice and support to parishes embarking on major projects or areas of expenditure, assisting them in assessing risk and appropriate mitigations and will monitor parish accounts, with deanery assistance, to be alert to any needs and problems arising. Recent reviews of large PCC loans has shown that this remains an area of significant risk for the WDBF. The Diocesan Finance Committee is therefore reflecting again on whether our current policy of offering loans to PCCs is sustainable.
People: Employment Significant staff turnover, staff without appropriate qualifications and skills mix for evolving needs of the DBF and wider Diocese. Appointments The Diocese fails to make the right appointments to parishes and senior positions within the Diocese.	The WDBF is responsible for a wide range of specialisms and different disciplines operating in an unusual legal and compliance framework. Each area requires a high level of expertise and experience. This represents an ongoing organisational challenge, as we seek to recruit people with relevant experience whilst also managing expenditure on employed posts. The DBF has been building up a pool of consultants, partners and colleagues across the wider Church of England who can provide some level of cover if and when required. Investment and improvement in appointment processes have been a priority for the DBF over the recent years. More use is made of targeted testing and assessment, both prior to and during the early stages of a new employee’s appointment. Whilst these processes can assist and improve appointment processes, the Directors recognise that many diocesan and parish appointments do not fall under secular employment legislation and are therefore risks which cannot be mitigated entirely.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE

Summary Information about the structure of the Church of England

The Church of England is the established Church and His Majesty the King is the Supreme Governor. It is organised into two provinces (Canterbury and York) and 42 Dioceses. Each Diocese is a ‘See’ under the care of a Bishop who is charged with the cure of souls of all the people within that geographical area. This charge is shared with priests within benefices and parishes which are sub-divisions of the Diocese.

The National Church has a General Synod comprised of ex-officio and elected representations from each Diocese and it agrees and lays before Parliament, Measures for the governance of the church’s affairs which, if enacted by Parliament, have the force of statute law. In addition to the General Synod, the Archbishops’ Council has a coordinating role for work authorised by the Synod; the Church Commissioners manage the historic assets of the Church of England; and the Church of England Pension Board administers the pension schemes for clergy and lay workers. Within each Diocese, overall leadership lies with the Diocesan Bishop, who exercises that input as Bishop within the Diocesan Synod. The Diocese itself is divided into 13 deaneries, each with its own Synod and within each parish there is a parochial church council which shares with the parish priest responsibility for the mission of the church in that place, in a similar way to that in which the Bishop shares responsibilities with the Diocesan Synod. Whilst each Diocese is a separate legal entity, with a clear responsibility for a specific geographical area, being part of the Church of England requires and enables each Diocese to seek support from and application for partnership with neighbouring Dioceses.

Organisational structure

The Winchester Diocesan Board of Finance (WDBF) is a company limited by guarantee (No. 142351) and a registered charity (No. 249276) governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The company’s principal activity is to promote, assist and advance the work of the Church of England within the Diocese of Winchester. It was established in its present form in 1927 and is successor in title to the Winchester Diocesan Trustees.

Governance and policy of the Diocesan Board of Finance is the responsibility of the Trustees, who are also members of the company and trustees for the purposes of charity law. The Directors of the DBF comprises: The Bishop of Winchester, the Chair of the WDBF (appointed by the Directors)the Chairs of the Synod House of Clergy and the Synod House of Laity, the Bishops of Southampton and Basingstoke, the Archdeacons of Winchester and Bournemouth and the Dean of Winchester, together with six people elected from and by the members of Diocesan Synod every three years. The Directors of the DBF can co-opted additional members. Details of Trustees who served during the year are set out on page 17.

The Diocesan Synod, the statutory governing body of the Diocese, is an elected body drawn from across the Diocese with responsibility for setting the vision and strategy of the Diocese, guided by the Bishop’s Staff Team. The Synod membership is elected every three years; the last elections having been in November 2024. The Synod elects six of the twelve Trustees of the Diocesan Board of Finance (as well as two of the ex officio trustees). The members of Diocesan Synod became the company members of the WDBF during 2025. Whilst the WDBF is a separate legal entity, with clear responsibilities under both company and charity law, as well as a governing memorandum and articles of association, by virtue of the National Institutions Measure 2000, the WDBF is subject to the direction of the Synod in all its activities, unless such direction is not in accordance with the governing documents or statutory regulations.

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

Decision making structure

Corporate priorities and the overall financial strategy for the Diocese, in its primary object to promote, assist and advance the work of the Church of England within the Diocese of Winchester, are set by the Diocesan Synod, and the WDBF. The responsibility for ensuring that these priorities and strategies are delivered is delegated to the Diocesan Secretary & Chief Operating Officer. The company meets once a year, at a general meeting, to receive and approve the annual report and financial statements, and to appoint the auditors. The Diocesan Synod receives and agrees the budget, prepared and approved by the WDBF. The Trustees meet, within the context of the Bishop’s Council & Standing Committee, hold up to seven meetings during the year to formulate and coordinate policies on mission, ministry and finance by: -

• Initiating proposals for action by the Synod and advising it on matters of policy.

• Transacting business of the Synod when it is not in session subject to the directions of the Synod and in accordance with Synod Standing Orders.

• Acting as the Trustees of the WDBF.

• Planning the business of the Synod, preparing the agenda for its session, and circulating to members information about matters for discussion.

• Advising the Bishop on any matters he/she may refer to the committee.

• Initiating consideration of any restructuring of Synod Committees and Departments which may appear necessary and for the establishment of ad hoc review groups, their terms of reference and membership.

• Carrying out such other functions as the Synod delegates to it.

• Appointing members to committees and representatives to external bodies, subject to the direction of the Synod.

The Trustees are assisted in their work by 2 sub-committees:

The Diocesan Finance Committee: The group monitors management accounts and budget, the use of assets and investment policies and exercises the authority delegated to it by the Trustees in areas such as grants and loans.

The Property Working Group: The Group has delegated responsibility from the WDBF to undertake some of the responsibilities under the Parsonages Measure; the Repair of Benefice Building Measure 1972; the PCC (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Incumbents and Churchwardens (Trusts) Measure 1964 (with respect to parochial property); the Endowment and Glebe Measure 1976 (with regard to property assets); and the Pastoral Measure 2011 (with regard to redundant churches). The Group meets 4 times a year to consider requests, suggestions and appeals from clergy relating to the care and maintenance of their houses.

Trustee recruitment, selection and induction

Trustees are members of the Bishop’s Council & Standing Committee and are selected as set out above. They are given induction and provided with trustee training at the outset of the triennium and at other times as appropriate. They are also informed before seeking membership and, at all other relevant times, of the role and function of the Committee. All Trustees are required to sign the code of practice and maintain their entry in the record of declarations of interest and loyalty.

Fundraising Code of Practice

The Diocese provides support to the parishes with regard to fundraising. Due regard is given to the Fundraising Code of Practice set by the Fundraising Regulator when providing the support to the parishes.

Page 14 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

Remuneration of key management personnel

Emoluments of higher-paid employees are determined by a remuneration group consisting of the Bishop of Winchester, Chair of the WDBF and the Chair of the Diocesan Finance Committee. The terms of reference for this group are established by the Bishop’s Council and include regular appraisals, remuneration and salary benchmarking and consequent recommendation of changes.

Delegation of day-to-day delivery

The Trustees and the sub-committees which assist them in the fulfilment of their responsibilities, rely upon the Diocesan Secretary and his colleagues for the delivery of the day-to-day activities of the company. The Diocesan Secretary is given specific and general delegated authority to deliver the business of the WDBF in accordance with the policies framed by the Trustees.

Funds held as Custodian Trustee

The WDBF is custodian trustee of assets held on permanent trust by virtue of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Incumbents and Churchwardens (Trusts) Measure 1964, where the managing trustees are parochial church councils and others. These assets are not aggregated in the financial statements as the WDBF does not control them, and they are segregated from the WDBF’s own assets by means of a separate bank account and accounting system. Further details of financial trust assets, whose market value amounted to £20.9m as at 31 December 2024 (2023: £20.6m), are available from the WDBF on request, and are summarised in note 22. Where properties are held as custodian trustee, the deeds are identified as such and held in safe custody by the WDBF’s solicitor, Blake Morgan LLP, Winchester.

Related Parties

The WDBF is required to comply with Measures passed by the General Synod of the Church of England and is required to make annual payments to the Archbishops’ Council towards the costs and the national arrangements for training clergy. Details of these costs can be found in note 8. The WDBF currently receives an annual grant from The Benefact Trust (previously The All Churches Trust). Further details of these receipts can be found in note 2.

The WDBF has given financial support, including loans, to Launchpad Social Enterprise (LSE), a UK registered charity whose primary focus is on early years nurseries and pre-schools. WDBF has utilised its Social Responsibility restricted fund to provide this support. Details of the amounts owed from LSE at year end are set out in note 23.

The Portsmouth and Winchester Diocesan Board of Education (PWDBE) has now become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation as a result of the Diocesan Board of Education Measure which came into effect at the start of 2022. Due to delays with the registration process, registration with The Charity Commission was not completed until 12 January 2024. The new CIO has independent governance, finance, management and policies. Alongside Portsmouth DBF, WDBF is a grant giving body to the CIO.

Page 15 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations . Company law requires the Trustees (as Directors) to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the WDBF and of the surplus or deficit of the WDBF for that period. In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to:

• Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.

• Observe methods and principles in the Charities SORP.

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

• State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.

• Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue in operation.

The Trustees are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the DBF and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the WDBF and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included in the WDBF’s website. Legislation in England and Wales governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements and other information included in Annual Reports, may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In all matters, the Trustees have due regard to the Charity Governance Code which covers seven areas:

• Organisational purpose

• Leadership

• Integrity

• Decision making, risk and control

• Boards effectiveness

• Diversity

• Openness and accountability

Statement of Disclosure to the Auditors

So far as the Trustees are aware:

• there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware.

• we have taken all the steps that we ought to as Trustees, to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditors are aware of this information.

Page 16 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

Appointment of Auditors

On 18 November 2024, the company’s auditor changed its name from Haysmacintyre LLP to HaysMac LLP.

There will be a tender process for the appointment of auditors for the financial year ending 31 December 2025.

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees

No Trustee had any beneficial interest in the company during 2024. The following are the Trustees who served at any time during 2023 up to the date of this report:

Chair:	Ian Dighé
Ex officio:	Philip Mounstephen BA, MA (Oxon) - Bishop of Winchester
	Andrew Micklefield BEd (Hons) - Chair of the House of Clergy
	(resigned 31.12.2024)
	Angela Smith PGDipTh (Oxon) - Chair of the House of Clergy (from
	01.01.2025)
	Alastair Barron BA (Hons), MBA, FSyI – Chair of the House of Laity
Synod House of Clergy:	Timothy Matthews (resigned 31.12.2024)
	Rachel Noel (resigned 31.12.2024)
	Andrew Micklefield BEd (Hons) (from 01.01.2025)
	Sarah Yetman (from 01.01.2025)
Synod House of Laity:	Esther Clift BSc (Hons), MSc, MCSP (resigned 23.08.2024)
	Ian Newman (resigned 31.12.2024)
	Gillian Gray Knight
	Madeline Hedley
	Richard Roope MA, MSc, FRCGP (from 01.01.2025)
	David Collier BSc (Hons) (from 01.01.2025)
Co-opted:	David Williams (resigned 28.03.2025)
	Rhiannon King (from 18.10.2024)
	Richard Brand
	Jean Burgess
	Catherine Ogle
	Elspeth Mackeggie Gurney BA Hons, ACA, PGCE
	Nigel May MA CEng MIMechE (resigned 31.12.2024)

Page 17 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS (continued)

Senior Staff and Advisers:

Company Secretary: Colin Harbidge Diocesan Secretary: Colin Harbidge BA (Hons), PGDip, MCMI Director of Education: Jeff Williams MA, DPhil Human Resources and Safeguarding Director: Susan Beckett, FCIPD Head of Communications: Jemima Lewis Strategic Development Programme Manager: Sarah Keen Assistant Diocesan Secretary (Parish Support): Jayne Tarry Assistant Diocesan Secretary (Operations and Governance): Cathy Laird Head of Mission and Ministry: Amy Roche Head of Finance: Mark Teahan

Registered Office: Diocesan Office, Old Alresford Place, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9DH Bankers: National Westminster Bank PLC, 105 High Street, Winchester SO23 9AW Auditors: HaysMac LLP, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG Solicitors: Blake Morgan, New Kings Court, Tollgate, Chandler’s Ford, Hants SO53 3LG Investment Advisers : CCLA Investment Management Limited, One Angel Lane London EC4R 3AB Property Agents: Savills (UK) Limited, 33 Margaret Street, London W1G 0JD Insurers: EIG, Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1JZ

In approving this Trustees’ Report, the Trustees are also approving the Strategic Report included on pages 5-19, within their capacity as company directors.

ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES

Ian Dighé Chair 25 June 2025

Colin Harbidge Company Secretary 25 June 2025

Page 18 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

__________________

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of Winchester Diocesan Board of Finance for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and 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 Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the charitable company’s net movement in funds, including the income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

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

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’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 charitable company'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 the going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine

Page 19 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

__________________

whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the Annual Report (which includes the strategic report and the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the Directors’ report included within the Annual Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the 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 Annual Report (which incorporates the strategic report and the directors’ report).

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the charitable company; or

• the charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

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

Responsibilities of Trustees for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 17, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) 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 Trustees 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 Trustees 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 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.

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.

Page 20 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2024

__________________

Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries, health and safety, and employment (including taxation), and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and Church of England Measures.

We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks were related to fund accounting, including transfers between funds, and revenue recognition. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

• Inspecting correspondence with regulators and tax authorities;

• Discussions with management including consideration of known or suspected instances of noncompliance with laws and regulation and fraud;

• Evaluating management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;

• Identifying and testing journals, in particular journal entries posted with unusual account combinations, postings by unusual users or with unusual descriptions;

• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their critical accounting estimates;

• Testing transfers between funds; and

• Cut-off testing in respect of revenue.

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 noncompliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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.

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 the charitable company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Jane Askew (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of HaysMac LLP, Statutory Auditor Date 16 July 2025

10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG

Page 21 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2024

__________________

Restricted Endowment Total Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 2023 Note £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Income and endowments from: Donations Parishes 2 7,902 - - - 7,902 8,362 Archbishops’ Council 2 277 - 1,816 - 2,093 1,595 Other 2 121 1 27 - 149 180 2 8,300 1 1,843 - 10,144 10,137 Charitable activities 3 615 - 70 - 685 644 Other trading activities 4 882 - 28 - 910 1,040 Investments 5 664 31 614 30 1,339 1,226 Other 6 6 - 63 (124) (55) 132 Total Income 10,467 32 2,618 (94) 13,023 13,179 Unrestricted funds	Restricted Endowment Total Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 2023 Note £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Income and endowments from: Donations Parishes 2 7,902 - - - 7,902 8,362 Archbishops’ Council 2 277 - 1,816 - 2,093 1,595 Other 2 121 1 27 - 149 180 2 8,300 1 1,843 - 10,144 10,137 Charitable activities 3 615 - 70 - 685 644 Other trading activities 4 882 - 28 - 910 1,040 Investments 5 664 31 614 30 1,339 1,226 Other 6 6 - 63 (124) (55) 132 Total Income 10,467 32 2,618 (94) 13,023 13,179 Unrestricted funds
	8,300 1 1,843 - 10,144 10,137 615 - 70 - 685 644 882 - 28 - 910 1,040 664 31 614 30 1,339 1,226 6 - 63 (124) (55) 132
	10,467 32 2,618 (94) 13,023 13,179
Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 Charitable activities 8	(7) - - - (7) (30) (12,742) (51) (1,855) - (14,648) (12,976)
Total Expenditure Gains/(Losses) on investments: Net Operating Surplus/(Deficit)	(12,749) (51) (1,855) - (14,655) (13,006)
	(2,282) (19) 763 (94) (1,632) 173
Net gains on investments	158 14 171 261 604 2,960
Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 10 Other recognised gains/(losses): Net (expenditure)/income after transfers	(2,124) (5) 934 167 (1,028) 3,133 1,117 41 (1,127) (31) - -
	(1,007) 36 (193) 136 (1,028) 3,133
Gains on revaluation of fixed tangible assets	(1,382) - 111 5,573 4,302 1,409
Net movement in funds	(2,389) 36 (82) 5,709 3,274 4,542
Total Funds at 1 January 2024	38,105 1,722 11,607 131,575 183,009 178,467
Total funds at 31 December 2024 17	35,716 1,758 11,525 137,284 186,283 183,009

The net income, together with details of income and expenditure required by the Companies Act, may be derived from net incoming resources before transfers, excluding movements on endowment funds, in the Statement of Financial Activities above. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 25 to 52 form part of the financial statements.

Page 22 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE Company Number 142351

BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31 December 2024

__________________

Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 11 Investments 12 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 13 Cash on deposit Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year 14 NET CURRENT ASSETS Total assets less current liabilities CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after more than one year 15 NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted income funds: General funds Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds TOTAL FUNDS	Dec 2024 Dec 2023 £'000 £'000 147,885 146,564 25,272 25,494
	173,157 172,058
	3,479 2,993 10,298 8,855 1,807 1,252
	15,584 13,100 (2,243) (1,259)
	13,341 11,841
	186,498 183,899 (215) (890)
	186,283 183,009
	35,716 38,105 1,757 1,722
	37,473 39,827 11,526 11,607 137,284 131,575
	186,283 183,009

The Notes on pages 25 to 52 form part of these financial statements. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 25[th] June 2025 and signed on behalf of the Board by:

Ian Dighé Chair

Page 23 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the year ended 31 December 2024

__________________

Cash flows from operating activities Net cash (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interest and rent from investments Purchase of property and equipment Purchase of investments Sale of property and equipment Sale of investments Net cash provided by investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Repayments of lending Repayments of borrowing Cash outflows from new lending Net cash (used in) financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities	£,000 £,000 £,000 £,000 (2,089) (1,676) 1,339 1,226 (1,627) (261) - - 5,370 2,298 - 78 5,082 3,341 399 479 (1,274) (1,086) (120) (421) (995) (1,028) 1,998 637 10,107 9,470 12,105 10,107 2024 2023	£,000 £,000 £,000 £,000 (2,089) (1,676) 1,339 1,226 (1,627) (261) - - 5,370 2,298 - 78 5,082 3,341 399 479 (1,274) (1,086) (120) (421) (995) (1,028) 1,998 637 10,107 9,470 12,105 10,107 2024 2023
	399 (1,274) (120)
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting
period (as per Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for: Revaluation (Gains) on Investments Dividends, interest and rent from investments Depreciation (Profit) on sale of functional assets Decrease/(Increase) in debtors (Decrease) in creditors Net cash (used in) operating activities Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash on deposit Cash at bank and in hand		(1,028) 3,133 (604) (2,960) (1,339) (1,226) 10 - 55 (132) (766) (283) 1,583 (208) (2,089) (1,676) 10,298 8,855 1,807 1,252 12,105 10,107

Page 24 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of freehold properties, which are included at their fair value as determined under the applicable valuation method as detailed in e), and 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 (Second Edition, effective 1 January 2019), the Companies Act 2006 and applicable accounting standards (FRS102).

Going Concern

After reviewing the charity’s forecasts and projections, as described in the budget and outlook for 2025 on page 11, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future. The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties that may cast doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and they therefore continue to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.

a) Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the WDBF 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.

• i. Common Mission Fund is recognised as income in the year in which it is received, plus an accrual for any late payments received in January of the following year.

• ii. Rent receivable is recognised as income in the period with respect to which it relates.

• iii. Interest and dividends are recognised as income when receivable.

• iv. Grants received which are subject to pre-conditions for entitlement specified by the donor which have not been met at the year-end are included in creditors to be carried forward to the following year.

• v. Parochial fees are recognised as income of the year to which they relate.

• vi. Donations other than grants are recognised when receivable.

• vii. Gains on disposal of fixed assets for the WDBF’s own use (i.e. non-investment assets) are accounted for as other income. Losses on disposal of such assets are accounted for as other expenditure.

• viii. Stipends fund income. The Stipends Fund Capital account is governed by the Diocesan Stipends’ Fund Measure 1953, as amended, and the use of the income is restricted for clergy stipends. The income is fully expended within the year of receipt and the legal restrictions, therefore, are satisfied. It is on this basis that the income and the related expenditure are both included in the unrestricted column of the Statement of Financial Activities for the sake of greater clarity and simplicity in financial reporting.

• ix. The Stipends Capital Fund is valued at £24,734,288 at the end of 2024 (2023: £24,268,349). The balance includes property of £13,591,703, glebe assets of £1,415,812, CCLA Investments of £2,439,680, cash of £527,611 and debtors of £6,759,482.

• During 2024, the fund generated investment income on its CCLA portfolio of £66,853 and bank interest of £1,806. Income from the glebe portfolio is £70,356. The revaluation of the investment portfolio and a portion of the property portfolio (4 of the 22 properties) gave rise to unrealised gains of £382,213. The sale of glebe assets in the year resulted in a gain on disposal of £81,920.

b) Expenditure

Expenditure is included on the accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the Statement of Financial Activity category:

Page 25 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

• i. Costs of raising funds are constrained to costs relating to the temporary renting out of parsonages and investment management costs of glebe and any other investment properties.

• ii. Charitable expenditure is analysed between contributions to the Archbishops’ Council, expenditure on resourcing mission and ministry in the parishes of the diocese, expenditure relating to the running of the diocesan retreat centre, and expenditure on education and Church of England schools in the diocese.

• iii. Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is conveyed to the recipient except in those cases where the offer is conditional on the recipient satisfying performance or other discretionary requirements to the satisfaction of the WDBF, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the

• iv. conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to such conditions which have not been met at the year-end are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

• v. Support costs consist of central management, administration, and governance costs. The amount spent on raising funds and other activities is considered to be immaterial and all support costs are allocated to the purpose of charitable activities. Costs are allocated wherever possible directly to the activity to which they relate, but where such direct allocation is not possible, the remainder is allocated on an approximate staff time basis.

• vi. Pension contributions . The WDBF's staff are members of the Church Workers Pension Fund, and Clergy are members of the Church of England Funded Pensions Scheme (see Note 20). The pension costs charged as resources expended represent the WDBF's contributions payable in respect of the accounting period, in accordance with FRS102. Deficit funding for the pension schemes to which WDBF participates is accrued at current value in creditors distinguished between contributions falling due within one year and after more than one year.

c) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

• i. Freehold properties: Depreciation is not provided on buildings as any provision (annual or cumulative) would not be material due to the very long expected remaining useful economic life in each case, and because their expected residual value is not materially less than their carrying value. The WDBF has a policy of regular structural inspection, repair, and maintenance, which in the case of residential properties is in accordance with the Repair of Benefices Buildings Measure 1972 and properties are therefore unlikely to deteriorate or suffer from obsolescence. In addition, disposals of properties occur well before the end of their economic lives and disposal proceeds are usually not less than their carrying value. The Trustees perform annual impairment reviews in accordance with the requirements of FRS102 to ensure that the carrying value is not more than the recoverable amount.

• ii. Properties subject to value linked loans: Properties which have been bought with the assistance of value-linked loans from the Church Commissioners are stated using the value of the related loan at the balance sheet date. Each year end the respective property and loan are carried at an index linked current valuation basis.

• iii. Investment properties: Glebe properties held for investment purposes and rented out have been included at their fair value.

• iv. Parsonage houses: The WDBF has followed the requirements of FRS102, in its accounting treatment for benefice houses (parsonages). FRS102 requires the accounting treatment to follow the substance of arrangements rather than their strict legal form. The WDBF is formally responsible for the maintenance and repair of such properties and has some jurisdiction over their future use or potential sale if not required as a benefice house, but in the meantime legal title and the right to beneficial occupation is vested in the incumbent. The Trustees therefore consider the most suitable accounting policy is to capitalise such properties as expendable endowment assets and to carry them at their fair value. The valuation of parsonage houses is reviewed annually, and properties are revalued

Page 26 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

accordingly. Each property is subject to a full revaluation review on at least a five-year cycle. This review is led by our internal property specialist and is used as the basis of assessing the valuation of

the remainder of the portfolio. The fair value assessment is reviewed by management and the Board of Trustees.

• v. Other tangible fixed assets: Capital expenditure over £5,000 is capitalised. Depreciation is provided in order to write off the cost (less any ultimate disposal proceeds at prices ruling at the time of the asset’s acquisition) of other fixed assets over their currently expected useful economic lives at the following initial rates:

Fixtures and fittings 15-30% per annum straight line basis Computers & Office Equipment 33% per annum straight line basis

d) Other accounting policies

• i. Fixed asset investments are included in the balance sheet at market value and the gain or loss taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.

• ii. Leases . The WDBF has entered only into operating lease arrangements for the use of certain assets, the rental for which is charged in full as expenditure in the year to which it relates. Where rent free periods are given as part of an operating lease, the impact of this rent-free period is reflected in the Statement of Financial Activities over the term of the lease term or first break clause whichever is shorter in time.

e) Fund balances

Fund Balances are split between unrestricted (general and designated), restricted and endowment funds.

• Unrestricted funds are the WDBF’s corporate funds and are freely available for any purpose within the charitable company’s objects, at the discretion of the WDBF. There are two types of unrestricted funds:

• General funds which the WDBF intends to use for the general purposes of the WDBF and

• Designated funds set aside out of unrestricted funds by the WDBF for a purpose specified by the Trustees

• Restricted funds are income funds subject to conditions imposed by the donor as specific terms of trust, or else by legal measure.

• Endowment funds are those held on trust to be retained for the benefit of the charitable company as a capital fund. In the case of the endowment funds administered by the WDBF (Parsonage Houses and Schools), there are discretionary powers to convert capital into income and, as a result, these funds are classified as expendable endowment. Endowment funds where there is no provision for expenditure of capital are classified as permanent endowment.

“Special trusts” (as defined by the Charities Act 2011) and any other trusts where the 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. Trusts where the WDBF acts merely as custodian trustee with no control over the management of the funds are not included in the financial statements but are summarised in the notes to the financial statements.

Page 27 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

f) Key Judgements

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements:

• Basis for non-depreciation of functional residential property

• Valuation of investment properties which have not been formally revalued in the year

• Assumptions underpinning the clergy and church Workers’ pension scheme liabilities.

2. DONATIONS

Parish Contributions

Current Year Apportionment Shortfall in Contributions Receipts for previous years Current Year Apportionment Shortfall in Contributions Receipts for previous years	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 8,447 - - - 8,447 (557) - - - (557) Unrestricted Funds
	7,890 - - - 7,890 12 - - - 12
	7,902 - - - 7,902
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 9,262 - - - 9,262 (935) - - - (935) Unrestricted Funds
	8,327 - - - 8,327 35 - - - 35
	8,362 - - - 8,362

The majority of donations are collected from the parishes of the Diocese through the Common Mission Fund (CMF). Current year CMF receipts represent 93.4% of the total apportioned (2023: 89.9%), or, when receipts for previous years are included, 93.6% of the total apportioned (2023: 90.3%).

Page 28 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

2. DONATIONS (continued)

Archbishops' Council

Strategic Development grant Net Zero Carbon Minor Repairs & Improvements Buildings for Mission Ordinand Training grant Other grants Strategic Development grant Net Zero Carbon Racial Justice Ordinand Training grant	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 - - 1,469 - 1,469 - - 108 - 108 - 50 - 50 13 - - 13 257 - 189 - 446 7 - - 7 Unrestricted Funds
	277 - 1,816 - 2,093
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 - - 924 - 924 - - 15 - 15 - - 5 - 5 329 - 322 - 651 Unrestricted Funds
	329 - 1,266 - 1,595

Page 29 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

2. DONATIONS (continued)

Other Donations

Benefact Trust Other grants Donations and legacies Benefact Trust Donations and legacies	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 104 - - - 104 5 - 3 - 8 12 1 24 - 37 Unrestricted Funds
	121 1 27 - 149
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 120 - - - 120 32 - 28 - 60 Unrestricted Funds
	152 - 28 - 180

3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Statutory fees Costs Recharged Insurance Claims and Property Income Church Commissioners - Pastoral Fund Miscellaneous income Statutory fees Costs Recharged Insurance Claims and Property Income Miscellaneous income	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 444 - - - 444 106 - - - 106 55 - - - 55 - - 54 - 54 10 - 16 - 26 Unrestricted Funds
	615 - 70 - 685
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 405 - - - 405 93 - - - 93 103 - - - 103 19 - 24 - 43 Unrestricted Funds
	620 - 24 - 644

Page 30 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

4. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

Rental income on functional property Other income Rental income on functional property Other income	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 777 - 28 - 805 105 - - - 105 Unrestricted Funds
	882 - 28 - 910
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 926 - 28 - 954 86 - - - 86 Unrestricted Funds
	1,012 - 28 - 1,040

5. INVESTMENT INCOME

Dividends receivable Interest receivable Rental income on glebe assets Dividends receivable Interest receivable Rental income on glebe assets	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 223 24 476 28 751 371 7 138 2 518 70 - - - 70 Unrestricted Funds
	664 31 614 30 1,339
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 218 21 436 28 703 367 5 81 - 453 70 - - - 70 Unrestricted Funds
	655 26 517 28 1,226

Page 31 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

6. OTHER INCOME

Gains/(losses) on fixed asset disposals Gains on fixed asset disposals	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 6 - 63 (124) (55) Unrestricted Funds
	6 - 63 (124) (55)
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 (103) - - 235 132 Unrestricted Funds
	(103) - - 235 132

7. FUNDRAISING COSTS

Glebe agent's fee Glebe agent's fee	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 7 - - - 7 Unrestricted Funds
	7 - - - 7
	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 30 - - - 30 Unrestricted Funds
	30 - - - 30

Page 32 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE

Contributions to Archbishops' Council Training for ministry National Church Responsibilities Grants and provisions Mission Agency Pension Costs Retired clergy housing costs Pooling of ordinands' maintenance grant costs Resourcing Ministry and Mission Stipends and national insurance Pension contributions Housing costs Removal, resettlement and other grants RME Training for ministry Other expenses Support for parish ministry Governance Expenditure on Education Support for church schools and parishes	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 362 - - - 362 216 - - - 216 37 - - - 37 - - - - - - - 151 - 151 (101) - - - (101) Unrestricted Funds
	514 - 151 - 665
	4,719 - - - 4,719 880 - - - 880 2,159 - 13 - 2,172 388 6 76 - 470 243 - 107 - 350 85 - 9 - 94
	8,474 6 205 - 8,685 1,098 0 1,489 - 2,587 2,290 45 10 - 2,345
	11,862 51 1,704 - 13,617
	366 - - - 366
	12,742 51 1,855 - 14,648

Governance costs include auditor’s remuneration of £24,300 (2023: £23,160).

Analysis of Governance Costs Central Support Finance (incl. auditor fees) HR Diocesan Office Registrar Costs	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 965 914 645 491 308 298 266 235 161 133
	2,345 2,071

Page 33 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE (continued)

Contributions to Archbishops' Council Training for ministry National Church Responsibilities Grants and provisions Mission Agency Pension Costs Retired clergy housing costs Pooling of ordinands' maintenance grant costs Resourcing Ministry and Mission Stipends and national insurance Pension contributions Housing costs Removal, resettlement and other grants RME Training for ministry Other expenses Support for parish ministry Lay pension deficit provision Governance Expenditure on Education Support for church schools and parishes	Restricted Endowment Total General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 366 - - - 366 212 - - - 212 39 - - - 39 11 - - - 11 - - 147 - 147 (104) - - - (104) Unrestricted Funds
	524 - 147 - 671
	4,257 - 0 - 4,257 969 - 0 - 969 1,956 - 4 - 1,960 299 - 71 - 370 225 - 227 - 452 97 - 5 - 102
	7,803 - 307 - 8,110 1,053 - 700 - 1,753 - 1,998 58 15 - 2,071
	10,854 58 1,022 - 11,934
	371 - - - 371
	11,749 58 1,169 - 12,976

Analysis of Expenditure-2024 Raising funds Investment management costs Charitable Activities Contributions to Archbishop's Council Resourcing ministry and mission Education	Activities Grant Support Total Undertaken Funding of Costs 2024 Directly Activities £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 7 - - 7 - 665 - 665 10,212 818 2,587 13,617 366 - - 366
	10,585 1,483 2,587 14,655

Page 34 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE (continued)

Analysis of Expenditure- 2023 Raising funds Investment management costs Charitable Activities Contributions to Archbishop's Council Resourcing ministry and mission Education	Activities Grant Support Total Undertaken Funding of Costs 2023 Directly Activities £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 30 - - 30 - 671 - 671 9,345 836 1,753 11,934 371 - - 371
	9,746 1,507 1,753 13,006

Analysis of Grants Funding 2024

From unrestricted funds for national church responsibilities Archbishops' Council (note 8) From unrestricted funds First Appointment, Resettlement and removal Ordinands' training, receiving maintenance Grant to Parish for building costs QI costs reimbursed to Parishes Other grants Total from unrestricted funds From restricted funds for various purposes Clergy for training & welfare Widows and dependants of clergy RME Ordinands in training Energy audits - Net Zero Carbon Minor Repairs & Quick Wins Other grants Total from restricted funds for various purposes Total	Total Individuals Institutions 2024 No. £'000 £'000 £'000
	1 - 665 665
	41 245 - 245 25 310 - 310 1 - 115 115 31 - 27 27 4 - 2 2
	102 555 144 699
	26 41 - 41 4 2 - 2 35 40 - 40 11 - 2 2 6 - 7 7 3 - 27 27
	85 83 36 119
	188 638 845 1,483

Page 35 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE (continued)

8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE (continued)
Analysis of Grants Funding 2023 From unrestricted funds for national church responsibilities Archbishops' Council (note 8) From unrestricted funds First Appointment, Resettlement and removal Ordinands' training, receiving maintenance QI costs reimbursed to Parishes Total from unrestricted funds From restricted funds for various purposes Clergy for training & welfare Ordinands' training, receiving maintenance Energy Grants to Parishes Widows and dependants of clergy RME Ordinands in training Other grants Total from restricted funds for various purposes Total	Total Individuals Institutions 2023 No. £'000 £'000 £'000
	1 - 671 671
	43 261 261 30 297 297 48 39 39
	121 558 39 597
	14 29 29 3 2 27 29 38 28 28 6 2 2 49 51 75 126 2 25 25
	112 84 155 239
	234 642 865 1,507

Page 36 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

9. STAFF & TRUSTEES

Staff Costs
	2024	2023
	£'000	£'000
Wages and salaries	1,915	1,848
National insurance contributions	198	204
Pension costs	272	272
	2,385	2,324
Included in the above are payments made under settlement agreements of £26,373 (2023: £nil)

The average number of persons employed during the year based on full-time equivalents:
	2024	2023
	fte	fte
Resourcing ministry:
Winchester School of Mission	8	10
Strategic Development	3	3
Administration and Financial management	24	23
Safeguarding	5	5
Property	2	3
Fundraising	2	2
	44	46
Approx. 10.5 FTE roles are funded by third parties through grants or other recharges

The average number of persons employed during the year: Resourcing ministry: Winchester School of Mission Strategic Development Administration and Financial management Safeguarding Property Fundraising	2024 2023 no. no. 9 11 4 4 28 28 5 5 2 4 3 3
	51 55

The number of employees whose emoluments (including benefits in kind but excluding pension contributions)	The number of employees whose emoluments (including benefits in kind but excluding pension contributions)	The number of employees whose emoluments (including benefits in kind but excluding pension contributions)
amounted to more than £60,000 were as follows:
	2024	2023
£60,001 to £70,000	5	4
£70,001 to £80,000	-	1
£80,001 to £90,000	1	-
Pension payments of £62,026 (2023: £48,446) were made for these employees

Page 37 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

9. STAFF & TRUSTEES (continued)

Remuneration of key management personnel

Key management personnel are deemed to be those having authority and responsibility, delegated to them by the trustees, for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of the Diocese. During 2024 they were:

Diocesan Secretary & Company Secretary	Colin Harbidge
Director of Education (to 30 June 2024)	Jeff Williams (67%)
Human Resources and Safeguarding Director	Susan Beckett
Head of Mission and Ministry	Amy Roche
Head of Communications and Engagement	Jemima Lewis
Assistant Diocesan Secretary (Operations and Governance)	Cathy Laird
Assistant Diocesan Secretary (Parish Support)	Jayne Tarry
Head of Finance	Mark Teahan

Remuneration, pensions, and expenses for the 8 employees amounted to £560,517 (2023 - 6 employees: £493,030)

Trustees’ emoluments

No Trustee received any remuneration for services as Trustee. 3 Trustees received travelling and out of pocket expenses, totalling £105 (2023: £221) in respect of General Synod duties, duties as Archdeacon or Area/Rural Dean, and other duties as Trustees. No Trustee was in receipt of a clergy resettlement grant in 2023 (2023: Nil).

The following table gives details of the Trustees who were in receipt of a stipend and/or housing provided by the WDBF during the year:

uring the year:
	Stipend	Housing
The Revd A Micklefield	Yes	Yes
The Revd Dr T Matthews	Yes	Yes
The Revd R Noel	Yes	Yes
2023	Stipend	Housing
The Revd A Micklefield	Yes	Yes
The Revd Dr T Matthews	Yes	Yes
The Revd R Noel	Yes	Yes

There were no other related party transactions in the current year or the prior year.

The WDBF is responsible for funding via the Church Commissioners the stipends of licensed stipendiary clergy in the diocese, other than bishops and cathedral staff. The WDBF is also responsible for the provision of housing for stipendiary clergy in the diocese including the Suffragan Bishops but excluding diocesan bishop and cathedral staff. The WDBF paid an average of 145 (2023: 137) stipendiary clergy as office holders holding parochial or diocesan appointments in the diocese, and the costs were as follows:

Stipend Costs Stipends National insurance contributions Pension costs - current year	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 4,346 3,929 373 328 880 969
	5,599 5,226

Page 38 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________ 10. ANALYSIS OF TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS

2024 From General fund to Restricted fund to eliminate negative balances From Restricted fund to General fund for Education costs From Restricted fund to General fund for Stewardship costs From Restricted fund to General fund for Net Zero Carbon From Restricted fund to General fund for Strategic Development Fund From Restricted fund to General fund for clergy & ministry costs From Restricted fund to General fund for social responsibility costs From Designated fund to General fund for clergy & ministry costs From Endowment fund to General fund for clergy & ministry costs

Restricted Endowment General Designated Funds Funds £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 (43) 43 - - 285 - (285) - 26 - (26) - 68 - (68) - 528 - (528) - 198 - (198) - 22 - (22) - 2 (2) - - 31 - - (31) Unrestricted Funds

1,117 41 (1,127) (31)

2023 From General fund to Restricted fund to eliminate negative balances From Restricted fund to General fund for Education costs From Restricted fund to General fund for Stewardship costs From Restricted fund to General fund for Net Zero Carbon From Restricted fund to General fund for Racial Justice From Restricted fund to General fund for clergy & ministry costs From Restricted fund to General fund for social responsibility costs From Endowment fund to General fund for clergy & ministry costs From Endowment fund to General fund for building costs

Restricted Endowment General Designated Funds Funds £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 (257) 255 2 - 130 - (130) - 23 - (23) - 9 - (9) - 5 - (5) - 188 - (188) - 6 - (6) - 28 - - (28) 259 - - (259) Unrestricted Funds

391 255 (359) (287)

11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Valuation as at: 1 January 2024 Additions Disposals Revaluation 31 December 2024 Depreciation: 1 January 2024 Disposals Charge for the year 31 December 2024 Net Book Value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023	Freehold Land & Buildings Computers & Office Equipment Furniture & Fittings Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 146,564 8 - 146,572 1,574 50 3 1,627 (5,246) - - (5,246) 4,950 - - 4,950
	147,842 58 3 147,903
	- (8) - (8) - - - - - (10) - (10)
	- (18) - (18)
	147,842 40 3 147,885
	146,564 - - 146,564

Page 39 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS (continued)

All of the properties in the balance sheet are freehold and are vested in the WDBF, except for benefice houses which are vested in the incumbent.

Benefice Houses Glebe Houses Clergy houses Fund Corporate Houses	Quantity Valuation Quantity Valuation £'000 £'000 123 91,998 126 90,905 20 12,005 20 11,617 4 1,504 5 1,543 59 42,335 65 42,499 2024 2023
	206 147,842 216 146,564

12. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Unrestricted funds Unlisted Investments Restricted funds Unlisted Investments Endowment funds Investment Property (Glebe) Unlisted Investments Total	As at 1st Net As at 31st January Gains / December 2024 Additions Disposals (Losses) 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 3,580 - - 487 4,067
	8,213 - - 155 8,368
	2,134 - (744) 26 1,416 11,567 - - (146) 11,421
	13,701 - (744) (120) 12,837
	25,494 - (744) 522 25,272

13. DEBTORS

13. DEBTORS
Due within one year Current year Common Mission Fund Loans to parishes Loans to others Sales ledger Other debtors and prepayments Due after more than one year Loans to parishes Other Loans Total Debtors	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 94 240 3 73 95 75 1,302 305 988 544
	2,482 1,237
	431 992 566 764
	997 1,756
	3,479 2,993

Page 40 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

14. CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year

Loan repayments Deferred income Other taxes and social security Creditor relating to sale proceeds of closed school Other creditors and accruals Total creditors: amounts falling due within one year	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 12 490 1,519 29 53 53 400 400 259 287
	2,243 1,259
Deferred Income movement At 1 January 2024 Rental income released to SOFA Strategic Development Funding income received Strategic Development Funding income released to SOFA Rental Income received in advance At 31 December 2024	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 29 - (29) - 2,482 - (983) - 20 29
	1,519 29

15. CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year

Loan repayment instalments due after more than one year Church Commissioners value-linked loans NatWest Bank value-linked loans Loan from CCLA Other loans Total creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year The maturity of the above loans may be analysed as follows: Between one and two years Between two and five years In five years and more	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 37 184 - 124 - 350 178 232
	215 890
	12 30 25 440 178 420
	215 890

Page 41 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________ 16. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DEBT

16. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DEBT
2024 Cash and cash equivalents Loans falling due within one year Loans falling due after more than one year	As at 1st As at 31st January December 2024 Cashflows Other 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 10,107 1,998 - 12,105 (490) 478 - (12) (890) 675 - (215)
	8,727 3,151 - 11,878
2023 Cash and cash equivalents Loans falling due within one year Loans falling due after more than one year	As at 1st As at 31st January December 2023 Cashflows Other 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 9,470 637 - 10,107 (390) (100) - (490) (1,987) 1,097 - (890)
	7,093 1,634 - 8,727

Page 42 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________ 17. SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS – CURRENT YEAR

Unrestricted Fund General General Designated Fund General Designated Fund Parish mission and development Maclean OAP Property Building New Church Clerical Registry fund Restricted Funds General Restricted Fund Pastoral fund Parsonages endowment income Retired Clergy houses fund Major Ball settlement income Penrose income fund Clergy welfare income fund Chalke Bequest income Chute fund Church schools fund Queen Victoria clergy fund Pember income fund Widows and dependants fund Thorrold library fund ICSF grant fund Council for Social Responsibility FaIrbairn trust Tale Tellers Christopher library RME Training for Mission Winchester Mission Action Northbrook Schools Development Fund Giving Advisor Net Zero Carbon Funding RMF Ordinands Minor Repairs & Improvements Grant Fund Quick Wins grant Endowment Funds Expendable Benefice houses Permanent Stipends fund capital Parsonages endowment capital Major Ball settlement capital Penrose capital Clergy welfare capital Chalke bequest capital Widows and dependants capital Thorrold library capital Pember capital Christopher Library Total funds	01-Jan-24 Income Expenditure Transfers Gains & Losses Total 31 Dec 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
	38,105 10,461 (12,750) 1,117 (1,217) 35,716
	- 1 - (1) - - 107 - (6) (1) - 100 507 21 - - 10 538 753 - - - - 753 355 7 - - 4 366 - 3 (46) 43 - -
	1,722 32 (52) 41 14 1,757
	- 21 (21) - - - - 55 - - - 55 1 - - - - 1 3,045 61 (154) - 194 3,146 4 5 (5) - - 4 78 16 - (17) - 78 872 220 (60) (173) 12 871 15 3 - (2) - 15 25 - - (31) 7 - 14 2 - - - 16 2 2 - - - 5 83 - - (1) 1 83 1,059 40 (8) - 20 1,110 24 - - - - 24 469 12 - - 10 491 863 49 - (22) 29 919 380 13 (1) - 8 400 2 - - - - 2 4 - - - - 4 570 - (98) (5) - 467 528 1,491 (1,486) (528) - 5 4 - - - - 4 3,500 202 - (285) 69 3,485 36 16 - (26) - 26 6 108 (2) (68) - 44 47 189 (12) - - 224 - 38 (1) - - 37 - 12 (6) - - 6
	11,632 2,555 (1,853) (1,158) 350 11,526
	97,473 - - - 5,149 102,622 24,268 2 - - 464 24,734 863 - - - 20 883 172 - - - 4 176 377 - - - 9 386 6,906 - - - 26 6,932 68 1 - - 2 70 216 - - - 5 221 239 - - - 6 244 962 28 - - 21 1,010 5 - - - - 5
	131,550 30 - - 5,704 137,284
	183,009 13,078 (14,655) - 4,851 186,283

Page 43 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________ 17. SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS – PREVIOUS YEAR

Unrestricted Fund General General Designated Fund General Designated Fund Parish mission and development Maclean OAP Property Building New Church Planned maintenance sinking fund Sustainability Fund Clerical Registry fund Restricted Funds General Restricted Fund Parsonages endowment income Retired Clergy houses fund Major Ball settlement income Penrose income fund Clergy welfare income fund Chalke Bequest income Church schools fund Queen Victoria clergy fund Pember income fund Widows and dependants fund Thorrold library fund ICSF grant fund Council for Social Responsibility FaIrbairn trust Tale Tellers Christopher library RME Training for Mission Winchester Mission Action Northbrook Giving Advisor Schools Development Fund Ministry Hardship Fund Net Zero Carbon Funding RMF Ordinands Racial Justice Endowment Funds Expendable Benefice houses Permanent Stipends fund capital Parsonages endowment capital Major Ball settlement capital Penrose capital Clergy welfare capital Chalke bequest capital Widows and dependants capital Thorrold library capital Pember capital Christopher Library Chute endowment Total funds	Total 01 Jan 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers Gains & Losses 31 Dec 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
	38,227 11,129 (11,779) 390 137 38,105
	(1) - - 1 - - 107 - - - - 107 452 19 - - 36 507 753 - - - - 753 335 6 - - 14 355 (106) - - 106 - - (5) - - 5 - - (85) - (58) 143 - -
	1,449 26 (58) 255 50 1,722
	27 25 (53) 1 - - 1 - - - - 1 3,094 58 (151) - 44 3,046 8 5 (9) - - 4 81 15 - (15) (3) 78 833 203 (30) (171) 37 872 14 2 - 2 - - 14 12 1 - - - 13 - 3 - - - 3 80 - - - 3 83 956 36 (10) - 77 1,059 24 - - - - 24 420 13 - - 37 469 695 63 - - 105 863 338 12 (1) - 30 380 2 - - - - 2 4 - - - - 4 559 268 (256) - - 571 275 924 (671) - - 528 4 - - - - 4 35 24 - (23) - 36 3,299 158 - (130) 172 3,499 - - (1) 1 - - - 15 - (9) - 6 - 49 (2) - - 47 - 5 - (5) - -
	10,763 1,878 (1,183) (353) 503 11,607
	95,763 - - - 1,712 97,474 22,921 - - - 1,347 24,268 788 - - - 75 863 157 - - - 15 172 344 - - - 33 377 6,429 - - - 477 6,906 63 1 - (1) 6 68 198 - - - 19 216 218 - - - 21 239 884 27 - (27) 77 961 4 - - - 1 5 260 - - (259) 25 25
	128,029 28 - - 3,805 131,575
	178,469 13,061 (13,020) 293 4,495 183,009

Page 44 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

18. SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND – CURRENT YEAR

Unrestricted Fund Designated Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total funds	Current Tangible Investments Assets Creditors Net Assets £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 28,513 3,425 4,159 (382) 35,715 4,607 641 (3,491) - 1,757 1,497 8,369 3,738 (2,076) 11,528 113,268 12,837 11,178 - 137,283 Fixed Assets
	147,885 25,272 15,584 (2,458) 186,283

18. SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND – PREVIOUS YEAR

Unrestricted Fund Designated Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total funds	Current Tangible Investments Assets Creditors Net Assets £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 30,332 2,985 9,769 (4,980) 38,106 3,225 627 238 (2,368) 1,722 1,536 8,181 5,151 (3,261) 11,607 111,471 13,701 6,709 (307) 131,574 Fixed Assets
	146,564 25,494 21,867 (10,916) 183,009

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WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

19. DESCRIPTION OF FUNDS

General Fund:	The general fund is the WDBF’s unrestricted undesignated fund available for any of the
	WDBF’s purposes without restriction.
Parish Mission and
Development Fund:	A fund created in the mid-2000s by the then Bishop’s Council to support mission
	projects in parishes as part of the mission strategy in place at the time. Strategies moved
	on and fund was never fully used as priorities changed. Designated Fund to be wound
	up in 2024 and returned to General Fund.
Maclean Fund:	The Maclean Fund originated with an unrestricted bequest in 1948 by the late Sir
	Alexander Maclean. The WDBF has designated this fund to assist with expenditure on
	clergy houses which could not be met from any other fund.
OAP Property:	Fund representing the asset at Old Alresford Place net of the related loan.
Building New Church:	Designated fund created by the directors of the WDBF in mid 2000s. Fund to be reviewed
	during 2024 to ascertain if original purposes are still required.
Planned maintenance
sinking fund:	Designated fund created to fund maintenance works for Old Alresford Place. Fund
	ceased to be utilised in 2020 so will be reviewed and returned to the General Fund
	during 2023.
Sustainability Fund:	Designated fund representing a grant made from the Church commissioners during 2021
	to support DBFs in managing the financial implications of the pandemic. Original Grant
	now fully expended so fund to be closed.
Clerical Registry Fund:	Designated Fund originally created from the surplus assets of the Winchester &
	Portsmouth Diocesan Clerical Registry which were passed to the WDBF when the Charity
	was wound up. Funds used to cover costs of the Registry. Once fully expended, this
	Designated Fund will be closed.
Pastoral Fund:	The diocesan pastoral account was set up under the provisions of the Pastoral Measure
	1983. The restricted purposes for which the account may be used are:
	 to defray costs incurred for the purposes of the Measure or any scheme or order
	made under the Measure except for salaries of regular diocesan employees
	 to make loans or grants for the provision, restoration, improvement or repair of
	churches and parsonage houses in the diocese
	 other purposes of the diocese or any benefice or parish in the diocese
	 to make grants or loans to any other diocese
	 to transfer funds to the diocesan stipends fund income or capital accounts.
Retired Clergy Houses Fund:	This restricted fund, formerly known as the Clergy Retirement Houses Fund,
	represents the unexpended balance of a special appeal for funds made in the early
	1980s for the provision of retirement housing for clergy. The fund is also used to make
	bridging loans to clergy approaching retirement. A Charity Commissioners Scheme
	has widened the purposes of this fund to include housing provision for clergy widows
	and deserted clergy spouses.
Major Ball settlement:	This restricted fund represents the unexpended accumulated income of a settlement
	for the benefit of the parishes of Brown Candover and Chilton Candover.
Penrose Legacy Income:	This fund represents the unexpended accumulated income of a legacy for the benefit
	of clergy, who in the opinion of the WDBF are most in need of grants. In recent years
	the WDBF has applied the income for grants to clergy for extended study leave.

Page 46 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

19. DESCRIPTION OF FUNDS (continued)

Clergy Welfare Fund:	The Clergy Welfare Fund is vested in the WDBF as trustee. The capital of the trust is
	shown as a permanent endowment, and accumulations of income as a restricted
	fund. The purposes for which the trustee may apply the income are as follows: for
	the benefit of clergy in the Diocese of Winchester, at the discretion of the Bishop; to
	assist ordination candidates; to assist with the higher education of children of the
	clergy in the Diocese.
Chalke Bequest:	Bequest from Miss Winifred Joan Chalke to be used for the benefit of Industrial
	Mission.
Church Schools Fund:	The church schools fund represents unexpended accumulations of sale proceeds of
	redundant Church of England School properties. Its use is restricted by law to capital
	and maintenance work to Church of England schools in the diocese and education
	generally at Church of England schools in the diocese. The WDBF is trustee of these
	funds, which are managed on a day-to-day basis by and in consultation with the Board
	of Education.
Queen Victoria Fund:	Restricted Fund to receive any grants made to the WDBF by the Queen Victoria Fund
	– a separate grant making charity that provides small grants for clergy welfare.
Pember Income Fund:	The annual income of the Pember Fund is restricted by a Charity Commissioners’
	Scheme to the payment of Winchester Diocesan clergy pensions. Where the income
	in any year is not required for this purpose, it may be used for providing
	accommodation for these clergy and their dependants, and for making grants to
	widows of such clergy and their dependants.
Clergy Widows and Dependants:	These funds have been left to, or settled with, the WDBF specifically for the benefit
	of clergy widows and dependants. Fund reviewed by the WDBF in 2023 with a view
	to seeking approval from the charity Commission to expand its purposes.
Thorrold Library fund:	The purpose of this fund is to provide a theological library for the clergy of the
	Diocese. The Thorrold and Lyttelton Library has been loaned to the University of
	Winchester to secure its future accessibility and development.
Fairbairn Trust:	The Fairbairn Trust, of which the WDBF is Trustee, was a bequest of the late Sir Arthur
	Fairbairn for the Church of England’s mission to deaf and hard-of-hearing people in
	the Diocese. Grants are awarded to parishes and local deaf clubs.
Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility:
	The Council for Social Responsibility Fund exists to support “the advancement of the
	Christian religion within the Diocese of Winchester by promoting Christian
	engagement with and concern for people’s needs in the whole of society, and to
	reflect upon social issues in the light of the Gospel’”.
ICSF Grant for Clergy Houses:	This fund arose from a distribution to the WDBF from the former Incorporated Clergy
	Sustentation Fund. Capital and income may be used in aid of the sustentation of the
	clergy in the Diocese.
Benefice House Endowment:	This restricted fund consists of income generated by the associated endowment the
	income is entirely transferred annually to the general fund where it is applied for its
	specified purpose of benefice house outgoings.

Page 47 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

19. DESCRIPTION OF FUNDS (continued)

Diocesan Stipends Fund Capital:	The diocesan stipends capital fund has been created from the diocesan stipends fund
	capital account assets held on behalf of the diocese by the Church Commissioners
	under the Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976 to provide income for clergy
	stipends. It represents the accumulated sale proceeds of glebe property, sale
	proceeds of benefice houses and surplus benefice endowments following pastoral
	reorganisation. Capital funds may be used for the purchase, improvement and
	maintenance of glebe property and benefice houses. The funds may be invested in
	the CBF Church of England Property, Investment or Fixed Interest Securities Funds, or
	simply held on deposit.
Benefice Property Fund:	The benefice property fund consists of resources restricted to provision of benefice
	houses in the diocese. They are represented by the benefice houses or by sale
	proceeds of former benefice houses held on suspense by the Church Commissioners.
	Although benefice houses are vested in the incumbents for the time being of the
	benefices concerned, the DBF is obliged to maintain them, to ensure that there are
	sufficient benefice houses for the pastoral structure of the diocese; in addition, where
	a benefice house is no longer required then it is usually transferred into the
	unrestricted corporate ownership of the WDBF.
Chalk Bequest:	Bequest from Miss Winifred Joan Chalk to be used for the benefit of Industrial
	Mission.
Chute Fund:	The income from the Chute Legacy a fund originally created by the WDBF from a
	number of restricted gifts is for the purpose of being a repair and replacement fund
	for the Retreat Centre & Diocesan Offices.
Christopher Library:	Gift from OAP Trustees in 2009 – Income is used to support the salary of resources
	assistant in the Resources Centre.
Tale Tellers:	Gift from OAP Trustees in 2009 – Income is used to support the salary of resources
	assistant in the Resources Centre.
RME Training for Mission:	Income received from Church Commissioners to fund theological training of
	ordinands. Any funds not spent on training are required to be held by the WDBF with
	the expectation that the surplus will be returned to the Church Commissioners.
Winchester Mission Action:	Restricted Fund for any grants received from the National CofE Strategic
	Development Fund or its successors. Fund can only be used to support the costs of
	projects approved by the National Strategic Mission & Ministry Investment Board.
Giving Advisor Fund:	Grant provided by the Church Commissioners to fund additional resource in our
	stewardship team. Funding tapers over a 3-year period.

Page 48 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

20. PENSIONS

Winchester DBF participates in two defined benefit pension schemes administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the schemes separately from those of the DBF and the other Responsible Bodies. One of these is the Church of England Funded Pensions Scheme for stipendiary clergy (CEFPS). The other is the Church Workers Pension Fund for lay staff (CWPF).

Church of England Funded Pension Scheme (CEFPS)

Each participating Responsible Body in the Church of England Funded Pensions Scheme pays contributions at a common contribution rate applied to pensionable stipends.

The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. It is not possible to attribute the Scheme’s assets and liabilities to each specific Responsible Body, and this means contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are contributions payable towards benefits and expenses accrued in that year, which were £879,946 in 2024 (2023: £968,753), plus any figures arising from contributions in respect of the Scheme’s deficit (see below). The 2021 valuation showed the Scheme to be fully funded and as such in 2024, following the valuation results being agreed, the deficit contributions paid were £nil (2023: £nil).

A valuation of the Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent Scheme valuation completed was carried out at as 31 December 2021. The 2021 valuation revealed a surplus of £560m, based on assets of £2,720m and a funding target of £2,160m, assessed using the following assumptions:

• An average discount rate of 2.7% p.a.

• RPI inflation of 3.6% p.a. (and pension increases consistent with this)

• CPIH inflation in line with RPI less 0.8% p.a. pre 2030 moving to RPI with no adjustment from 2030 onwards;

• Increase in pensionable stipends in line with CPIH;

• Mortality in accordance with 90% of the S3NA tables, with allowance for improvements in mortality rates from 2013 in line with the CMI2020 extended model with a long-term annual rate of improvement of 1.5%, a smoothing parameter of 7, an initial addition to mortality improvements of 0.5% pa and an allowance for 2020 data of 0% (i.e. w2020 = 0%).

Following finalisation of the 31 December 2021 valuation, deficit contributions ceased with effect from 1 January 2023, since the Scheme was fully funded.

The deficit recovery contributions under the recovery plan in force at each 31 December were as follows:

			% ofpensionable stipends
31	December	2021	7.1% payable from January 2021	to December 2022
31	December	2022	Nil
31	December	2023	Nil
31	December	2024	Nil

An interim reduction to deficit contributions to 3.2% of pensionable stipends was made with effect from April 2022 and remained in place until December 2022.

For senior office holders, pensionable stipends are adjusted in the calculations by a multiple, as set out in the Scheme’s rules.

Section 28.11A of FRS 102 requires agreed deficit recovery payments to be recognised as a liability. However, as there were no deficit recovery payments from 1 January 2023 onwards, the balance sheet liability as at 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 is nil. The movement in the balance sheet liability over 2023 and over 2024 is set out in the table below.

Page 49 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

20. PENSIONS (continued)

	2024	2023
Balance sheet liability at 1 January	-	-
Deficit contribution paid	-	-
Interest cost (recognised in SoFA)	-	-
Remaining change to the balance sheet liability* (recognised in SoFA)	-	-
Balance sheet liability at 31 December	-	-

• Comprises change in agreed deficit recovery plan and change in discount rate and inflation assumptions between yearends.

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another Responsible Body fails, Winchester DBF could become responsible for paying a share of that failed Responsible Body’s pension liabilities.

Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF)

Winchester DBF participates in the Defined Benefits Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff, which is now closed to future accrual. The Scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the scheme separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.

CWPF has two sections:

1. the Defined Benefits Scheme

2. the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two sub-sections;

3. a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,

4. b. a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.

Defined Benefits Scheme

The Defined Benefits Scheme (“DBS”) section of the Church Workers Pension Fund provides benefits for lay staff based on final pensionable salaries.

For funding purposes, DBS is divided into sub-pools in respect of each participating employer as well as a further subpool, known as the Life Risk Pool. The Life Risk Pool exists to share certain risks between employers, including those relating to mortality and post-retirement investment returns.

The division of the DBS into sub-pools is notional and is for the purpose of calculating ongoing contributions. This does not alter the fact that the assets of the DBS are held as a single trust fund out of which all the benefits are to be provided. From time to time, a notional premium is transferred from employers’ sub-pools to the Life Risk Pool and all pensions and death benefits are paid from the Life Risk Pool.

The scheme is a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. It is not possible to attribute DBS assets and liabilities to specific employers, since each employer, through the Life Risk Section, is exposed to actuarial risks associated with the current and former employees of other entities participating in DBS. This means that contributions are accounted for as if DBS were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA during the year are contributions payable towards benefits and expenses accrued in that year (2024: £272,449, 2023: £271,954) plus the figures in relation to the DBS deficit highlighted in the table below as being recognised in the SoFA, giving a total charge of £272,449 for 2024 (2023: £271,954).

Page 50 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

20. PENSIONS (continued)

If, following an actuarial valuation of the Life Risk Pool, there is a surplus or deficit in the pool, further transfers may be made from the Life Risk Pool to the employers’ sub-pools, or vice versa. The amounts to be transferred (and their allocation between the sub-pools) will be settled by the Church of England Pensions Board having taken advice from the Actuary.

A valuation of DBS is carried out once every three years. At the most recent valuation at 31 December 2022 there was a surplus of £73.6m.

The next actuarial valuation is due at 31 December 2025.

Since 31 December 2023, the Board has entered into a full buy-in agreement with Aviva to insure all accrued benefits within the DBS of the CWPF.

The Church of England Pensions Board agreed that deficit contributions should cease with effect from 31 December 2022 for employers whose pools were estimated to be materially in surplus. As a result, there is no obligation recognised as a liability within the Employer’s financial statements as at 31 December 2023 or 31 December 2024.

The movement in the provision is set out below:

			2024	2023
			-	-
Balance sheet liability at 1 January
Deficit contribution paid			-	-
Interest cost (recognised in SoFA)			-	-
Remaining change to the balance sheet liability*(recognised in SoFA)			-	-
Balance sheet liability at 31 December			-	-
* Comprises change in agreed deficit recovery plan and change in		discount rate between year-ends.
This liability represents the present value of the deficit contributions agreed as at the accounting date and has been
valued using the following assumptions, set by reference to the duration of the deficit recovery payments:
	December 2024	December 2023	December	2022
Discount rate	N/A	N/A	0.0%

This liability represents the present value of the deficit contributions agreed as at the accounting date and has been valued using the following assumptions, set by reference to the duration of the deficit recovery payments:

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, the employer could become responsible for paying a share of that employer’s pension liabilities.

Page 51 of 52

WINCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

________________

21. OPERATING LEASES

Total amounts payable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Land and Buildings: Within one year of the balance sheet date In the second to fifth years inclusive of the balance sheet date Other operating Leases: Within one year of the balance sheet date In the second to fifth years inclusive of the balance sheet date	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 - - - -
	0 0
	- 5 - -
	0 5

In May 2024 the WDBF lease on Wolvesey Palace, Winchester terminated and in June 2024 the diocesan team and head office moved back to Old Alresford Place, Old Alresford

22. FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE

The WDBF acts as Diocesan Authority or custodian trustee for many trust funds by virtue of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Incumbents and Churchwardens (Trusts) Measure 1964 where the managing trustees are parochial church councils and others. Assets held in this way are not consolidated into these financial statements as the WDBF does not control them. The financial assets held in this way may be summarised as follows:

Funds Held As Custodian Trustee

CBF Church of England Investment Fund income shares CBF Church of England Fixed Interest Securities Fund shares CBF Church of England Property Fund shares COIF income and accumulation shares Other common investment fund holdings Other fixed interest stocks CBF Church of England Deposit Fund Cash at bank	2024 2023 £'000 £'000 17,671 17,666 274 274 231 230 53 32 318 328 104 104 2,179 2,000 60 12
	20,890 20,646

23. RELATED PARTIES

During the year, WDBF did not need to provide financial support grants to Launchpad Social Enterprise (2023: £25,000). Launchpad Social Enterprise was set up by WDBF in 2015 using funds from the charity’s Council for Social Responsibility restricted fund and WDBF is a corporate trustee.

At 31 December 2024, loans totalling £576,000 (2023: £650,500) were owed from Launchpad Social Enterprise. The loans are interest free and repayable over 10 years.

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