ANNUAL REPORT
& ACCOUNTS
Incorporating Thirty Connected Trusts under
Charity Commission Uniting Directions
11
li
For the year en
2024
vw.abdiocese.org.uk
Arundel & Brlghton Dlo¢esan Trust
Registered Charily No. 252878
THE LATHOLIL Dl(tESE OF
ISSI. ARUNDEL & BRIGHTON
The St Philip Howard Centre,
4 Southgaie Drive, Crawley
West Su55ex RHIO 6RP


## ARUNDEL & BRIGHTON DIOCESAN TRUST 

## Annual Report & Accounts 





**CONTENTS PAGE** Report of the Charity Trustee 3 Report of the Auditors 15 Statement of Financial Activities 18 Balance Sheet 20 Statement of Cash Flows 22 Accounting Policies & Notes to Accounts 23 **CONNECTED TRUSTS UNDER CHARITY COMMISSION UNITING DIRECTIONS Trusts Linked to Diocesan Trust on Charity Commission website** Battle Ashburnham 252878 - 1 Diocese Buckley 252878 - 2 Slindon Leslie 252878 - 3 Littlehampton Norfolk 252878 - 4 Littlehampton Norfolk 1901 252878 - 5 Diocese Education 252878 - 6 Duncton Bedingfeld 252878 - 7 Herons Ghyll Hope 252878 - 8 Crawley Scawen Blunt 252878 - 9 Duncton Biddulph 252878 - 10 Arundel Norfolk 252878 - 11 Houghton Norfolk Cemetery 252878 - 12 Arundel Norfolk Cemetery 252878 - 13 Duncton Biddulph Education 252878 - 14 Angmering Norfolk 252878 - 15 

## **Other Trusts** 

Burwash Cemetery Caterham Stacpole Dorking Norfolk Effingham Pauling Godalming Hyland Hastings Fairlight Shadwell Cemetery Horsham Norfolk Keymer Munster Oxted Lang St Leonards Grant Sutton Park Salvin West Byfleet Marist School Worthing Gaisford 

**The following Trusts consolidated their accounts with the Diocese’s by resolution of their Trustees:** Diocese Elmer Haywards Heath St Joseph’s School 

Page | 1 



## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

## **TRUSTEES** 

Pursuant to the appointment of The Arundel And Brighton Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation as sole Corporate Trustee with effect from 3 January 2025, the following changes to Trustee appointments took place: 

The Arundel And Brighton Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation Limited Company number 00946255 (Appointed 3 January 2025) 

Right Reverend Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton (Resigned 3 January 2025) P Bergin (Resigned 3 January 2025) 

Sr J Bertelsen (Resigned 3 January 2025) 

P Burgess OBE, DL, KSG, KGCHS (Resigned 3 January 2025) Reverend Father J How (Resigned 3 January 2025) J Lydon (Resigned 3 January 2025) 

K Maloney (Resigned 3 January 2025) Reverend Canon J S Martin VG (Resigned 3 January 2025) Reverend Canon K J O’Brien (Resigned 3 January 2025) C Wordsworth (Resigned 3 January 2025) 

G Melly (Resigned 3 January 2025) 

## **Secretary to the Board** 

S M Kilmartin 

## **DIOCESAN OFFICE** 

The St. Philip Howard Centre 4 Southgate Drive Crawley West Sussex RH10 6RP 

## **ADVISERS** 

## **AUDITOR** 

Moore Kingston Smith LLP 6[th] Floor 9 Appold Street London, EC2A 2AP 

## **FINANCE COMMITTEE** 

Reverend Father J How – Chair Mr P Bergin ACA Mr David Innes (appointed 27 April 2024) Mrs Alison Morgan (appointed 27 April 2024) Mr Greg Melly (appointed 1 February 2025) 

## **SOLICITORS** 

DMH Stallard Gainsborough House Pegler Way Crawley West Sussex, RH11 7FZ 

## **INVESTMENT MANAGERS** 

Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP 45 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BG 

## **KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL** 

Chief Operating Officer Mrs S M Kilmartin Director, Education Service Mrs J Oldroyd Clergy Welfare Officer Ms Annie Condon Safeguarding Coordinator Mrs Angela McGrory Head of Communications Ms Laura Maydew Gale 

## **BANKERS** 

HSBC Bank plc 69 Pall Mall London, SW1Y 5EY 

## **INSURANCE MANAGERS** 

Catholic Insurance Service Ltd Suite 5, Oxford House Oxford Road Thame, OX9 2AH 

Page | 2 



The Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust is a charity established by a Trust deed dated 19th May 1967 as amended 14th November 1967 and 4th December 1998.  The charity is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (No. 252878). 

The Corporate Trustee presents the report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

The Diocese is a portion of the People of God, defined by its territories – in this case, the city of Brighton & Hove, the counties of East and West Sussex and Surrey outside the London Boroughs.  The Diocese serves its people through its parishes and schools, the Diocesan central agencies and in chaplaincy to hospitals, prisons and universities.  The aim of the Diocese is, in accordance with the objectives of the charity, the advancement of the Roman Catholic religion and education. 

The Diocese gathers principally through the worship of God and through prayer.  This is the foundation of its work and, built on this foundation, the Diocese brings its people together for formation in the Roman Catholic religion. This work of formation is carried out in a number of ways: in Parishes; at diocesan level through conferences and courses and Cathedral liturgies; through the provision of retreats; through the work of its schools.  This formation enables the people of the Diocese to exercise the mission of the church.  This is carried out in myriad ways through social outreach, especially to the poor and disadvantaged – often at Parish and local level; through provision of courses for those who may wish to explore faith; through support of the work of the Church in other parts of the world. 

In order to achieve these aims, a number of strategies are put in place by the Corporate Trustee.  These include support for the parishes and Catholic schools serving some 30,000 pupils.  A large diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes is undertaken each year.  Chaplaincy services are provided for universities, hospitals, hospices and prisons. 

The achievement of these aims fulfils the legal purposes of the charity and impacts on society at a number of levels.  The young are enabled to take a responsible place in society, enriching it through their way of life; care is provided to those who are in hospital, elderly or housebound; to those in prison and to those who live with disability.  Family life is fostered and supported.  Support is given to the bereaved through a network of trained volunteer befrienders.  The outreach of the Diocese enables many others to avail themselves of the social support offered by the Church.  The effect of the Diocese’s work beyond its boundaries has a deep impact on those living in the poorer parts of the world.  A particular impact in recent years has been achieved in the support of refugees and through projects to encourage people in the care of the natural world and its resources. 

The Bishop has oversight of the whole Diocese, achieved through visitations of Parishes, schools and the various operations of the Diocese referred to above.   He is aided in this through the work of a number of consultative bodies and by Deans who have pastoral oversight of groupings of Parishes. 

The schools of the Diocese are subject to both OFSTED and Catholic School Inspections and are very well supported by the Diocesan Education Service. 

Page | 3 



## **Service by Volunteers** 

Much of the activity of the Diocesan Trust is carried out by volunteers. Typically, between 10% and 20% of any parish community will be actively engaged in such activity, either in parish initiatives or through the service offered by other Catholic organisations that are present across the Diocese and beyond.  This service performed by the lay faithful is an intrinsic part of the life of the Church and is greatly valued by the Bishop and Directors of the Corporate Trustee, as it is by parish clergy and diocesan central staff. 

## **Grant making policy** 

The Diocesan Trust is not primarily a grant making charity.  Most grants are of modest size.  Occasional larger grants are made, most often to Catholic schools to assist with capital projects. 

## **Public benefit** 

The Charity complies with the duty in the Charities Act 2011 section 17 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the Charity.  The public benefit provided by the Charity includes the provision of religious ceremonies (such as baptisms, weddings and funerals), maintaining religious burial grounds, celebrating public Masses, and providing and maintaining places of worship.  There is also a benefit to the general public as churches can be accessed by people of all faiths and none, for personal spiritual contemplation. Catholic schools and parishes are communities which contribute to the moral and spiritual wellbeing of those who participate.  From these centres educational, social and pastoral work is carried out as a practical expression of faith.  All of these contribute to the wellbeing of civic society in our country. 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** 

The life and mission of the Catholic Church continues to flourish across Sussex and Surrey, with the Diocese’s 116 churches and 76 primary and secondary schools places where daily prayer is a natural part of life, and the riches of the faith are shared. 

Bishop Richard Moth published his third Pastoral Plan “The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission” in January 2024, with work to deliver the Plan led by Bishop Richard and the Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Planning, Canon Kieron O’Brien, supported by members of clergy, religious, and lay leaders, with input from the Pastoral Plan Reference Group which holds monthly meetings at the diocesan central office, The St Philip Howard Centre in Crawley. 

Over the coming months, the Diocese’s 11 deaneries will evolve into 11 canonically joined, mission-focussed new parishes in the care of a Moderator and priests working in solidum, with the fruits of the Pastoral Plan freeing members of clergy “to carry out [the] prime responsibilities of their vocation” and lay Catholics “making the church of today, everyone’s church of the future” through the sharing of their many gifts and talents. 

Sunday Mass attendance has increased to more than 24,700 this year, with the celebration of Mass, supported by a number of language chaplaincies, available in Italian, Polish and Portuguese, and the SyroMalabar and Ukrainian Rites. The local parish church with its richly diverse community of worshippers remains central to the life of faith for most Catholics in the Diocese, with Arundel Cathedral, our diocesan mother church, a significant and beautiful place of prayer and pilgrimage, particularly during the Feast of Corpus Christi and the Chrism Mass, when many hundreds of people visit. 

Page | 4 



The sacraments are the foundation stones of our Catholic faith with opportunities to explore prayer and receive formation available to people of all ages. There have been  1,763 baptisms, 147 Receptions into the Church, and 761 confirmations in Sussex and Surrey over the last twelve months, with catechesis and formation available at parish level supported by diocesan staff at the St Philip Howard Centre, who provide a range of opportunities for members of the faithful to grow in closer conformity with Christ. More than 1,000 people participated in Formation Team courses and events led by our Marriage & Family Life, Liturgy & Music, Formation & Spirituality, Social Action, and Youth Ministry advisers this year, with at least 300 volunteers undertaking training provided by our Finance and Safeguarding Teams. 

Diocesan churches and schools continue to bear strong witness to the gospel at a time of global conflict, increasing poverty, homelessness, isolation and poor mental health, accompanying and supporting people in their care, and those far beyond their local communities. The diocesan Ministry of Consolation, which provides companionship and community to those who are grieving and lonely, welcomed 17 new Bereavement Supporters in 2024, bringing the number of trained volunteers offering “the gentle hand of Christ” to people with a terminally illness or those grieving the loss of a loved one, to 128. 

This commitment to the gospel message and the values of the Catholic Church can be seen across diocesan schools, with 132 students achieving one of four levels for CYMFed’s Faith in Action Award, which aims to help young people to connect their life and faith through service to others in their community, and a significant number working towards the Oscar Romero Award, which  recognises a school’s commitment to Catholic Social Teaching. The role of our schools in the journey of life-long catechesis remains highly significant for both pupils and their families, with members of the Diocesan Education Service providing CPD and training to 3,375 participants in 2024, and a number of teachers and students joining the Lourdes Pilgrimage in July. 

The diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most significant pastoral events in our calendar, with 849 people journeying to France in 2024 as part of our diocesan group. The pilgrimage celebrated two important milestones this year, marking its 50th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the Redshirts youth programme, both of which have helped people of all ages and backgrounds discover their vocation, renew their faith, and fully encounter the pilgrimage vision of 'Love in Action’. 

Writing in “The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission” Bishop Richard says: “we stand as Christ’s faithful in this Diocese. The opportunities that this space affords prompt us to answer the Lord’s call to prayer, to grow in our conformity to Him through our formation, that we may do His work.” Diocesan Catholics are answering this call in a number of ways; in prayer and service to others, by giving witness to the gospel, and as advocates for the values of the Church in the public square engaging with local MPs across a range of issues, and volunteering for and supporting a large number Catholic charities including: CAFOD, The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), the Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact), Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) and the agencies of the Catholics Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) including Missio, the Pope’s charity for overseas mission, which received a cheque for £5,766 at this year’s Good Shepherd celebration for schools, at Worth Abbey. 

Donations to the Refugee Crisis Fund, which was established by Bishop Richard in 2015, have helped asylum seekers and refugees of all ages and backgrounds this year, with the Migrant Fund Committee awarding 

Page | 5 



small grants amounting to £10,247 to schools and charities of all denominations and none “that our following of Christ, our proclamation of the Word Who is Life, brings with it the joy of the Kingdom of God.” 

Inspired by the gospel and informed by Catholic Social Teaching, this ethos is reflected centrally, with donations from diocesan charity funds of £32,000 to hospices, homeless charities and partner organisations working for the common good within the Diocese, and additional grants awarded to the Ukrainian Eparchy in the UK, The Living & Dying Well Project in its challenge to assisted dying legislation, and, in support of the church overseas, an annual grant to Chulucanas, our sister Diocese in Peru and further grants in support of the Church in Jerusalem. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

Before taking into account the investment gains, there was a surplus of £0.3 million.  Income increased in the year to £19.7 million (2023 £17.1 million).  The increase in revenue of £2.6 million compared to 2023 was a result of an increase in legacies received of £0.9m, additional gains on asset sales of £0.9m and an increase in Education income of £0.5m over the previous year.  Expenditure increased in the year to £19.4 million (2023 £18.1 million).  The net surplus for the year was £2.0 million (2023 £1.6 million).  There was an increase in cash outflow to £4.5 million (2023 £2.4 million) due to an additional loan to a school of £0.8 million and funding of RAAC school repairs £0.8 million.  These items are both expected to be recovered in 2025.  Overall Diocesan funds increased to £99.2 million (2023 £97.1 million). 

The income and expenditure of the Diocesan Trust is set out in three principal components: Parishes, Central Diocese and Schools.  The basis of charitable expenditure is made by reference to the objectives of the charity: the advancement of the Roman Catholic religion and education.  The thirty connected Trusts are incorporated into the results for the area of the Diocese to which they relate.  Twenty-eight of the connected Trusts provide the land and church buildings for Parishes who maintain the properties and two are linked to activities of the Central Diocese (care for retired priests). 

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (including update bulletin 27 (Charities SORP FRS102), and the financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FR102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK generally Accepted Practice, and are in accordance with the accounting policies of the Diocese. 

The majority of funds in the charity are raised and expended within each individual Parish or centre of activity in support of its work.  In addition to financing their own activities, Parishes also support the Diocese through the transfer of funds to cover both general and specific activities of the Diocese. 

## **Parishes** 

The net Surplus in funds before transfers was £2.9 million (2023 £2.9 million). Income was £14.3 million compared with last year’s £13.2 million due to an increase in legacies of £0.3 million, an increase in collections and donations of £0.3 million plus additional gains from property disposals of £0.5 million. Expenditure increased to £11.9 million (2023 £11.2 million).  Parishes contributed £2.6 million to the central costs of the Diocese through transfers (2023 £2.3 million). 

Page | 6 



Most of the costs incurred in the Parishes were attributed to the primary activity of the Diocese: advancement of the Roman Catholic faith. 

Parish overall surplus at year end was £0.4 million (2023 £0.6 million).  Parish funds increased to £70.7 million (2023 £70.4 million).  Tangible fixed assets at cost less any depreciation were £41.4 million at year end, steady with last year’s £41.4 m. 

## **Central Diocese** 

The Central Diocese comprises the office of the Bishop and Curia, including the Chancery and Tribunal, as well as the Formation Team, the Education Service, Safeguarding Team, Lourdes Pilgrimage office and the officers providing support with Finance, Health & Safety, Property, HR, Communications and IT.  The Central office in Crawley is maintained to accommodate these staff and to provide facilities for meetings and training for a wide range of participants from schools and parishes.  The net deficit for the year was £(1.3) million compared to a deficit of £(1.3) million last year.  Income has increased over last year by £1.0 million as a result of increased legacies received and additional gains on property sales.  Expenditure was slightly higher than last year at £5.5 million (2023 £5.2 million).  Investments recovered from last year and had a gain in valuation of £1.1 million (2023 £1.6 million). The overall funds of the Central Diocese increased to £26.3 million (2023 £25.0 million) with £2.9 million in unrestricted funds excluding designated reserves.  Tangible assets accounted for £13.5 million of Central Diocese funds, up from £13.3 million in the prior year. 

## **Schools** 

Sacred Heart Preparatory School in Wadhurst and three Parish pre-schools operated within the Diocesan Trust and their results are reflected in these accounts, with a surplus from the year of £0.4 million (2023 £0.2 million). Income increased to £2.3 million (2023 £1.9 million), with expenditure of £1.9 million (2023 £1.7 million).  Preschools operate in the parishes of Chichester, Crawley and Haywards Heath.  Total unrestricted funds for the year were positive £0.7 million (2023 £0.2 million). Tangible assets account for £1.5 million (2023 £1.5 million). 

## **Risk Assessment and Risk Management** 

During 2024 oversight of the major risks to which the Trust is exposed continued. 

The Safeguarding team continues training and monitoring activities to address the risk of safeguarding failures in relation to children and vulnerable adults.  Their work is overseen by the Safeguarding sub-committee. Health and Safety risks are overseen by a Health and Safety sub-committee.  A cloud-based Health and Safety system is in use, allowing monitoring and support of parish compliance in this area. 

Particular attention is focused on the key strategic risks facing the Diocese.  Challenges around clergy numbers and the average age of priests are significant.  The Bishop and his advisors recognise the increasing burden on priests and deans and have ensured that clergy support and wellbeing is a developing focus.  The Bishop is engaging with deaneries to discuss greater collaboration across parish boundaries and the importance of the full participation of lay people as we move forward with the number of priests serving our parishes reducing.  The Pastoral Plan, discussed below, addresses these key pastoral risks, and outlines developments which are intended to strengthen the life of the Church and the Charity in the coming years. The Communication and Formation teams are key in addressing risks around stakeholder engagement and the impact of secular culture.  The Education and Safeguarding teams report their management of risk quarterly and risks relating to property and finances are also closely monitored. 

Page | 7 



## **Investment Policy and Performance** 

The investment objective is that the real value of the Trust’s assets should be maintained and enhanced over the long term to service the needs of the Trust.  The overall risk is assessed to be medium, when viewed with the property and cash assets of the Trust. 

The investment managers, Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP, undertake the day to day management of funds on a discretionary basis in line with the Diocesan Statement of Investment Principles (SIP).  The SIP outlines the features of the Trust’s two investment portfolios, the Multi Asset Investment Fund 1 (MAIF 1) and the Multi Asset Investment Fund 2 (MAIF 2).  These differ in risk profile, with the first MAIF taking a medium/high approach to risk, balancing income and capital growth.  MAIF 2 takes a low/medium approach to risk, with a focus on capital preservation.  Target investment returns have been set at CPI+ 3.0% per annum for MAIF 1 and CPI+ 1.5% per annum for MAIF 2. 

The ethical policy expressed in the SIP stipulates that investments will not be purchased in companies where conventional armaments, high interest rate lending, pornography, gambling or the production of contraceptives make up more than 3% of turnover or where the production, distribution or retailing of tobacco makes up more than 10% of turnover.  These restrictions ensure that the Diocese will not be invested in companies dedicated to these products and services but allows investment in sectors such as retail, where a low percentage of trading may relate to these items.  No investments can be held in companies that manufacture controversial weapons, conduct fossil fuel extraction, perform abortion services or conduct research using foetal matter. 

During the year an investment gain of £1.7 million arose (2023 £2.6 million).  This performance reflected recovering market conditions. 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The reserves held after making allowance for any restricted funds, and the amount of designations, commitments (not provided for as a liability in the accounts) or the carrying amount of functional assets totalled £3.7 million.  Although capable of utilisation across the relevant entities, these reserves were held as to £0.7 million by the Schools and £3.1 million by the Central Diocese. 

The total reserves are £99.2 million, of which £13.1 million relate to the connected Trusts. 

Restricted funds total £9.8 million (Diocese £1.8 million and Parish and connected Trusts £8.0 million), particulars of which are set out in Notes 18 and 19 to the accounts. Permanent Endowment funds total £11.3 million (Diocese £0.8 million Parish £0.9 million and connected Trusts £9.6 million), with particulars also set out in Notes 18 and 19 to the accounts. 

Designated funds, wholly held by the Diocese, are £74.3 million and comprise the general unrestricted funds of the individual Parishes, £52.2 million and other designated funds totalling £22.1 million, of which the most substantial is the fixed asset fund of £12.7 million, followed by the retired priests’ fund of £3.3 million. 

In Canon Law the Parishes have the right to acquire, retain, administer and alienate temporal goods. While the unrestricted funds of the individual Parishes could therefore be regarded as restricted at the Diocesan level, this might not be consistent with the civil law status of the Diocese as a single entity _._ In order to respect the 

Page | 8 



special nature of these funds, the Corporate Trustee has designated these funds as relating to the individual Parishes from which they are derived. 

The funds held by each of the 66 Parishes need to be held in order to provide working funds, to meet future expenditure (particularly on property maintenance) that will not be met by future income and, in some cases, to accumulate funds for a building programme.  The properties held by Parishes comprise the Parish church or churches and, in most cases, a hall and presbytery. The maintenance costs of these properties can be substantial and frequently unpredictable.  Excluding tangible fixed assets, the average amount of unrestricted funds held by Parishes is £164k (2023 £166k).  The actual amounts held vary significantly above and below this average, but Parishes with funds surplus to immediate foreseeable requirements are able to provide support to Parishes in need of assistance, usually through the Diocese. 

The unrestricted funds of the Trust are also utilised to provide land and buildings for both Central Diocese and the Schools.  These funds are held in designated Fixed Asset funds of £12.7 million and £1.5 million respectively. 

As stated in note 21, the Corporate Trustee considers that there is a constructive obligation to support priests in their retirement, but the provision required cannot be measured with sufficient reliability. The Corporate Trustee considers, however, that it is necessary to designate funds based on their best estimate of the possible future requirement. The designated fund for retired priests (£3.2 million at the year-end) is intended to provide (i) a fund to meet the cost of support of already retired priests and (ii) a fund that, with future transfers to the fund, will meet the cost of support in retirement for all currently serving priests, in both cases allowing for future inflation and interest. With further replenishment, the fund is projected to be expended over the lifespan of currently serving and retired priests. 

The fund designated for Ecclesiastical Education is largely derived from donations from Parishes for the express purpose of ecclesiastical education. As these are intra-Trust donations they cannot be treated as restricted but, in order to respect the special nature of these funds, the Corporate Trustee considers has designated them accordingly. The fund was £1.0 million at year-end and is adequate, at present levels of expenditure, to cover the relevant costs for approximately five years. 

The total of funds that can be realised only by disposing of tangible fixed assets is £56.4 million. These amounts are reflected in restricted, endowment and designated funds (i) as part of the overall funds of Parishes that are designated at Diocesan level and (ii) by a designated fund of the Central Diocese. 

The parish pre-schools reserves are not wholly adequate to ensure their ongoing financial stability, and the three parishes that are responsible for the pre-schools underwrite their liabilities with parish reserves.  The reserves at Sacred Heart School are able to support ongoing activities.  Where substantial property projects require bank overdrafts approval can be given for this by the Diocesan Finance Committee, with a repayment schedule agreed. 

The net costs of the Central Diocese are met in part by levies on parishes. Reserves are required to meet shortfalls in the income needed to meet current levels of expenditure.  They are also needed to provide funding, by way of loans and/or grants to parishes and schools, principally for building and other development projects. 

Page | 9 



The Corporate Trustee has not determined a fixed amount of general reserves that are needed but consider that the reserves need to be maintained at least at the present level in order to meet possible shortfalls in income. An increase in reserves is necessary in order to be able to respond to requests from schools and Parishes for building and development funding, which is at present constrained by the level of reserves. 

## **FUTURE PLANS** 

Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year on 29 December 2024, opening of the doors of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and celebrating Mass. The Holy Year, which has the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” will see diocesan celebrations and events taking place across Sussex and Surrey in 2025, with three churches in our Diocese; St Joseph’s, Guildford, Worth Abbey and Arundel Cathedral designated as special places of pilgrimage where Holy Year Indulgences can be gained. 35 million pilgrims – including diocesan lay people, religious, and members of clergy - are expected to visit Rome over the next 12 months, with a number of Jubilee celebrations planned locally, including a 3-day Pilgrimage to Walsingham in June and a Youth Pilgrimage to Rome in July. 

The diocesan Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage (EWP) marks an important anniversary this year. The first Walking Pilgrimage took place in the summer of 1975, with pilgrims setting out from Arundel Cathedral to “beat the bounds” of the Diocese while visiting “grand cathedrals, humble chapels, urban landscapes and all kinds of countryside.” The itinerary for this year’s 50th Anniversary pilgrimage will include each of the dioceses’ 11 “community of communities”, with pilgrims journeying for up to 16 days in a spirit of prayer and community across the Surrey Hills, Sussex coast, and through the South Downs National Park. 

Bishop Richard’s Pastoral Plan will continue to develop across our diocesan family in 2025, with newly formed clergy and lay leadership teams contributing their gifts and talents to the local Church, bonds between school and church communities continuing to strengthen, and parish employees and volunteers in both pastoral and administrative roles enabling and enriching the life and mission each new “community of communities.” 

The Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Planning, Canon Kieron O’Brien has now visited each soon-to-be new parish and will continue active collaboration with Moderators elect and members of clergy this year, with the canonical, administrative, and digital transformation needed to support the delivery of the Plan through Prayer, Formation and Mission led by members of clergy, the diocesan Formation Team, lay leaders and volunteers, and staff at The St Philip Howard Centre. 

Catholic schools, supported by the Diocesan Education Service, are important places of mission and a key element in the faith journey of our young people, with further schools due to join BOSCO and Xavier Education Trusts this year, and 64% of schools academised. The Education Service will begin an important new collaboration with St Mary’s University, Twickenham in the Spring, with the launch of canonically and Catholic Education Service approved primary resources called “Day by Day” to support and enrich the delivery of the “Religious Education Directory” (RED), and enable students to grow in their understanding of the gift of faith. 

Looking ahead, the mission of the Church - and therefore the Diocese – will demand even greater lay engagement in the vital work of evangelisation, with increasing opportunities for lay people to share their gifts and talents across their new parish communities. The Diocese will celebrate its 60th anniversary this summer, with members of the Formation Team working closely with faith-centred organisations and groups to offer people across our community of faith the opportunity to join a “Festival of Hope” at Ardingly Show Ground on 20 September. 

Page | 10 



The occasion will offer people across our diocesan family with an opportunity to reflect on and renew the call to mission, with the festival programme centring on the celebration of Mass, supported a programme of inspiring speakers, and music from One Hope Project and children from the Schools Singing Programme (SSP) which delivers outstanding singing tuition to children and young people attending state primary schools across the diocese. As Bishop Richard writes: “[We] look to the future and, with a renewed openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, continue the Mission to which we have been called in the circumstances of our time.” 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

The Arundel & Brighton Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation Limited was appointed as the sole Corporate Trustee of the Diocese on 3 January 2025.  Legal title to the assets of the charity is held by the Corporation, which holds them in trust for the charity, and has trust corporation status.  The Corporation was incorporated on 20th January 1969 and is registered under the Companies Acts (No. 0946255) as limited by guarantee and not having share capital.  The former Trustees of the Diocese, who resigned on 3 January 2025 are the Members and Directors of the Corporation. 

## **Directors of the Arundel & Brighton Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation Limited** 

The Bishop is empowered to appoint and remove all Directors.  The board of Directors comprises four clergy, one religious, and six laity of the faithful.  Clergy members are appointed for their expertise in parochial, spiritual and pastoral matters.  Lay members are selected for specialisms in business, education and pastoral work.  Further members would be chosen to match any perceived skill requirement.  New members are supported to understand the constitution, governance and operation of the Charity, and are encouraged to visit the central departments as well as being familiar with the work of Parishes.  All decisions affecting the Charity are made by the board of Directors.  The board has established various committees to advise it on aspects of Diocesan activities. 

Directors receive training in safeguarding and charity governance and receive updates relating to the Charity Commission periodically. 

Directors are supported by a number of subcommittees.  Membership and leadership of these committees is directed by the Bishop. 

## **Finance Committee** 

The committee comprises three Directors and two others who have expertise in financial, property and management matters.  The committee meets at quarterly and advises on financial governance and asset management.  The committee also acts as the Charity’s audit committee. 

## **Education Committee** 

The Education Committee provides a vehicle for collective planning, advice and decision-making in conjunction with the Diocesan Education Service and in relation to diocesan schools and academies. 

The membership reflects a broad range of interests, including those of Headteachers in academies, maintained and independent schools, Governors and Clergy, alongside the Diocesan Bishop, a Director and Diocesan staff within and beyond the Education Service.  Members advise on and monitor the setting and operation of a 

Page | 11 



range of policies and guidelines for diocesan schools and academies. (Examples may include areas such as admissions; religious education and worship; Section 48 inspection framework; criteria for diocesan building priorities, etc). 

Where appropriate, the committee will make strategic decisions on the basis of advice from diocesan officers and the outcomes of consultation. Occasionally, recommendations and/or proposed decisions taken by the Education Committee will be subject to ratification by the Corporate Trustee, for example if they relate to policies of the Bishops’ Conference or are regulated in Canon Law. 

The committee advises the Directors on education policy issues and meets three times a year. 

## **Academies Partnership Committee** 

The Academies Partnership Committee meets to support the two Catholic Education Trusts for our academies. It provides a vehicle for collective advice and recommendation in relation to the academies programme. 

The Committee membership reflects an appropriate skill set and professional experience. It includes the Bishop, Headteachers in academies, maintained and/or independent schools, Foundation Governors and two Directors. It is attended and supported by diocesan staff within and beyond the Education Service. 

Committee Members participate by virtue of their appointment, bringing to the role their own professional and lay experience and expertise. They are not representatives of a particular group. 

When appropriate, Committee Members determine, advise on and/or monitor the setting and operation of a range of policies and guidelines relating to the diocesan academies programme. The Committee scrutinises applications from schools wishing to convert to academy status. Their recommendations to the Bishop are based on due diligence presented by the Catholic Education Trusts, the outcome of consultations undertaken, discussion with the CEO and Chair of the Trust Board and advice from diocesan officers. Recommendations and/or proposed decisions taken by the Committee will be subject to ratification by the Bishop and Directors where they relate to the conversion of a school to academy status. 

Some proposed decisions may require the express consent of the Bishop, for example if they relate to the policies of the Bishops’ Conference or are regulated in Canon Law. 

The committee meets a minimum of three times a year, but more often if required. 

## **Safeguarding Subcommittee** 

This purpose of this Subcommittee is to support, assist and advise the Diocesan Directors in discharging their duties in safeguarding, in accordance with the Corporate Trustee’s legal and regulatory duties, Trust Deed, Canon Law of the Catholic Church, Charity Commission guidance, and operating within the standards, policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency. The Subcommittee will make a regular report to be shared at each meeting of the Board of Directors.  In turn the Directors will feed back comments (if appropriate), and, if required, will direct the Subcommittee to consider safeguarding matters where Directors require additional information, explanations or guidance. 

The Subcommittee is chaired by an independent safeguarding professional, with at least four further members, and two or more Directors as members. After consulting with the Bishop of Arundel & Brighton the Chair will 

Page | 12 



ensure that representatives from other agencies such as Police, Probation, Local Authority, Healthcare or others are invited as members to attend meetings.  The Diocesan Clergy Safeguarding Lead and Judicial Vicar are in attendance as members of the subcommittee. 

## **Council of Priests and College of Consultors** 

The Council of Priests assists the Bishop, in accordance with the prescriptions of Canon Law, as a consultative body relating to the governance of the Diocese and the pastoral welfare of both clergy and lay faithful. 

The College of Consultors, whose members are drawn from the Council of Priests, has responsibilities enunciated in the Code of Law and has a particular role when the Diocese  is without a Bishop. 

## **Episcopal Council** 

This Vicar General and the three Episcopal Vicars form this Council, as a group of close advisors to the Bishop in the governance and pastoral provision of the Diocese.  It meets monthly. 

## **Pastoral Commissions** 

There are several committees advising the Corporate Trustee on the wide range of pastoral activities undertaken by the Trust.  These committees meet between one and four times a year. 

## **Parishes** 

The day to day administration of our Parishes is carried out by Parish clergy who are advised by their Parish finance committees.  Significant matters are authorised by the Corporate Trustee, for example major property or capital expenditure. 

The voluntary aided (maintained) schools and Academies of the Diocese are exempt charities that co-operate with the Trust in providing education in partnership with the UK Government. 

## **Remuneration Policy** 

Annual pay changes are approved by the Directors, and job roles and remuneration are reviewed periodically. Benchmarking against market rates is employed when new roles are created.  Remuneration for key management roles is benchmarked against market rates when appointments are made and considered annually. 

## **Fundraising approach** 

The Diocese does not engage in fundraising telephone or email campaigns.  Funds are raised through collections at services and events, or through donations received via post, bank transfer or online giving.  The Diocese is regulated by the Fundraising Regulator.  No complaints about fundraising were received this year or during the prior year. 

## **Subsidiary Companies** 

The Diocese has one wholly owned dependent company, Diocese of Arundel & Brighton (Building Services) Ltd.  The company has not traded actively for a number of years and for the year ended 31 December 2024, the turnover of the company was £Nil (2023: £Nil) and there was a loss of £Nil, (2023: £Nil). 

Page | 13 



## **STATEMENT OF THE CORPORATE TRUSTEE’S RESPONSIBILITIES** 

The Corporate Trustee is responsible for preparing the Trustee’s Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Corporate Trustee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the net movement in funds of the charity for that period.  In preparing these financial statements, the Corporate Trustee is required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the 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 presume the charity will continue. 

The Corporate Trustee is responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust deed dated 19th May 1967.  They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

Approved by the Corporate Trustee on 10 July 2025 and signed as authorised on its behalf by: 


The Right Reverend Richard Moth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton Director, Arundel and Brighton Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation Limited 

Page | 14 



## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEE OF ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON DIOCESAN TRUST** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

In our opinion the financial statements: 

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

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

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

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the 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 trustee’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 

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

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

## **Other information** 

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustee is responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- the information given in the Trustee’s Annual Report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or 

- the charity has not kept adequate accounting records; or 

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

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

Page | 15 



## **Responsibilities of the trustee** 

As explained more fully in the trustee’s responsibilities statement set out on page 14, the trustee is 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 trustee determines 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 trustee is responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustee either intends to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. 

## **Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. 

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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: 

- Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. 

- Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charity’s internal control. 

- Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustee. 

- Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustee’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern. 

- Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. 

Page | 16 



## **Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud** 

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

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charity. 

Our approach was as follows: 

- We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the charity and considered that the most significant are the Charities Act 2011, the Charity SORP, and UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council. 

- We obtained an understanding of how the charity complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance. 

- We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance. 

- We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations. 

- Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required. 

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charity's trustee, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustee 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 any party other than the charity and charity's trustee as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinion we have formed. 

Date: 12 August 2025 Statutory auditor 6[th] Floor 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP 

Moore Kingston Smith LLP is eligible to act as auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. 

Page | 17 



|**Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust**<br>Registered Charity No: 252878<br>**ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON DIOCESAN TRUST**<br>**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**|**2023**<br>**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>9,608<br>343<br>444<br>230<br>1,694<br>2,936<br>1,152<br>715|17,122|333<br>16,083<br>1,723|18,139|2,570|1,553|-<br>-|-|1,553<br>95,598|97,151|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>9,754<br>1,278<br>374<br>336<br>2,154<br>3,169<br>980<br>1,662|19,707|-<br>17,490<br>1,909|19,399|1,729|2,037|-<br>-|-|2,037<br>97,151|99,188|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>-<br>-<br>252<br>-<br>2,069<br>15<br>-<br>-|2,336|-<br>-<br>1,909|1,909|-|427|-<br>-|-|427<br>1,762|2,189|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>252<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,069<br>-<br>15<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**Schools**|2,336<br>-|-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,857<br>52|1,857<br>52|-|479<br>(52)|-<br>-<br>-<br>-|-<br>-|479<br>(52)<br>1,710<br>52|2,189<br>-|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>267<br>737<br>85<br>129<br>46<br>849<br>453<br>510|3,076|-<br>5,525<br>-|5,525|1,138|(1,311)|2,553<br>-|2,553|1,242<br>25,013|26,255|
||**Central Diocese**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Endowment**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>267<br>-<br>-<br>737<br>-<br>-<br>85<br>-<br>-<br>124<br>5<br>-<br>46<br>-<br>-<br>821<br>28<br>-<br>453<br>-<br>-<br>510<br>-<br>-|3,043<br>33<br>-|-<br>-<br>-<br>5,365<br>160<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|5,365<br>160<br>-|1,065<br>50<br>23|(1,257)<br>(77)<br>23|2,553<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|2,553<br>-<br>-|1,296<br>(77)<br>23<br>22,361<br>1,853<br>799|23,657<br>1,776<br>822|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>9,487<br>541<br>37<br>207<br>39<br>2,305<br>527<br>1,152|14,295|-<br>11,965<br>-|11,965|591|2,921|(2,553)|(2,553)|368<br>70,376|70,744|
||**Parishes**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Endowment**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>8,370<br>1,117<br>-<br>506<br>35<br>-<br>36<br>1<br>-<br>207<br>-<br>-<br>39<br>-<br>-<br>2,248<br>57<br>-<br>329<br>189<br>9<br>1,152<br>-<br>-|12,887<br>1,399<br>9|-<br>-<br>-<br>11,067<br>880<br>18<br>-<br>-<br>-|11,067<br>880<br>18|294<br>34<br>263|2,114<br>553<br>254|(2,553)<br>-<br>-<br>244<br>(101)<br>(143)|(2,309)<br>(101)<br>(143)|(195)<br>452<br>111<br>52,415<br>7,563<br>10,398|52,220<br>8,015<br>10,509|
||**Note**<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>**Donations and legacies**<br>Collections and donations<br>2<br>Legacies<br>Grants<br>3<br>**Charitable Activities**<br>Advancement of RC Faith<br>4<br>Education<br>5<br>**Other trading activities**<br>6<br>**Investment income**<br>7<br>**Net gain on disposal of assets**<br>**TOTAL**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Raising funds**<br>8<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Advancement of Roman Catholic Faith<br>8<br>Education<br>8<br>**TOTAL**<br>**Net gains/(losses) on investments**<br>**NET INCOME**<br>**TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS**<br>Transfers from parishes<br>Inter fund transfers<br>**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Funds brought forward<br>**FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**||||||||||



Page | 18 



|**Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust**<br>Registered Charity No: 252878<br>**ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON DIOCESAN TRUST**<br>**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**|**2022**<br>**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>12,074<br>2,484<br>320<br>227<br>1,697<br>2,497<br>405<br>628|20,332|177<br>16,120<br>1,756|18,053|(7,368)|(5,089)|-<br>-|-|(5,089)<br>100,687|95,598|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>9,608<br>343<br>444<br>230<br>1,694<br>2,936<br>1,152<br>715|17,122|333<br>16,083<br>1,723|18,139|2,570|1,553|-<br>-|-|1,553<br>95,598|97,151|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>8<br>-<br>233<br>-<br>1,632<br>17<br>-<br>-|1,890|-<br>-<br>1,723|1,723|-|167|-<br>-|-|167<br>1,595|1,762|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>8<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>233<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,632<br>-<br>17<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**Schools**|1,890<br>-|-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,723<br>-|1,723<br>-|-|167<br>-|-<br>-<br>-<br>-|-<br>-|167<br>-<br>1,543<br>52|1,710<br>52|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>368<br>119<br>61<br>38<br>-<br>696<br>747<br>36|2,065|218<br>4,966<br>-|5,184|1,635|(1,484)|2,277<br>-|2,277|793<br>24,220|25,013|
||**Central Diocese**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Endowment**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>204<br>164<br>-<br>119<br>-<br>-<br>55<br>6<br>-<br>38<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>696<br>-<br>-<br>743<br>4<br>-<br>36<br>-<br>-|1,891<br>174<br>-|218<br>-<br>-<br>4,806<br>160<br>-<br>-<br>-|5,024<br>160<br>-|1,531<br>71<br>33|(1,602)<br>85<br>33|2,277<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|2,277<br>-<br>-|675<br>85<br>33<br>21,686<br>1,768<br>766|22,361<br>1,853<br>799|
||**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>9,232<br>224<br>150<br>192<br>62<br>2,223<br>405<br>679|13,167|115<br>11,117<br>-|11,232|935|2,870|(2,277)<br>-|(2,277)|593<br>69,783|70,376|
||**Parishes**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Endowment**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>7,900<br>1,332<br>-<br>(456)<br>680<br>-<br>85<br>65<br>-<br>192<br>-<br>62<br>-<br>2,223<br>-<br>229<br>176<br>-<br>679<br>-|10,914<br>2,253<br>-|115<br>-<br>-<br>9,912<br>1,189<br>16<br>-<br>-|10,027<br>1,189<br>16|470<br>82<br>383|1,357<br>1,146<br>367|(2,277)<br>-<br>60<br>(43)<br>(17)|(2,217)<br>(43)<br>(17)|(860)<br>1,103<br>350<br>53,275<br>6,460<br>10,048|52,415<br>7,563<br>10,398|
||**Note**<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>**Donations and legacies**<br>Collections and donations<br>2<br>Legacies<br>Grants<br>3<br>**Charitable Activities**<br>Advancement of RC Faith<br>4<br>Education<br>5<br>**Other trading activities**<br>6<br>**Investment income**<br>7<br>**Net gain on disposal of assets**<br>**TOTAL**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Raising funds**<br>8<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Advancement of Roman Catholic Faith<br>8<br>Education<br>8<br>**TOTAL**<br>**Net gains/(losses) on investments**<br>**NET INCOME**<br>**TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS**<br>Transfers from parishes<br>Inter fund transfers<br>**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Funds brought forward<br>**FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**||||||||||



Page | 19 






Approved by the Corporate Trustee on 10 July 2025 and signed as authorised on its behalf by: 


The Right Reverend Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel & Brighton Director, Arundel and Brighton Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation Limited 

Page | 20 



|**Note**<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>13<br>Investments<br>14<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors and prepayments<br>15<br>Cash at bank and on deposit<br>**LESS LIABILITIES**<br>Creditors - amounts falling due<br>within one year<br>16<br>**PARISH LOAN ACCOUNTS**<br>Due to Parishes<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**TOTAL NET ASSETS**<br>**FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>General funds<br>17/18<br>Designated funds<br>17/18<br>17/18<br>Restricted funds<br>17/18<br>Permanent endowment<br>17/18<br>**TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS**|**Parishes**<br>**Central**<br>**Diocese**<br>**Schools**<br>**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>41,456<br>13,310<br>1,503<br>**56,269**<br>13,803<br>19,695<br>-<br>**33,498**<br>55,259<br>33,005<br>1,503<br>**89,767**<br>166<br>633<br>335<br>**1,134**<br>8,200<br>81<br>360<br>**8,641**<br>8,366<br>714<br>695<br>**9,775**<br>(709)<br>(1,246)<br>(436)<br>**(2,391)**<br>7,460<br>(7,460)<br>-<br>**-**<br>15,117<br>(7,992)<br>259<br>**7,384**<br>70,376<br>25,013<br>1,762<br>**97,151**<br>2,737<br>207<br>**2,944**<br>52,415<br>19,624<br>1,503<br>**73,542**<br>**52,415**<br>**22,361**<br>**1,710**<br>**76,486**<br>7,563<br>1,853<br>52<br>**9,468**<br>10,398<br>799<br>**11,197**<br>70,376<br>25,013<br>1,762<br>**97,151**|2022<br>£'000<br>54,460<br>30,744|
|---|---|---|
|||85,204|
|||2,004<br>11,148|
|||13,152|
|||(2,758)<br>-|
|||10,394|
||||
|||95,598|
|||1,714<br>74,790|
|||76,504<br>8,280<br>10,814|
|||95,598|



Page | 21 



## **ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON DIOCESAN TRUST** 

## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** 

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

|**Cash flows  from operating activities:**<br>**Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (see below)**<br>**Cash flows from investing activities**<br>Dividends, interest and rents from investments<br>Purchase of property, plant and equipment|**2024**<br>£'000||2023<br>£'000|
|---|---|---|---|
||(4,493)||(2,351)|
||980<br>(1,240)||1,152<br>(2,189)|
|Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment|2,742||1,065|
|Purchase of investments<br>Proceeds from sale of investments<br>**Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities**<br>**Net cash provided by financing activities**<br>Change in cash & cash equivalents in reporting period:<br>Cash & cash equivalents at beginning of reporting period:<br>**Cash & cash equivalents at end of reporting period:**<br>**Reconciliation of net incoming resources to cash flow**<br>**from operating activities**<br>Net income/(expenditure) for reporting period (as in SOFA)<br>**Adjustments for:**<br>Depreciation|(23,410)<br>22,426||(10,376)<br>10,192|
||1,498||(156)|
|||||
||-||-|
||(2,994)<br>8,641||(2,507)<br>11,148|
||5,647||8,641|
||2,037<br>-||1,553<br>30|
|(Surplus) or Deficit retained in Investment Portfolio|(1,729)||(2,570)|
|Dividends<br>Net (Gains) on Disposal of Fixed Assets<br>Decrease (Increase) in Debtors<br>(Decrease) in Creditors<br>**Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities**|(980)<br>(1,662)<br>(1,688)<br>(471)||(1,152)<br>(715)<br>870<br>(367)|
||(4,493)||(2,351)|



Page | 22 



## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **1.1  Basis of Accounting** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)(including update bulletin 27 (Charities SORP FRS102), and the financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FR102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK generally Accepted Practice. 

Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.  Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the financial currency of the entity. Monetary amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds 

## **1.2  Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis** 

Having considered future budgets and cash flows for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements, the Corporate Trustee confirms that it has no material uncertainties about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 

## **1.3 Subsidiary company** 

All the turnover of the Diocese’s wholly owned dependent company, the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton (Building Services) Limited, represents sales of building construction to the Diocese.  The subsidiary did not trade during the year and has no material net assets or liabilities.  There is no significant difference between the Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet of the charity by itself and those of the group comprising the charity and its subsidiary company.  The charity and its subsidiary are not consolidated. The charity had another subsidiary, Arundel and Brighton Lourdes Pilgrimage Limited. In 2021, the assets and liabilities were transferred to the charity and it is the process of being dissolved. 

## **1.4  Income** 

All income is included in the SOFA once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. The following specific policies apply to categories of income: 

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Collections and fundraising income is recognised upon receipt. 

Page | 23 



For legacies, entitlement is considered to be the earlier of when either: 

notification has been received from the executor that probate has been granted and the Charity is expected to receive a distribution; or 

a distribution has been received from the estate. 

Receipt of a legacy is only considered probable when the executors have indicated that there are sufficient assets in the estate to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the Charity, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. Life interests are not recognised until the cessation of the life interest; they are then valued as for residuary legacies. 

Income from charitable activities is recognised as earned as the related services are provided. Investment income is credited to income when it is receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. 

Details of trading activities that the Diocese undertakes in the furtherance of its charitable objectives are set out in the notes.  Fees receivable and sales of goods are accounted for in the period in which the relevant services or goods are provided or supplied. 

## **1.5 Expenditure** 

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of obligation can be measured reliably. 

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred, inclusive of VAT, which cannot be recovered. 

Charitable activities are advancement of the Roman Catholic Faith and education. 

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 Board, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the 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. 

Support costs are certain Finance Office costs which cannot be directly apportioned and are allocated on the basis of the Corporate Trustee’s estimates of time spent on relevant functions.  Irrecoverable VAT is included with the category of expense to which it relates. 

Governance activities comprise organisational administration and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. Costs include direct costs of external audit, legal fees and other professional advice. 

Page | 24 



## **1.6 Tangible Fixed Assets** 

Buildings held for use by the charity are included in the financial statements at original cost, where known, or at an estimate of original cost where actual figures are unavailable (see note 13).  All new functional buildings and major improvements are capitalised where the cost of construction is greater than £100,000.  Certain school properties owned by the Diocese are occupied and run by independent charities in the form of voluntary aided (maintained) schools.  There are significant legal restrictions on the disposal of these properties under education legislation. The Corporate Trustee considers its ownership to be in the nature of custodianship of the assets and these are therefore not capitalised in the financial statements.  The estimated original costs of furniture, equipment and motor vehicles are included in the financial statements. 

An impairment review of buildings is performed annually to confirm whether a charge for impairment  should be recognised in the statement of Financial Activities. Parish and Central freehold buildings are maintained to a high standard and depreciation is not provided for, as in the Corporate Trustee’s opinion, the residual value is equal to the carrying value in the Financial Statements 

Depreciation is provided on Schools contents at a rate of 25% per annum on a reducing balance method. 

Realised gains/(losses) on disposal of fixed assets for charity use are included in the Statement of Financial Activities as income/expenditure.  Unrealised gains and losses on fixed assets for charity use are included in the Statement of Financial Activities under gains and losses on revaluations and investment asset disposals. 

## **1.7 Investments** 

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument. They are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently valued at their fair value at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year. 

## **1.8 Voluntary Aided (Maintained) Schools Building Programme** 

The Diocese administers some projects on behalf of the Governors of voluntary aided schools which are exempt charities.  The financial responsibility remains with the Governors.  The income and expenditure is conduit funding and as such is excluded from the Financial Statements of the Trust.  Any contributions from the Diocese or its Parishes are recorded as grants to the Governors. 

## **1.9 Fund Accounting** 

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

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

For the purpose of the civil administration of the charity, Parishes are not distinct legal entities but branches forming part of the administrative machinery of the main Diocesan charity, albeit that they have a degree of independence.  Parish funds and assets, unless held under distinct and express special Trusts evidenced in law, will be part of the Diocesan charity and will be the responsibility of the Corporate Trustee.  The Corporate 

Page | 25 



Trustee may under normal legal principles delegate its management to Parish priests with limited authority. Such Parish funds are designated funds within the unrestricted funds. 

In Canon Law the Parish is firmly set within the context of the Diocese C515(1) and the Parish priest exercises his ministry under the authority of the Bishop C519.  A Parish erected in accordance with the law possesses public juridical personality by the law itself C515(3).  In canon law the Parish has the right to acquire, retain, administer and alienate temporal goods C1255 which as ecclesiastical goods are subject to the norms of Canon Law C1257(1). 

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

The capital of permanent endowment funds (see Notes 18 and 19) must be maintained intact with any income arising being available for restricted or general charitable purposes of the Diocese, according to the terms of the original gift. 

Income from commercial activities is included in the period that the charity is entitled to receipt. 

## **1.10  Collections for Third Parties** 

Where the charity does not have any discretion in collection and distribution of donations, and has no entitlement to the donation, then these amounts are conduit funding.  Amounts and balances relating to conduit funding are not included in the accounts and balances of the charity. 

## **1.11  Recognised gains or losses** 

All recognised gains or losses for the year are derived from continuing activities and are included in the Statement of Financial Activities. 

## **1.12  Debtors** 

Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. 

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

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

## **1.14 Creditors and provisions** 

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. 

Page | 26 



## **1.15 Estimation uncertainty** 

In the view of the Corporate Trustee in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year. 

## **1.16 Financial instruments** 

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. 

## **2. COLLECTIONS AND DONATIONS** 

|Parish offertory collections<br>Donations<br>Gift Aid tax recovered on collections and donations|||<br>**2024**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>7,073<br>6,821<br>1,142<br>1,439<br>1,539<br>1,348<br>9,754<br>9,608<br>**2024**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>56<br>55<br>37<br>150<br>281<br>239<br>374<br>444<br>**2024**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>269<br>151<br>67<br>79<br>336<br>230|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|**3. GRANTS**||||
|Friends of Arundel Cathedral<br>Parishes various<br>Other||||
|||||
|**4. ADVANCEMENT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC FAITH (INCOME)**||||
|Publications and repository sales<br>Other including courses and events||||
|||||
|**5. EDUCATION (INCOME)**||||
|Independent preparatory school (Sacred Heart Wadhurst)<br>Parish preschools|||**2024**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>1,665<br>1,632<br>489<br>62<br>2,154<br>1,694|



Page | 27 



## **6. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES** 

|**6. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**|||
|---|---|---|
|Fund raising events<br>Lettings and sundry income|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>477<br>2,692<br>3,169|**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>535<br>2,401|
|||2,936|
|**7. INVESTMENT INCOME**|||
|Listed investments<br>Bank interest|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>799<br>181<br>980|**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>650<br>502|
|||1,152|



## **8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (EXPENDITURE) 2024** 

|Fund raising<br>Advancement of Roman Catholic Faith<br>Education|**Direct**<br>**personnel**<br>**Direct other**<br>**expenditure**<br>**Direct grants**<br>**Allocated**<br>**support**<br>**2024 Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>22<br>399<br>-<br>14<br>435<br>6,492<br>9,432<br>560<br>571<br>17,055<br>1,621<br>133<br>26<br>129<br>1,909|
|---|---|
||8,135<br>9,963<br>586<br>715<br>19,399|



## **CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (EXPENDITURE) 2023** 

|Fund raising<br>Advancement of Roman Catholic Faith<br>Education|**Direct**<br>**personnel**<br>**Direct other**<br>**expenditure**<br>**Direct grants**<br>**Allcated**<br>**support**<br>**2023 Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>22<br>297<br>-<br>14<br>333<br>6,928<br>8,133<br>469<br>555<br>16,083<br>1,544<br>38<br>12<br>129<br>1,723|
|---|---|
||8,494<br>8,468<br>481<br>698<br>18,139|



Page | 28 



## **9. CHARITABLE GRANTS** 

|Schools<br>Retired priests and housekeepers<br>UK Poor and sick<br>Overseas missions<br>Youth and pilgrimages<br>Ecumenical<br>Bishop's conference<br>Woman Refugee<br>Other|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>26<br>15<br>274<br>62<br>93<br>18<br>29<br>50<br>19<br>586|**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>12<br>13<br>248<br>53<br>62<br>16<br>13<br>-<br>64|
|---|---|---|
|||481|



## **10. SUPPORT COSTS 2024** 

|Governance<br>Finance Office<br>**TOTAL**|**Fund raising Advancement of**<br>**RC Faith**<br>**Education**<br>**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>14<br>157<br>21<br>192<br>187<br>-<br>414<br>108<br>522<br>509<br>**14**<br>**571**<br>**129**<br>**713**<br>**696**|
|---|---|



## **SUPPORT COSTS 2023** 

|Governance<br>Finance Office<br>**TOTAL**|**Fund raising**<br>**Advancement**<br>**of RC Faith**<br>**Education**<br>**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>14<br>152<br>21<br>187<br>209<br>-<br>401<br>108<br>509<br>556<br>**14**<br>**554**<br>**129**<br>**696**<br>**765**|
|---|---|



The Finance Office provides advice and help to Parishes, departments within Central Diocese and Schools. Services include accounting, banking, payroll, investment management, property, legal compliance, HR support and Health and Safety support.  Costs have been allocated to activities based on the Corporate Trustee’s estimate of staff time spent on these activities.  Governance costs included fees paid to auditors as follows: audit fees: £54,000 (2023 £54,000), fees for other services £Nil (2023 £Nil). 

Page | 29 



## **11. STAFF INFORMATION** 

## **11.1 Staff costs** 

|**11. STAFF INFORMATION**<br>**11.1 Staff costs**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Employee Salaries<br>Social Security<br>Pension Costs<br>Total Employee Costs<br>Clergy & Religious Costs<br>Travel & Office Costs<br>**TOTAL**|**Parish**<br>**Central**<br>**Schools**<br>**Diocese**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**|**TOTAL**<br>**£'000**||**2023**<br>**£'000**|
||1,748<br>1,628<br>1,208<br>89<br>148<br>80<br>123<br>177<br>154|4,584<br>317<br>454||4,274<br>308<br>439|
||1,960<br>1,953<br>1,442|5,355||5,021|
||1,288<br>236<br>-<br>611<br>466<br>179|1,524<br>1,256||2,182<br>1,291|
||3,859<br>2,655<br>1,621|8,135||8,494|



Key management personnel received salary and pension contributions of £427k (2023 £407k). Included in the staff costs above were redundancy costs of £11k (2023 £19k). 

## **11.2 Pension payments** 

The Diocese operates two pension schemes, a closed scheme where it contributes 15% of gross salary to a group personal pension scheme for staff members in the Parishes and Central Diocese and the auto-enrolment scheme whereby the employer contributes 5% and the employee contributes 4%.  The scheme is a defined contributions scheme for which the Diocese is neither liable to finance any funding shortfall nor entitled to benefit from any over-funding.  There were no contributions outstanding at the year-end (2023 £32k). 

The Diocese participates in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (“the TPS”) for its teaching staff. The pension charge for the year includes contributions payable to the TPS of £80k (2023 £78k) and there were no contributions outstanding at the year-end (2023 £6k). 

The TPS is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefits pension scheme governed by The Teachers’ Pensions Regulations 2010 (as amended) and The Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended). Members contribute on a “pay as you go” basis with contributions from members and the employer being credited to the Exchequer. Retirement and other pension benefits are paid by public funds provided by Parliament. 

The employer contribution rate is set by the Secretary of State following scheme valuations undertaken by the Government Actuary’s Department. The previous actuarial valuation of the TPS confirmed an employer contribution rate for the TPS of 23.68% from September 2019. 

There are also indications that the protections in the new cost cap mechanism required by the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 mean public sector workers will get improved pension benefits for employment over the period April 2019 to March 2023. 

Page | 30 



## **11.3 Staff numbers** 

|**11.3 Staff numbers**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Clergy & Religious<br>Employees - average weekly numbers|Parish<br>Central<br>Schools<br>Diocese|**TOTAL**||2023|
||94<br>3<br>-<br>170<br>58<br>64|97<br>292||90<br>289|
||264<br>61<br>64|389||379|



## **11.4 Employee emoluments** 

|**11.4 Employee emoluments**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Between £60,001 and £70,000<br>Between £70,001 and £80,000<br>Between £80,001 and £90,000<br>Between £90,001 and £100,000<br>Between £100,001 and £110,000<br>Between £110,001 and £120,000<br>Between £120,001 and £130,000|Parish<br>Central<br>Schools<br>Diocese|**TOTAL**||2023|
||1<br>1<br>-<br>-<br>2<br>-<br>-|1<br>1<br>-<br>-<br>2<br>-<br>-||1<br>-<br>1<br>1<br>1<br>-<br>1|



## **12. BOARD OF DIRECTORS INFORMATION** 

The Corporate Trustee, The Arundel and Brighton Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation Limited, (Company number 00946255) is managed by a Board of Directors comprising four priests, one religious and six lay people. The priests receive income for their office together with living accommodation, living expenses and reimbursement of costs incurred on the same basis as other Diocesan priests.  No Director receives any remuneration or benefits from his/her role as Director other than cover under the indemnity insurance purchased by the charity.  No Director fees or expenses were paid in 2024 (2023 £Nil). 

The Directors are: Bishop Richard Moth Patrick Bergin Jane Bertelsen Patrick Burgess Fr Jonathan How John Lydon Kieran Maloney Canon Jonathan Martin Greg Melly Canon Kieron O’Brien Clare Wordsworth 

Page | 31 



## **13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

|**13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**|||
|---|---|---|
|COST OR VALUATION<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 December 2024<br>DEPRECIATION<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Charge for year<br>Disposals<br>At 31 December 2024<br>NET BOOK VALUE<br>At 31 December 2024<br>At 1 January 2024|Freehold<br>Contents<br>£'000<br>£'000|Total<br>£'000|
||73,460<br>233<br>1,240<br>-<br>(1,227)<br>-|73,693<br>1,240<br>(1,227)|
||73,473<br>233|73,706|
||17,191<br>233<br>-<br>-<br>(147)<br>-|17,424<br>-<br>(147)|
||17,044<br>233|17,277|
||||
||56,429<br>-|56,429|
||||
||56,269<br>-|56,269|



The Diocese has 38 maintained (voluntary aided) schools constituted as separate charities.  Two MultiAcademy Trusts have been established as separate companies. A total of 26 Academies have joined the Trusts. The school properties (land and buildings) are owned by the Diocese. Their value is estimated at £800 million. The Corporate Trustee cannot take a unilateral decision to dispose of these properties.  Disposal can only occur if the school governors and the Secretary of State for Education decide that all or part of a school site is no longer required for education.  In most circumstances, where a disposal occurs, the Secretary of State or the local authority may be entitled to recoup grant.  Although no rights of ownership vest in the school governing body, most other rights and obligations, such as for the maintenance and repair of the school and its facilities, are passed to the governors.  The Corporate Trustee considers that, for the purposes of these Financial Statements, the nature of their ownership is that of a custodianship and therefore these properties have not been capitalised.  The Diocese leases land and buildings at two of these schools from Religious Orders.  A further school is a joint Anglican/Roman Catholic foundation.  The Diocesan Directory lists all maintained schools and Academies owned, leased or jointly administered by the Diocese.  Apart from a small proportion used for management and administration, all fixed assets are used in direct furtherance of the charity's objects. Assets of Trusts are consolidated with the Diocesan accounts under Charity Commission uniting directions.  St Joseph’s Specialist School and College in Cranleigh is held by a separate charity. 

Page | 32 



|**14. INVESTMENTS**||**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>36,003<br>32,079<br>208<br>1,419<br>36,211<br>33,498|
|---|---|---|
|Listed Investments<br>Cash Deposits<br>**TOTAL INVESTMENTS**|||
||||
|**Summary of investments**|||
|OPENING VALUATION 1 Jan 2024||**2024**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>33,498<br>30,744|
|Acquisitions at Cost||23,410<br>10,376|
|Proceeds of Sales less fund management fees<br>Gains/(Losses) during the year<br>**CLOSING VALUATION 31 Dec 2024**||(22,426)<br>(10,192)<br>1,729<br>2,570|
|||**36,211**<br>**33,498**|



Page | 33 



## **15. DEBTORS** 

|**15. DEBTORS**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Advances to schools (£125k due after one year)<br>Inter Diocese Balances<br>Accrued Income<br>Other Debtors and Prepayments<br>Government capital funding for allocation to schools|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>1,059<br>147<br>303<br>492<br>821||2023<br>£'000<br>329<br>140<br>-<br>665<br>-|
||2,822||1,134|



## **16. CREDITORS – AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|Parish Collections, Supplies and Accruals<br>Fees Paid in Advance<br>Inter Diocese Balances<br>Other Creditors<br>Government capital funding for allocation to schools|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>771<br>71<br>147<br>437<br>494<br>1,920||2023<br>£'000<br>759<br>436<br>140<br>433<br>623|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2,391|



Page | 34 



## **17. FUNDS NET ASSET ANALYSIS 2024** 

|**UNRESTRICTED**<br>Parishes<br>Central Diocese<br>Schools<br>**RESTRICTED**<br>Parishes<br>Central Diocese<br>Schools<br>**ENDOWMENT**<br>Parishes<br>Central Diocese<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Tangible**<br>**assets**<br>**Investments**<br>**Net current**<br>**assets**<br>**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>34,594<br>7,815<br>9,811<br>52,220<br>12,983<br>20,293<br>(9,619)<br>23,657<br>1,503<br>-<br>686<br>2,189|
|---|---|
||49,080<br>28,108<br>878<br>78,066|
||1,964<br>1,051<br>5,000<br>8,015<br>211<br>1,059<br>506<br>1,776<br>-<br>-<br>-|
||2,175<br>2,110<br>5,506<br>9,791|
||4,852<br>5,492<br>165<br>10,509<br>322<br>501<br>(1)<br>822|
||5,174<br>5,993<br>164<br>11,331|
||56,429<br>36,211<br>6,548<br>99,188|



## **FUNDS NET ASSET ANALYSIS 2023** 

|**UNRESTRICTED**<br>Parishes<br>Central Diocese<br>Schools<br>**RESTRICTED**<br>Parishes<br>Central Diocese<br>Schools<br>**ENDOWMENT**<br>Parishes<br>Central Diocese<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Tangible**<br>**assets**<br>**Investments**<br>**Net current**<br>**assets**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>34,640<br>7,363<br>10,411<br>52,414<br>12,778<br>18,207<br>(8,624)<br>22,361<br>1,503<br>-<br>207<br>1,710<br>48,921<br>25,570<br>1,994<br>76,485<br>1,926<br>1,041<br>4,621<br>7,588<br>211<br>1,010<br>632<br>1,853<br>-<br>52<br>52<br>2,137<br>2,051<br>5,305<br>9,493<br>4,890<br>5,399<br>85<br>10,374<br>321<br>478<br>-<br>799<br>5,211<br>5,877<br>85<br>11,173<br>56,269<br>33,498<br>7,384<br>97,151|
|---|---|



Page | 35 



## **18. FUNDS ANALYSIS 2024** 

|**UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUNDS**<br>Parishes (see note)<br>Central<br>Schools<br>**UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED FUNDS**<br>Parishes (see note)<br>Central<br>Retired priests<br>Ecclesiastical education<br>Clergy formation<br>Mission fund<br>Fixed Assets<br>Advances<br>Schools<br>Fixed Assets<br>**TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>**RESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>Parishes<br>Parishes within Diocesan Trust<br>Trusts connected with Parishes<br>Endowment trusts restricted income<br>Central<br>Poor<br>Lourdes Pilgrimage<br>Foundation Masses<br>UBS Chaplaincies<br>Others<br>Trusts connected with Central<br>Schools<br>Catholic Education promotion<br>**TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>**ENDOWMENT FUNDS**<br>Parishes<br>Parishes within Diocesan Trust<br>Trusts connected with Parishes<br>Central<br>Episcopal administration<br>Ecclesiastical education<br>Trusts connected with Central<br>**TOTAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS**<br>**TOTAL ALL FUNDS**|**Opening**<br>**balance**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Investment**<br>**gains / (losses)**<br>**Transfers**<br>**Closing**<br>**balance**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>2,738<br>2,776<br>(4,613)<br>1,065<br>1,134<br>3,100<br>207<br>2,336<br>(1,857)<br>-<br>-<br>686|
|---|---|
||2,945<br>5,112<br>(6,470)<br>1,065<br>1,134<br>3,786|
||52,415<br>12,887<br>(11,067)<br>294<br>(2,309)<br>52,220<br>3,575<br>60<br>(557)<br>-<br>150<br>3,228<br>727<br>207<br>(126)<br>-<br>150<br>958<br>1,653<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,653<br>975<br>-<br>(69)<br>-<br>-<br>906<br>12,364<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>389<br>12,753<br>329<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>730<br>1,059<br>1,503<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,503|
||73,541<br>13,154<br>(11,819)<br>294<br>(890)<br>74,280|
||76,486<br>18,266<br>(18,289)<br>1,359<br>244<br>78,066|
||4,605<br>1,258<br>(833)<br>7<br>-<br>5,037<br>2,364<br>10<br>(5)<br>24<br>(30)<br>2,363<br>594<br>131<br>(42)<br>3<br>(71)<br>615|
||7,563<br>1,399<br>(880)<br>34<br>(101)<br>8,015|
||401<br>-<br>(57)<br>24<br>-<br>368<br>562<br>-<br>(74)<br>-<br>-<br>488<br>546<br>-<br>-<br>26<br>-<br>572<br>79<br>28<br>(19)<br>-<br>-<br>88<br>54<br>5<br>(10)<br>-<br>-<br>49<br>211<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>211|
||1,853<br>33<br>(160)<br>50<br>-<br>1,776|
||52<br>-<br>(52)<br>-<br>-<br>-|
||9,468<br>1,432<br>(1,092)<br>84<br>(101)<br>9,791|
||1,033<br>-<br>-<br>41<br>(150)<br>924<br>9,365<br>9<br>(18)<br>222<br>7<br>9,585|
||10,398<br>9<br>(18)<br>263<br>(143)<br>10,509|
||346<br>-<br>-<br>23<br>-<br>369<br>131<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>131<br>322<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>322|
||799<br>-<br>-<br>23<br>-<br>822|
||11,197<br>9<br>(18)<br>286<br>(143)<br>11,331|
||97,151<br>19,707<br>(19,399)<br>1,729<br>-<br>99,188|



Page | 36 



## **Unrestricted designated funds** 

The Corporate Trustee has set aside designated funds out of unrestricted funds to ensure that certain activities or responsibilities of the Trust are adequately financed.  The following are continuous funds designated for long-term use: 

- Parishes - in Canon Law each parish has a distinct legal personality and is administered by the parish priest under the authority of the Bishop.  In Canon Law a parish can acquire and dispose of assets in its own right.  The Corporate Trustee regards parish unrestricted funds as designated funds.  Parishes transferred £2.5 million to the Central Diocese to support Central activities. 

- Retired Priests - to support priests in retirement with accommodation and nursing needs. 

- Ecclesiastical Education - for the education of students to the priesthood and continuing formation. 

- Fixed Assets – for the provision of land and buildings for use in the activities of the Diocese.  A separate fund is designated for fixed assets used by Schools. 

- Advances – to provide long-term loans to schools to finance development programmes. 

- Clergy Formation - clergy formation (including ongoing formation) and the fostering of vocations. 

- Diocesan Mission Fund - projects that support the implementation of the Pastoral Plan, with its emphasis on lay formation and evangelisation. 

## **Restricted funds** 

In the Parishes these mainly relate to funds raised for specific parish building projects. In the Central Diocese funds are restricted for the following purposes: 

- Poor - Aid to poor religious orders and laity 

- Foundation Masses - Clergy stipends for Masses celebrated on the anniversary of the deceased 

- Universities of Brighton & Sussex Chaplaincies - created from donations from Trust to maintain Chaplaincy building and facilities 

- Lourdes Pilgrimage – for promoting and organising pilgrimages to Lourdes 

## **Permanent endowment funds** 

Eight parishes have connected permanent endowment trusts for their support.  See note 19. A Total Return approach is adopted to the permanent endowment investments. 

Page | 37 



## **18. FUNDS ANALYSIS 2023** 

|**UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUNDS**<br>Parishes (see note)<br>Central<br>Schools<br>**UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED FUNDS**<br>Parishes (see note)<br>Central<br>Retired priests<br>Ecclesiastical education<br>Clergy formation<br>Mission fund<br>Fixed Assets<br>Advances<br>Schools<br>Fixed Assets<br>**TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>**RESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>Parishes<br>Parishes within Diocesan Trust<br>Trusts connected with Parishes<br>Endowment trusts restricted income<br>Central<br>Poor<br>Lourdes Pilgrimage<br>Foundation Masses<br>UBS Chaplaincies<br>Others<br>Trusts connected with Central<br>Schools<br>Catholic Education promotion<br>**TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>**ENDOWMENT FUNDS**<br>Parishes<br>Parishes within Diocesan Trust<br>Trusts connected with Parishes<br>Central<br>Episcopal administration<br>Ecclesiastical education<br>Trusts connected with Central<br>**TOTAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS**<br>**TOTAL ALL FUNDS**|**Opening**<br>**balance**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Investment**<br>**gains / (losses)**<br>**Transfers**<br>**Closing**<br>**balance**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>**£000s**<br>1,685<br>1,610<br>(4,177)<br>1,531<br>2,088<br>2,737<br>29<br>1,890<br>(1,712)<br>-<br>-<br>207|
|---|---|
||1,714<br>3,500<br>(5,889)<br>1,531<br>2,088<br>2,944|
||53,275<br>10,914<br>(10,027)<br>470<br>(2,217)<br>52,415<br>3,797<br>126<br>(499)<br>-<br>151<br>3,575<br>727<br>2<br>(153)<br>-<br>151<br>727<br>1,500<br>153<br>-<br>-<br>1,653<br>1,170<br>-<br>(195)<br>-<br>-<br>975<br>12,364<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>12,364<br>442<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(113)<br>329<br>1,514<br>-<br>(11)<br>-<br>-<br>1,503|
||74,790<br>11,195<br>(10,885)<br>470<br>(2,028)<br>73,542|
||76,504<br>14,695<br>(16,774)<br>2,001<br>60<br>76,486|
||3,579<br>2,154<br>(1,158)<br>30<br>-<br>4,605<br>2,330<br>8<br>(5)<br>31<br>-<br>2,364<br>551<br>91<br>(26)<br>21<br>(43)<br>594|
||6,460<br>2,253<br>(1,189)<br>82<br>(43)<br>7,563|
||422<br>-<br>(56)<br>35<br>-<br>401<br>610<br>56<br>(104)<br>-<br>-<br>562<br>506<br>4<br>-<br>36<br>-<br>546<br>(21)<br>100<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>79<br>40<br>14<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>54<br>211<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>211|
||1,768<br>174<br>(160)<br>71<br>-<br>1,853|
||52<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>52|
||8,280<br>2,427<br>(1,349)<br>153<br>(43)<br>9,468|
||959<br>-<br>-<br>74<br>-<br>1,033<br>9,089<br>-<br>(16)<br>309<br>(17)<br>9,365|
||10,048<br>-<br>(16)<br>383<br>(17)<br>10,398|
||313<br>-<br>-<br>33<br>-<br>346<br>131<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>131<br>322<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>322|
||766<br>-<br>-<br>33<br>-<br>799|
||10,814<br>-<br>(16)<br>416<br>(17)<br>11,197|
||95,598<br>17,122<br>(18,139)<br>2,570<br>-<br>97,151|



Page | 38 



## **19. CONNECTED TRUSTS** 

|**Trust**<br>**Beneficiary**<br>**Nature**<br>**RESTRICTED**<br>Ashburnham<br>Battle<br>Land and investments<br>Elmer<br>Retired priests<br>Land<br>Gaisford<br>Worthing<br>Land<br>Grant<br>St Leonard's<br>Land<br>Hyland<br>Godalming<br>Land<br>Munster<br>Keymer<br>Land<br>Norfolk<br>Dorking<br>Land<br>Norfolk<br>Horsham<br>Land<br>Salvin<br>Sutton Park<br>Land<br>Stacpole<br>Caterham<br>Land<br>**PERMANENT ENDOWMENT RESTRICTED INCOME**<br>Bedingfeld<br>Duncton<br>Investments<br>Biddulph Education<br>Duncton<br>Investments<br>Buckley<br>Retired priests<br>Land and investments<br>Cemetery<br>Burwash<br>Land and investments<br>Hope<br>Herons Ghyll<br>Land and investments<br>Lang<br>Oxted<br>Land and investments<br>Leslie<br>Slindon<br>Land and investments<br>Norfolk<br>Angmering<br>Land and investments<br>Norfolk 1901<br>Littlehampton<br>Investments<br>Norfolk Cemetery<br>Arundel<br>Land and investments<br>Norfolk Cemetery<br>Houghton<br>Land and investments<br>Scawen Blunt<br>Crawley<br>Land and investments<br>**PERMANENT ENDOWMENT**<br>Bedingfeld<br>Duncton<br>Investments<br>Biddulph<br>Duncton<br>Land<br>Biddulph Education<br>Duncton<br>Investments<br>Buckley<br>Retired priests<br>Land<br>Cemetery<br>Burwash<br>Investments<br>Hope<br>Herons Ghyll<br>Investments<br>Hope<br>Herons Ghyll<br>Land<br>Lang<br>Oxted<br>Investments<br>Lang<br>Oxted<br>Land<br>Leslie<br>Slindon<br>Investments<br>Leslie<br>Slindon<br>Land<br>Norfolk<br>Arundel<br>Land<br>Norfolk<br>Littlehampton<br>Land<br>Norfolk 1901<br>Littlehampton<br>Investments<br>Norfolk Cemetery<br>Arundel<br>Investments<br>Norfolk Cemetery<br>Arundel<br>Land<br>Norfolk Cemetery<br>Houghton<br>Investments<br>Pauling<br>Effingham<br>Land<br>Scawen Blunt<br>Crawley<br>Investments<br>Scawen Blunt<br>Crawley<br>Land<br>**TOTAL CONNECTED TRUSTS**|**Opening**<br>**balance**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Investment**<br>**gains /**<br>**(losses)**<br>**Transfers**<br>**Closing balance**<br>**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>**£'000**<br>682<br>10<br>(5)<br>24<br>(30)<br>681<br>211<br>211<br>10<br>10<br>135<br>135<br>58<br>58<br>39<br>39<br>2<br>2<br>934<br>934<br>246<br>246<br>258<br>258|
|---|---|
||2,575<br>10<br>(5)<br>24<br>(30)<br>2,574|
||27<br>6<br>(7)<br>26<br>47<br>15<br>(11)<br>51<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>44<br>8<br>52<br>-<br>-<br>5<br>22<br>(22)<br>5<br>428<br>14<br>(2)<br>3<br>(14)<br>429<br>16<br>9<br>25<br>-<br>-<br>27<br>27<br>-<br>57<br>(57)<br>-|
||594<br>131<br>(42)<br>3<br>(71)<br>615|
||231<br>(1)<br>13<br>243<br>1<br>1<br>611<br>(1)<br>33<br>643<br>322<br>322<br>6<br>6<br>354<br>(1)<br>19<br>372<br>2<br>2<br>5<br>5<br>1,156<br>1,156<br>358<br>9<br>(2)<br>19<br>384<br>161<br>161<br>799<br>799<br>168<br>168<br>278<br>(1)<br>2<br>279<br>71<br>(1)<br>1<br>71<br>803<br>803<br>4<br>1<br>5<br>647<br>647<br>2,557<br>(11)<br>134<br>7<br>2,687<br>1,153<br>1,153|
||9,687<br>9<br>(18)<br>222<br>7<br>9,907|
|||
||12,856<br>150<br>(65)<br>249<br>(94)<br>13,096|



Page | 39 



## **Permanent endowment trust investments** 

A Total Return approach is adopted to the permanent endowment investments for eight parish trusts: 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Bedingfeld  Biddulph  Hope  Scawen  Leslie  Norfolk  Norfolk  Norfolk<br>Duncton Education  Herons  Blunt  Slindon 1901  Cemetery Cemetery<br>Duncton Ghyll Crawley L’hampton Arundel Houghton<br>£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000<br>As at 1.1.24<br>PE Gift  156 347 280 775 85 129 39 2<br>Unapplied  75 264 74 1,782 273 149 32 2<br>total return<br>Total 231 611 354 2,557 358 278 71 4<br>During the year:<br>Transfer  to  7 9<br>Endowment<br>Investment  13 33 19 134 19 2 1 1<br>gains<br>Investment  (1) (1) (1) (11) (2) (1) (1) -<br>management<br>costs<br>Total 12 32 18 130 26 1 - 1<br>As at 31.12.24<br>PE Gift  156 347 280 775 85 129 39 2<br>Unapplied  87 296 92 1,912 299 150 32 3<br>total return<br>Total 243 643 372 2,687 384 279 71 5<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The following trusts comprise land holdings only for schools and/or cemeteries: St Joseph’s primary school trust in Haywards Heath Fairlight cemetery trust near Hastings (permanent endowment) Marist primary school trust in West Byfleet Education trust for Diocese 

Norfolk trust for school and cemetery in Angmering 

Page | 40 



## **20. COMMITMENTS GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES** 

**Capital Commitments:** At 31 December 2024 there were no capital commitments on Parish properties, maintained or independent schools (2023 Nil). 

**Contingent Liability:** The Diocese provides support to its retired priests, in line with established Diocesan practice and in accordance with Canon Law requirements. In the opinion of the Corporate Trustee, this constitutes a constructive obligation, as defined by the Charities SORP (FRS 102). The amount of this obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability as the support required by individual priests will vary considerably, particularly depending on whether any third-party care is needed. 

## **21. SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES** 

## **DIOCESE OF ARUNDEL & BRIGHTON (BUILDING SERVICES) LIMITED** 

The wholly owned trading subsidiary was incorporated in the United Kingdom in 1991 (Reg No 2576444).  The company manages building contracts on behalf of the Diocese.  The Diocese owns all the issued share capital of two ordinary shares.  A summary of the trading results is shown below. 

All the turnover represents sales of building construction to the Diocese.  The subsidiary has no material net assets or liabilities and there is therefore no significant difference between the Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet of the charity by itself and those of the group comprising the charity and its subsidiary.  The charity and its subsidiary are not consolidated.  This company is dormant and has not traded since 2016. 

## **Arundel and Brighton Lourdes Pilgrimage Limited** 

The wholly owned trading subsidiary was incorporated in the United Kingdom (Reg no 2998831). The company directors resolved to wind up the company in 2021 and its trade, assets and liabilities were transferred to the Diocese trust in that year. The total net liabilities transferred was (£1,938) in 2021. It is anticipated that this company will be struck off during 2025. 

## **22. Related Party Transactions** 

Insofar as the Directors are aware, there are no matters required to be reported other than that already shown in the accounts. 

Page | 41