CHURCH LANDS TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25
The year began with the completion of the purchase of the property in Germander Way in Bicester. The sitting tenants asked to extend their tenancy for a further two years. This was agreed and a new lease was drawn up with an increase of rent. The tenants in Lancaster Close also extended their tenancy in June for a further 12 months.
The Trust (CLT) agreed to install a new kitchen and floor coverings in the Germander Way house. The tenant requested to make alterations to the layout of the garden and to paint the interior of the property at their own cost. This was agreed.
Further maintenance was carried out at Church House which included the erection of a new fence between CLT property and the new development on the corner plot. The developer did this at his expense. The rent on this property has been increased by £100 per month.
Three of the trustees met with two Directors of Thomas Merrifield in August to clarify our relationship with the company. The outcome was satisfactory, and all is good so far.
CLT has agreed to earmark £20,000 for maintenance and repairs to our property portfolio. The Executive Officers can authorise expenditure of up to £1000 at any one time.
The Church Warden and the Treasurer of St Marys joined the trustees in September to discuss future funding from the CLT. Maintenance and other expenditure were agreed. The CLT has earmarked £30,000 towards the future capital expenditure for repairs to the roof of the church. Audio equipment which included headphones with audio connection was funded by CLT this year. The church is planning to reach out to teenagers and young people and allow them to decide how they can use music on their spiritual journey.
A subcommittee continues to work with SE Law to establish ownership of the triangular piece of land which joins CLT equestrian land at Blackthorn. We now have ariel footage of Church House and the equestrian land at Blackthorn which helps identify boundaries.
Looking Forward. Confdental
It has been agreed to invite Marcus Blake of Berrys Land Agents to revisit the Blackthorn site in early 2026 to discuss the potential sale of the equestrian land for development. Should the development be approved, Church House will go on the market to be sold. It is the intention of the trust not to renew the current lease of the equestrian land which expires in November 2026.
£50,000 has been put into a high-interest rate account with the Coop Bank. It should be noted that CLT may be asked to contribute further to the roof repairs at St Marys.
The establishment of the ownership of the triangular piece of land at Blackthorn will continue to be investigated.
Russell Thompson Chair Church Lands Trust.
9/ 12/ 2025
AMBROSDEN CHURCH LANDS TRUST Charity No: 254122 End of Year Accounts Top Level Summary 01 Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25 Balance B/Fwd from Previous YearTotal £374,056.00 Income £48,987.22 Expenditure £329,205.28 Balance C/FWD £93,837.94
Checked and certified correct
Name: Tom Duff Accountancy Services
Date: November 2025
Ambrosden Church Lands Trust End of Year Statement 01 Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25
| Balance brought forward 30 Sep 2024 £374,056.00 Income |
Balance brought forward 30 Sep 2024 £374,056.00 Income |
|---|---|
| Church House Rent | £12,420.00 |
| Germander WayRent | £12,800.00 |
| 2a Lancaster Close Rent | £19,850.00 |
| Blackthorn Land Rent | £3,900.00 |
| EasyFundraising | £17.22 |
| Total Income £48,987.22 Expenditure |
|
| St Mary's Maintenance | £20,297.53 |
| Lands Trust Admin | £1,724.83 |
| Marsh Gibbon Land Sale Expenses | £780.00 |
| Triangular Land (Blackthorn) Legal expenses | £1,800.00 |
| Germander Way House purchase | £285,000.00 |
| Germander Way Legal costs for purchase | £1,337.01 |
| Germander Way Maintenance (paid directly) | £7,353.60 |
| Germander Way Maintenance (by management co) | £3,103.00 |
| Germander Way-agents fees | £1,382.40 |
| Church House Maintenance(bymanagement co) | £2,368.77 |
| Church House - agents fees | £1,341.36 |
| 2a Lancaster Maintenance(bymanagement co) | £572.98 |
| 2a Lancaster - agents fees | £2,143.80 |
| Total Expenditure £329,205.28 |
|
| Reconciled Balance 30 Sep 2025 | £93,837.94 |
| Merrifields st | atements 01 | Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25 | Church House | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement No |
Date | Reason for Transaction | Income | Fees | Maintenance | Paid to Bank |
| 17 | 10/7/2024 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 17 | 10/7/2024 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 17 | 10/7/2024 | Paid to Bank | £923.22 | |||
| 18 | 11/8/2024 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 18 | 11/8/2024 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 18 | 11/8/2024 | Church House Maintenance | £114.24 | |||
| 18 | 11/8/2024 | Paid to Bank | £808.98 | |||
| 20 | 12/6/2024 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 20 | 12/6/2024 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 20 | 12/6/2024 | Church House Maintenance | £483.34 | |||
| 20 | 12/6/2024 | Church House Maintenance | £120.00 | |||
| 20 | 12/6/2024 | Church House Maintenance | £90.00 | |||
| 20 | 12/6/2024 | Paid to Bank | £229.88 | |||
| 22 | 1/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 22 | 1/7/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 22 | 1/7/2025 | Church House Maintenance | £312.00 | |||
| 22 | 1/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £611.22 | |||
| 24 | 2/6/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 24 | 2/6/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 24 | 2/6/2025 | Church House Maintenance | £60.00 | |||
| 24 | 2/6/2025 | Balance fromprevious | £216.00 | |||
| 24 | 2/6/2025 | Paid to Bank | £647.22 | |||
| 25 | 3/6/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 25 | 3/6/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 25 | 3/6/2025 | Paid to Bank | £923.22 | |||
| 26 | 4/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 26 | 4/7/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 26 | 4/7/2025 | Church House Maintenance | £225.36 | |||
| 26 | 4/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £697.86 | |||
| 27 | 5/8/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 27 | 5/8/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 27 | 5/8/2025 | Church House Maintenance | £210.00 | |||
| 27 | 5/8/2025 | Paid to Bank | £713.22 | |||
| 28 | 6/6/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 28 | 6/6/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 28 | 6/6/2025 | Paid to Bank | £923.22 | |||
| 29 | 7/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 29 | 7/7/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 29 | 7/7/2025 | Church House Maintenance | £308.87 | |||
| 29 | 7/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £614.35 | |||
| 30 | 8/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 30 | 8/7/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 30 | 8/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £923.22 | |||
| 31 | 9/5/2025 | Rent Received | £1,035.00 | |||
| 31 | 9/5/2025 | Management Fees | £111.78 | |||
| 31 | 9/5/2025 | Church House Maintenance | £228.96 | |||
| 31 | 9/5/2025 | Paid to Bank | £694.26 | |||
| TOTALS | £12,420.00 | £1,341.36 | £2,368.77 | £8,709.87 |
| Merrifields st | atements 01 | Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25 | Germander Wa | y | Maintenance exceeded rent Maintenance exceeded rent |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement No |
Date | Reason for Transaction | Income | Fees | Maintenance | Paid to Bank | ||
| 19 | 11/7/2024 | Rent Received | £1,100.00 | |||||
| 19 | 11/7/2024 | Management Fees | £118.80 | |||||
| 19 | 11/7/2024 | Paid to Bank | £981.20 | |||||
| 21 | 12/17/2024 | Rent Received | £1,100.00 | |||||
| 21 | 12/17/2024 | Management Fees | £118.80 | |||||
| 21 | 12/17/2024 | Paid to Bank | £981.20 | |||||
| 23 | 1/16/2025 | Rent Received | £1,100.00 | |||||
| 23 | 1/16/2025 | Management Fees | £118.80 | |||||
| 23 | 1/16/2025 | Paid to Bank | £981.20 | |||||
| 1 | 2/18/2025 | Rent Received | £1,100.00 | |||||
| 1 | 2/18/2025 | Management Fees | £118.80 | |||||
| 1 | 2/18/2025 | Paid to Bank | £981.20 | |||||
| 2 | 3/18/2025 | Rent Received | £1,200.00 | |||||
| 2 | 3/18/2025 | Management Fees | £129.60 | |||||
| 2 | 3/18/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,070.40 | |||||
| 3 | 4/22/2025 | Rent Received | £1,200.00 | |||||
| 3 | 4/22/2025 | Management Fees | £129.60 | |||||
| 3 | 4/22/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,070.40 | |||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Rent Received | £1,200.00 | |||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Management Fees | £129.60 | |||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Germander Waymaintenanc | e | £225.00 | ||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Germander Waymaintenanc | e | £165.00 | ||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Germander Waymaintenanc | e | £1,735.00 | ||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Germander Waymaintenanc | e | £60.00 | ||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Germander Waymaintenanc | e | £180.00 | ||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Paid to Bank | £0.00 | |||||
| 4 | 5/16/2025 | Payments outstandingto man | agement | -£1,294.60 | ||||
| 5 | 6/17/2025 | Rent Received | £1,200.00 | |||||
| 5 | 6/17/2025 | Management Fees | £129.60 | |||||
| 5 | 6/17/2025 | Paid to Bank | £0.00 | |||||
| 5 | 6/17/2025 | Payments outstandingto man | agement | -£224.20 | ||||
| 6 | 7/17/2025 | Rent Received | £1,200.00 | |||||
| 6 | 7/17/2025 | Management Fees | £129.60 | |||||
| 6 | 7/17/2025 | Germander Waymaintenanc | e | £631.20 | ||||
| 6 | 7/17/2025 | Germander Waymaintenanc | e | £106.80 | ||||
| 6 | 7/17/2025 | Paid to Bank | £108.20 | |||||
| 7 | 8/18/2025 | Rent Received | £1,200.00 | |||||
| 7 | 8/18/2025 | Management Fees | £129.60 | |||||
| 7 | 8/18/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,070.40 | |||||
| 8 | 9/16/2025 | Rent Received | £1,200.00 | |||||
| 8 | 9/16/2025 | Management Fees | £129.60 | |||||
| 8 | 9/16/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,070.40 | |||||
| TOTALS | £12,800.00 | £1,382.40 | £3,103.00 | £8,314.60 |
| Merrifields st | atements 01 | Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25 | 2a Lancaster C | lose | 34157.69 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement No |
Date | Reason for Transaction | Income | Fees | Maintenance | Paid to Bank | |
| 4 | 10/7/2024 | Rent Received | £1,700.00 | ||||
| 4 | 10/7/2024 | Management Fees | £183.60 | ||||
| 4 | 10/7/2024 | Paid to Bank | £1,516.40 | ||||
| 5 | 11/7/2024 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 5 | 11/7/2024 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 5 | 11/7/2024 | 2a Lancaster Maintenance | £148.80 | ||||
| 5 | 11/7/2024 | Paid to Bank | £1,323.00 | ||||
| 6 | 12/6/2024 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 6 | 12/6/2024 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 6 | 12/6/2024 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 7 | 1/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 7 | 1/7/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 7 | 1/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 8 | 2/10/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 8 | 2/10/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 8 | 2/10/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 9 | 3/6/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 9 | 3/6/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 9 | 3/6/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 10 | 4/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 10 | 4/7/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 10 | 4/7/2025 | 2a Lancaster Maintenance | £96.00 | ||||
| 10 | 4/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,375.80 | ||||
| 11 | 5/8/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 11 | 5/8/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 11 | 5/8/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 12 | 6/6/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 12 | 6/6/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 12 | 6/6/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 13 | 7/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 13 | 7/7/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 13 | 7/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 14 | 8/7/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 14 | 8/7/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 14 | 8/7/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,471.80 | ||||
| 15 | 9/5/2025 | Rent Received | £1,650.00 | ||||
| 15 | 9/5/2025 | Management Fees | £178.20 | ||||
| 15 | 9/5/2025 | 2a Lancaster Maintenance | £106.80 | ||||
| 15 | 9/5/2025 | 2a Lancaster Maintenance | £221.38 | ||||
| 15 | 9/5/2025 | Paid to Bank | £1,143.62 | ||||
| TOTALS | £19,850.00 | £2,143.80 | £572.98 | £17,133.22 |
Lands Trust - Blackthorn Land Transactions 01 Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25
| Date | Received From | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10/1/2024 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 01/11/2024 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 02/12/2024 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 02/01/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 03/02/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 03/03/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 01/04/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 01/05/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 02/06/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 01/07/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 01/08/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| 01/09/2025 | H Jeffries | £325 |
| Total | £3,900 |
Note: £600 held on deposit
Lands Trust - Land Coop Account Transactions 01 Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25
| Lands Trust - Land Coop Account Transactions 01 Oct 24 - 30 Sep 25 Account No:00024329 |
||||||
| Serial | Date | Payee | Debits | Payment type | Categoryof Payment | Comments |
| 1 | 24/10/2024 | CHAPspayment | 25.00 | CHAPS | Payment fee | Housepurchase fees - Germander Way |
| 2 | 24/10/2024 | HMG Law | 285,000.00 | CHAPS | Housepurchase - Germander Way | Housepurchase - Germander Way |
| 3 | 27/11/2024 | Landlord Mortgages | 390.00 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Insurance Germander Way |
| 4 | 29/11/2024 | TDAS | 144.00 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Annual Audit Fee |
| 5 | 29/11/2024 | HMG Law | 1,312.01 | BACS | Germander Legal feesforpurchase | Germander Legal feesforpurchase |
| 6 | 28/01/2025 | Lambourne Roy L Agricultural Consultants |
780.00 | BACS | Marsh Gibbon Land Sale Expenses | Marsh Gibbon Land management and sale costs |
| 7 | 07/02/2025 | St Mary's PCC | 5,034.00 | BACS | St Mary's Maintenance | Audio Equipment |
| 8 | 07/02/2025 | St Mary's PCC | 10,135.20 | BACS | St Mary's Maintenance | Church wall repairs |
| 9a | 25/02/2024 | St Mary's PCC | 837.00 | BACS | St Mary's Maintenance | Clock maintenance |
| 9b | 11/03/2025 | St Mary's PCC | 167.40 | BACS | St Mary's Maintenance | Clock maintenance |
| 10 | 11/03/2025 | Tollgate Kitchens | £1,164.00 | BACS | Germander Maintenance | Kitchen work |
| 11 | 24/03/2025 | Martin Richardson | £66.49 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Portable hard drive |
| 12 | 27/03/2025 | St Mary's PCC | £2,354.00 | BACS | St Mary's Maintenance | Scaffolding |
| 13 | 28/04/2025 | RR Thompson | £104.65 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Strategic Meetingcosts |
| 14 | 03/05/2025 | RR Thompson | £30.00 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Bouquet to Dawn |
| 15 | 5/14/2025 | Tollgate Kitchens | £3,000.00 | BACS | Germander Maintenance | Kitchen work |
| 16 | 5/30/2025 | Spratt Endicott | £1,800.00 | BACS | Adverse Possession Application | Triangular Land Expense |
| 17 | 30/05/2025 | Liberty Flooring | £3,189.60 | BACS | Germander Maintenance | Flooring |
| 18 | 6/23/2025 | Landlord Mortgages | £461.31 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Insurance Lancaster |
| 19 | 8/28/2025 | St Mary's PCC | £1,769.93 | BACS | St Mary's Maintenance | Insurance St Marys |
| 20 | 8/29/2025 | TDAS | £120.00 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Charitycommision audit |
| 21 | 9/29/2025 | Landlord Mortgages | £408.38 | BACS | Lands Trust Admin | Insurance Church House |
| TOTAL | £318,292.97 |
| Expenditure by category | Expenditure by category | Expenditure by category | Expenditure by category | Expenditure by category | Expenditure by category | Expenditure by category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's Maintenance |
Lands Trust Admin |
Marsh Gibbon Land Sale Expenses |
House purchase - Germander Way |
2 Germander Way fees for purchase |
Germander Maintenance |
Triangular Land Expenses |
| £5,034.00 | £390.00 | £780.00 | £285,000.00 | £25.00 | £1,164.00 | £1,800.00 |
| £10,135.20 | £144.00 | £1,312.01 | £3,000.00 | |||
| £837.00 | £66.49 | £3,189.60 | ||||
| £167.40 | £104.65 | |||||
| £2,354.00 | £30.00 | |||||
| £1,769.93 | £461.31 | |||||
| £120.00 | ||||||
| £408.38 | ||||||
| £20,297.53 | £1,724.83 | £780.00 | **£285,000.00 ** | £1,337.01 | £7,353.60 | £1,800.00 |
| TOTAL £318,292.97 |
Ambrosden Church Lands Trust
07/12/2025
Dear Mrs Handley
Having independently examined the Ambrosden Church Lands Trust accounts and its associated working papers.
I have two comments to make
I’ve not had sight of the bank statements so haven’t independently verified the bank balances,
The spreadsheet has an amount of £17.22 for easy Fundraising. I just need to understand if this are restricted or unrestricted funds and details of receipt there is nothing on the spreadsheet for this.
Allowing for comments above In my professional opinion the accounts reflect a true record of the trust’s activities for the period ending 30th September 2025. I had no issues with the accuracy or presentation of these accounts.
Yours Sincerely
T Duff
F.M.A.A.T