Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Charity Registration Number 287486
Annual Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust Annual Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements For the Year 30 June 2025
Contents
Annual Report of the Trustees .......................................................................................................... 3 Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees ............................................................................ 12 Financial Statements: Statement of Financial Activities ......................................................................................... 13 Statement of Financial Position .......................................................................................... 14 Notes to the Financial Statements ...................................................................................... 15
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
Trustees and Executive Committee
David Pritchard resigned as Chair of the Executive Committee on 25 July 2024 and Nicholas LeighSmith was duly appointed as a Trustee to succeed him as Vice-Chair of the Trust and Chair of the Executive Committee. David Pritchard will continue as a Trustee.
Following the resignation of Susan Pope as Treasurer in November 2024, Paul Arthur Rees Skipper was duly elected as a Trustee to replace her as Treasurer on 6 February 2025 John Farmer was elected as a Trustee on 6 February 2025
Trustees serving during the year
His Honour Neil McKittrick ( Chair) The Revd Canon David Pritchard – Vice Chair (until July 2024) Nicholas Leigh-Smith – Vice Chair (from July 2024) Susan Pope – Hon Treasurer (until November 2024 Paul Skipper – Hon Treasurer (from November 2024) David Stazicker The Revd Canon Simon Talbott The Revd Canon Dr Nicholas Thistlethwaite Alison Taylor Geoffrey Hunter John Farmer
Executive Committee
The Revd Canon David Pritchard ( Committee Chair until July 2024) Nicholas Leigh-Smith (Committee Chair from July 2024 ) Susan Pope ( Hon. Treasurer until November 2024 Paul Skipper ( Hon Treasurer from November 2024) Graham Pledger (Grants Secretary) The Revd Dr Lynne Broughton William Craven The Revd Canon Annette Reed Sue Holgate ( Administrator)
Ride and Stride Treasurer The Revd Timothy Thompson (until August 2024)
General Contact Sue Holgate 9 The Chase, Ely, Cambs CB6 3DR admin@camhct.uk
For more detailed information about the Trust’s activities, visit www.camhct.uk where Newsletters can be downloaded.
Charity Registration Number 287486
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
1 Annual Report and Financial Statements
The Trustees present their report and the independently examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 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.
2 Structure, Governance and Management of the Trust
The operation of the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust (“the Trust”) is governed by the Declaration of Trust dated 10[th] June 1983. The Trust is registered by the Charity Commission under number 287486.
The founding Trustees and their successors were empowered to appoint new Trustees. The Trustees are not constrained in any particular manner for the appointment of Trustees. No other party may appoint Trustees. The Trustees have duly exercised their power from time to time so as to include, as the main selection criterion, a range of persons with knowledge and experience relevant to the Trust’s objectives.
The Trustees may delegate any of their functions (except those relating to investments) to a committee, subject to any lawful and proper directions as to the conduct of its business.
The Trustees may appoint to, and remove from, any such committee any person whether or not also serving as a Trustee.
An Executive Committee has accordingly been appointed to administer the day-to-day affairs of the Trust within overall policies and financial limits set from time to time by the Trustees. In making appointments to the Committee the Trustees endeavor to secure in volunteers a range of knowledge and experience relevant to the Committee’s business. The Committee’s proceedings are reported to the Trustees, who meet twice yearly. The Executive Committee currently meets every two months.
3 The Trust’s Charitable Objectives
The purposes of the Trust are “The preservation repair maintenance improvement upkeep and reconstruction of Churches in the County of Cambridge and or monuments fittings fixtures, stained glass, furniture ornaments and chattels in such churches and of the churchyard belonging to any such Churches”. “Church” is defined as “any Church Chapel or other building used for public worship whether belonging to or used by the Church of England or any other religious body”. As at the foundation of the Trust in 1983 the County included the district of Peterborough, which attained unitary local government status in 1998. It remains within the ambit of the Trust’s activities.
In pursuit of these purposes the Trust awards grants and concessionary loans to churches to assist towards the cost of repairs, the creation of new facilities, precautions against metal theft and repairs to monuments. To raise funds towards the cost of grants, the Trust participates in the annual countrywide sponsored event currently entitled “Ride and Stride”.
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
3 The Trust’s Charitable Objectives (continued)
The Trustees are also empowered to “do all such things as are permitted by law to the Trustees of a Charitable Trust and as are incidental to the execution of the trusts” and to “do all such lawful things as shall further the attainment of the objects of the Trust”. In exercise of these ancillary powers the Trust organises conferences, meetings, visits and guided tours to increase the understanding of church buildings, their contents and their history. It also invites individuals and churches to subscribe as members of the Trust, with discounted charges for attendance at some events. Subscribing members receive periodic newsletters and other mailings about the activities of the Trust and have the opportunity annually to attend a meeting or conference session at which the activities of the preceding year are reported and questions may be addressed to the Trust’s officers.
The Trust encourages donations and legacies to its charitable funds but does not employ external fundraisers nor make unsolicited telephone calls.
4 Administration
General administration continues to be performed by the Administrator who was appointed on 1 May 2021 and replaces the Honorary Secretary.
5 Activities during the Year – General Overview
In furtherance of the objectives identified above the Trust has undertaken various activities during the year ended 30 June 2025. These are described in this and the following sections of this report.
The Trust’s core activity, the award of grants and concessionary loans, is dealt with in Section 7 of this report. The Diocese of Ely, which is partly coterminous with the Trust’s area of operation, has produced a strategy “People Fully Alive” which among other things recognises the difficulties faced by many congregations in maintaining their church buildings. Part of the solution lies in improving the facilities in churches so as to enable their use for a wider range of activities by the congregation and a wider public.
The Trust’s wish to promote knowledge of the history and architecture of the county’s churches is normally met by the Church Tours and the Annual Conference. These events are well attended, with a nucleus of regular participants usually supplemented in the case of the tours by others with a more specific interest in the particular churches included or the area visited. We welcome members of the local congregations to our visits as they can often furnish additional information from local knowledge and in exchange they may learn from our expert guides. The Conference this year was entitled Imagery – Wall Paintings and Screens with four lectures on imagery in churches from medieval times to the present day. The Conference was well attended and well received by the participants.
There were four church tours during July and August 2024 and May and June 2025 in different parts of the county, ably conducted by the Revd Dr. Lynne Broughton and Will Schenck.
On 26 June Choral Evensong in Ely Cathedral was held on behalf of the Trust at which the Bishop of Huntingdon gave the Address followed by a wine Reception in the Lady Chapel.
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
6 Financial Review
The Trust achieves its charitable purposes in two main ways. It makes interest-free (concessionary) loans to churches, and it makes grants available. Since its formation in 1983, the Trust has provided almost 1,000,000 in concessionary loans and given grants in excess of £45,000.
The concessionary loans are from a significant ‘pool’ of funds held for the purpose. This pool of money is constantly rotating as new advances are made and as churches make repayments. These funds appear on the balance sheet as investments, bank, and deposit accounts.
In accordance with its reserves policy, the Trust makes grants to churches out of its net income of the previous year.
7 Award of grants and concessionary loans
Churches have been paid the following grants during the year.
General Grants
£
| Warboys PCC All Saints’ Church, Haslingfield PCC Landbeach, All Saints Tilbrook PCC Soham PCC Melbourn PCC Teversham PCC St Neots With Eynesbury Croydon Church PCC Stetchworth PCC Barnack PCC Marholm PCC Easton PCC Lode PCC Diddington PCC St Peter’s Church, Snailwell St Andrew’s, Northborough Accrued at the beginning of the period Accrued at the end of the period |
1,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 5,000 1,000 2,500 3,000 2,000 3,000 2,500 2,500 2,500 3,000 2,000 3,000 2,500 |
|---|---|
| 44,500 (39,000 ) 24,000 |
|
| 29,500 |
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
7 Award of grants and concessionary loans (continued)
The following interest-free concessionary loans to churches are due to the Trust at the year end. Further information is given in note 12 to the financial statements.
| Loans Outstanding Cheveley, St Mary Whittlesford, St Mary & St Andrew Soham, St Andrew Duxford PCC Hail Weston, Saint Nicholas PCC Wittering PCC Boxworth, St Peter Bassingbourn, St Peter & Paul Diddington, St Lawrence Helpston, St Botolph Total |
£ 6,000 5,000 10,000 15,000 15,000 2,500 20,000 20,000 5,000 20,000 |
|---|---|
| 118,500 |
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
7 Award of grants and concessionary loans (continued)
The Trust has approved and offered churches the following concessionary loans during the year but which were unclaimed at the end of the year. The following grants are those offered to churches during the year where the offer has not expired, and the terms and conditions attaching to the offer have not, at the end of the financial year, formally been accepted by the church concerned.
The following grants and concessionary loans are shown as contingent liabilities in the financial statements at note 13.
Grants
£
Loans
| Christchurch, Christchurch Sutton in the Isle, St Andrew Cambridge, St Giles Orton Waterville, St Mary Great Paxton, Holy Trinity Arrington, St Nicolas Waterbeach, St John Total Tydd, St Giles Knapwell, All Saints Orwell, St Andrew Southoe, St Leonards Yelling, Holy Cross Total |
3,000 2,000 3,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 |
|---|---|
| 15,000 | |
| £ 5,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 |
|
| 85,000 |
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
8 Sponsored Ride and Stride
This annual event, which in the financial year 2024/25 took place on Saturday 14[th] September 2024 is currently the Trust’s second largest source of income. As recorded in the accounts, this event raised £22,438 of which £10,240 was paid over to individual participating churches.
The Trust is grateful for such an enthusiastic participation once again in 2024.
The not inconsiderable time and effort in organizing the event is provided by volunteers. The individuals who are sponsored and raise the funds so necessary for the work of the Trust are volunteers and do so either on their own account or with participating churches.
9
Membership
As described in Section 3 of this report, the Trust invites individuals and churches to subscribe as members, at an annual cost of £20 and £50 respectively. Individual membership entitles up to two people at the same address to the relevant benefits.
The administrative costs arising from the membership scheme are very modest and the bulk of the subscription income is available in aid of the Trust’s core charitable objectives.
The Trust’s
total membership as of 30th June 2025 stood at 308 consisting of 147 individual members (of which there were 33 joint members at the same address), 149 corporate or church members and 12 honorary members.
10 Charities Act 2011 – Public Benefit
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit matters. They have had due regard to the guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
The Trust’s objectives are set out in the section numbered 3 of this report. The Trust’s predominant activity is the award of grants and concessionary loans to churches to assist with the cost of works falling within those objectives, as detailed in the following Financial Statements.
As detailed in the sections numbered 5 and 8, it also organises tours of local churches, and occasionally those further afield, guided by specialists in architectural history and iconography, and conferences addressed by specialists on matters within the Trust’s objectives.
In so doing it is fulfilling several of the purposes specified in the Charities Act 2011: the advancement of religion, by assisting churches to maintain their buildings in a fit state for worship, and to improve facilities so as to encourage attendance; the advancement of community development, by assisting churches to adapt their buildings for wider community use; and the advancement of the arts, culture and heritage, by supporting the conservation of buildings and artefacts of architectural, artistic and historic interest, and by spreading knowledge and understanding of those buildings and artefacts.
The Trust’s grants and concessionary loans are available to all denominations, the local tours are free of charge irrespective of membership of the Trust, and other activities are available to members and non-members alike. Although assistance to any individual church may chiefly benefit its own regular worshippers, churches almost invariably welcome all comers to their services, and if a church is not regularly open at other times keys are usually available to visitors on request. The benefits arising from the Trust’s activities are accordingly available in all cases to a wide section of the public, without express qualification, and in many respects to the public as a whole, without exclusion of people in poverty.
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
Charities Act 2011 – Public Benefit (continued)
In considering applications for financial assistance, the Executive Committee has regard to the relative urgency of the works, the relative architectural, artistic or historic significance of the buildings or artefacts, the other resources available, the size and means of the worshipping community, and where applicable the benefit to the wider local community, thus investigating rigorously the various aspects of public benefit which may accrue from the proposed works.
10 Reserve Policy
Surplus funds at the end of the financial year are available for grants and concessionary loans to churches. The amount available comprises the bank and cash resources, less the amounts received as legacies invested to generate additional income and the amounts already committed but not paid by the end of the year. This is allocated to grants, based on income less expenditure (other than grants paid) in the year.
The balance of surplus funds and the amounts due to be received from churches as repayments in the immediately following financial year comprise the amount the Trustees make available for concessionary loans to churches.
11 Investment Policy
Our policy is that sufficient cash should be held in current accounts and short-term deposits to satisfy the immediate payment of grants, loans and the day-to-day expenditure of the Trust.
We seek to improve the rate of return on the funds held and not immediately required in the short term.
In doing so we seek medium to low risk funds which incorporate environmental, social and governance considerations into their investment strategy. Accordingly, ethical investments are encouraged.
We will invest in charitable collective investments funds. These will be professionally managed by the fund managers.
The Trustees will review this policy, liquidity requirements, returns obtained, risks accepted and how they are managed at least once a year, or more often as required.
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025 13. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees lo prepare financial slalements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure for the charity for that period. The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdon Accounting Standards (United Kingdon Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required lo: a) Select suitable arxounting policies and then apply them consistently,. b) Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP IFRS102)', c) Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., d) Prepare Ihe financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. 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, The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legalisalion in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of the financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by NICHOLAS LEIGH-SMI ,/ 2426 DATE
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust Annual Report of the Trustees For the Year Ended 30 June 2025 I report to the trustees on rry examinatk)n of the acojunts as set on p4es13 - 26 of Camtrnjgeshire HistoricChurchesTrust (the Trust)for the year endgj 30June 2025. Responslbilities and ba818 of re As thechanty trustees oftheTrus( ycw are resp)nsibk forthe preparabon oflhe accounts Ki with the requirements of the Chaths Act 2011 {'the Arf). I report in reswt Of examination oftheTrusls accounts carrEd out undef seth'on145 of the 2011 ActaThd in carrying outmy examinatTh I havefollowed alltheapplb1e DIrectIsgIVen ty the Chanty CommS# u sectson145(5){b) of the ACL Independent examinerfs StateEnt I havecompleted myexaminab'on. I confimithatnomaterialmattefs haVeC)jtornYattent10n in connection the examinab'on giviThJ cause to that in any material resFert 1. accounting recordswere n0tkeptinrespectoftheTruaSreqUlred by sethn130of the Art or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; ( 3. the accounts do not cpty w} the applicable requirerrEnts conceming the fomi contentof accounts setoutinthecharrties (Accounts and Reports) RegulatK)ns 2008 other than any Nuirement that the accounts gNe a 'true and fair VEW whth is t a matter considered as part ofan indeFendent examinatK)n. I have no COnmS and the corrE across rrf) otherffeatters in connection wth the examinab'on to whth attenb'on should tEdr in this [rt in orderto enable a proper understanding ofttE accounts to be reached. ALAN CHURCHARD DATE 12
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 30 June 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | ||||
| funds | funds |
Total funds |
Total funds |
||
| Note | £ |
£ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 4 | 38,170 |
10,542 |
48,712 |
48,970 |
| Charitable activities | 5 | 1,278 |
– |
1,278 | 547 |
| Investment income | 6 | 21,827 |
8 |
21,835 |
18,962 |
| Total income | 61,275 | 10,550 |
71,825 |
68,479 |
|
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ||
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 7,8 | 41,801 |
10,550 |
52,351 |
72,636 |
| Total expenditure | 41,801 | 10,550 |
52,351 |
72,636 | |
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ||
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| Net (losses)/gains on investments | 9 | (1,130) |
– |
(1,130) |
12,263 |
| Net income and net movement in | funds | 18,344 | – |
18,344 |
8,106 |
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ||
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 667,461 | 1,000 | 668,461 |
660,355 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 685,805 | 1,000 | 686,805 |
668,461 | |
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ||
| ======== | ==== | ======== | ======== |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on page1525152515s to form part of these financial statements.
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Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust Statement of Financial Position 30 June 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Investments 11279,763 220,893 Current assets Debtors Cash al bank and in hand 12120,766 112,375 313,066 382,302 433,832 494,677 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets 13 26,790 47,109 407,042 686,805 668,461 686,805 668,461 447,568 Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Funds of the charity Restricted funds Unrestncted funds 1,000 685,805 667,461 668,461 Total charity funds 14 686,805 These financial stalemenls were approved by the board of truslees 2nd authorised for issue on A A, , l 19 LU and are signed on behalf of the board by. ¢// ' Nicholas Leigh-smith Trustee The notes on pages15 to 25 fom) part of these financlal statements,
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 30 June 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is 9 The Chase, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 3DR.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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 (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound.
A Statement of Cash Flows is neither required nor presented.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
Other debtors
Debtors, other than concessionary loans but including those receivable if any after more than one year, are recognised at the settlement amount due.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that n o material uncertainties exist.
The trustees have considered for a period of at least, but not limited to, twelve months from authorising these financial statements the budgeted income and expenditure, and consider it sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
Cash at bank
Cash at bank includes highly liquid investments with instant access to funds which are held to meet cash commitments of the charity as they fall due, rather than as investments.
Creditors
Creditors are recognised when the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that more likely than not result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the settlement amount due can measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at, net of any discounts available, the settlement amount.
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Provisions
Provisions would be recognised for those concessionary loans and grants where there is uncertainty as to the timing or amount, and any uncertainty regarding the amount is more than one of determining a basis for reasonable estimation of the liability arising from that constructive obligation.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have been made in the process applying the above accounting policies that have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements:
The Trust has not experienced a bad debt (an irrecoverable concessionary loan) in its history to da Loan repayments are very seldom more than a month overdue. The Trustees have formed a judgement based on this experience that churches will continue to honour the concessionary loan repayments in a timely manner.
No key assumptions were made concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
Income tax
The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees 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 trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost 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.
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Incoming resources
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Donations are recognised at the earlier of entitlement or receipt. For the entitlement of donations be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.
For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or legacy being received. At this point income is recognised. On occasion legacies will be notified to the charity however it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed. On these occasions, the legacy would be treated as a contingent asset and disclosed.
Donated facilities and donated professional services are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity. For example the amount the charity would be willing to pay in the open market for such facilities and services. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure.
No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102 Further detail is given in the Trustees' Annual Report.
The charity does not receive gifts in kind.
The Trust is not a membership body and the facilities available to those who pay a subscription are also available to non-subscribing third parties, albeit in some limited instances at slightly higher cost. Membership subscriptions are thus in the nature of donations and are accounted for as such. Subscriptions shown include the amounts paid by those who have applied to be 'members' at the amounts paid by them.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when 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. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield of the investment portfolio.
Concessionary loans are made interest-free.
Interest receivable is recognised using the effective interest method. However, interest on concessionary loans and interest receivable on bank deposit accounts has not required adjustment, as the rate receivable reflects the effective interest rate applicable to the asset.
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Volunteers provide their services unpaid. No expense is recognised for the provision of services b volunteers. Expenses are recognised where the Trust agrees to reimburse appropriate expenses for, usually, printing and stationery.
Expenditure is categorised under the following headings:
-
Expenditure on charitable activities includes making grants to churches.
-
Costs of raising funds includes Ride and Stride prizes, expenses and contributions to participating churches. Engage awards (contributions to churches) are included in this heading. It also includes the costs of the annual conference.
-
Administration and management, and other expenditure not falling into the categories above.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.
Grants payable to churches are within the charitable objectives. Churches must first apply for the grant. The Executive Committee considers the application and, if appropriate, makes an offer in principle of the grant, subject to certain conditions. At this point, grants are recorded as contingent liabilities. When the Trust receives the formal acceptance by the church concerned of the terms and conditions of the grant, the Trust regards the grant offer as a constructive obligation to be provided as a liability and creditor.
Grants are generally made on practical completion of the work though roof alarm grants may be made earlier. When the church applies for payment, so long as it has previously formally agreed the terms and conditions and provided evidence of compliance, the grant liability is discharged by payment. Grant offers expire if not claimed within two years.
Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities. Where they are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity, they are attributed to the cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Investments
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument. They are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as 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.
The Trust does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.
All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are combined in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Financial instruments
Other than fixed asset investments (see above accounting policy), the trust makes social investments in the form of concessionary loans which are interest-free and may be payable after more than one year. Such loans are measured at the amount paid, with the carrying amount adjusted for any repayments (and adjusted if necessary to recoverable or settlement amount if the loan or part of the loan is irrecoverable or waived).
Other financial assets and financial liabilities of the trust are of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Such basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Contingent liabilities
A contingent liability is disclosed for those concessionary loans and grants, which do not represent liabilities, where the possible obligation, which arises from past events, will only be confirmed by the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the trustees' control.
In particular, loan and grant offers are shown as contingent liabilities when they are subject to the church concerned formally agreeing the terms and conditions. At this point, loans and grants cease to be contingent liabilities and become actual liabilities.
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Concessionary loans
Concessionary loans to churches are made in furtherance of the Trust's public benefit activities. Concessionary loans are interest-free and repayable, usually, over a four-year period on the anniversary of the loan advance.
The process for concessionary loans is similar to that of grants. Churches apply for the concessionary loan. The Executive Committee considers the application and, if appropriate, makes an offer in principle of the loan, subject to certain conditions which remain in the Trust's control. The church's formal acceptance of the terms and conditions of the loan is then obtained. Concessionary loan offers are considered contingent liabilities until such time as payment is requested.
When the church is able to apply for the concessionary loan, so long as it has formally agreed the terms and conditions and provided evidence of compliance, the loan is recognised and subsequently advanced. The only conditions which then remain concern repayment.
Loan offers expire if not claimed within 18 months.
The Trust has adopted the accounting policy choice in FRS 102 PBE 34.89(b) to measure these arrangements initially at the amount received or paid and recognise them in the statement of financial position. To the extent that a loan that has been made is irrecoverable, an impairment loss i s recognised in income and expenditure. Presentation and disclosure of discretionary loans follow the accounting treatment selected.
4. Donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds |
2025 |
|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | |||
| Donations & Legacies | 12,336 | 75 | 12,411 |
| Gift Aid | 1,462 | 1,950 | 3,412 |
| Sponsorship | |||
| Sponsored Ride and Stride | 11,896 | 8,517 | 20,413 |
| Subscriptions | |||
| Subscriptions Gift Aided | 10 | – | 10 |
| Other Subscriptions | 12,466 | – | 12,466 |
| 38,170 | 10,542 | 48,712 |
|
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | |
| ==== | ==== | ==== |
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
4. Donations and legacies (continued)
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Donations | |||||
| Donations & Legacies | 18,752 | – | 18,752 | ||
| Gift Aid | (3,364) | – |
(3,364) | ||
| Sponsorship | |||||
| Sponsored Ride and Stride | 10,482 | 10,616 | 21,098 | ||
| Subscriptions | |||||
| Subscriptions Gift Aided | 2,270 | – | 2,270 | ||
| Other Subscriptions | 10,214 | – | 10,214 | ||
| 38,354 | 10,616 | 48,970 |
|||
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | |||
| ==== | ==== | ==== | |||
| 5. | Charitable activities | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | 2025 |
Funds | 2024 |
||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Conference and events | 1,278 | 1,278 | 547 | 547 |
|
| ======================= | ======================= | ============== | ============== | ||
| 6. | Investment income | ||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | Funds | 2025 |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Income from listed investments | 8,682 | – | 8,682 |
||
| Bank interest receivable | 13,145 | 8 | 13,153 | ||
| 21,827 | 8 | 21,835 | |||
| ======================== | ======================== | ||||
| ==== | ============== | ==== | |||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | Funds | 2024 |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Income from listed investments | 6,703 | – | 6,703 |
||
| Bank interest receivable | 12,242 | 17 | 12,259 | ||
| 18,945 | 17 | 18,962 | |||
| ======================== | ======================== | ||||
| ==== | ============== | ==== |
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Charitable Objectives | 29,500 | – | 29,500 |
| Fund Raising Activities | 2,246 | 10,450 | 12,696 |
| Administration and Management | 10,055 | 100 | 10,155 |
| Support costs | – | – | – |
| 41,801 | 10,550 | 52,351 |
|
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | |
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Charitable Objectives | 50,100 | – | 50,100 |
| Fund Raising Activities | 1,790 | 10,573 | 12,363 |
| Administration and Management | 10,214 | 60 | 10,274 |
| Support costs | (101) | – |
(101) |
| 62,003 | 10,633 | 72,636 |
|
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | |
| ==== | ==== | ==== |
8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
| Activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| undertaken | Total funds | Total fund | ||
| directly | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Charitable Objectives | 29,500 | 29,500 | 50,100 |
|
| Fund Raising Activities | 12,696 | 12,696 | 12,363 |
|
| Administration and Management | 10,155 | 10,155 | 10,274 |
|
| Governance costs | – | – | (101) | |
| 52,351 | 52,351 | 72,636 |
||
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ||
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| Net (losses)/gains on investments | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 |
|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| (Losses)/gains on listed investments | (1,130) | (1,130) |
12,263 |
12,263 |
| ======================== | ======================== | |||
| ======================= | ======================= | ==== | ==== |
9. Net (losses)/gains on investments
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
10. Trustee remuneration and expenses
The Trustees received no emoluments in the year (2024 : £Nil).
The following Trustees or members of key management personnel received reimbursement for the following expenses or recognition for services during the year:
| Graham Pledger (Grant Secretary) expenses reimbursement Sue Holgate (Administrator) fees expenses reimbursement ============== |
2025 £ 15 2,202 361 2,578 ========= |
|---|---|
11. Investments
| Listed | |
|---|---|
| investments | |
| £ | |
| Cost or valuation | |
| At 1 July 2024 | 220,893 |
| Additions | 60,000 |
| Fair value movements | (1,130) |
| At 30 June 2025 | 279,763 |
| ======================== | |
| ======== | |
| Impairment | |
| At 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 | |
| Carrying amount | |
| At 30 June 2025 | 279,763 |
| ======================== | |
| ======== | |
| At 30 June 2024 | 220,893 |
| ======================== | |
| ======== |
All investments shown above are held at valuation.
Financial assets held at fair value
The investments are all held in CCLA, a charitable common investment fund and are divided between COIF Charitable Investment, Global Equity, Property and Fixed Interest Funds. The Investments are reflected at their fair market value at 30 June 2025 and reflected on the CCLA annual statements.
12. Debtors
| Prepayments and accrued income Gift Aid Tax Recoverable Other debtors ========== |
2025 £ 2,241 25 118,500 120,766 ============== ======== ========== |
2024 £ 625 – 111,750 112,375 ============== ======== |
|---|---|---|
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
| =========== 12. Debtors(continued) Concessionary loans to be repaid within one year Concessionary loans to be repaid after one year ========== Number of new concessionary loans advanced during the year Amount advanced as new concessionary loans during the year Amount received as concessionary loan repayments during the year 13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Other creditors |
============= ==== ======================== ==== 2025 £ 59,500 2024 £ 43,250 59,000 68,500 118,500 ============== ======== 111,750 ======================== ======== 7 6 93,000 93,000 86,250 118,875 2025 £ 86 2024 £ 5,409 2,704 2,700 24,000 39,000 26,790 47,109 |
|---|---|
Concessionary loans to churches totalling £85,000 (2024 : £132,000) had been approved by Trustees but loans had not been requested by the end of the financial year. It is expected that they would be taken up in the following year.
Grants to churches totalling £15,000 (2024 : £13,500) had been approved by Trustees but were, by the end of the financial year, conditional upon signed contracts being received.
14. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| At | Gains and | At | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2024 | Income |
Expenditure |
losses | 30 June 2025 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| General funds | 667,461 | 61,275 |
(41,801) |
(1,130) |
685,805 |
|||
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ========================== | |||||
| ======== | ==== | ==== | ======================= | ====== | ||||
| At | Gains and | At | ||||||
| 1 July 2023 | Income |
Expenditure |
losses | 30 June 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| General funds | 659,355 | 57,846 |
(62,003) |
12,263 |
667,461 | |||
| ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ======================== | ||||
| ======== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ======== |
Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 June 2025
14. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)
Designated funds
| At 1 July 2024 £ Roof Alarm Grants 1,000 Ride and Stride – 1,000 ======================= ============ At 1 July 2023 £ Roof Alarm Grants 1,000 Ride and Stride – 1,000 ======================= ============ |
Gains and At Income Expenditure losses30 June 2025 £ £ £ £ – – – 1,000 10,550 (10,550) – – 10,550 (10,550) – 1,000 ============ ==== ======================== ==== ============== ======================= Gains and At Income Expenditure losses 30 June 2024 £ £ £ £ – – – 1,000 10,633 (10,633) – – 10,633 (10,633) – 1,000 ============ ==== ======================== ==== ============== ======================= |
|---|---|
The Roof Alarm Designated Fund is an allocation of unrestricted funds for the purpose of assisting churches to install new roof alarms.
When sponsors give donations to participant individuals in the annual Ride and Stride event, they make such donations to the participants for the benefit of Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust generally. Where individual participants have taken part in the event for their own church, they give the money to the Trust usually with a request that one half be returned to the participating church.
The Trust regards these requests as designated funds since it is not under an obligation to use these donations for any particular purpose.
15. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 |
|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Investments | 279,763 | – | 279,763 |
| Current assets | 432,832 | 1,000 | 433,832 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (26,790) | – |
(26,790) |
| Net assets | 685,805 | 1,000 | 686,805 |
| ======================== | ======================== | ||
| ======== | ======================= | ======== | |
| Unrestricted | Designated | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 |
|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Investments | 220,893 | – | 220,893 |
| Current assets | 493,677 | 1,000 | 494,677 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (47,109) | – |
(47,109) |
| Net assets | 667,461 | 1,000 | 668,461 |
| ======================== | ======================== | ||
| ======== | ======================= ======== |