|
FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024 |
|
TRUSTEES REPORT |
|
|
|
The trustees present their report and accounts for theyearended30/09/2024 |
|
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
|
The principal activity of the charity in theyearunder review was |
|
As a charity, the Company is a charitable educational foundation, the objects of which are:
|
|
1. the advancement of education in the historical development of the Church of England and the Churches of the wider Anglican Communion;
|
|
2. the advancement of education in the doctrines of the Church of England and the Churches of the wider Anglican Communion, as held by those professing to stand within the Catholic tradition;
|
|
3. the advancement of religion in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England and the churches of the wider Anglican Communion. In pursuit of these objectives the Charity organises or supports conferences, symposia, seminars, and retreats; it publishes and supports the publication of books, tracts, journals and newsletters; it supports local groups meeting for study, discussion, worship and prayer;
|
|
and it co-operates with groups with similar aims. Examples of Affirming Catholicism's activities over the year in support of these aims can be found below under the Review of Activities
|
|
. |
|
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
|
BACKGROUND
|
|
Affirming Catholicism was formerly an unincorporated charity whose governing document was the charitable trust deed dated 18 December 1991 (charity number 1007291). A uniting direction under section 95(5) of the Charities Act 1993 was obtained on 29 July 2008, to unite the incorporated charity with this trust deed for registration and accounting purposes. The Charity is now governed by the
|
|
Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 21 November 2007, and registered by the Charity Commission in the central register of charities under 1122906. The Charity was incorporated on 22 November 2007 and is a company under limited guarantee (company number 6434273).
|
|
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
|
|
The Company's charitable activities are managed by the Directors of the Company, each of whom has executive responsibility for the development and execution of a different strand of activities, all of which are controlled and approved by the Board. Day to day management of administrative activities is delegated, but only on terms approved by the Board, to the Chairman, Company Secretary, Hon Treasurer and Administrator.
|
|
FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024 |
|
TRUSTEES REPORT |
|
|
All expenditure is made at the discretion of the Directors alone and is considered at their periodic Board meetings. In addition to the work done by the Company's paid parttime (one day a week) employee, the charitable work is dependent on the services of the unpaid executive and co-opted Directors and a limited number of ad hoc volunteers from among the Affirming Catholicism supporters' network, and by the limited but more specialist services we need to subcontract (e.g., design, printing, web site management). The activities of the Board are governed by Corporate Governance and Controls approved by the Directors.
|
|
The Directors are confident that the charitable work, under the continuing aegis of the charity's proven structure, continues to be carried out effectively and in accordance with its aims, and that at present there are sufficient funds available for these purposes.
|
|
TRUSTEES AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
|
|
These were
|
|
Mr Alan Davey Treasurer
|
|
Mr M. Perrett Administrator
|
|
Correspondence Address
|
|
St Peters Vicarage
|
|
6 Elmwood Road
|
|
Whitley Bay
|
|
NE25 8EX
|
|
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
|
|
Company and Charity Law requires the Directors as Trustees of the Charity 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 its financial activities for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to: "Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; "Make judgements and
|
|
estimates that are prudent and reasonable; "State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2006, the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements; "Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in business.
|
|
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity, and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
|
|
FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024 |
|
TRUSTEES REPORT |
|
|
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. To assist in this, they have established rules which govern the allocation of responsibilities and reporting lines within the Charity, and procedures and controls for the management of the Company and of its income and expenditure. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
|
|
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
|
|
1. Affirming Catholicism ran a series of online events known as the Agora during the year 2023-24. These are consultation meetings designed to secure a range of opinions from the Progressive Catholic wing of the Church of England, broadly defined, and to resource Affirming Catholics in Synod (ACiS).
|
|
The following Agoras took place:
|
|
3 November 2023: Feedback and discussion on a meeting board members and ACiS representatives had attended with the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace on concerns relating to the lack of progress in implementing Living in Love and Faith agreed at General Synod.
|
|
11 February 2024: Consideration of the Living in Love and Faith process and the related proposals with discussion which fed into the Affirming Catholicism briefing paper for the February General Synod. Followed by the AGM, which had been delayed by the secretary's incapacity. At that meeting,
|
|
Susan Patterson and Bill Rea were appointed to the board. Hannah Cleugh resigned having served three terms and was coopted to the board to act as Secretary. Charlotte Methuen was co-opted to continue to produce Briefing Papers for July's General Synod. Matthew Parkes was elected as Chaiman.
|
|
23 June 2024: Discussion of July's General Synod Agenda and development of briefing papers on the same.
|
|
2. Affirming Catholicism continued its Book Fund for ordinands, readers-in-training and curates undertaking further theological study. £1098 was distributed in book grants
|
|
3. A survey was issued on 7 November 2023 to find out more about our supporters' views on the blessing of same-sex relationships and on same-sex marriage to bolster our campaign messaging on these matters.
|
|
3. The Chair and members of the board were invited to participate in further stakeholder meetings in the Living in Love and Faith process and have contributed views informed by discussions at the Agoras.
|
|
4. On 29 July 2024 the Board issued a statement in relation to a commissioning service which had been held at St Helen's Bishopsgate, highlighting its concerns at the threat to unity this might pose for the Church of England, the sacramental implications and the questions it raises over Church discipline. This was picked up by the Church Times and ran as the headline story the next day. The Chair subsequently wrote to both Archbishops on behalf of the board, highlighting our concerns.
|
|
FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024 |
|
TRUSTEES REPORT |
|
|
PUBLIC BENEFIT
|
|
In setting out the aims and objectives of Affirming Catholicism the Directors have considered the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit (and supplementary guidance) for the advancement of religion. Although Affirming Catholicism has been primarily established by Anglicans, and has mostly been concerned with issues within the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, the very nature of the organisation, and the principles upon which it has been based, entail inclusivity and
|
|
openness in in Affirming Catholicism's activities. The teachings of the Anglicanism which we profess compel us to engage constructively with the world and with those of other faiths or none. In consequence, Affirming Catholicism's consultations and publications are available to all interested in the development of a liberal and inclusive view of the world and its people, and Affirming Catholicism's work of reflection on the agenda of General Synod, deals with many issues which are of serious concern to the wider community.
|
|
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
|
|
In the year to 30 September 2024, Affirming Catholicism achieved its aims primarily by presenting well-resourced briefing papers to the General Synod of the Church of England in February and July 2024.These were distributed to members of Affirming Catholics in Synod, a group numbering approximately seventy members. Each Agora , provided a good breadth of discussion and input for the briefing papers. The book grants resource the educational objectives of Affirming Catholicism. The Affirming Catholicism mailing list was declined during this period from 1200 to around 1000 email addresses, with emailed newsletters normally being opened by between 500 and 600 recipients. |
|
The report was prepared in accordance with the special provisions within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. |
|
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on19/02/2025 |
|
|
|
|
Mr M Parkes |
Trustee |
|
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT |
|
FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024 |
|
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OFAFFIRMING CATHOLICISM (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
|
I report on the accounts of the company for theyearended30/09/2024. |
|
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER |
|
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
|
|
The charity's gross income did not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member ofFMAAT.Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to an audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: |
|
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, ollow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act and
|
|
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention. |
|
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS STATEMENT |
|
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Statement of Financial Activities | |
for the year ended30/09/2024 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | Unrestricted funds | | Restricted funds | | Total | | Total |
| | | | £ | | £ | | £ | | £ |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from generated funds | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from Investments | | | | 3,046 | | - | | 3,046 | | 2,023 |
Income from charitable activities | | | | 10,892 | | - | | 10,892 | | 9,943 |
Total Income and endowments | | | | 13,938 | | - | | 13,938 | | 11,966 |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs of generating funds | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenditure on Charitable activities | | | | 11,204 | | 1,099 | | 12,303 | | 12,380 |
Total Expenses | | | | 11,204 | | 1,099 | | 12,303 | | 12,380 |
Net gains on investments | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | | | 2,734 | | (1,099) | | 1,635 | | (414) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Transfers between funds | | | | (82) | | 82 | | - | | - |
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assests | | | | | | | | | | |
Net movement in funds: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income for the year | | | | 2,652 | | (1,017) | | 1,635 | | (414) |
Total funds brought forward | | | | 76,879 | | 1,017 | | 77,896 | | 78,310 |
Net funds carried forward | | | | 79,531 | | - | | 79,531 | | 77,896 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
This statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCE SHEET AT 30/09/2024 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 |
| | Notes | | | | £ | | | | £ |
| | | | | | | | | | |
FIXED ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | |
Tangible assets | | 3 | | | | 104 | | | | 185 |
Investments | | 4 | | | | 61,350 | | | | 58,304 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 61,454 | | | | 58,489 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | |
Debtors (amounts falling due within one year) | | 5 | | 4,065 | | | | 1,770 | | |
Cash at bank and in hand | | | | 15,923 | | | | 20,007 | | |
| | | | 19,988 | | | | 21,777 | | |
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year | | 6 | | 1,911 | | | | 2,370 | | |
NET CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | 18,077 | | | | 19,407 |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | 79,531 | | | | 77,896 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL AND RESERVES | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Unrestricted funds | | 8 | | | | | | | | |
General fund | | | | | | 79,531 | | | | 76,879 |
Restricted funds | | 9 | | | | - | | | | 1,017 |
| | | | | | 79,531 | | | | 77,896 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
For the year ending 30/09/2024 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. |
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Approved by the board of trustees on 19/02/2025 and signed on their behalf by | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
............................. | | | | | | | | | | |
Mr M Parkes | | | | | | | | | | |
Trustee | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
............................. | | | | | | | | | | |
H F Cleugh | | | | | | | | | | |
Secretary | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |