Last week we experienced summer temperatures exceeding those on record so far. The phrase ‘Flaming June’ aptly sums up the current UK weather as the month draws to a close.

However, although used to describe the month’s weather, the phrase originates from a famous 1895 oil painting entitled ‘Flaming June’ by the British artist Sir Frederic Leighton, featuring a sleeping woman wearing a sheer, vibrant orange gown, curled up in a complex configuration on a marble bench.

To even the most untrained artistic eye, the painting is a complex work both in its vibrant colours and the positioning of its subject.

All that is by way of saying that the work we are involved in as treasurers, financial administrators, members of our church governing bodies, governance, risk management, planning for the future, dealing with people is rarely straightforward and frequently complex.

With that firmly in mind, our hope is that during the coming days you are able to find a quiet, temperature-cool corner in which to ponder on the contents of this Newsletter, which might provide an insight into some of the ‘complex issues’ you are currently facing.

Table of Contents:

• What’s new
  • The Places of Worship Renewal Fund: continuing pressure on the Government
  • Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: implementation
  • Tax-free car mileage rate increase
  • What is a Charity Trustee?
  • Changes to the process for filing Charitable Company Accounts at Companies House
  • Regulators join forces to remind the Public of their responsibilities when fundraising
  • AI blackmail – Image safety
  • Enjoying this month’s highlights?
• Points to Ponder
  • The opportunities presented by the World Cup
  • All-Party Parliamentary Group on Safeguarding in Faith Communities: Inquiry
  • Short day pilgrimages – Something to think about
• Partners in Ministry
  • Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Awards 2027
  • Risk management – Keeping people safe this summer
  • Mind the Gap Conference
  • easyfundraising – 250 free online fundraising packs available
• ACAT Training Programme
• Charities Engagement Team – Upcoming webinars
• Final Thought

God bless,

Ashley Ellis
ACAT Executive Officer

P.S. To make sure you don’t miss important updates, please add @acat.uk.com to your safe sender’s list. Some members have found our emails ending up in spam folders. We’ve put together a simple guide for Outlook, Gmail and other email providers at: https://www.acat.uk.com/make-sure-you-get-acat-emails/

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund: continuing pressure on the Government

#Finance & Fundraising, #News, #Encouraged Action

Members will be all too aware that the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme closed on 31st March. Consequently, churches will now have to meet the VAT charged on repairs, which previously would have been covered by the scheme.

There is concern within the sector that church buildings could fall into disrepair as a result.

However, a new government initiative has replaced the former scheme with its Places of Worship Renewal Fund, which provides £92 million over the next four years, setting aside £23 million per year.

Concerns raised in recent weeks that the Places of Worship Renewal Fund (PWRF) is unlikely to adequately replace the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS), which closed in March, continue to place additional pressure on the Government.

The National Churches Trust has pointed out that all repairs and maintenance at any listed place of worship will be subject to the full 20% VAT, with no reclaim scheme available, though some costs may be recoverable for churches receiving a PWRF grant. The £92 million set aside for the Fund is to be split across four years, a real-terms reduction on the LPWGS budget that has not kept pace with inflation. The new fund now also includes synagogues, temples and mosques, meaning individual grants may shrink as more places of worship compete for support.

Ashley Fox MP has urged the Government to reconsider scrapping the LPWGS, warning that current PWRF estimates fall well short of churches’ repair needs, risking irreplaceable buildings and placing an unsustainable burden on local communities.

In practical terms, the deadline for Expressions of Interest in the first funding round was extended to Sunday 14 June 2026, with responses due by 3 July, and full applications now due by 5 pm on Sunday 26 July. A second round is expected in September.

Whilst far from an acceptable successor to the LPWGS, the Fund still offers grant possibilities, and churches should seriously consider applying, if only to demonstrate to the Government the continuing need for such funding.

Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: implementation

#Charity Governance, #News, #Encouraged Action

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 began coming into force on 19 June 2025, with changes being phased in through to June 2026. New rules relating to the handling of data protection complaints come into force on 19 June 2026.

This Act permits charities to use the ‘soft opt-in’ exemption, allowing electronic marketing to people whose personal information they collect when they support or express an interest in the charity’s work, unless they object.

The main changes to existing Data Protection legislation and actions required were first summarised twelve months ago, but are repeated as follows:

• Where broad consent has been given, personal data may be used for scientific research, including for commercial purposes. Personal data may be re-used for scientific research without issuing a new privacy notice to individuals, provided this would involve disproportionate effort — though the organisation must still protect people’s rights and publish an explanation on its website.
• A new category of ‘recognised legitimate interest’ when using personal information for certain specified purposes — for example, protecting public security — removes the need to balance the impact on the individuals concerned against the benefits of that use.
• Personal data can be provided to organisations such as the police where they require it to perform their public duty, without the disclosing organisation having to decide whether that organisation needs it. The responsibility for that judgement rests with the organisation making the request.
• Re-use of personal data for certain specific purposes — such as archiving in the public interest — may be assumed to be compatible with the original purpose for which it was collected.
• Charities can use the personal data of those who support their work for electronic marketing or fundraising purposes, ‘soft opt-in’.
• Data holders must make reasonable and proportionate searches when a ‘subject access’ request is made by the individual asking for access to their own personal information.
• Special care needs to be taken where online information services are used by children.
• Organisations must have a process for handling data protection complaints. They must acknowledge receipt of complaints within 30 days, and then respond without undue delay, keeping the individual informed throughout.

Suggested Current Actions by Data Holders

• The person responsible within the organisation (Data Controller) should familiarise themselves with the changes.
• The requirements for providing online services to children are strictly followed.
• The Complaints procedure is fully adhered to, including providing a means for people to submit complaints electronically.
• The use of personal data for marketing purposes is reviewed.
• Contact with the Information Commissioner’s Office is maintained.

Published guidance is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

It is suggested that members ensure their church governing body is aware of these changes and that their Data Protection policy is updated accordingly.

Tax-free car mileage rate increase

#Finance & Fundraising, #News, #Information Only.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has increased the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles. The AMAP reduces to 25p per mile above 10,000 miles.

This rate is discretionary for employers and organisations that pay volunteers an AMAP.

This change has also been backdated to 6 April 2026. 

The freeze on fuel duty has also been extended until at least December 2026. 

What is a Charity Trustee?

#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action

One of the regular features published on the Charity Commission website are the various inquiries into charities, sadly also including churches, where the trustees have failed to comply with their statutory duties and responsibilities.

In many cases, this reflects a basic misunderstanding of what being a trustee involves.

I suspect that, with this in mind, the Charity Commission has published some very basic new guidance, entitled ‘What is a charity trustee?’ It includes:

• What trustees do
• What being a trustee involves
• The benefits of being a trustee
• Who can become a trustee
• Getting started, finding a charity to become involved with

It is always good to stand back sometimes and reflect on how effective we are in a particular role. So, a few minutes spent considering this very basic Commission guidance could be helpful.

Alternatively, why not book a place on the ACAT ‘Trustee Training for Churches’ Course, Session 1, 4 July, Session 2, 11 July.

Changes to the process for filing Charitable Company Accounts at Companies House

#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Information Only

For those larger churches and Christian charities that may be incorporated as charitable companies, this will be of particular relevance.

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023), the government will reform how companies report information and what they include when filing their annual accounts with Companies House. 

The aims of these reforms are to:

• Improve the transparency, accuracy and reliability of data on the companies register
• Inform business decisions
• Modernise practices in line with other countries
• Combat economic crime

The basic requirements of the reforms will:

• Require small companies and micro entities to file profit and loss accounts with Companies House as other companies do, but with the option to opt out of publishing this information on the public register.
• Require all companies to file their annual accounts via commercial software.
• Remove the option for companies to file abridged accounts.
• Strengthen the eligibility statement for all companies claiming an audit exemption.
• Require component parts of the filed accounts and reports to all be filed together.
• Reduce the number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference period.

These reforms will come into effect from 1 April 2028, a change from the original date of 1 April 2027.

Regulators join forces to remind the Public of their responsibilities when fundraising

#Finance & Fundraising, #News, #Encouraged Action

The Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator have published new, joint guidance to help people who want to raise funds for charity. 

Whilst this guidance is aimed primarily at individuals and private groups fundraising for a specific cause, there are some helpful pointers which churches should take note of both in their general fundraising and when seeking donations for a particular project.

In practice, churches should ensure that they clearly communicate:

• Whether donations are being sought to support the church’s general funds or a specific purpose.
• The amount being sought and the fundraising target required.
• How the funds raised will be spent, whether for general purposes or a particular project.
• Provide sufficient details about any specific project for which donations are being sought.
• The consequences if the fundraising target is not met.
• Whether the fundraising appeal is time-limited.
• Who donors should contact if they have any questions.

AI blackmail – Image safety

#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action

A recent incident in a UK school has highlighted the risks that images on websites can pose to organisations working with children and young people. Although this incident happened to a UK school, new guidance has been published aimed at all organisations who work with children and young people. In short, criminals are using AI tools to take ordinary photographs of children from websites and social media, manipulate them to create illegal material, and use it to blackmail organisations. Churches should read this guidance and consider what action may be appropriate, considering the reputational, legal and pastoral damage this could cause. The UK Online Harms Early Warning Working Group recommends the following:

• Ensuring images do not contain identifiable information
• Using imagery that is harder to misuse or abuse
• Applying privacy settings
• Removing metadata
• Embedding image security awareness and practices

We urge you to read the full guidance on the UK Safer Internet Centre’s website. This topic, among others, will also be discussed during our Introduction to Computer Security for churches course in July.

The opportunities presented by the World Cup 

#Faith & Theology in Action, #Opinion, #Encouraged Action.

It cannot have escaped the notice of many in the country that the Men’s World Cup has begun in America.

As a sport-loving nation, this spectacle every four years represents an opportunity for us to set aside the challenges, concerns and worries of everyday life, if only for a few weeks.

Football has a unique ability to bring people together from all parts of our communities, including people of faith and none. It also offers an opportunity, as if we need reminding, for special outreach.

So, the question is: How should our local churches respond to this opportunity? – Some suggestions:

• Hold a match-specific welcome party for church members who are fans and their friends.
• Create World Cup-related news and content for your church website.
• Advertise in the local news media that your church is holding World Cup-related events.
• Pray for the growing number of Christian players representing their national teams and sharing their faith.
• Pray also for the welfare and safety of all those involved in the host countries.
• Access and use the various prayer and information resources available on the internet.

Dr Rachel Jordan-Wolf, director of Hope Together, says:
​“The World Cup is a unique opportunity, and we want every church in the UK to be equipped to make the most of it.”

Numerical and spiritual growth, energising the life of our churches and communities, should be the tangible result for us, whoever finally takes home the trophy.

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Safeguarding in Faith Communities: Inquiry

#Church Life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action

Included in our week 20 News Updates was information regarding the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Safeguarding in Faith Communities inquiry, which remains open to submissions until 10 July.

The background to this was a 2025 briefing note published by the Christian safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight, which provides the secretariat to the APPG. 

This briefing note warned of “significant” gaps in the current definition of regulated activity – which barred individuals must not do – within faith communities. This included examples where the frequency with which volunteers may encounter children and young people can fall below the threshold of being regulated. 

Furthermore, it was suggested that “Faith leaders and other trusted figures may not in some circumstances be properly vetted, leading to misplaced trust”.

Safeguarding in our churches is one area where we must not be complacent, but regrettably, we do frequently fall short of the standards required.

Members are encouraged to take part in this inquiry and, if appropriate, make a submission to the APPG. 

Additionally, review, as your church should periodically, current safeguarding policy and procedures. Identify those situations in which volunteers or trusted church members might not be correctly vetted for some circumstances which could cause them to be in contact with children, young people and adults at risk.

Short day pilgrimages – Something to think about

#Church Life & Community, #Opinion, #Encouraged Action

For most people, the notion of Pilgrimage conjures up lengthy Journeys on foot covering many miles, aiming finally to reach a place of deep spiritual significance. 

The BBC Pilgrimage series has done a great deal in recent years, if not to encourage the idea, certainly to bring the concept to a wider public.

For most people, time and family commitments preclude embarking on a lengthy pilgrimage, such as the Camino de Santiago, which perhaps could be accomplished in stages over several years.

Resurrecting ancient pilgrimage routes and establishing newer ones, as demonstrated by the opening of a route on Anglesey to commemorate 6th-century Welsh saints, are examples of the popularity of pilgrimage among folk of all faiths and none.

However, as the British Pilgrimage Trust has evidenced, short one-day experiences can be transformative. So, what are the motivations and potential benefits of pilgrimage:

• Pilgrimage offers a demonstrably different experience from our normal daily pattern.
• It can provide a spiritual connection to a specific place.
• It can help us reconnect with nature and the countryside.
• It provides time for personal reflection and spiritual refreshment.
• It can be undertaken in memory of a loved one.
• When undertaken with a group, it can help us get to know other members of our community.
• It can deepen our awareness of the spiritual and historical significance of a particular place or pathway.
• It is accessible to people regardless of their level of religious faith or spiritual experience.

For those of us whose lives may be taken up with church financial management and governance issues, the benefits of a short day in the open country, focusing on a particular historical place or pathway of spiritual significance, can significantly outweigh the possibility of sore feet and aching limbs.

So, with summer well and truly here, get the walking boots out. If you don’t possess any, buy some.

Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Awards 2027

#Finance & Fundraising, #News, #Encouraged Action

Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Awards (MBA) grants are awarded annually to individual Anglican clergy in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Europe. The grants are open to Ministers, Archdeacons, Bishops, Deans, and Assistants.

These awards offer clergy an opportunity for life-changing renewal and personal development, enriching not only themselves but also their congregation, local community, and the wider church.

Established in 1987, the Ecclesiastical MBAs have provided over £1.4 million to help more than 1,500 members of the clergy finance a wide range of extended sabbatical projects.

Applications for 2027 sabbaticals are now open. The period for submission of applications commenced in April and will end in September. During that time all relevant forms and information are available via the link below. Applications will be assessed in November 2026, with awards made in December 2026.

This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for our Anglican members.

Risk management – Keeping people safe this summer

#Church Life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action

The onset of summer brings with it opportunities for all types of outreach events, both inside and outside church premises. Ecclesiastical has issued some helpful advice for churches of all sizes, irrespective of whether part of a denomination or independent.

The essential message is to ensure that your church has a Health and Safety policy which incorporates risk assessment and management with clear lines of responsibility. 

Having such a policy will not guarantee freedom from accidents or incidents, but it should protect and reduce the risk of them happening in the first place, together with demonstrating that all precautions were put in place to mitigate such issues.

If anything does go wrong at a church event, it is the trustees, as members of the governing body, who will ultimately be held responsible.

The message here to members is, “better safe than sorry.”  Ensure that you not only have a current Health and Safety policy in place, but also one that incorporates risk assessments for all church-based events.

Mind the Gap Conference

Our partners over at The Church Office are running a conference for church leaders, operations managers, trustees, PCC members, and key team members leading in that space.

Much of church leadership doesn’t happen on the platform; it happens in the GAP.

The space between vision and delivery. Between responsibility and authority. Between senior leaders and the wider team.

Through practical teaching and honest conversation, they will explore:

• What life in the GAP really feels like and how to navigate it well.
• The skills needed to lead with clarity in complexity.
• How to work effectively with senior leaders and teams.
• How to lead with influence

The conference will be running once in the north and once in the south:

The South Conference: 16 September

The North Conference: 29 September

Gavin Smith, founder of The Church Office, will be our keynote speaker at the ACAT Conference 2026, and we encourage you to learn more about the Mind the Gap Conference as well as ACAT’s.

easyfundraising –  250 free online fundraising packs available

Whatever your church is raising money for, the team at easyfundraising can help you. This month, they are offering 250 exclusive fundraising packs to churches.

To get your complimentary pack, register your church with easyfundraising (it’s free don’t worry!) and when prompted, schedule a call with a member of the easyfundraising team who will send you your pack and explain how easyfundraising can help your church with funding. But be quick – once the packs are gone, they’re gone!

easyfundraising is a free, easy, and accessible way for your congregation and clergy to raise funds for your church. They simply shop online with their favourite retailers, including eBay, Amazon, Booking.com, Tesco, Trainline, Argos, M&S, and 8,000 others via the easyfundraising website or app and the retailer they shop with sends your church monetary donations.  Find out more here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/acat/

• Trustee Training for Churches (2-session course)
  • Date: Saturday 4, 11 July
  • Time: 10 AM – 12 Noon

• Gift Aid: Maximising the benefits and reducing the pitfalls
  • Date: Monday 6 July
  • Time: 7 – 9 PM

• Introduction to Computer Security for churches
  • Date: Tuesday 14 July
  • Time: 7.30 – 8.30 PM

• ACAT Conference 2026
  • Date: Saturday 17 October
  • Time: 9.30 AM
  • Location: Bristol

• ACAT Conference 2026 – Livestream
  • Date: Saturday 17 October
  • Time: 9.30 AM

If you have any questions about our training, please contact Cath Fox.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales registers and regulates charities to ensure that the public can support charities with confidence. Through regular events, the Charities Engagement Team supports trustees and charity leaders to manage their charities effectively.

Courses for July are open for bookings.

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Charity no. 1072733 Registered address: Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers, C/O KM Accountants, 1st Floor, Block C, The Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG.