The Rural Community Council of Essex
Analysis
The Rural Community Council of Essex is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Colchester. It was registered in April 2003, 23 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04609624). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2026, The Rural Community Council of Essex reported income of £1.7m and spending of £1.8m, spending 104% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income fell from £2.5m to £1.7m (-31%), an average of -8.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income dropped by 35%. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, The Rural Community Council of Essex sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include St Luke's Parochial Trust (£1.7m), Beis Ruchel School Ltd (£1.7m) and The Royal Naval Benevolent Society for Officers (£1.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 98% and investments 2.0%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £379k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 63 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.4%
- Charitable activities 98%
- Investments 2.0%
In the charity's own words
RCCE works to provide local communities with the skills, resources and expertise necessary to achieve a thriving and sustainable future, specialising in working with local community groups in villages and market towns across Essex on community-led planning, village halls and community buildings, funding, housing enabling, transport and access to services.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| St Luke's Parochial Trust | London | £1.7m |
| Beis Ruchel School Ltd | Manchester | £1.7m |
| The Royal Naval Benevolent Society for Officers | London | £1.7m |
| Action Foundation | Newcastle Upon Tyne | £1.8m |