_**Worshipping God, Making Disciples, Transforming Community**_
## **St Nicolas Church, Nuneaton**
_Serving Nuneaton since 1155_
**Annual Report**
**and Financial Statements**
**of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)**
**for the year ending 31[st] December 2024**
## **Registered Charity Number 1126349**
## **Incumbent:**
Rev Chris Routledge
_The Vicarage 61 Ambleside Way Nuneaton CV11 6AU_
## **Bank:**
Cooperative Bank
## **Independent Examiner:**
## Neil Screaton
_Screatons Chartered Accountants Midlands Accountants Screatons Ltd Atherstone College Ratcliffe Road Atherstone_
_Warwickshire CV9 1LF_
## Contents
**Contents 2 Aim and purposes 3 Objectives and Activities 3 Achievements and Performance 3** Worshipping God: Worship and Prayer 4 Sunday Worship 4 Children’s, Families and adults with additional needs Work 4 Seasonal Worship 4 Wednesday Worship (Book of Common Prayer) 4 Home Communions & Visiting 4 Prayer Circle Team 4 Occasional Offices & Special Services and Events 4 Making Disciples: Evangelism, Vocation and Pastoral Care 4 Lent Courses 4 Alpha Courses 5 Pastoral Visiting, Prayer and vocational discussions 5 Serving & Transforming Community: Mission and Outreach 5 Community Service: 5 Community Events 2023: 5 Community Investment: Mission Giving 5 Community Spaces: St Nicolas Parish Centre 5 Community Partnerships: 6 How many church members do we have? 7 **Financial Review 7** St Nicolas P.C.C Treasurer’s Annual Report for 2022 7 **Additional Information 9**
Volunteers 9
**Structure, governance and management 10 Administrative information 10**
## **Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Nicolas Church, Nuneaton 2024**
## Aim and purposes
St. Nicolas Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Chris Routledge, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church Centre complex of St. Nicolas.
## Objectives and Activities
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St. Nicolas as we serve St Nicolas Parish and the town of Nuneaton. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services and activities can involve and reach out to the many groups that live within our parish. Our services, worship and activities put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
To help us with this goal, during 2024 as in the previous year, St Nicolas PCC have met with St James PCC on a number of occasions and have continued to develop and work on the Mission Action Plan and a shared missional priority - namely _**‘to develop a culture within the churches of invitation and welcome’.**_ In addition to this, the two churches share an Incumbent, Leadership Team, Administrator, Treasurer and Safeguarding Team.
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
The PCC has also regularly considered its duty to have due regard to House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and received regular Safeguarding reports from the Safeguarding Team. The Church is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of its ministry and mission, promoting a safer culture and the welfare of every child, young person and adult. As such, the Church has robust policies, procedures and guidelines in place, to ensure good practice throughout the central organisation, its 42 dioceses and other Church bodies.
The Church of England will:
Promote a safer environment and culture
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Safely recruit and support all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults within the Church
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Respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
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Care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
Care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
Respond to those that may pose a present risk to others
In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
- **Worshipping God:** Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
- **Making Disciples:** Provision of pastoral care, Evangelism and discipleship for people living in the parish and their networks.
- **Transforming Community** : Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. Nicolas and the Church Centre.
## Achievements and Performance
In our review of 2024, PCC members commented on the following as highlights for the year (in no particular order):
- working together with St James
- Increase in people’s involvement in socials and concerts
- Growth of connection with the Church school and the church
- The Heritage weekends
- New Curate: Modupe
- Harvest collections for the Food Bank
- Lent Quiet Day
- Collecting for the Salvation Army Toy service
- New Piano
- Derek Paravicini Concert
- Eco Church
- The handbell ringers
## Worshipping God: Worship and Prayer
## Sunday Worship
Worship is overseen by the Vicar and led by a strong and growing Lay team of Service Leaders (7 members), supported by active participation from church members with Bible Reading, Welcome, Refreshments and hospitality, AV and intercessions. St Nicolas Church is also well supported with music during worship with a growing **Worship Singing Team** (10 regular members) supported by dedicated Organist, Anthony Newborough. We also have a locally Commissioned Lay Leader (SallyAnn Veasey) with a remit to support our development in becoming more accessible in our worship. Sally Ann has supported the All Age Services specifically with Music and plays an active role on the Leadership Team and leading services.
During 2024, the PCC has continued the worship pattern as follows: 1st & 3rd Sundays - Holy Communion (with Children’s groups) 2nd Sunday - Morning Praise (with Children’s groups) - during 2025 we have decided not to run children’s groups on the 2nd Sunday
4th Sunday - Altogether (All Age Worship)
## Children’s, Families and adults with additional needs Work
Children’s and adults-with-additional-needs inclusion work remains available most weeks through a dedicated team who provide supported activities that help young people explore faith topics at an age and stage appropriate level. A number of this team are also part of the All Age Service Leaders Team which works across both St James and St Nicolas Churches: The leadership of the All Age Team was initially from our associate minister, Adrian Guthrie and was passed on to Sally- Ann Veasey when he retired at the end of September 2024.
## Seasonal Worship
Seasonal Worship (i.e. Christmas, Harvest, Easter etc) often has additional/seasonal liturgical elements as appropriate and
additional opportunities such as Christmas Community Choir, Handbell Ring and Sing team, Taize Singers etc These are open more broadly as they are occasional (not regular).
## Wednesday Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
During 2024 we continued a weekly Service in this more traditional format. We regularly get between 10-15 people at this each week: 1st & 3rd Wednesday is Holy Communion (BCP)
2nd & 4th Wednesday is Bible study and discussion led by our PTO Readers: John Hitchcock and Terry Lenton
## Home Communions & Visiting
In addition to this we take Holy Communion to those who can’t attend worship regularly any longer due to ill health. Currently there are about 7 people we regularly visit as well as around 10 at Caldwell Lodge and 15 at Caldwell Grange Nursing homes. Visiting is coordinated by Terry & the late Jean Lenton until her death in August 2024. We are grateful for their ministry and for Terry’s continued support.
## Prayer Circle Team
A small team of dedicated intercessors are available to pray for specific requests as and when they are requested. This is coordinated by Jean and Terry Lenton
## Occasional Offices & Special Services and Events
As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping. We have celebrated 7 baptisms (2 of which were Adult baptisms) and 8 confirmations by the Acting Bishop of Coventry Bishop Ruth. There were 5 weddings and have been 7 funerals in 2024: 3 in church, and 4 at the crematorium conducted by ministers from St Nicolas. We also have occasional special services, often in the evening, to mark particular events or seasons such as the Coronation, Taize Healing service in Lent, Memorial services etc.
## Making Disciples: Evangelism, Vocation and Pastoral Care
## Courses
During Lent 2024 two lent groups were run across the two Parishes both using material from the York course. This precipitated a home group which continued to meet throughout 2024 and beyond. Alpha continued in January and beyond and a follow up group enabled participants to continue meeting and number of which went on to confirmation in October 2024.
## Pastoral Visiting, Prayer and vocational discussions
The Vicar is available to meet with anyone in the church or community who wants to explore faith and God’s calling on your life further or if someone is unwell and would benefit from prayer for healing and/or a visit. A number of such visits took place during 2024 and remain available into the future.
## Serving & Transforming Community: Mission and Outreach
## Community Service:
During 2024, we continued to run **SWANS** weekly, led by Sally-Ann Veasey. This aims to provide activities and support for those suffering with or caring for those with Dementia and also provides a useful support and activity for those who are feeling isolated for other and varied reasons. The St Nicolas Group is one of two such groups run in the Nuneaton Area (the other run at St James Church). We also began Baby Jammers at St James Church hall during 2024.
Two other key groups that we have supported (though do not formally manage) are **Baby Hub** (a stay and play activity-based group) to help new parents find support, activity and socialisation for their preschool children. The other group is the long standing **Child Contact Centre** which provides free (donation based and volunteer-led) supported access for families who, through court orders would not be otherwise able to have direct contact with each other.
## Community Events 2024:
Throughout 2024 we have run a variety of events and concerts designed to help members of our existing church family invite their friends and contacts and welcome those who might not ordinarily come into the church building. These have ranged from fundraising events such as Summer Barn Dance & Fish and chips for the Megan Newborough foundation; Spring Concerts at St James; Atherstone Choral Society; Quiz nights, Historic Churches Open days; St Nicolas Festival and Harvest Supper etc
Community Investment: Mission Giving On hold during 2024 - payments to made and updates during 2025
## Community Spaces: St Nicolas Parish Centre
**The centre** is a very popular venue and used every day by a wide range of community groups in Nuneaton and beyond (church, social services, children, etc.) for functions, meetings, and classes. Feedback is always positive from users who value the social support and opportunity to meet like minded groups of people.
Some of the long-established groups who use the centre include:
- Contact Centre – weekly group sessions for supported contact
- SWANS – Nuneaton based dementia group providing a fun outlet through singing for carers and those they care for.
- U3A – an association for people who have finished working full time or raising their families, who want to pursue other interests or try something new. Bridge Club
- GKR - Karate Classes
- Baby Hubs - play groups, baby massage, mummy meets, baby art sessions, etc.
- Sahil – Asian Community Support Group
- Royal Osteoporosis Society – Quarterly meetings, talks, etc.
- Yoga – Wednesday & Thursday
- Accord – Women’s Specialist offenders support group
- Warwickshire Tai chi – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday evenings
- Paul Gannon Karate – Saturday afternoon
- SWFT NHS Child Health Clinic – Weekly Friday mornings
- Narcotics Anonymous Recovery Meetings - Wednesday Evenings
- Bereavement Hub - Alternate Friday Afternoons
There are also rooms used for private parties and celebrations.
**The centre is now thriving and in use most days and nights. This is very positive for the future.**
## Community Partnerships:
## St Nicolas School Partnership:
St Nicolas School is a Church of England Academy with strong historic links. These links have been developing well with Dawn Beasley, an active member of our Congregation as Chair of Governors. The vicar is regularly involved in school collective worship and year groups visit the church at least once each year. During 2024, two visits during the year for most year groups happened with summer term visits as well as seasonal visits. The Church gifted a bible to each year 6 leaver as a reminder of their time at St Nicolas School. The school had a very positive SIAMS inspection, and the church is actively involved in supporting the school with this. In 2024, a new headteacher Ian Meickle was welcomed at St Nicolas Church in September 2024
## Deanery Synod
Within Coventry diocese, St Nicolas is in the Nuneaton Deanery. This is led by Area Dean Rev Dave Poultney and Assistant Area Dean Rev Alison Shaw alongside lay Chair Dave Spiers. Three members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church. The Deanery also operates a local Mission Hub to support deanery churches through All Saints Bedworth.
## Ecumenical Relationships
The church is a part of Churches Together network in Nuneaton, and is involved with the Saints project, with the Vicar on the Saints advisory committee. Saints hosted a Christmas Family fund day using St Nicolas Church at Christmas 2024 as well for a student lounge project which we are involved with developing youth and pastoral work in KE6. The Vicar regularly meets church leaders of the Nuneaton Churches and seeks to explore opportunities for collaborative work and ministry.
## Interfaith Relationships
During 2024 St Nicolas was involved with a walk of faith organised by the Bahai community in Nuneaton, featuring a number of the faith communities of Nuneaton.
## Civic Relationships
As Nuneaton's longest serving Church of England church, St Nicolas has an important role within the civic life of the local community. During 2024 we have been involved in events with the George Eliot Society, Nuneaton Historical Association, local councillors, MP, Local Schools (Higham Lane, Etone, Milby), Nuneaton District Guides and the town’s Civic Remembrance Sunday event.
## How many church members do we have?
It is difficult to gauge an accurate number as there are varying ways to understand membership of a church like St Nicolas.
All are welcome to attend our services and events. Some identify with St Nicolas because it is the Parish Church, others because it is the Town Church, others still because it is their spiritual home.
The average weekly attendance, counted during October, was 84, but this number increased at festivals and Christmas carol services with recording 181 during our Christmas Services 2024 and 130 during our Easter Services 2024
Our Electoral Roll shows the following membership:
**Year Resident Non residents Total on roll**
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2019 62 31 93
2020 68 39 107
2021 69 39 108
2022 69 39 108
2023 70 39 109
2024 68 38 106
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Our Facebook Account has 434 likes and 548 followers
## Report on the Fabric, goods and ornaments of the Church
See Dashboard.
A huge number of tasks have been done to ensure that the church is safe, watertight, warm and welcoming. Our Churchwardens run a fabric dashboard to enable the PCC to see the progress and status of the many projects undertaken on their behalf.
|||**_St. Nicolas Parish Church_**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**_DASHBOARD - FABRIC_**|||
||**KEY**||||
|
**Urgent Job to**
**be completed**
**Project ongoing /**
**still to be complete**
**Project**
**completed**
**and paid in**
**full**
**Project**
**rejected**
**Number**
**_Project /_**
**_Repairs_**
**_Referenc_**
**_e Area_**
**_Aim of Project_**
**_Cost_**
**_Status_**
**1**
**Repair to**
**Large TV**
**screen**
**Internal -**
**Front of**
**Church**
**To enable the**
**screen to go flat to**
**the wall**
**£1.300.00**
**Repair**
**cancelled**
**due costs to**
**high**
**2**
**Transfer of**
**fuse box /**
**contents**
**from NBCC**
**to St. Nicolas**
**Church**
**External - by**
**main**
**entrance to**
**driveway**
**To give flood**
**lighting to path**
**from the Church to**
**the Car park**
**£4,783.70**
**Standing**
**Committee**
**rejected**
**costs. Will be**
**part of a new**
**project in**
**2024**
**3**
**To illuminate**
**to trees**
**outside the**
**Church**
**Centre**
**External -**
**Outside**
**main glass**
**doors to CC**
**To give flood**
**lighting effect to**
**large trees**
**especially around**
**the Advent**
**season**
**Project on**
**hold until**
**funding in**
**place**
~~—~~||||**costs. Will be**
**part of a new**|
|**4**|**To switch on**
**the 6 current**
**flood lights**
**around the**
**church**|**the 6 current**
**External -**
**Exisiting**
**flood lights**
**to be**
**changed to**
**LED**|**To flood light the**
**the front and**
**north aisle of the**
**Church Building**|**John now**
**looking at**
**installed**
**lights as**
**replacement**
|**John and**
**Leon have**
**now finished**
**replacing the**
**the outdooor**
**flood lights**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**5**|**ECO Project**|**Outside /**
**Inside**
**Church**
**Building**|**ECO Group to look**
**at Trial for infra**
**red heating zones**
**in Church.**
**Replacing inside**
**Lighting & upgrade**
**to Coutyard**|**ECO Group to look**
**Lighting & upgrade**
**Grants may**
**be available**
**up to**
**£10.000**|**Project**
**Group to**
**meet up**
**during 2025**|
|**6**|**Bell Frame in**
**Tower to be**
**painted**|**Bell Frame in**
**Internal -**
**Main Tower**|**Re-painting of**
**Horizontal RSJ's**
**and the metal**
**vertical supports**|**Price agreed**
**by SC & PCC**
**of £5122. 00**|**Project**
**completed**
**by Space**
**Creators**|
|**7**|**Service to**
**Clock**|**Internal -**
**Main Tower**|**Main Clock not**
**working and needs**
**to be taken away**
**to be repaired**|**working and needs**
**Report and**
**quote now**
**received**
**for£13,340.**
**Project put**
**on hold until**
**sufficient**
**funds are in**
**place**|**on hold until**
**SLT have put**
**the project**
**on hold**|
|**8**|**New Controls**
**to Heating**
**Controls in**
**Church**
**Centre**|**New Controls**
**Internal -**
**Church**
**Centre**|**To provide zonel**
**controls to various**
**parts of the Church**
**Centre**|**controls to various**
**parts of the Church**
**Agree**
**between**
**Nick and**
**Daly**
**Enginnering**|**Heating now**
**working in**
**Church**
**Centre**|
|**9**|**Small**
**Infrared**
**Heater for**
**the Church**
**Building e.g.**
**Leake**
**Chapel**|**Building e.g.**
**Internal -**
**Church**
**Building**|**To heat small**
**areas in the church**
**without putting**
**the main heating**
**on**|**areas in the church**
**£109.95**|**Heater**
**purchased**
**from Castle**
**Heaters for**
**trial in the**
**Leake Chapel**
**and the**
**Chancel**|
|**10**|**3 Small**
**Heaters for**
**the Church**
**Building &**
**Church**
**Centre Hall**|**Internal -**
**Church**
**Building &**
**Hall**|**To heat small**
**areas in the church**
**without putting**
**the main heating**
**on**|**areas in the church**
**£90.00**|**Heater**
**purchased &**
**now in use**
**around the**
**Church**
**Building **|**purchased &**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**11**|**Stone Mason**
**Repairs to**
**various parts**
**of the Church**
**Building**|**Stone Mason**
**various parts**
**of the Church**
**External -**
**Church**
**Building**|**As per**
**Quinquennial**
**report Septemebr**
**2020**|***Est cost by**
**Parkinson,**
**Dodson &**
**Associates**
**£10,550.**
**Nick**
**obtaining**
**quotes for**
**urgent stone**
**repairs**|**urgent stone**
**on-going,**
**discussed at**
**SLT to leave**
**all**
**outstanding**
**repairs until**
**after the**
**Quinquennia**
**l next year**||
|**12**|**Repairs to**
**Church**
**Building as**
**per**
**Quinquennia**
**l Report 2020**
**(various)**|**l Report 2020**
**External -**
**Church**
**Building**|**As per**
**Quinquennial**
**report Septemebr**
**2020**|***Est cost by**
**Parkinson,**
**Dodson &**
**Associates**
**£16,700.**|**on-going,**
**discussed at**
**SLT to leave**
**all**
**outstanding**
**repairs until**
**after the**
**Quinquennia**
**l nextyear**||
|**13**|**Fire Risk**
**Assessment**|**Internal -**
**Church**
**Building**|**To bring the**
**Church building up**
**to Fire Safety**
**Regulations**|**Church building up**
**£475.00**|**Completed in**
**February**
**2024**|**Completed in**|
|**14**|**Repair to**
**Kitchen Roof**|**Church**
**Centre**|**Urgent repairs**
**carried following**
**leak into Kitchen**|**£3,754.80**|**Completed**
**27/06/24**||
|**15**|**Repair to**
**Roof in OGS**|**Old**
**Grammer**
**School**|**Urgent repairs**
**carried out**
**following leak into**
**Cupboard in office**
**over electrical**
**switches**|**following leak into**
**Cupboard in office**
**Final Invoice**
**now paid**|**Completed in**
**May 2024**|**Completed in**|
|**16**|**Fire Doors**|**Church**
**Centre**|**Following Fire Risk**
**Assessment new**
**fire door required**
**in the Kitchen and**
**all Fire doors in**
**Church Centre to**
**be taken off and**
**rehung with a**
**3mm gap between**
**door and frame.**
**The underneath**
**stairs in the**
**OGS to be boxed**
**in to bring up to**
**date to Fire**
**Regulations and**
**cables in the**
**cupboard in the**
**office to be boxed**
**in to fire**
**standards**|**Following Fire Risk**
**3mm gap between**
**All invoices**
**now paid**|**All work now**
**completed**
**16/12/24**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**17**|**Organ**
**Repairs**|**Internal -**
**main Church**|**Repairs & tunning**
**carried out to**
**Organ**|**£408.00**|**Completed**
**by Peter**
**Spencer -**
**Dec 2024**|
|**18**|**Boiler**
**Repairs**|**Church**
**Centre**|**Urgent repairs**
**carried out to**
**Boiler in Church**
**Centre**|**Final Invoice**
**paid**|**Completed**
**by Daly**
**Engineering**|
|**19**|**Extension to**
**Fire Alarm**|**Internal -**
**Main Church**
**& Church**
**Centre**|**Main Church**
**Following FRA**
**reccommendation**
**s upgrade to**
**Current Fire Alarm**
**System**|**Current Fire Alarm**
**Invoices paid**
**for stages**
**1 & 2 =**
**£753.00**|**Invoices paid**
**!st Stage**
**completed**
**18/07/24.**
**2nd stage**
**completed**
**19/09/24.**
**Awaiting**
**dates for**
**final date**
**which will be**
**the Office**
**and lounge**
**area**|
|**20**|**Bell Number**
**5**|**Internal -**
**Bell Tower**|**Repair to 5th Bell**
**and all other bells**
**to be accessed for**
**wear & tear**|**Deposit and**
**final invoice**
**paid**
**£6806.00**
**Awaiting**
**outcome of**
**grants**
**sumitted to**
**Coventry**
**Guild &**
**Sharp Trust**|**Project**
**Completed**
**4th**
**September**
**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**21**|**External**
**Wooden**
**Window**
**Frames**|**External -**
**Front of**
**Church**
**Centre**|**Sand down and re**
**varnish all frames**|**Cost of**
**Varnish**|**Dean to lead**
**project**|
|**22**|**New Access**
**Path**|**External -**
**Rear of**
**Church**
**Building**|**Clear and lay new**
**hard core path to**
**the rear of the**
**building to enable**
**access in the event**
**of a Fire**|**access in the event**
**Gravel has**
**been**
**donated,**
**only other**
**cost will be**
**hiring of**
**equipment**|**Dean leading**
**the Project**|
|**23**|**Aluminium**
**Doors exit &**
**entrance**
**door**|**Internal -**
**Porch**|**The closure**
**mechanism on**
**one door has**
**failed resulting in**
**it slamming shut**|**Standing**
**Committee**
**have**
**approved to**
**have both**
**doors**
**replace at a**
**cost of**
**£2,200**|**Completed**
**28th**
**February**
**2025**|
|**24**|**Fire Escape**
**Door**|**Internal -**
**Door in**
**corridor**
**leading to**
**outside**
**sheds**|**The push down bar**
**has failed resulting**
**in the door**
**unabled to be**
**opened**|**The push down bar**
**has failed resulting**
**Karl beebie**
**given**
**authority to**
**go ahead**
**and order**
**what is**
**necessary.**
**Left hand**
**door has**
**been taken**
**down and**
**plained so it**
**now opens**
**and shuts**
**properly **|**A new door**
**mechanism**
**has been**
**ordered by**
**Karl Beebie**
**and will be**
**fitted as**
**soon as it**
**arrives**|
|**25**|**Glass Rooms**|**Internal -**
**Church**|**To hang blinds in**
**order privacy so as**
**to encourage new**
**groups to rent out**
**the rooms**|**order privacy so as**
|**Awaiting**
**quotes from**
**suppliers**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**26**|**Small**
**Infrared**
**Heater for**
**the Church**
**Building e.g.**
**Glass Rooms**|**Building e.g.**
**Internal -**
**Church**
**Building**|**To heat small**
**areas in the church**
**without putting**
**the main heating**
**on**|**areas in the church**
**£62.00**|**Heater**
**purchased**
**from Castle**
**Heaters for**
**the Glass**
**Rooms**|
|**27**|**Parish Office**|**Internal -**
**Church**
**Centre**|**New Carpet or**
**Carpet Tiles**|**£672.99**|**Completed**
**3rd Apeil**
**2025**|
|**28**|**Glass Rooms**|**Internal -**
**Church**|**New Cabinets to**
**be fitted so all**
**items currently in**
**the room can be**
**stores away and**
**locked, room can**
**then be used as a**
**meeting room**||**Awaiting**
**quotes from**
**suppliers**|
*** Est costs from Parkinson Dodson and Associates the company that carried out the Inspection**
## **Financial Review**
## **St Nicolas P.C.C Treasurer’s Annual Report for 2024**
The results from 2024 show a surplus of £16,756. Please see the Operational Income and Expenditure Report for more detail.
Giving has remained consistent with slightly reduced regular giving and increased giving on the collection plate. Thank you to everyone who has given to the church. We also received a generous legacy of £20,000 which was very welcome and has significantly contributed to our results in 2024.
The hall continues to make an excellent contribution to our income as well as to our community. The income increased and we have increased the number of organisations who use the hall.
Expenditure has increased overall, generally with annual price increases on regular items such as cleaning and insurance. We also incurred additional expenditure on essential items, a new fire door and roof repairs to the office and the hall.
A highlight of 2024 was the new piano (£4000) which was entirely funded by a combination of individual donations, subscriptions from our Swans sessions, concerts at St Nicolas and St James Churches, and a very successful concert by the pianist Derek Pavacini. We spent a reduced amount on Mission Giving to other charities in 2024 and we plan to catch up in 2025 with a programme of donations to selected charities that serve the community.
I would like to thank everyone at St Nicolas for your friendship and support, also thank you to Neil Screaton of Screatons Ltd who has kindly reviewed our accounts for 2024.
## **Operational Income and Expenditure 2024**
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Income 2024 2023 2024 - % Comments
2023 Diff
200 - Planned Giving 45,823 46,215 -392 -1
201 - Collections 4,912 4,274 638 15 Generally higher collections
202 - Donations 24,808 7,578 17,230 227 Includes £20,000 legacy
204 - Income Tax Credits 11,852 12,112 -260 -2
210 - Church Hall Lettings 37,327 35,611 1,716 5 More customers for lettings
215 - PCC Fees - Retained 2,438 3,209 -771 -24 Fewer weddings and funerals
230 - Interest Received 1,068 871 197 23 Higher rate of interest
Totals 128,228 109,870 18,358 17
Expenditure 0
500 - Donations inc Mission 1,352 3,552 -2,200 -62 Lower than planned, catch up in 2025
Giving
505 - Heat and Light 11,955 12,031 -76 -1
506 - Rates and Water 94 81 13 16
507 - Insurance 6,778 6,059 719 12
508 - Repairs and Maintenance 12,031 8,360 3,671 44 Includes roof repair and fire door
510 - Cleaning 9,066 8,035 1,031 13
521 - Weekly Service Costs 3,580 4,436 -856 -19
525 - Clergy Expenses 2,170 1,300 870 67 Timing of claims
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527 - Salary Secretary 11,725 8,372 3,353 40 Increased hours and rate
528 - Printing, Postage Admin 1,975 1,880 95 5
etc.
530 - Telephone 2,014 1,513 501 33 Includes an incorrect charge from
Tesco mobile
535 - Parish Share 44,412 42,297 2,115 5
550 - 4,020 913 3,107 340 Increase in Mission/Outreach activity
Mission/Outreach/Fundraising and includes Derek Paravicini Concert
565 - Independent Examination 300 1,308 -1,008 -77 Change of Examiner
Fee
Totals 111,472 100,137 11,335 11
Income - Expenditure 16,756 9,733 7,023
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## **Reserves policy**
The Trustees consider that the liquid unrestricted reserves required by the Church should ideally be equivalent to a minimum of 3 months operating costs to cover the costs of winding up that would be incurred in the case of the Church ceasing to operate.
## Thank you
## **Jim Keeley** Treasurer
Please ask me about the various ways that you can give to the church. Email jimkeeleyhome@hotmail.com mobile 07906 220330 or ask me in church.
## Additional Information
## Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. In particular we want to mention our churchwardens Garry Clark and Nick Shaw who have worked so tirelessly on our behalf and Jim Keeley who has helped us all to understand the church’s accounts and its finances.
## Structure, governance and management
## **PCC Membership**
Members of the PCC are either _ex-officio (Clergy, Readers & Deanery/diocesan synod members)_ , coopted to fulfil a certain role (currently up to 2 members), or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) [Currently up to 12 members] in accordance with the Church Representation Rules as revised in 2022. Elected, co-opted and _ex-officio_ members are the trustees of the Church, registered with the Charity Commission.
The PCC members are responsible for making strategic decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.
## **PCC Standing Committee**
This is the only committee required by law, it has the power, delegated by the PCC, to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings subject to directions given by the Council.
Members: Chris Routledge (Vicar), Nick Shaw (Warden), Garry Clarke (Warden), David Bailey (PCC Secretary), Jim Keeley (Treasurer), Carole Harris (Lay Chair of PCC).
## **Leadership Team (LT):**
This involves key leaders (Clergy, Lay and staff) involved in the day to day church ministry. The SLT is responsible to the PCC but handles day to day management-level decisions, providing support and accountability for each other and the various church ministries across both Churches.
## _**Members**_ :
Chris Routledge (vicar: St Nicolas/Priest-in-charge: St James), Adrian Guthrie (Associate Minister: St James), _Until September 2024_ Modupe Adeoye (Curate, SSM) Martin Butt (Retired Clergy PTO), Nick Shaw (Warden: St Nics), Garry Clarke (Warden: St Nicolas), Brenda Gardiner (Warden: St James), Sally-Ann Veasey (Local Lay Leader), Terry Lenton (Reader PTO), John Hitchcock (Reader PTO), Marina Betteridge (Parish Administrator)
## **Joint Safeguarding Team:**
The Safeguarding Team usually meets monthly to monitor and set Actions related to the Parish Safeguarding dashboards and safer recruitment requirements supporting the ministry opportunities across both churches and ensure that the PCC has due regard to the house of Bishops safeguarding guidance and regularly presents reports to the PCC.
**Members** : Chris Routledge, Phil Healey (St Nics PSO), Sue Harris (St James PSO), Lynn Keeley (Assistant PSO) Catherine Robbins (Assistant PSO)
**Non-attending Team:** Marina Betteridge (DBS Admin), Dawn Beasley (Assistant PSO), Garry Clarke (Warden: St Nics), Brenda Gardiner (Warden: ST James).
## **The Parish Office:**
**The Parish Office** Is the initial contact point for all enquiries: in person; by telephone and email. It is managed by our part-time Administrator, Marina Betteridge. It is where many church functions are arranged and organised (weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc.). It is also the administration hub for events, the centre, invoicing, bookings, resolving issues and generally responsible for all day-to-day activities.
During the year the following served as members of the PCC:
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Serving Until
Chair Rev Chris Vicar ( ex (from September 2022)
Routledge officio )
Rev Modupe 2024 - 2029 (From July 2024)
Adeoye
Church Wardens Nicholas Shaw APCM 2024
Garry Clarke APCM 2024
Deanery Synod John Hitchcock APCM 2026
Members
Peter Rogers APCM 2026
Adam Fielder APCM 2026
Elected Members Jim Keeley APCM 2027 PCC Treasurer
David Bailey APCM 2026
**----- End of picture text -----**
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Dawn Beasley APCM 2027
Lynn Keeley APCM 2025 Assistant Parish Safeguarding
Officer
Sally-Anne Veasey APCM 2027
Carole Harris APCM 2026 Lay Chair of PCC
Jean Bailey APCM 2026
Marina Betteridge APCM 2026
Vikki Townsend APCM 2027
Helen Fielder APCM 2026
Julie Bannister APCM 2027
Lynn Werrett APCM 2026
**----- End of picture text -----**
## PCC Officers:
PCC Secretary (Acting) - Marina Betteridge PCC Treasurer - Jim Keeley Electoral Roll Officer - Ian Miskin (Left Dec 2024) Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) - Phil Healey
## Administrative information
**How you can get in touch with us:**
The Church and the Office are situated on Vicarage Street. Please visit us on Sunday for any of our services St Nicolas Church
Vicarage Street Nuneaton CV11 4AZ You may phone: Telephone: 02476 344553 Email: office@stnicolaschurch.org.uk Website: www.stnicolaschurch.org.uk
_St. Nicolas Church is part of the Diocese of Coventry within the Church of England. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2020) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission._
_Registered Charity Number 1126349_
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ST. NICOI.AS CHURCH NIIYEATON
Ir*COMF. & F.XPF.NDITLIRF.
YF.AR Tr:YDTr-.D 31$1 DF.C"Tr:MHTr.K 2024
2024
45.823
4.912
34.760
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lknnations
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Income 1411 (.dI(s (Gift Axll {R¢TILd}
Cl)urch Ilall Lxiiin8S
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11169
37.328
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139.734
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95
6.778
23.961
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Cliuirh 11411 & otT1 RefTeshmerts
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3.731
2.170
11.725
1.821
2.014
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8,782
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BAIANCE SIIEET
YF.AR F.I%Db.D 31$t DF.C:Tr",MBER 2024
2024
2023
Fixed AJ¥¢ts
Tan8iblc knt5
786.7111
786,719
786.719
786,719
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C*sh at Bank I larMI
61.984
63.984
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Cffdirs. Anx)unts fallin¥ in y¢ar
2.128
2.128
2.022
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61.962
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-roi*l Yei Amets l.i*bililies
85¥.571
848.681
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Ilnrtslrieied
General Fund
822,388
814.734
DesiKQated
Ann Plrkes I)Qnl0$ for CThildren'J Aciivilies
In klcmory of Ri¢lwnl ixnlon
Si. Niiulas
'I'cn Pcrccni Giving fuiKI
180
1.781
8.614
754
2.948
Reslrieted
I>LC Hell$
A8encv Colle¢iion
R¢Sr•in
01 k
Choir Furnj
Flomrrs Ftmd
HerIge FuThl
149
22.935
107
412
41
129
107
412
182
FUNDS QF THF. C.'111SRC'H
858.571
848,681