'To know God and share the wonder of His love, st Gregorls Church, Seaton Annual Reports & Accounts SEATON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Registered Charlty No: 1127403 for the year ending 31st De￿mber 2024 Coastal Mission Cofflmunity St Gfegorls, Seaton & St Michael's, Beef Coastal Benefice of Seaton & Beer Vicar. Revd Justin Montague The Church Office, Colyford Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2DF (01297) 23656 8el SEATON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Admlnlstrative Information St Gregory's Church is situated off the Colyford Road, Seaton. It is part of The Coastal Mission Community with the parish of Beer. in the Diocese of Exeter within the Church of England. Correspondence may be addressed to The Church Office, The Church Centre, Colyford Road. Seaton, EX12 2DF. Telephone 01297 23656. email seatonchurch@hotmail.co.uk The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charty Commission: The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Gregory's Seaton - Reg Charity No.. 1127403. Background Seaton Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church-. pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church and the Church Centre. Responsibility for the maintenance of the churchyard has devolved upon East Devon District Council. Governance Members of the PCC are either ex officio. elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting {APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules, or co-opted by the PCC. AII Church attendees are encouraged fio register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the pcc. During the year. the following Se￿ed as members of the PCC: Incumbent and Chairman Revd. Jusb'n Montague Assistant Priest Revd. Chris Thacker Local Pioneer Minister Revd. Shuna George Churchwardens 1. Mr David House 2. Mr David Dickinson Deanery Synod Representatives Mr Paul Barns PCC Treasurer Mrs Sharon Bruce (Until April 2024) Mr David Mason (From May 2024) - Duties sUPPOrted Parish Finance Officer & PCC Finance Committee) Secretsry other PCC Members Mr Michael Tabeart Mrs Judi Brewer Mrs Mary Casey (The PCC is allowed up to 12 elected members, including those holding other offices. such as Treasurer) Assistant Clergy The parish benefits from having the ServI￿S of the Revd. Chris Thacker (retired), as well as support from other retired clergy for services and occasional offi￿S. including the Revd. Barry Brewer, Revd. Karen Cumock, Revd. Nigel Freathy, Revd. Geoffrey Walsh and Revd Mary Harding. The parish also benefits from the Servi￿ of Mrs Sue Price, Reader Emeritus Church Activity Groups A number of organisations and volunteer teams operate wtthin the church family, including: 3-2-1 for Jesus Anna Chaplaincy Axe Valley Christians Against Poverty Bell Ringers Choir Church Cleaners Church FlowerArrangers Discussion Groups (Lent onwards) FREEdom Café Friends of Sl Gregory's Greg's Music Makers Hand bell Ringers Hospitality Team Julian Group 'Knit & Natter, Mothers, Union Group Music Group Table Tennis Club We also have contact with a number of outside organisations through members of our church family, including- Christian Aid Christians Together in Seaton Messy Church Seaton Foodbank Committees The PCC meets in alternate months, six times a year. For certain aspects of the council's business, there are sub-committees which meet when necessary to formulate recommendations that are brought to the full PCC. All other matters are dealt with directly by the PCC. Finance Sub-committeg - oversees the financial management of St Gregory's Church and encourages good financial stewardship. It comprises the Vicar, the Treasurer, Church Administrator, and three other members of the PCC and one other member of the Electoral Roll. Fabric Sub-committee - A Quinquennial Inspection report was received in November 2022. This related to the church and churchyard. Responsibility for maintenance and development of the church lies with the PCC. Responsibility for Maintenan￿ of the churchyard lies with East Devon District Council. Works arising from the QI report have been categorized according to the various pemissions required to address them. Health and Safety Sub-committoe A health and safety policy is in place and regularly updated. Health and Safety has an agenda item at each PCC meeting. The committee is a minimum of the Health and Safety Officer and the Church Warden{s}. Friends of St Gregory's Sub-committee IFOSG) The mission of FOSG is to ensure the continued existen￿ of the St Gregory's Grade 1 listed Church building as a feature of Seaton for the benefit of the whole community. It also provides financial support for the upkeep of the building to ensure the advancement of the Christian religion. 5 members are appointed annually under the auspi￿5 of the PCC. Pastoral Team undertakes to ensure that appropriate pastoral care is offered to members of the congregation and wider community. We provide home communion services and visits to individuals and local residentiallnursing homes. The Pastoral Team primarily consists of the clergy, Lay Minister Emeritus, Anna Chaplains and other associated laity. Other working parties or sub-committees are set up for particular projects as and when necessary. Safeguarding The PCC places a high priority on its responsibilities towards children and vulnerable adults. It ensures that all those working with these groups undergo appropriate checks. Safeguarding has an agenda item at each PCC meeting. All volunteers, clergy and staff are required to complete Church specific Safeguarding Training appropriate to their role without exception, as per guidelines by the Diocese of Exeter Safeguarding Team. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops, guidanTr on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). Review of the Year PCC Meetin Janua 17th 2024: Balance Sheet was presented by Sharon Bru￿, who was thanked as she was stepping down from April as PCC Finance Officer. It was decided to increase the hire charges for the use of the Church Centre from April 2024. We're hoping to run a couple of Lent Courses and Rev Shuna George Pritchard and her husband are prepared to run a small Alpha Course in their home. Shuna is also signed up to the CANVA publishing site. Finance Committee recommended that we plan our Charitsble giving, ie how much and to whom. PCC to suggest charities to be recipienls. On 13th Jan we hosted a well attended Safeguarding Awareness Course. Justin will be running from John O'Groats to Lands End in March to raise money for the churches and other charities. ril 3rd Meetin Defibrillator now installed outside Church Centre, paid for by a legacy and grants. New 'Bench Policy, agreed. Statement was read in church on 17 Dec and 3 March that sadly following a serious incident Revd Alison Finch had been asked to step back from all duties and responsibilities in the Mission Community. Giving had increased by 4.50/0 following Stewardship Campaign and we had paid 700/0 of our Parish Share. Revd Julie Lomas has been appointed our new Rural Dean and Revd Karen Curnock is to be Deanery Secretary. ril 24th Joint PCC Meetin with St Michae5's Beer.. In the absence of Revd Justin Montague, David House read a message which stated that the Bishop of Crediton had spoken with the Revd Alison Finch today and had subsequently withdrawn her Permission to Officiate (PTO). Ma 22nd Meetin David Mason presented a proposal for ne￿SSary building works on church tower and internal walls, guttering and electrical work. Estimated cost £47,139+VAT and £5000 contingency, to be taken from restricted funds and investments. Grants to be applied for. 'Early Third informal service to begin on 16th June at 9.30am in Church C8ntre', also Crafternoons for families at Half Term. Pentecost Picnic held at Pecorama with garden walks. train rides, ending with worship led by Christian band. AII PCC completed Safeguarding training. FOSG Spring Bazaar raised £830. Jul 24th Meetin Anna Chaplains are starting a monthly Memory Church in Church Centre for those finding it difficult to attend regular servI￿s. PCC looked at all the Safeguarding policies which were up for annual review and agreed to adopt them all except the 'Use of Social Media, which needed revision. Linda Joy was presented with flowers and thanks at her final Greg's Music Makers. AVCAP (Axe Valley Christians Against Poverty) had their busiest year yet with 16 new clients supported by 11 Befrienders, 2 Debt Coaches (Alix newly trained). Se tember 11th Meetin We have re￿iVed a free portrait of King Charles, to be place in the Church Centre. Anna Chaplain, Mary Casey, attended Study Day in Exeter and National Training Day online. Amy Dare was appointed as Church Family Worker from September. PCC re￿iVed an update on repair work currently being undertaken and costs now increased to £64.733. PCC agreed that £45,000 be released from CBF Income - InvestmentAccount. FOSG - 60 people attended talk on Seaton Hoard and £270 raised for the church. November 2Ph Meetin Justin had drawn up Safeguarding Policy for Small Groups agreed by PCC. He also asked members to comment on a draft Small Groups Leader's Manual. PCC agreed the Budget for 2025. David House and David Ma50n were to meet with Diocesan Board of Finance for advice in managing our finances. Contactless machine had cost £250 but has raised about £1,000. Justin wrote to all parishioners re the Makin Report and resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Fire extinguisherslblankets yearly service completed. Fire safety and evacuation plan updated. Anna Chaplains - Sue Craker was commissioned as an Anna Chaplain and Mary Casey recommissioned on 24th November. AVCAP- Justin noted several encouragements with the work. Repair work virtually completed and 3 grants re￿ived. Postcards with all the Christmas services on are being produced. Thanks to Bru￿ Roberts who is reliring as Tower Captain and also to Revd Chris Thacker who is retiring from Assistant Priest but retaining her PTO. Judi Brewer (PCC Secretary) Charity Commission The PCC has been registered as a charity with the Charity Commission since 07 January 2009. The Charity Trustees for 2024 were.. Revd Shuna George Pritchard (Ex Officio) Mr David Dickinson (Ex Officio) Mr David House (Ex Officio) Mr Michael Tabeart (wef 2023) Mrs Mary Casey (wef 2022) Mr Paul Barns (wef 2022} (Deanery Synod Rep) Mrs Judi Brewer (wef 2024) (Secretary) Financial Review The PCC determined to pay its Common Fund request in part for 2024 (71.5010) when it set the budget in November 2023. The PCC were able to fulfil this. Reserves policy It is the policy of the PCC to maintain a balan￿ on unrestricted funds (if possible), which equates lo approximately three months, unrestricted payments, to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. In general, it is our policy to invest our funds balan￿S with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund. Public Benefit The Trustees consider they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the CharitFes Act 2006 and have paid due regard to the guidance published by the Charities Commission with regard to the public benefit which the charity provides throughout Britain. Our aims make it clear that the church is to be aclively involved in the community in which it is situated. We provide a place of worship that is open for all to attend and clearly advertise our weekly worship services. We understand that to be an effective Christian witness our existen￿ is not only for the benefit of the church attendees, but for the community as a whole. We look forward to 2025 in faith and hope. Revd Justin Montague Priest-in-charge CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Report to th& trustoo$1 members of St Gregt)ry'8 Church PCC On accounls for the year ended 31 st D8¢ember 2024 Charlty no Ilf any) 1127403 Set out on pages 10-13 I report to the trustees on my examlnatlon of the accounts of the above ch8rily ('the Trust.) far the year ended 3111212024. Responsiblllties and As tho charity trustees of the Trusl, you are rasponsibk for the preparatlon basls cf report of th6 accounts in accordance wlth the requirenients of the Charities Act 2011 {'the ACV). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Actand in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Dir8cknons given by the Chaiity Commlsslon und8r section 145(5){b) of the Act. I hav& compi8ted my Bxamination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connectlon wlth the examination whlch gives me cause to belleve that in, any materid respect.. aox)unting records w6r8 not k8Pt in accordance wtth section 130 of the Act or the aGcounls do not ac￿rd wlth the accounting records Independent examiner's staternent I have no concerns and hav8 come across no other rnatters in connectlon wilh the examinatlon to whlch attention should be drawn In order tD enable a propgr understanding of the accounts to b6 reached. Date: Sign8d. 0110412025 Name: Karen Sllcox Rel￿an1 professional qualiflc4knon{$) or body (If any): Addro3s- AAT Llcenced Accountant Registration Number 1003207 19 Beverley Close. Exeter, EX2 5NJ IER October 2018 Forth¢ye4Y endwl 3JstD¢¢twber 2D24 Totxl Fpnd Voluntyry kn¢ome dGiV￿g 20,037 10.154 6.610 2D,637 24.￿0 7,088 19335 22.626 14,702 478 InoomeTaxknovmd 273 12,266 IIS39 A¢ti%'ities for#e￿e[a6￿fiw apnelB%yokstaU 5alEthlail k 14r4mefrom OtborPioptttiqs f¢￿tr¥¢￿t$ 4.566 764 764 4,9)2 lJ85 1,723 ItrES￿Ellt InctUllE 4,094 4247 frDllLcharitibltactiviies Parr￿h￿l Ftts oth¥IYJ¢o￿]ll%￿￿OwGQ5 1091 5,091 5.176 Gainon dispos￿ offl￿d￿￿et aDsre