'To know God and share the wonder of His love, St Gregory's Church Seaton Annual Reports & Financial Statements SEATON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL for the year ending 31 st December 2025 Coastal Mission Cofflfflunity St Gregorsts, Seaton & St Michael's, 8eer Coastal Benefice of Seaton & Boer Vicar: The Reverend Justin Montague th IPrlest-in-Charge prior to 14 September 20251 Bankers: Lloyds Banl The Square. Seaton Independent Examiner: Ms. Karen Silcox Plumtree Bookkeeping Our web site.. alchurch.o Registered Charity No: 1127403 The Parochlal Church Council of St Gregory's Church Seaton Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 Decembor 2025 5eaton Parochial Church Council (The PCCI has the responsibility of co-operating with the inojmbent, the Reverend Justin Montague, in promotin8 in ihe ecclesiastical parish of Seaton. the whole mission of the church= pastoral, evangellcal, social and ecumenlcal. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Grdde-l listed Church building and the Church Centre. Responsibility for the maintenance of the thurchyard has devolved upon East Devon District Council. The PCC Is committed to enabllng as many people as posslble to WOV5hlp at our Church, and to become part of our parlsh family. When planning our activities, the PCC has considered the Charity Commi55ion's guidance on publbc benefit, and In particular the specific guidance on charrties for the advancement of religion. Our services and worship put fatth Snto prarticè through prayer and scripture. music and sacrament. We try to enable ordinary people to live out theirfaith as part of our parish farn1￿, through.. Worship and prayer.. learnlng about the Gospel, and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus: Provislon of pastoral care for people living in the parish- and Misslon and outreach work, including local community groups and ecumenical partnerships. To facllltate thls worl It is vital that we maintain the fabric of both the Church and our Church Centre. Worshlp ond Prayer The PCC 15 keen io offer a range of wor5hlp servlces. not only on Sundays. that our cDmmunity will find both beneficial and Spiritually fulfilling. These include a monthly Wednesday morning seThice of Holy Communion providing a traditional form of worship. weekly Tuesday 10am prayer Eatherlng of Christian5 Together in Seaton IcfiSI and Monday 9am Morning prayer, a monthly Tuesday'memory Church, service led by our Anna Chaplain5. providing accessible Dementia supportive worship and a monthly Wednesday Evening Prayer Service at 5.30pm 13 Wednesd3yl- These worship gaihering5 provide additional variety and accessibllrty to our weekly Sunday worship provision of Holy Communion at 11am, monthly 11am Morning Praise service14 Sunday), 8am Holy Communion service14 Sunday} and monthly Evensong at either 4pm in winter or 6.30pm In Summer12 Sunday). In 2025. St Gregory's has welcomed many new people into the life of the church including families. We seek to arrange for Bapti5rr15 to take plate at the Morning Praise service. On Sundays at Ilarn, the servlce is supported by an excellent choir and led by our D1￿ctOr of Musi¢ and or8anlst Davld House. The Elertoral Roll was completely renewed in 2025 and 77 parishioners applied and were confirmed on the new Roll, compared to the roll in 2024 of 78. The average Sunday attendances for w0￿h1p at St Gregorfs was 65 ft)r 11am Holy Communion. 55 for Morning Praise, 11 for 8am Holy Communion and 14 for Even50ng. Attendance at Easter 11021 and throughout Advent, including our carol services. exceeded attendances the previous year. St Gregory's also hosted servlces for RemeFnbr3nce Sunday, Harvest, Mothering Sunday, as well as special reflertwe services including a Thanksgiving Service for All Souls, 'Blue Chrlstmas, and a 'Remember Our Chlld. Service. As well as our regular services, we enable our communlty to celebrate and thank God at the significant milestones of the journey through life. There have been 4 Baptisms, 13 funerals and l Thanksgiving servlce at St Gregorfs durin8 the year, as well a5 5 Interments of ashes in St Gregory's Churchyard. As well as this, the church has provided a ministerto officiate at funerals at the (￿rnatOrIUM on 12 occasions. The Clergy, Anna Chaplairbs and lay ministers provide spiritual and pastoral care to many church members in their own homes and residential care, including Holy Communion. In addition, thi5 Ca￿ induding end-of-lrfe spiritual support, Holy Communion and services extends extensively lo those individuals without any prior connertion to St Gregory's, through re5identlal care visits, funeral support or direct referrals. Deonerysynod Two vacancies are available from the PCC to sit un the Honiton Deanery Synod. Thi5 provide5 the PCC with a link with the churche5 around us and a150 Wlth the Diocese as a whole. It also receives reports from the General Synod and reports back information to the PCC. Minutes of any meetings are available. Paul Barns was the Deanery Synoil rep￿sentatiVe for St Gre80ry's Church in 2025, until his retirement in the Summer. At the meetings. there Is a tlme of worship together, news. view5. and information a￿ shared alx)ut events In the Deanery and in the Church of England more widely. There wèrè 3 meètings during 2025. including the Bishop of Exeter. The Right Reverend Dr Mike Harrison at the November meeting when he talked about his strategic mission prioritie5, and led the synod rn prayer. There 15 a safeguarding report at each meeting and a new initiative called 'lust One Thing. In which every parish Is asked to describe particular activities they have been engaglng in recently under the broad headings of- prayer, growing in Christian disciple5hip,' andlor serving the people of Devon and bewnd with joy. Fabric N.B. A Qulnquennial Inspection report was received in November 2022. This ￿lated to the church and churchyard. Responsibility for maintenance and development of the church lies WTth the PCC. Responsibility for maintenance of the churchyard lies with East Devon District Council. Works arising from the QI report have been categorized according to the various permisslons requlred to address them. I would highlight theAollowlng Items that were corrled outor were underwoy in 2025. We liaised with u Heritage Builder the DAC reg(Jrding the Tower steps which need repairing severalploces ond we ore awaiting the DAC Building5 Team to visit ond inspect them ond odvise on the method to be adopted. We received a Bell Chamber survey carried out by the Devonshire Guild of Bellrinoers Lvhich highlightedseverol items thot need ottention both ftn the Short Term and Long Term. These items are currently being consideredfor inclusion in our regulor maintenance plun. We commenced works on improving the Ilghting to the lane, most immediately with removable pothwoy Ilghtlng which is used to mark the line of the hedge. Plons have 0150 been put in place to add lighting to the side exterior woll of the Church Centre, und also to replace the old street light (located on the electricitypole at the bottom of the lunej wlth a twin Led T lightarrungement which wijl give stronger coverage in two directions. Three Styturdoy working porties were orrt7ngEd corrying out vanous tasks such as the painting of the rodiators, qardening jobs etc. There were numerou5 Other minor repoFrs/items that were ottended to throughout the yet7r. These works were, or will be, fundedfrom our existing Fabric Fund. I thank youfor yoursupport. Dt7vid Mason In addition, comprehensive audio improvements were made to the church centre Including Installatlon of Fabrlc Acoustic Ceiling Panels and an induction Loop System for hearing aid user5. This was supported by donations including from the Archdeacons Discretionary Fund, a parishioner and a quii event or8anised by the Anna Chaplaincy team. Mission ond Evangelism In early 2025 the churth led an Alpha course, an evangelistlc cOu￿e that seeks to Introduce the baslcs of the Chrlstian faith through a sèries of films, a shared meal and discussions. The church also ecumenically partner5 With other local churches to share the Good News of jesus. In 2025, members of all the local churches gathered for our Good Friday Walk of Witness around the town. In July 2025. Revd Shuna George Pritchard. Michael Pritchard and team together organisèd the 'Big Church Picnld at Pecorama pleasure gardens. This popular ￿ent included a time of gathered worship, actNities, train rides, garden tours and a picnic inviting people from churches and their friends from a￿Und the area. Helping thos9 in neèd is a demonstration of our faith. In 2025, the church acitvely supported various local charities and organisations. St Gregory's Church is a debt Centre forAxe Volley Christiuns ogoinst Povertyi providing debt relief support to many individuals and families in the local area. The PCC also partne￿ with 5eoton Foodbank, with both members of the church family serving in this outreach, as well as hosting a food collection at our annual HaNe5t 5eNice and supporting the safeguarding training of Foodbank volunteers. The church atso support5 Christiun and its Fund-raising Activities through our community churches and the Children s Society through a collection and publicity of their work at our Christingle Service In December. OtherArti¥ltles The PCC publishes in March each year a separate document containin8 group reports and details of the many organi5ations, activities and groups that are part of ongolng work across our church network. Activities range from Mèmory Church to Greg's Music Makers. Physical copies of these can be found in the church. Financial Re￿eW The PCC determlned to pay its Common Fund request in part for 2025174%) when it set the budget in November 2024 The PCC We￿ able to fulfil this. Flnanclal RevlÈw for Year Ourfinancial year 5tsrted wrth £14936 in the General Fund which was almost £llk lesg than the start of 2024. At a meeting of the Finance Committee in November 2024 when budgets were agreed and put to the PCC for approval. we were looking at a deficit of £15k for the year which would have depleted everything in the General Fund. We are extremely thankful to end 2025 more posltlvely due to the hard work and generosity of our church members. Receipts into the unrestricted General Fund were £61663 and payments from this fund totalled £64857 resulting in a deficit for the year of £3224. Income for the yearthrough "Planned Givin8" IPari5h Giving Scheme, standing order and weekly envelopesl increased by around 13.5%. Total unrestricted income through giving including donations and church collections totalled £42.4k- an increase of amund £5.5 k on last year. Other incomè during the year included Hall lettings of £4.5k. Parochial Fees income of £5.9k. Dividendsllnteresl and FIT Income £4.4k, and Fundralslng Events £577. The PCC also received a Legacy of £IUOO during the year which is shown in the accounts as "Deslgnated" ncome. General Fund expenditure for the year totalled £66056- around £4(10 less than 2024 expenditure. In 2025 we paid just over 74% of the Common Fund request1£33.4kl, an ncrease on the 71% paid in 2024. Energy costs have remained about the same and insurance costs increased by 2%. Staff costs increased by 16% lincludes 4% pay rise and payment to Children and Families Workerthrough payroll rdther than being self-employed and paid from Local Mi55ion- Local Mission expenditure has decreased). At the end of the year there was a total of £11652 in our General Fund as well a5 £1(M in designated funds received from a leBaLry. An increase in income during the year agalnst the budget set for 2025 meant that we ended the year in a more positive PDSltion than forecast. ReseThes in our General Fund a￿ still depleting and going forward we must look to further redress the deficit balance be￿een Income and expendf¢ure. The Finance Committee and pcc will continue to monitor the General Fund c105ely over the coming months. During 2025 the PCC spent £7300 on a "loop" system and atoustics panels in the Church Centre using funds from the Restricted Building Fund. We are gr3tefLsI forthe grant of £5(K) received from the Archdeacon of Exeter and donations received towards the cost of the Lwp 5yStem. The Anna Chaplaincy Team also donated £200 of the proceeds from their fundraising Quiz evening for which we thankthem. 2025 also Saw the launch of "Joining Generations". a projert to build-up intergeneratlonal fellcMNship across our churche5. Th￿ project includes raising funds to employ a ministry leader on a part-tlme basis for at least the next 2 year5. We were succe55ful in securing a grant uf £3k over 2 years from the Benefact Trust and fundraisin8 to date has raised a further £9756. These fund5 remain in the restricted fund and will be used solely for the Joining Generations projert as the PCC decide. Thank you to all who gfve to our church so generously and willlngly. Helen Jvloulding Parlsh Flnonce Officer Reserves policy It is the policy of thè PCC to maintsin a balance on unrestricted funds lif possible). which equates to approximately three month5, unrestricted payments. to cover emergency 51tuations that may arise from time to tirne. In generdl, it is our PDlicy to invest our fund5 balances with the CBF Churth of England Deposit Fund. Safeguarding The PCC pla¢e5 a high priority on its responsibilities towards children and vulnerable adults. It ensures that all those working with these group5 undergo appropriate check5. Safeguarding has an agenda Étem al each PCC meeting. All volunleers, clergy and staff are required to complete Church spetifit 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 Safegvèrding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 Iduiy to have due regard to House of Bishops, 8uidance on safeguarding children and vulnerdble adults). The Church hosted a Safyuardin8 Training event in December 2025 at Basic and Foundation level. Volunteer5 The members of the PCC would like to thank all the volunteers who work so tlrelessly to make our Church an a¢tlve and welcoming community, including our appointed church officers. Strurture. GovErnance and Management The method of appointment of PCC member5 is set out in the Church Repre5entatlon Rulès. The Council comprises the Incumbent, the Churchwarden, those elected to the Deanery Synod. and other members who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, by those on the Electoral Roll. Members of the cOng￿gation are always encouraged to join the Electoral Roll, and to consider standin8 for election to the PCC. The PCC meets six times per year on alternate month5. The PCC members are responslble for making decislons on all matters of general concern and Importance In the parish, and for all financial matters. The PCC met six time5 during the year 2025. For certain aspects of the counciV5 bu5ine5S. there are committeeslteam5 which meet when necessary and occasionally business is conducted by email both to formulate recommendations that are brought to the full PCC. All other Matte￿ are dealt with directly by the pcc. PCC sub commfftees In 2025 included Finance, Fabric Idlssolved Aprll} and Frlends of St Gregory's Church. Each reports fully to the PCC, with summarie5 provided of their meetings. Finance Subt$*nd P•irnent$ accouTrt FuithEyEaiendEd 31rtL7eceTrbeTZ025 UThr@strtttsd R@strlEt@rf Totsl 202S Total 2024 InroThiTh8 Resowrces Vuluntarylncome P13nned GtrflTr8 2?,744 11,687 8.03J 23.944 40.274 lQ,399 J,OOD 20.637 21.856 1,000 27.587 2.368 Inro rne TIX Recovered 1,000 G13nts 12.539 Mag4unRIBuDksÈ811 5aleslHall IEttwE IncornefrDffl OtherPrDpertles Annual fotelevents In¥?simeDt Inci rn DhldEnd5 & Int2rpst 5,4J J I,OB41 573 5.411 1.084 5.586 ?.820 764 200 4,809 1.992 3.356 a.356 .091 Inc4 me from ch311t3ble artrotles 5,962 5,962 5.D91 other Into mln8 re50uices Gakn on dlsposilotfthed isset 45,UOO other 2,761 2,781 2,768 iotal InroThln8 TosoufEQB fy1,633 22OC¢ 35,864 >9,1gY 13l1￿49 le￿Ul¢0& ExpEndtd Chuich ACt￿ltIES 8J5 150 965 Mlsslon & Eyangellsrn Pafish SharÈ CIp$6Y èXP@nsps Ch urch runnlng expenses Churcliy3rd FnaintEn3nEE 249 I,153 1.402 33.432 774 2, J61 33,4132 745 33,432 ?74 4.871 1.724 1.59 6.1161 2,72D 296 2,720 2YG 2.388 953 gjpportcosts Admlnlstr8tlon costs AccDuntanLV Other JS,362 9,046 25,408 24,J42 5,135 2UD 5,135 200 4,509 J25 G ovèrnance Costs Malo i EKpÈndltute 954 95¢ 60,779 2.93fj 2,767 Repalrsto othor propertv 1.200 6.935 f.135 iot•l ￿￿111t￿$ expended 64*57 1200 19,962 ¥6Allgl 1119,73 NEt Inco mellEApendlturEI fo I thE year Tiinster Be￿e£r¢ Funds 1,000 15,402 Jso 13,178 lJ9,0891 1150} Net M D vements In ds 13,3741 ),000 15.552 13,178 119￿89> AEcum ulattd funls atthe start olthe yeir 14,936 15,958 30,894 49,983 Accum ulatÈd futtl% at tho end of the yÈar £11,562 £l,DO £11￿ E44W12 £4rr094 11 S¢ate￿ Pwrxhlal C￿rth Cwndl ststerntsnt ofAsgets and Ll*Jllttt¢s A$ ot 31st December Cash Funds Detolls UoydsBank Seaton PCC ￿XXo981 CAF Bank Se8ion PCC x¥xx4281 Lloyds Bank Friends of 5t Gre8orVs Total 2025 Unrestrlctsd £ 550 605 Dulznuted £ iO(M) Restrlctsd £ 393 24675 601 23 99 12561 31511 Othtt mc￿e￿ry￿sS￿s Detalls Hall Hire FeesDue Gift aid PGS Dec 2025 tsift Ilid Qtr 4 2025 Ch3ritÉe5TIu5t Contactless Receipis Pd lan 2026 TOTALDue Unrestrided £ De51Knutsd £ R¢stricted £ 25 ICP3 19 176 Investment Asset5 Detslls Unreslrirted £ Déstgnoted £ Restrlrted £ CBF Ino)me Llni15 M&G Charllun(Is Totsl 58746 62113 Y107 5557 Ass￿$ Retaln ft>r church use Drtal nd Restricted uaifL ConieTTtS See note 2 TOT ALDue Uabllrtlèi Detai15 eer Parochial fee income Independent EKamÈnation lee nd Unres1ricted Unrestricted Amourrt When due Mar-2 Apr-2 L4 Thesè accounts were appro¥ed by the Sealon Parothid Church Cwncil on 1* March and warg signod on thsir bohaifby.. gnature Rev. ￿stIn MortaAue (Chairt trs Helen mo￿¢1￿ (Finance Qffl¢e 12 Sealon Parochlal Church Councll Notes to tha FinanGial Statements for the Year ended 31 December 2025 1. The financial statemen15 of the PCC have boen prepared In accordance with the Church AccL)unting Regulations 2006 using th& R8c8ipts and P8yments basis. 2. The followiThJ assets are reccyJnised but not necessarily valu8d in th8 Stst8mentof Ass8t$ and Llabilities.. moveable church furnishings held by Church Wardens on speclal trust for ihe PCC and which require a faCU￿Y fvr disposal. The Church Hall is a leasehold propety and is legally vested in the Exeter Di0￿san Board of Fin8nce Limit8d as Custodian TNsleè. The lease Is for a tarm of 1000 years running from 1826 and tts teTmS would be breached if the use of the hall for Sunday schDoI or worship sarvices18vènts were to cease. Although the hall is not consecral8d propety, il is a dedicated building 8nd bound up wlh the worship, mission and mlnlytry of the Church. 11 is therefore appropriale and legitimate lo Iraat it for accounting purposes as an inalienable asset in the same way a5 o)nsecraled property. The valu8 of the Hall contents are seen as insuffi￿OnE1Y materlal to Include In the accounts. 3. Th8 Designated Fund relatss to a Legacy of £1000 re¢eSved In 2025. At the ¢urrent Ime the 6xpendilure Is undetermined. Restricted funds are those funds which must be spent on restriGted purposes for whid] they were given. In thi5 Financial Statement any Exp8ndabla Endowments ar8 includ8d in this category. Also wthin the Restricted fund there is £3011 which belongs to AVCAP and is solely for their use. The table below shows the movement in the restricted funds this Building Join AVCAP Anna G8n£ Chap £ Frnd St Greg's £ Mustard Seed £ Bell Ropes £ Family OIR¢h £ Opening balance 1st Jan 2025 11827 NIA 2198 500 997 82 340 NIA ncomft rec@ pen 0219 1750 74 TransfeTr behveen funds 150 os ance 12756 3011 897 82 4. Inv8stm8nt funds. The CBF Investment Fund and M&G CharSfunds are the resldue of a baquesl by Miss May Smllh In 1981. Any interest or dividends from these investments are unrestricted. The ￿pItal proceeds are designated as Expendable Endowments with use restricted "for the wnaintenance and upkeep and benefit in general of the Church and assoc5ated bulldlngs and land.. Quoted inv8stm8nts ara valugd al bid prfces at 31 December 2025. Previously the value of these investments have been shown together wth the Gash assets In the recelpts and payments accounts. In orderlo be conslstenl wllh our financial reportlng the Investments afft now sh¢)wn only on the statement of assets and liabilities. The 2024 figures have been r8slat8d lo refi8¢t this change The movement on the Investments was as follows: Opening balance £53.578 Gain on Inve8tTnenl £8,536 C1081ng B818nce £62.114 13 Seaton Parochlal Church Councll Notes to tho Flnanclal Ststoments fortho Yoarondod 31 Decomber 2025 {contlnu8d) 5. Employees In 2025 the PCC employed 7 persons part-tirne throughout the year- a Church Administrator. Finance Officer, Hall cleaner, an organisuchoir master, 2 AVCAP administrators and a Children and Young Famllies Worker (to 30 November 2025). The totsl remuneration of all employees in 2025 was £17873. Wages paid to AVCAP stsff are paid from Restricted AVCAP funds. 6. Separat•funds hBld by church organlsatlons Openlng Balance Recelpts Payments to Pcc to Other Closlng Balance 2025 2024 Church Flowers 45.94 142.32 0.00 88.65 99.61 45.94 The Table Tennis C 1.73 572.32 88.59 485.46 1.73 Handbell Ringers 279.38 0.00 0.00 279.38 279.38 Julian Group 0.00 89.60 89.60 O.(K) Total funds not Incorporated In the PCC accounts 7. Separate funds for Comrnunity Café (St Gregory's hold these fund in capacity as an agent) Openlng Balance Recelpts Payments to Pcc to Other Closlng Balance 2026 2024 FREEdom Café 433.80 1,652.49 0.00 1,666.62 419.67 433.80 14