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2023-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Great Stanmore

Otherwise known as: St John’s Church PCC, Stanmore

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Presented to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 28[th] April 2024

Rector

The Revd Matthew Stone The Parish Office Old Church Lane Stanmore Middlesex, HA7 2QX

Registered Charity Number 1127658

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2023

Administrative Information

St John the Evangelist, Great Stanmore, is situated on Church Road, Stanmore. It is part of the Willesden Episcopal Area of the Diocese of London within the Church of England. Contact details: The Parish Office, Church House, Old Church Lane, Stanmore, HA7 2QX. Telephone number 020 8954 7064. Email parishoffice@stjohnschurchstanmore.org.uk Website: http://www.stjohnschurchstanmore.org.uk/

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St John the Evangelist, Great Stanmore, is a registered charity. The number is 1127658.

PCC Members (Trustees)

The Members of the PCC are the trustees of the charity. During the year, the following served as members of the PCC:

Rector: The Revd Matthew Stone – Chair

Churchwardens: Mrs. Pam Curran Mr. Graham Nicholson (also Vice-Chair)

End of Term Mrs. Sylvia Daniels 30[th] June 2023 Ms. Susan Jones resigned January 2024 Mrs. Beverley McKeon 30[th] June 2023 Mr. Daniel McKeon 30[th] June 2023

Deanery Synod Representatives:

The following were elected to serve in the new triennium from 1[st] July 2023:

Mrs. Beverley McKeon 30[th] June 2026 Miss Lauren McKeon 30[th] June 2026 Mr. Frederick Oshunniyi 30[th] June 2026

Elected Members: Mrs. Maureen Davter Mr. Jack Prentice Mr. Frederick Oshunniyi Mrs. Marianne Wright

retired APCM 2023 retired APCM 2023 retired APCM 2023 retired APCM 2023

Mr. Graham Denman to retire APCM 2024 Mr. Shaun Knevett to retire APCM 2024 Mrs. Jackie Peters to retire APCM 2024 Miss Victoria Ward to retire APCM 2024 Mr. Nigel Bayliss to retire APCM 2025 Ms Jennifer Neve to retire APCM 2025 Mrs. Jane Prentice to retire APCM 2025

The fourth PCC Member elected on 24[th] April 2022 was granted a Charity Commission, so the name is not published.

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Mrs. Sylvia Daniels (from 30[th] April 2023) Mr. Davd Galt (from 30[th] April 2023) Mr. Anthony Murphy (from 30[th] April 2023) Dr. Lorna Wyon (from 30[th] April 2023) Ex-officio: The Revd Wendy Wall – Assistant Curate

to retire APCM 2026 to retire APCM 2026 to retire APCM 2026 to retire APCM 2026

Bankers:

Independent Examiner:

Charity Commission Correspondent:

Structure, Governance and Management

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The method and appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission under the full title of “The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Great Stanmore” with a working name of “St John’s PCC, Stanmore” (No. 1127658). The members of the PCC are the trustees of the charity. All regular Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election on to the PCC as a Churchwarden, Deanery Synod Representative or PCC Member. We are keen to ensure those elected fully represent the congregation.

This policy was reconfirmed at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 24[th] April 2022. PCCs can appoint co-opted members who can be clerical or lay. If this happens, the total number co-opted must either be less than one-fifth of the elected members on the Council, or two, whichever is the greater. The PCC met seven times during the year – three meetings were held on Zoom, the others were in person.

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The Standing Committee is the only committee legally required. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. Whilst a Standing Committee was appointed, it did not need to meet in 2023.

Aims and Purposes

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector, the Revd Matthew Stone, in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has the responsibility for the maintenance of the Church Building, Churchyard, Old Brick Church, Church House, Church Field, Church House Cottage, Hollond Lodge and St John’s House (16 The Chase).

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at St John’s and to become part of the parish community. This is underpinned by our Mission Statement: “Drawn together by Christ’s love, we seek by his grace to live out his commandments to love the Lord our God with all of our being; and to love everyone we come across as we love ourselves.”

We are an open Church: welcoming of all people. Our services and worship put faith into action through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.

When planning our activities for the year, the Rector and PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance to charities for the advancement of religion. Specifically, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

An important (and essential) part of each PCC Meeting were the discussions about our mission strategy, and in particular what responses we might make to “Listening to London, Listening to God” – the new collective vision for the Diocese of London. After extensive consultations in 2019, to which we contributed, the Diocese identified four ambitions: Confident Disciples, Compassionate Communities, Creative Growth and Connected Young People. A report on our PCC discussions on mission and other work can be found on pages A9-15.

Church Attendance

There are 181 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, 66 of whom are resident in the parish, and 115 of whom are not resident in the parish. The average weekly attendance in church across all services, counted in October 2023, was 136 (107 adults, 29 children). It is pleasing that the attendance figures suggest a very good recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, with new growth. A link is always available from the website to facilitate access to the weekly Church of England’s ‘worship at home’ service for those who need it.

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer, Discipleship and Pastoral Care

An 8am Holy Communion and 9.30am Parish Communion take place every Sunday (on the first Sunday the Parish Communion is an All-Age). A monthly contemporary service ‘Engage’ takes place, except August and December. A midweek service is held every Tuesday at 10.30am in the chapel.

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In addition, the whole community worships together for major festivals, including Mothering Sunday, Easter Day, Dedication Festival, Harvest Festival and Christmas Day.

We hope our services enable attendees to draw closer to God, worship with one another, and be spiritually refreshed. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments are served after the Parish Communion (and All-Age Service) in Church House (or the Church) provided by our dedicated Café St Jean team.

To cater for the younger members of our Church community, we offer Junior Church on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. On the third Sunday afternoon of each month, a Junior Church games session takes place. The children enjoy participating in the monthly AllAge Service on the first Sunday in the month. The children are also invited to form a Junior Choir on the third Sunday each month and to sing in the Nine Lessons and Carols Service in December. The PCC paid for the Junior Children to play crazy golf in October and to see ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Radlett Theatre in December. Most weeks there are 29 children in church which is very encouraging.

A growing partnership with Stanmore Baptist Church continued to deepen with joint events being held for children on two occasions during the year (Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party and a Light Party on Halloween). We also jointly led an Alpha Course in the Autumn Term.

A youth group was set up in January which meets twice each term (in line with the wishes of the young people) and caters for those in Years 7-13. By the end of the year there were 24 young people attending regularly. Different activities were arranged including games, BBQ, Laser Tag and Ten Pin Bowling. The PCC made a contribution to cover the costs of the outings.

The annual Battle of Britain Service took place on Sunday, 24[th] September. The attendance included the Mayor of Harrow, Representative Deputy Lieutenant along with large numbers of ATC cadets and others. The sum of £178.27 was collected during the service and split equally between Bentley Priory Museum, the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Forces Association.

A Memorial Service took place on Sunday, 5[th] November to which the families of those who have received our funeral ministry across 2021, 2022 and 2023 were invited. The sum of £150 was collected during the service to support the work of Bereavement Care. Refreshments were provided in Church House after the service.

A very well attended Act of Remembrance took place at the War Memorial in the Churchyard on Remembrance Sunday (12[th] November). The PCC paid £95 to have The Last Post and Reveille played on the trumpet.

The Bishop of Willesden, the Rt. Revd Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, came to confirm 17 candidates (two adults, 15 young people) on 10[th] December. Within the same service, two baptisms took place, and 10 children were admitted to communion before confirmation. The sum of £500 was collected to support the Bishop of Willesden’s Discretionary Fund.

A new catering team provided a delicious Pre-Lent Lunch and Harvest Lunch that were very well attended. A community BBQ was arranged to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III in May. A bouncy castle and other inflatables were hired to entertain the children.

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The children from St John’s Church of England School attend a service at least termly (Easter, end of term in July, Harvest and Christmas). There was also a Key Stage 2 School Carol Service held on 13[th] December. The clergy also deliver regular collective worship.

The Clergy enjoy good relationships with a number of other local schools: Aylward Primary School, Avanti House Secondary School (new), Bentley Wood High School, North London Collegiate School (new), Stanburn Primary School, Stanmore Montessori and Whitchurch Primary School. Different year groups from each of these schools visit the church during the year. The clergy deliver termly assemblies in Aylward Primary School.

During 2023 the church was used for:

(numbers in brackets relate to 2022)

The Rector, Assistant Curate and PCC are committed to the pastoral care of all people in the parish of St John’s. Holy Communion was taken regularly to four housebound parishioners (and others as and when required) by a commissioned team of lay people in addition to the Rector and Assistant Curate. The Rector and Assistant Curate make time to visit parishioners at home or in hospital with the assistance of the Licensed Lay Ministers, Pastoral Assistant and Bereavement Visiting Team.

In addition to worship, spiritual growth is encouraged through Home Groups, of which there are now three meeting regularly. The Assistant Curate is leading a new monthly prayer group.

The Rector meets regularly with the Assistant Curate, Churchwardens, Treasurer, Deputy Wardens and Parish Administrator to plan the workload for the ensuing months. As part of the meetings, priorities are agreed for upcoming fabric works.

The achievements of the PCC are only possible because of the large number of volunteers who give generously of their time and energy. Volunteers undertake a wide variety of tasks including (but not restricted to) membership of the various committees and visiting teams, stewardship of buildings, stewardship of finances, children’s & youth work, Little Fishers, Tea & Chat, flower arranging, music, gardeners amongst many others. The PCC gratefully acknowledges all these contributions.

Missionary and Outreach Work

During the course of the year the PCC decided to make the following donations:

Bereavement Care £200
Flyspec £2,000
Mission to Seafarers £2,000
Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) £975
Total £5,175

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Risks

The trustees confirm that the major risks (namely financial, health & safety and safeguarding) as identified by the trustees, to which the charity is exposed, have been reviewed and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks.

Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline

The PCC have complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 in relation to having due regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding remains a substantive agenda item on each PCC agenda and we use the Church of England’s Safeguarding Dashboard.

The Revd Matthew Stone Rector

Deanery Synod Report

The Deanery Synod met for three sessions during the year with a time of worship led by the host church or school, who were invited to give a profile of the parish (or school) and its mission and ministries before the Synod prayed for them. Hosts also kindly provided refreshments. At each meeting reports were tabled or presented on the recent sessions by those elected to the Diocesan and General Synods. There was also a short business meeting held using the Zoom Software. During the year a new triennium started on 1[st] July, and elections were held in preparation for the opening meeting.

The first meeting was held on 8[th] February at St Alban’s North Harrow with the theme of “Modern Slavery – what is it and what can we do about it?”. Pattie Gercke, Development Worker for the Compassionate Communities Team of the Diocese, gave a presentation on Modern Slavery. Modern Slavery is a serious crime in which people are coerced or deceived into a situation where they are exploited for the purpose of making a profit. The offence is punishable by up to life imprisonment under the 2015 Modern Slavery Act. She described the various forms of slavery, the victims, the signs to look out for, the resources available, and what we in the parishes can do about it. She then answered questions.

At the Parish APCMs new lay representatives on the Synod were elected. Elections were made for the Triennium. John Dolling was re-elected as Lay Chairman; Robert May as Secretary; David Green, Barry Hingston, Ajay More and Emma Webber as Clergy Members of the Standing Committee; Mary Abbott, Toby Partridge and Clive Scowen as Lay Members of the Standing Committee; Derek Taylor-Mew as Independent Examiner; John Spencer as Representative on Bereavement Care Management Committee and Clementina Pagano as Foundation Governor of St John’s School Stanmore. The three representatives on Harrow SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education) had agreed to continue and were confirmed (Revd James Power, Alison Stowe, and Mary Abbott).

A meeting to discuss Synod business was held using the Zoom software on 15[th] June. Five applications for a grant from the Deanery Mission Fund had been received from: St Mary’s Kenton for notice boards; All Saints’ Harrow Weald for sound system improvements; St Peter’s West Harrow for Messy Church equipment; Re:Generation Schools Work for equipment and materials and Holy Trinity Wealdstone for outreach events. These were all approved. The

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Deanery Accounts for 2022 were received and approved, subject to Independent Examination. Toby Partridge was confirmed as the Deanery representative on the Area Finance Committee.

The new triennium opened with the 4[th] July session, which was held at St Mary-the-Virgin Kenton and started with a Eucharist. The Bishop of Willesden, the Rt. Revd Bishop Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, addressed the Synod and answered questions. Synod agreed to co-opt the Headteachers of two Church of England Schools to be members of the Synod. Jo Hester at St John’s Stanmore and Daniel Norris at St Jerome’s Harrow.

The third meeting was held on 23[rd] November at Bishop Ramsey Church of England School Ruislip. Executive Head, Dr. Hilary Macaulay, gave an introduction to the school and its vision and activities. These included three projects: ‘The Big Feast’ providing a different experience of worship; the ‘Willesden Area Church of England Choir Project’ where over two days twelve schools in the Area worked with the London Gospel Community Choir; ‘Common Good Schools’ which was designed through the lessons and assemblies to get schools working with their community. Synod was then given fifteen minutes for conversation in groups to consider three questions:- “What is your response to these projects?”, “What volunteering opportunities could your church offer for students in your community?” and “Do you have any other ideas for how your church community could link with your local schools?”. Alison Stowe gave a report from Harrow SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education). Ann Lynes announced that she is stepping down as Area Dean and the Bishop of Willesden will appoint a successor. A By-Election had been held to fill a vacancy for a Lay Representative of the Synod on the London Diocesan Synod. Noah Kelly of St Alban’s North Harrow had been elected to fill this vacancy.

Robert May Honorary Secretary

Church House

During 2023 Church House generated income of £58,174 (2022 £67,950). It is accepted that the 2022 level of income was unusually high, given that it was the first ‘normal’ year since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023 there were 60 one-off bookings with an additional 9 days of holiday camps and 12 days of ante-natal classes taking place (2022 – 64 one-off bookings). The bookings in 2022 were longer in length possibly reflecting a desire from families to hold functions that had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For comparison purposes, the Church House income across the previous three years was as follows:

2019 £56,457 2020 £29,628 2021 £46,427

Church House is first and foremost the church hall for St John’s Church and priority will always be given to church groups/activities ahead of third parties.

The following church groups use the premises on a regular basis:

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  1. Junior Church (including the monthly games session)

  2. Little Fishers Parents & Toddler Group

  3. Tea & Chat

  4. Youth Group

It was also pleasing to hold a Pre-Lent Lunch, Harvest Lunch and Christmas Afternoon Tea during the year. These are popular events with delicious food.

The following non-church groups use the premises on a regular basis:

  1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Wednesday evening)

  2. Karate (Thursday afternoon)

  3. Metropolitan Police Cadets (Tuesday evening)

  4. Rainbows/Brownies/Guides (Friday evenings during term time)

  5. Stanmore Montessori (Monday to Friday during term time)

  6. Taekwondo (Thursday evening)

A hiring agreement is signed on an annual basis with each regular hirer, apart from Stanmore Montessori where the legal instrument in place is a three-year lease (signed in 2021). Each group submits a copy of their safeguarding policy each year as well as their current insurance certificate, in confirmation that they have cover in place for their activity.

A robust booking system for hiring Church House on a one-off basis has been in place since 2014 (reviewed annually by the PCC), which is administered most efficiently through the Parish Office. This ensures we maintain a professional and consistent approach towards all bookings.

Terms & Conditions of hire are in place for all Church House users (both regular and one-off). These include reference to the hirer putting in place their own safeguarding procedures if children will be on the premises during their booking, food hygiene/allergy information, insurance cover and risk assessments. All hirers of Church House must sign a booking form which confirms their agreement to the Terms & Conditions.

An agreed pricing structure is in place for one-off bookings:

Wolstenholme Hall

£85 per hour (daytime) £110 per hour (after 6pm)

£250 Good Conduct Deposit payable every time

Engagement Parties/Wedding Receptions

£2,500 for the day £500 Good Conduct Deposit payable every time

An appointed keyholder oversees one-off bookings. They are paid a fee of £25 (£50 if after a 9pm finish) per booking for providing a service to handover the premises to a one-off hirer. The keyholder is not an employee but rather a contractor who submits invoices for their services. The handover covers emergency evacuation, fire extinguishers’ locations, health & safety, safeguarding and security, as well as the practical elements of using the premises (eg how to operate the heating). At the end of the booking, the keyholder returns to Church House to ensure the premises are left clean and tidy before locking up.

Karen Stirrup Parish Administrator

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PCC Secretary’s Report

The PCC met seven times in 2023: 9[th] February, 28[th] March, 30[th] April, 24[th] May, 18[th] July, 27[th] September and 22[nd] November. All meetings were held in Church House.

Attendance at PCC meetings measured as a percentage was 75% (2022 - 75%) across the year. At every meeting, PCC Members received an update on the financial position to the end of the previous month. Updates on fabric matters, safeguarding and mission remained substantive agenda items.

With St John’s Church being a registered charity, PCC Members were reminded on two occasions of their obligations as trustees, especially the responsibility to ensure our ‘charity’ is operated in a way that carries out its purposes in respect of public benefit. PCC Members are confident that they have done this.

PCC meetings are always efficiently organised with the agenda, minutes, financial information and other papers being circulated electronically at least one full week ahead of each meeting. This gives PCC Members the opportunity to read the papers in advance so they can prepare for each meeting. Whilst PCC Members view the papers online to save printing and environmental costs, hardcopies of the agenda, minutes and financial information are placed in the church porch for others to read to ensure transparency and accountability. PCC Members are invited to declare any interests (financial or otherwise) at the beginning of each meeting and withdraw whilst the conflicted item is discussed. Draft minutes are usually circulated within 48 hours of the meeting to enable actions points to be taken forward promptly. Financial information is circulated monthly to PCC Members in between PCC meetings to ensure they are kept up-to-date.

As other reports will invariably contain business that has been transacted by the PCC during the year, this report will be focused only on matters that are unlikely to appear elsewhere.

February

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March

April

May

July

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September

November

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At various points during the year, the congregation were invited to make online donations if desired to support Christian Aid, Harrow Foodbank, The Children’s Society and Firm Foundation. Online donations were apposite as the usual collections in Church no longer take place.

The produce collected in the Harvest Festival on 1[st] October was taken to the Harrow Foodbank. There is no longer a collecting box in the church as Sainsbury’s in Stanmore have a collection point which is more convenient for people to use.

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Mission

The Diocese of London’s current vision is as follows:

The PCC continue to support four mission areas: children & young people, discipleship, environment and outreach which have become the major focus of our new mission action plan. Each PCC Member joined one of these groups which have met in between PCC meetings during 2023 to discuss, agree and implement new goals/priorities to further the mission of St John’s Church.

Some of the work discussed and actioned in 2023 is as follows:

Children & Young People

Discipleship

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Environment

Outreach

During the year it was pleasing to engage with our local schools as follows:

Avanti House Secondary School

A new relationship commenced with this school. The Rector was invited into school to speak to the Year 9 students (180 students) about aspects of Christianity they need to know for their GCSE RE. Sylvia Daniels, Christy Oommen, Becky Stone and Lorna Wyon kindly accompanied the Rector and spoke about their faith. In 2024, the school will bring Year 10 to church for a visit.

Aylward Primary School

The Year 3s (x 60 children) visited to learn about prayer. The Year 4s (x 60 children) visited to learn about Christmas. The Rector continues to deliver assemblies in school at Christmas, Easter and Harvest each year.

Bentley Wood High School

North London Collegiate School

The Years 3s (x 50 children) from North London Collegiate School visited for the first time to learn about Christianity.

St John’s School

The Year 6s (x 60 children) visited to learn about baptism. The whole school visit each term for a service. A Key Stage 2 Carol Service was held in December.

Stanburn Primary School

The Year 4s (x 120 children) visited to learn about the church.

The Assistant Curate was invited to speak to the children about Christmas.

The Year 5s (x 120 children) visited to learn about Christmas. Earlier in the year, the Rector was invited into the school to teach the Year 2s about the parables of Jesus.

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In closing, 2023 felt like we were back to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic, with lots of activities and events taking place, together with a large number of engagements with the community especially through our work with the local schools. The numbers of people attending the church services continues to increase.

Thank you to all those who work so hard to ensure the smooth running of St John’s Church – far too many to name – but all equally valued and appreciated.

Karen Stirrup PCC Secretary

Financial Review

  1. A budget for 2023 was approved by the PCC on 22[nd] November 2022. A copy of the current budget is always displayed in the church porch.

  2. The accounts are operated on an accruals basis.

  3. Total expenditure was £203,821 compared to total income of £225,957 resulting in a surplus of £22,135 (2022 - £31,047).

  4. Planned giving has increased by £7,477 to £77,950 (2022 - £70,473). Other donations have also increased: £8,510 (2022 - £7,851)

  5. An annual ‘thank you’ letter was sent by the Treasurer in respect of all regular donations received during the year.

  6. Gift Aid recovered on eligible stewardship and donations amounted to £19,374 (2022 - £18,107) and related to donations received from January 2023 through to December 2023.

  7. The annual donation from the historic Stanmore Charities totalled £4,971 (2022 - £4,668).

  8. Additional income of £58,174 (2022 - £67,950) was generated from hiring Church House (our hall) which is represented as follows:

Total (£) Total (£)
Stanmore Montessori 32,419
Regular Bookings 5,367
One-Off Bookings x 60 (2022 = 64) 20,388
TOTAL 58,174

The bookings in 2022 were longer in length possibly reflecting a desire from families to hold functions that had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. pandemic. The position regularised in 2023 to a level similar to 2019.

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  1. Rental income from Hollond Lodge and 16 The Chase totalled £31,950 (2022 - £31,500). Agent fees, renewal fees, management fees and rent guarantee insurance (on 16 The Chase) totalled £5,574.

The tenancy agreement at 16 The Chase was renewed for a further 24 months on 3[rd] March.

We also paid the 1% Deanery Schools’ Levy of £877.75 (1% of Common Fund) which is shared amongst the Church of England Schools in the Willesden Episcopal Area through the Mission Grant scheme administered by the Archdeacon of Northolt.

The total in 2023 was higher because it includes: decorating and fitting new blinds in the Micklem Hall (£3,300) and unexpected Tree Works on Church Field (£3,010) as well as the higher cost of utilities (£1,871 on Church House electricity).

The budget of £1,000 set for Church electricity was incorrect (actual cost £4,070).

There are now seven legacies totalling £41,481 being held as follows:

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The monies representing these funds are held in separate bank deposit accounts with the Central Board of Finance Church of England Deposit Fund.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of this church to hold as a minimum in reserve the equivalent of three months of general running costs (£50,000) and an additional three month’s salary costs (£2,500). It is also our policy to hold £25,000 for any urgent building work that may arise during the year.

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I should like to take this opportunity to thank the members of St John’s who regularly support the mission and ministry of the church by their [regular] giving. Thanks also to those who have helped with the finances (bank signatories and paying in at the bank) during the year.

Jennifer Neve PCC Treasurer

Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) FRS102 Wording - December 2023 Year End

St John’s Church participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers.

CWPF has two sections:

  1. the Defined Benefits Scheme

  2. the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two sub-sections:

  3. a) a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,

  4. b) a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014 (= St John’s Church).

Pension Builder Scheme

Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.

Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors.

Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared is payable, unreduced, from age 65.

There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.

The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2023: £463, 2022: £409).

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2019.

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For the Pension Builder Classic section, the 2019 valuation revealed a deficit of £4.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective 1 January 2024, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 6.7% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997; and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 2006 service so that the pension increase was 5% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to 2.5%). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2023. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the 2019 valuation revealed a surplus of £5.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2022. Calculations for this are currently under way.

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails St John’s Church could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.

The Revd Matthew Stone Rector

Wording supplied by the Church of England Pension Scheme

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These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 19[th] March 2024 and signed by the Chair on their behalf. ban 4.

The Revd Matthew Stone Chair

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Statement of Financial Activities 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment 2023 2022
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Income from charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Expenditure on charitable activities
Other expenditure
Total expenditure
Gains / losses on investment assets
Net income / (expenditure) resources before
transfer
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own
use
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Represented by
Unrestricted
General fund
Designated
Legacies Fund
Organ Fund
Property Account Fund
Rectory Decoration Fund
Restricted Interest
Restricted
Bell Ringers Fund
Legacies Fund
M Webb Legacy Fund
Restricted Interest
Weber Grave Fund
Endowment
Legacies Fund
M Webb Legacy Fund
Weber Grave Fund		 105,836
—
—
105,836
96,433
13,706
—
—
13,706
12,088
59,499
—
—
59,499
69,875
45,687
307
—
45,994
33,088
855
65
—
920
1,300
225,584
372
—
225,957
212,786
—
—
—
—
—
194,339
—
—
194,339
171,926
9,482
—
—
9,482
10,364
203,821
—
—
203,821
182,291
—
—
—
—
—
21,763
372
—
22,135
30,494
10,882
—
—
10,882
8,270
(10,882)
—
—
(10,882)
(8,270)
—
—
—
—
480,000
21,763
372
—
22,135
510,494
2,891,261
1,390
—
2,892,651
2,382,156
2,913,024
1,762
—
2,914,786
2,892,651
251,953
—
—
251,953
224,054
500
—
—
500
500
(31,182)
—
—
(31,182)
(21,222)
2,680,000
—
—
2,680,000
2,680,000
(6,399)
—
—
(6,399)
(5,600)
18,153
—
—
18,153
13,529
—
(7,585)
—
(7,585)
(7,650)
—
7,650
—
7,650
7,650
—
75
—
75
75
—
1,501
—
1,501
1,194
—
120
—
120
120
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

A20

Balance Sheet 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023

2023 2022
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Current assets
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand

Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year
Provision for liabilities and charges due within one year
Net current assets less current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Provision for liabilities after one year
Total net assets less liabilities
Represented by
Unrestricted
Unrestricted - General fund
Designated
Designated - Restricted Interest
Designated - Organ Fund
Designated - Rectory Decoration Fund
Designated - Legacies Fund
Designated - Property Account Fund
Restricted
Restricted - Bell Ringers’ Fund
Restricted - Restricted Interest
Restricted – Mary Webb Legacy Fund
Restricted – Legacies’ Fund
Restricted - Creation Garden Fund
Restricted - Weber Grave Fund
Funds of the church		 2,680,000
2,680,000
868
321,293
322,161
13,329
1,520
307,312
2,987,312
35,800
36,725
2,914,786
251,953
18,153
(31,182)
(6,399)
500
2,680,000
(7,585)
1,501
75
7,650
—
120
2,914,786		 2,680,000
2,680,000
868
285,338
286,206
8,800
2,375
275,031
2,955,031
35,600
26,780
2,892,651
224,054
13,529
(21,222)
(5,600)
500
2,680,000
(7,650)
1,194
75
7,650
—
120
2,892,651

A21

Notes to the Financial Statements 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023

Accounting Policies

a. Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations, together with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation to another body, nor those which are informal gatherings of church members.

b. Funds accounting

Funds held by the PCC are:

Unrestricted funds – general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes.

Designated funds – monies set aside by the PCC out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.

Restricted funds:

Endowment funds: funds the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from the investment of the endowment may be used, either as restricted or unrestricted funds, depending on the purpose set out in the terms of the original endowment.

c. Incoming resources

All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

Voluntary income

Collections are recognised when received.

Planned giving receivable is recognised only when received.

Income Tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. Grants and legacies are recognised when the PCC is legally entitled to the amount due.

Income from investments

Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.

All other income

All other income is recognised when it is receivable.

Gains and losses on investments

Realised gains are recognised when the investments are sold.

A22

d. Resources used

Resources expended are accounted for on an accruals basis and are accounted for gross.

Grants

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded where the award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Church Activities

The Diocesan Parish Share (= Common Fund) is accounted for when paid. Any Parish Share unpaid at 31[st] December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet. The Parish Share has always been in full.

e. Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.96 (2) of the Charities Act 1993.

Movable church furnishings held by the Rector and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church’s inventory which can be inspected. For some inalienable property acquired in the past there may not be sufficient cost information surviving and therefore such assets may not be valued in the accounts. Individual items acquired since 1[st] January 2009 have been capitalised in the accounts and depreciated over their useful economic life (see note (d)).

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of tangible fixed assets, excluding freehold properties, over a five-year period which is to the end of their expected useful lives. There are no assets currently being depreciated.

No depreciation is provided on freehold property as it is the PCC’s policy to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. The useful economic life of these assets is so long and residual values so high that any depreciation would not be material. These assets will be subject to annual impairment reviews. Provision will be made if there has been any permanent diminution in value.

Investments

Investments are stated at book value in the accounts and recorded at market value at balance sheet date in the accompanying notes.

f. Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31[st] December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors, less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.

Short term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the Bank.

g. Trustees

Apart from the Rector and Assistant Curate, who are in receipt of stipends paid by the Church Commissioners, no other elected PCC Member was remunerated in 2023. The aggregate amount given by serving PCC Members in 2023 was £11,444.

The Rector, Assistant Curate and Pastoral Assistant were reimbursed expenses of office totalling £1,040 of which £359 relates to mileage, and £109 relates to travel on public transport. No other payments were made to PCC Members, nor persons closely connected to them.

A23

Income and Expenditure 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023

Year to date: 01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023

Budget
Actual
Variance
2022		 Budget
Actual
Variance
2022		 Budget
Actual
Variance
2022		 Budget
Actual
Variance
2022		 Budget
Actual
Variance
2022		 Budget
Actual
Variance
2022
Income
Standing Orders
Gift Aid – White Envelopes
Stewardship Cheques
Donations Other Gift Aid
Curate (leaving collection)
Donations Other not Gift Aided
Church Plate Collections
Open Church Collections
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid
Stanmore Charities (Clerk Staple/Hollond Lodge)
Dividends & Interest
CBF Bank Interest
Rent - 16 The Chase
Rent - Hollond Lodge
Funeral Fees PCC
Wedding Fees PCC
Listed Place of Worship Grant
Church Hall Caretaker Fee
Church Hall Lettings – One-Off
Montessori School Letting
Church Hall Lettings – Regular
Youth Group
Café St Jean
Social Events
Church Flowers
Little Fishers Parent and Toddler Group
Junior Church
Church Bell Tower		 64,731
77,000
12,269
—
330
330
600
620
20
504
3,498
2,994
—
855
855
1,500
2,700
1,200
600
2,074
1,474
240
238
-1
16,000
19,374
3,374
5,000
4,971
-29
4
49
45
1,500
13,895
12,395
20,850
20,950
100
11,100
11,100
—
1,200
1,595
395
612
1,254
642
—
392
392
1,200
1,325
125
18,000
20,388
2,388
30,467
32,419
1,952
6,000
5,367
-633
—
80
80
1,800
1,828
28
900
2,144
1,244
804
875
71
200
120
-80
300
446
146
—
65
65
Income - totals
184,112
225,957
41,844
212,786
Year to date: 01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 Year to date: 01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 Year to date: 01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 Year to date: 01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 Year to date: 01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023
Budget
Actual
Variance
2022
Expenditure
Giving to Missionary Societies
Secular Charities (B. Care, Flyspec, TLG)
Ministry Parish Share (plus School Mission Fund)
Ministry Parish Share - Extra
Parish Administrator – Salary
Parish Administrator – National Insurance
Parish Administrator – Pension/Life Insurance
Employer’s NI Allocation HMRC £4,000
Church Quinquennial
Maintenance - Hollond Lodge
Maintenance - Church House Cottage		 3,100
3,175
-75
2,800
2,000
2,000
—
2,000
88,652
88,652
—
86,052
—
4,389
-4,389
—
10,546
10,546
—
10,546
180
200
-19
183
463
463
—
463
—
-207
207
(183)
10,000
7,302
2,698
—
1,169
1,207
-38
1,945
202
100
102
1,001
3,100
3,175
-75
2,000
2,000
—
88,652
88,652
—
—
4,389
-4,389
10,546
10,546
—
180
200
-19
463
463
—
—
-207
207
10,000
7,302
2,698
1,169
1,207
-38
202
100
102

A24

Maintenance – The Chase
Legal & Professional Fees
Honoraria
Working Expenses of Incumbent
Parsonage House Expenses
Pastoral Assistant
Working Expenses of Curate
Curate (leaving gift)
Parish Training
Hospitality Expenses
Youth Group
Home Group
Administration
Postage & Telephone
Photocopier – Costs
Photocopier – Lease
Parish Office Costs
Printing/Stationery
Harrow Deanery Expenses
Bank Charges
Church Cleaning
Church Insurance
Church Maintenance
Church Flag
Church Flowers
Church Lighting
Church Organ/Piano Tuning
Church Projection System
Church Garden Waste (Brown Bin)
Upkeep of Services
Service Sundries
Music & Choir & Licenses
Church Publicity
Sundry Expenses
Junior Church
Social Events
Café St Jean
Church Electricity
Church Water
Church Heating
Church Hall Electricity & Gas
Church Hall Rubbish Removal
Church Hall Sundry Expenses
Church Hall Insurance
Church Hall Maintenance
Church Hall Mowing
Church Hall Cleaning
Church Hall Cleaning Materials
Church Hall Caretaking Fee
Church Hall Water
Church House Cottage – Repairs
Hollond Lodge - Repairs
16 The Chase - Repairs		 Budget
Actual
Variance
1,385
1,419
-33
4,068
5,574
-1,506
—
594
-594
800
692
107
876
1,407
-531
100
53
46
500
293
206
—
888
-888
225
1,450
-1,225
—
875
-875
—
572
-572
—
3
-3
160
215
-55
761
900
-139
500
977
-477
1,944
1,390
554
184
195
-10
150
1,531
-1,381
—
—
—
199
199
—
2,400
2,600
-200
8,008
7,686
321
3,746
2,612
1,133
—
594
-594
600
1,071
-471
—
174
-174
1,200
1,077
122
—
991
-991
—
140
-140
680
1,876
-1,196
200
665
-465
375
401
-26
100
207
-107
25
186
-161
800
904
-104
—
1,934
-1,934
696
1,015
-319
1,000
4,070
-3,070
425
256
168
4,500
4,363
136
8,000
9,870
-1,870
483
508
-25
—
3
-3
3,683
3,682
0
5,000
8,567
-3,567
2,640
5,214
-2,574
3,000
2,512
487
780
883
-103
1,200
2,317
-1,117
400
366
33
2,000
—
2,000
2,000
—
2,000
2,000
—
2,000
Expenditure – totals
184,112
203,821
-19,709
182,291
Overall totals
—
22,135
22,135
30,494

A25

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31[st] December 2023

2,914,786

Cash
CBF Deposit Account
Barclays Current Account
Investments
CCLA Shares
Tangible Assets
Property
Liabilities (due within a year)
Accruals (Architect, CF Extra, Clergy Conf,
Cooker)
Returnable Deposit (Stanmore Montessori)
Deferred Income (2024 Church H’se Bookings)
Liabilities (due after one year)
Organ Fund
Rectory Decoration
Legacies (x 4)
Restricted Fund (Old Church & Bell Ringers)		 315,400
5,893
321,293
868
868
2,680,000
2,680,000
12,829

500
1,520
-14,849
30,300
5,500
23,834
12,892

-72,526		 s
2,914,786

A26

Fund Statement of Change 1[st] January 2023 to 31st December 2023

re ——
oe
aE

A27

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) as at 31[st] December 2023

Class and nominal code General Designated Restricted Endowment 2023 2022
Fixed assets - Tangible assets
6000000 : F/H Church House at — 1,100,000 — — 1,100,000 1,100,000
6000001 : F/H St Johns House at — 775,000 — — 775,000 775,000
Cost The Chase
6000017 : F/H Hollond Lodge at — 380,000 — — 380,000 380,000
cost
6000018 : F/H Church House — 425,000 — — 425,000 425,000
Cottage at cost
Total — 2,680,000 — — 2,680,000 2,680,000
Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand
A1504 : Bank current account 14,108 (23,652) 15,437 — 5,892 50,295
A1505 : Bank deposit account (4,183) 4,183 — — — 4,810
A1520 : CBF CofE deposit A/c 225,897 54,102 5,400 — 315,400 230,233
Total 265,821 34,633 20,837 — 321,293 285,338

Current assets - Investments

A1559 : Investment Shares (CCLA) A1559 : Investment Shares (CCLA) 868 — — — 868 868
Total 868 — — — 868 868
Liabilities - Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
A1612 : Rectory Decoration Fund — 5,500 — — 5,500 5,600
A1670 : Organ Repair — 30,300 — — 30,300 30,000
Total — 35,800 — — 35,800 35,600
Liabilities - Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year
A1613 : Montessori returnable deposit 500 — — — 500 500
A1647 : Accruals 12,829 — — — 12,829 8,300
Total 13,329 — — — 13,329 8,800
Liabilities - Provision for liabilities after one year
A1700 : M Webb Fund — — 5,199 — 5,199 5,199
A1701 : A Carey Fund — — 982 — 982 982
A1710 : Bell Fund — — 7,936 — 7,936 8,006
A1711 : E Bowen — 7,650 — — 7,650 7,650
A1714 : Old Church Fund — — 4,956 — 4,956 4,941
A1715 : Jenny Gurdon — 10,000 — — 10,000 -
Total — 17,650 19,075 — 36,725 26,780

A28

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) as at 31[st] December 2023


 Class and nominal code
General
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
2023
2022
Liabilities - Provision for liabilities and charges due within one year
A1610 : Deferred Income
1,520
—
—
—
1,520
2,375
Total
1,520
—
—
—
1,520
2,375
Net total assets
250,158
2,662,866
1,762
—
2,914,786 2,892,651
Represented by
Unrestricted - General
251,953
—
—
—
252,953
224,054
Designated - Organ
—
(31,182)
—
—
(31,182)
(21,222)
Designated - Rectory
—
(6,399)
—
—
(6,399)
(5,600)
Designated - Legacies
—
500
—
—
500
500
Designated - Property
—
2,680,000
—
—
2,680,000 2,680,000
Designated - Interest
—
18,153
—
—
18,153
13,529
Restricted - Bell
—
—
(7,585)
—
(7,585)
(7,650)
Restricted - MWeb
—
—
75
—
75
75
Restricted - Legacies
—
—
7,650
—
7,650
7,650
Restricted - Webergrav
—
—
120
—
120
120
Restricted - Interest
—
—
1,501
—
1,501
1,194
Total
252,953
2,662,070
1,762
—
2,914,786 2,892,651

A29

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of: The PCC of St John the Evangelist, Great Stanmore

I report on the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023 which are set out in the foregoing pages.

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner

The PCC (Trustees) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an Independent Examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. The examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act,

  2. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

  3. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed _______

Date 19[th] March 2024

D. Taylor-Mew FMAAT

123 Park Lane, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8NN

A30