St James, Birkdale "A place to belong" Annual Report of the PCC and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 Charity Registration No - 1127793
St James Birkdale a place Lo belong St James, Birkdale -A place to belong Contents Page Report of the Trustees Independent Examlner'5 Report 11 Statement of Financial Activities 12 Balance Sheet 13 Notes to the Financial Statements 14 Page 1
St James Birkdale a place io beiung ADMlhllSTRATIVE INFORMATION St James, Church, Lulworth Road. Birkdale, Southport, PR8 2BQ Official correspondence to the Parlsh Offio as above101704 5649071 Website: www,stjamesbirkdale.co.uk B(Jnkers.' Royal Bank of Scotland: 269 Lord St, Southport PR8 INY Independent Examiner.. Fell Grills, 40 Hoghton St, Southport PR9 OPQ For the period from l January 2024 until to the date of approval of thls report, the followin8 people served as members of the Parochial Church Council: Mlnister Rev Sam Johnson Churchwardens Mrs Jane Ludlow Mr Mlchael LIMcock and PCC Vice Chair from Aprll 2024 Deanery Synod representarfves.. Mrs Sue Barnes Mrs Jane Ludlow Mr Michael Lowcock Mr Allan Salisbury from April 2024 from April 2024 Elected nMbers.. Mr George Ampat Mr Howard Bennett Mrs Liz Downharn Dr Peter Downham Mrs Helen Foster Or Jonathan Fox Mr Brian P Jackson Mrs Dianne Harrison Mr MSchael Harrison Mr Paul Lacey Mr Chrls Nelson Mr David Roberts Mr Allan Salisbury Mr5 Sandra Unsworth Mrs Carol Wllliams Vacancy Vacancy untll Aprll 2024 untll April 2024 PCC vlce chair until April 2024 Treasurer from April 2024 until April 2024 from April 2024 until April 2024 from April 2024 from April 2024 The PCC Secretary is Mrs Judith Lawrence Page 2
St James 8irkdale a place to belong REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The Parochlal Church Councll of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St James, Birkdale IPCCI 15 a body corporate and operates under the Parochial Church Council (Powersl Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rule5. The PCC Is a charity re8iStered with the Charity Commission. Charlty number 1127793. The method of appolntment of PCC members Is set out In the Church Representation Rules. All church members are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for elettion to the PCC. AII PCC member5 and other5 in positions of leadership have completed declaratlons under the"Fit and Proper Persons Test" IntrodUd by the Flnance Act 2010. The PCC met six tlmes wlth an avera8e attendance of 71% and a short meetln8 Immedlatelv followln8 the APCM on Sundayi 14th Aprll, at which there was the requlred quorum. The PCC a150 met with St Peterf5 PCC for an away day on 6th July at Christ Church Au8hton. Day to day mana8ement control Is exerdsed on Its behalf by a Standlng Commlttee whlch would normallymeet six tlmes a year. Its members are the Vlcar, 2 Churchwardens, 3 Deputy Wardens (currently Jonathan Fox, Sandra Unsworth and Chris Nelson), and the Treasurer, The parish administrator also attends meetln8. Apart from this our preference Is to form sublect- speclfic, tlme-llmlted project groups as the need arlses, which focus on the appralsal and Implementatlon of growth Inltlatives as dlrected by PCC. Rlsk Assessments PCC members have Identlfled the major risks with procedures put in place to manage those rlsks and minimise thelr Impact on the Ilfe of the church, as detailed below. The risk assessments are reviewed annually by the PCC and were externally reviewed by our Insurers durlng a vlslt In February 2019. A desktop survey was conducted by the in5urer'5 Rlsk Management Surveyor, over the telephone In November 2024 Health and Safety A base review was undertaken in 2018 bya member of the church with specific experience In this fleld. The PCC has been apprised of the risks and the necessary compliance requirements and a comprehensive policy, incorporating a rolling pro8ramme of review, has been adopted. The most recent review of our Health and Safety Policy was carried out In February 2025. Speclflc procedures for reporting accidents are in place, training in flre safety has been given and there is a pool of church members who posse55 appropriate first aid qualifications and experience. Page 3
St James Birkdale a piAce TO I£10@ Safe8uardln8 A list of Church Member5 artive in the parish in either an offlcial or voluntary capacity, vrith DBS clearance, Is held online with our independent Safeguardlng specialist "thirtyoneeight" As and when required, the Church Wardens and PCC have requested infomiatbon and 8uidance on general Safeguarding matters from the Parbsh Safeguarding Officer {P501 and these have been responded to via updates to the PCC meetings. One speclflc Safeguarding rnatter was brought to the attention of the Vicar, PSO and Church Warden5 during this time and, in consultstion with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, has been addressed. Throughout the year PCC members have been encouraged to complete safeguarding training which is accesslble onllne. GDPR The PCC complles fully with the GDPR requlrements and ha5 In place an approved pollcy In line wlth Church of En8land recommendation5. Flnanclal rlsk An annual budget Is prepared to ensure short term vlablllty. Attual financial results compared with budget are reported and fully reviewed at each meetlng of the PCC and its Stsndln8 Commlttee. Charlty Commlsslon guldellnes on Internal Financlal Controls have been fully revlewed. A set of controls appropriate to St James, were developed and adopted by the PCC at Its January meetlng 2011. These were reviewed annually 2017 through to 2020, and then In 2022 and 2023. The next formal revlew will be 2025. OBJECTIVES AND AcfiviTI£S Oblectlves and alm$. The general functions of the PCC are stated wlthin the PCC (Powers) Measure 1956. The PCC takes very seriously it5 responsibility of promotin8 in the parlsh the whole mi55ion of the church, pastoral, evan8elistlc, Social, and ecumenical. We contlnue to hold that St James, churth should be 'A place to belon¢; for all ages, Just as you are. In 2024 the PCC worked on, and subsequently approved, the adoption of a new vlslon for us and St Peterfs church together to develop and put into practice. The vi5i0n was intrOdud to the congre8ation through a Vision Sunday, Vlsion document and the PCC meetings have been restructured around the five headin8s of the vislon. In time it is antlclpated that smaller groups wlll form to help implement the vision, with named individuals takin8 responsiblllty for particular areas.
St James Brrkdale a place io oelong The vision is to: Rooted in Prayer, Worship and krlpture For all our common and private Ilves to be prayerful in their approach, Biblical in their ministry and passionate in their Worship Seekin8 the Klngdom We want to see God's kingdom grow, introducing people In the community to faith and belng a visible presence in the community Serving Together- We want to work closely with St Peter's, St John's and other churches In the area to serve Birkdale together. Growing Falth - We want those who are part of St James, church to have the space and resources to develop and grow thelr own faith. As well as creatln8 opportunltle5 for those who are on the'frln8es' ofthe community to find thelr place. LovlnB Blrkdjle - We want to demonstrate God'5 love to our communlty, loving them by partnerin8 With others to help every person In Blrkdale to flourlsh and enjoy life in all Its fullness. When planning Its attlvltles for the year, the PCC considered the Charlty Commisslon's guldance on publlc beneflt and the speclflc guldance to charltles concemed wlth the advancement of rellgion. Our obJettlves In 2024 were to contlnue to provlde the followln8 publlc beneflts: To love the Lord our God and be open to HIM throu8h Regular publSc wor5hlp to all The provislon of a sacred place for personal prayer and contemplatlon at key events and durlng tlmes of natlonal or local sl8niflcance or crlsls. To love our nelghljours and be open to them throu8h Pastoral work, whlch has Included vlslting the housebound, slck and bereaved Teachlng of Christlanlty throu8h serrnons In Church and online The contlnuln8 teathing of Christianlty In small groups and courses Supportlng other charltles locallyi natlonwlde, and overseas Durin8 2024 we: Continued to engage wlth ways of workln8 closely wlth St Peter's and St John's Blrkdale, including re8ular prayer meetin8s wlth these and other local churches and Joint courses and events. Provided slgnificant flnancial support to 4 natlonal and international charitles. helpln8 them reach out to disadvantaged indivSduals and comrnunities, and to 3 local charities. Provided signlflcant financlal support to the Southport & Area Schools Worker Trust to enable them to continue delivering assemblies, lessons, presentatlons and extra- curricular clubs and activities. The mission and soclal group proartlvely explore opportunities for 8rowth wlthln the community. We have begun the process of exploring a chaplaincy service to the village community. Page 5
St James Birkdale place to belong In partnership wlth local charity Compassion Acts continued a weekly family space attended by a small but 8rowing number of famllies. ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Electoral Roll: There are 161 names on the Electoral Roll12023 - 163). We were sad to lose several long- standin8 members of the church who passed awayduringthe year. Wor5hlp: Since his Ilcenslng In September 2023, as vicar to St James'llncumbent) and St Peterfs IPrlest- in-chargel. churches, Reverend Sam Johnson has continued to develop his ministry across the two churche5 and parishes. We are very grateful for the contlnulng support of retired mlnlster, Revd Paul 8rody. We were also fortunate to have George Ampat, Jemlma George, Peter Lawrence, Revd Angela Robinson, Allan Salisbury, and Joyce Salisbury on the preachin8 team and were most thankful for their support. Our thanks go Jane Newby IGRSM, ARCOI who continues as our or8anlst and to all who have given of their musical talents durlng the year. Avera8e adult attendance at our Sunday services in 2024 wa5 7612023- 861, with the onllne streamin8 servlce attractin8 a further average of 7. Through our website we have contlnued to offer recorded sermons to those who are unable to vislt our services In person, where also the Ilnk to the Sunday Ilve stream can be found. As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the mllestones of the journey through life. During 2024, four children were baptised In church. Bereavement care is a vital part of our mlnlstry and there were eleven funerals held in church. Appreclated by members of St James,, St Peter's, and the local community, VRS an All Souls'lBereavement service for those who had lost loved ones, held in 2024 at St Peterf5. On the 5th Sunday a combined service is held in rotation with St Peterfs, St John'5 Birkdale and Llverpool Road Methodist Church with each church taking a turn to host. Fellowship Duringthe weekslx'home, groups. just under60 church members met in homes or at church. These gatherings provide opportunity for study, teaching, and fellowship and for many are at the heart of what it means to belong. The Mothers, Union branch continued to meet either at St James, orst Peterfs. Page 6
St James Birkdale PIAce LO beloi)P Other events have included the following.. monthly parish breakfast following the 8.15am service of Holy Communion refreshments served after the 9.45am service each week games evenlng on the first Thursday each month the resumption of a monthly Sunday afternoon tea lunches out for men and ladies children's Light and Christmas Partie5 Chrlstmas afternoon tea party mince pies and mulled wine after the carols by candlell8ht service The PCC connects wlth the wider structures of the church through appointed members of North Meols Deanery Synod and Liverpool Dlocesan Synod. Pastornl Care and Serv1 to our communlty Our alm to take the church out Into the community, offerlng communlon to local nursing home resldents and the housebound, contlnued in 2024. Carol singing took place In Birkdale village with representatives of the other Birkdale churches and carols were sung by a small group of church member5 In Several care homes. For a thlrd year we ran a children's natlvlty trail from a stall at the Blrkdale Chrlstmas Falr wlth St Peter's, St John's, and Llverpool Road Methodlst churches. Pastoral oversl8ht and vlsitin8 of church members contlnued an Informal basls through the network of friendships and home8roup membershlp. FJmllles' and Chlldren's work Although we do not have many chlldren and famllles connectln8 wlth us on a re8ular basS5, we are always pleased to welcome them for baptlsms and other 5peclal services. A growlng number of children are attendlng our monthly family sernlces. We have a range of resources sultable for children and youn8 people and a Small group of people who make them avallable. Our prayer Is that It I11 become possible to put more structured arrangement5 In place to ensure the spldtual needs of chlldren are met when they are wlth us on Sundays. The unlformed or8anlzations contlnue to meet weekly during term tlme In the church hall and we like to welcome them to famlly seNices when they can attend. With our friends at Southport Area Schools Worker Trust ISASWTI we hope to build Ilnks with the local schools. Mlssion links The PCC aims to give to external charltles not less than IO% of the planned giving It reIVeS from church members and our Accounts for 2024 Indicate a result in excess of thls110.3%1. This Is overseen by a Mlssion Support group which remained focused in 2024 on 5 main tharities, Latin Link, Church Mission Society (CMSI, Church Pastoral Ald Society ICPASI, Page 7
St James Birkdale a place 10 belong Tearfund and the Southport and Area Schools Worker Trust. Additionally, we sustained support of various local charities, including Light for Lrfe, Southport Soup Kitchen, and Compasslon Acts (Southport Foodbank) - these local charities are supported both financially or throu8h donatlons made at Harvest, Christmas and throu8hout the year. We continue to support paediatrician, Dr Nlcci Maxwell in her work with CMS. In Au8USt 2024 she started work in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, dividing her tlme between ACROSS, South Sudanese Christlan organisatlon wlth a history of partnership with CMS, and the Al Sabah Children's Hospital in Juba. Her work includes caring for young children in a refu8ee settlement and treatin8 neonatal babies and teachlng newly qualified dortors In the hospital. Our connectlon with Latln knnk is through the daughter of one of our church members. Julie Noble work5 in Oruro, Bolivla, whlch Indude5 workln8 With children and families at the Angel Tree Centre. In November we once a8aln supported Samaritan's Purse, 'Operatlon Christmas Chlld. sendln8 gift filled shoeboxes, loose hats, scarves, toothbrushes, sponges, and cash, all donated by members of the con8regation. Throu8h payment of Its Parlsh Share, thls parlsh also contrlbutes to the cost of mlssion and mlnlstry In the many deprlved areas whlch exlst sn the Llverpool Dlocese. Church bulldln85 and fabr1¢ We continue to invest tlme and energy in the maintenance of the church building. Any bulldlngofover 160years requires a structured pro8ramme ofmalntenance and renewal. From the last qulnquennial Inspettion In 2018, we were aware that remedial work was needed on some parts of the buildln8. The maln elements of these have been conducted under a phased pro8ramme of work. These Included projects of conserlation on the north transept roof, rainwater valleys and stonework,. work to the south transept and vestry roofs; and extensive remedlal works to all high-level windows. The most rent quinquennlal Inspertlon was carried out towards the end of 2024. At the tlme of writlng the archltert's report Ss yet to be finalised. Other fabrlc works undertaken durlng 2024 included varlous dralna8e repairs. A new electricity 5upplywas laid Into the church hall to enable a major refurblshment of the kitchen hall. An elettrlcal installatlon condition report IEICRI was prepared as Is required every five year5. As a re5uIt, a significant amount of remedial electrical repairs and re-wirlng were carried out. Through all these artivities, the PCC confirm that they have complied wlth their dutyto have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Commission in exeroslng their powers or duties. Pag8 8
St James Birkdale a place to belong FINANCIAL REVIEW The accounts for 2024 show net outgoing in the year of £72.7k compared with net income of £38.3k in 2023. The church was grateful to receive a legacy of £5.Ok in the year. During the revlew period the kitchen within the church hall recelved a malor facelift costing £65.2k. The South Transept works started in 2023 were finished in 2024 at an additlonal cost of £4.4k. Cash balance5 were £228k at year end compared wlth £303k at the end of 2023. The church derives most of its Income from 8lvln8 by parish members, to whom it Ss grateful. The total unrestrlcted 8lving and donatlon5 in 2024, Including Glft Aid recovered, was £129k, whlch Included Gift Day recelpts of £21.5k Sncluding Glft Aid recoverable. The giving In 2023 was £121k. We continue to support Christian charitles and rellef agencles, both home and abroad {£15.9k} and pald our full Parish Share. The PCC reco8nlses that It faces challenges ahead to ensure that there are sufficlent resources to meet the vislon, whether those resources are needed for mlnistry or malntenance of fabrlc. We also acted as agents for the Dlocese of Liverpool relatlng to payments for those actlng as or8anlsts at weddln8s and funera15 of £1,292 Reserves Pollcy The reserves pollcy of the PCC is to hold In reallsable unrestrlrted funds a mlnimum of 4 months general runnln8 expenses, and a fabric fund for emergency repalrs, equating In all to £53k. Voluntsry ser¥lce The PCC would Ilke to thank the many volunteers who sustaln the life and mlnlstry of St James, Many members of the church also 8lve of theirtlme outside church, In many dlfferent voluntary roles In the public and charity sector5, wlth an impart well beyond the parish boundaries and this is acknowled8ed and affirmed by the PCC. Plans for the Future We continue to belleve that there Is a strong sense of God's callln8 acro55 the North Meo15 Deanery for Change. It Is our prayer that con8regations of the three churches In Birkdale will continue to be challenged to work collaboratively towards a vision for the future. The Vision document outlines a closer working pattern between St Jarnes, and St Peter's, and over time we hope to include St John's in further discussion and ways of working together. Revsam. with the wardens and PCC5 of Stjames, and St Peterfs churches, will seekto develop the newly ad¢)pted vision turning it alms and objectives into prattlcal tasks and attions a5 well Page 9
St James Birkdale place 10 b4ylono as dlscerning new dirertions we believe God is leading us. This process also involves working with key individuals to plan and implement these outcomes In a that is effectlve. We wlll ensure our objectives in 2025 dellver those publlc benefits pwiously identified In this report as well as maintainlng the fabric of the church and the hall. APPROVED BY THE PCC ON 17th Marth 2025 AND SIGNED ON ITS 8EHALF BY: Revd Sam Johnson Vicar Mlchael Lowcock Church Warden Pagè 10
St James Birkdale a place 10 btrlong Independent ExamlAerfs Report Report to the Parochlal Church Councll IPCCI of St James, Birkdale on the accounts for the year ended 31, December 2024. as set out on pages 12-20 of your Annual Report. Respertlve responslbilitles of Trustees and Examlner The PCC Is re5ponsiblefor the preparation of the accounts and it conslders that an audlt is not requlred for thls year under sectlon 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe Charltles Aetl and that an Independent examinatlon is needed. It Is my re5ponsibillty to: examine the a¢counts under 5ectlon 145 of the Charltles Act, to follow the procedures laSd down in the general Dlrectlons glven by the Charlty Commlsslon (under sectlon 14515llbl of the Charitles Act). and to state whether partlcular matters have come to my attentlon. Ba$1$ of lTrdependent Examlnerfs statememt My examination was carried out Sn accordance with general Dlrectlon5 given by the Charity Commlssion. An examination Includes a revlew of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also Includes consideratlon of any unusual Items or dlsclosures In the accounts and seeklng explanatlons from the PCC concernln8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be requlred in an audit, and consequently no oplnionls given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, vlew and the report is limited to those matters set out Sn the statement below. Independent Examlnerfs Statement In connectlon wlth my examlnatlon. no materlal matters have come to my attentlon: whlch glves me reasonable cause to believe that In any materSal aspect.. the requlrements.. to keep accountlng records in accordance wlth sectlon 130 of the 2011 Act, and to prepare attounts whlch attord wSth the accounting records arbd comply wlth the accounting requlrements of the 2011 Act have not been met, nor to whlch, in my oplnlon, attentlon should be drawn In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts can be reached. Date:...... OJ Grllls Esq FCA JAFell&Co 40 Houghton Street Southport PR9 OPQ Page 11
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