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 n￿Mbers..
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" IntrodU￿d 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 intrOdu￿d 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 I￿11 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 re￿IVeS
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 re￿nt 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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