The Parochlal Church Councll of the Ecclesiastical Pari$h of St Ebb¥ wlth Holy Trinity and St Pet•r Le Bailey. Oxford Reglstered Charlty Number: 1127816 Annual Report and Flnan¢lal Statements of tho Parochial Church Council for the year end•d 31st December 2023 Wenn Townsend Chartered A￿oUntantS Oxford This report is prepared in accordancg with the Charities Act 2011 8nd Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended PraCt￿e applicable lo charili8s preparing their accounts in a¢cordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in Oclob6r 2019. and covers the aclivitles of the Parochial Church Council during the yoar ended 31st December 2023. In accordance with Ihe Charities Act 2011 the PCC is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission Icharity number 1127816). Sl Ebbe's Church is situated in Pennyfarthing Place. off St Ebbe's Street. in central Oxford. We a150 m881 regularty al 30-34 Lime Walk, Headington. In 2019 Sl Ebbe's planted a church al Grace Church Cowley, Oxfr)rd Road, Oxford OX4 2ES. which was granted a Bishops Mission Order in February 2021. Incumbent- Revd Canon Vaughan Roberts 2 Roger Baccffl Lane Oxford OX1 1QE Banks: Barclays Bank PIC Oxford City Centre PO Box 333 Oxford OX1 3HS CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill. Wesl M811ing Kent ME19 4JQ Statutory Auditor. Wenn Townsgnd 30 Sl Gi18s Oxford OX1 3LE Minister Ioperatlonsl: Revd Tim Dossor 2 Roger Bacon Lane Oxford OXI 1QE Headlngton Admlnlstrator. Jill Gas¢oigne 21 Lab"mer Road Headington Oxford OX3 7PG Gra¢• Church Cowloy Administrator: Pascallne Levillain luntil July 20231 Sophie Quant￿11 lfrom August 20231 Grac8 ChLJrch Cowley Oxford Road Oxford OX4 2ES meMbe￿hIP During the year the followng clergy 5eNed as members of the PCC-, ncumbenl IReclorl Revd Canoft Vaughan Roberts- ChaiTman Minister {9.45am Congregation Leader) Revd Peter Wilkinson Curate & Minister16..30pm Congregation Leader and Poslgr8duate Students) Ravd Glenn Nesbitt Senior Minister (St Ebbe's. Headingtonl Rtrvd Al Horn Minister Ioperalionsl Rèvd Tim Dossor Minister. Grace ChU￿h, Cowtey R$vd Ben Vane Churchwarden$'. Alistair Cory (until July 2023) Suzanne Wilson-Higgin$ Gieg Brisk Ifrom July 2023) Represenlatives on tha Deanery Synod.. Greg Brisk Ifrom April 20231 Julia Cameron (until April 20231 Jeff Hunter (until April 20231 Rahul Ravindran Penelope Wearn lunlil 20231 Sally Cooper lunlil April 20231 T￿vOr Raymenl Kale Randle (from April 20231 David Sarjudeen Suzanne Wilson-Higgins (from Aprll 20231 Elected fnembers of the PCC.. Sally Cooper- PCC Secretary (until April 20231 Ruth Osbome- PCC Secretary (from April 20231 Sarah Bond Peter Haynes lunlil April 20231 Tom Wood Robert Horner (unlll April 2023) Trevor Rayrnent- Hon. Treasufer Jonathan Ni¢holas David Parker Richard BTunt Penny Vinden Chris White Hannah Lyman Carmen Tseng, (from April 20231 Will INaldock. (from April 2023) Robert Smith (from April 20231 R8bg¢ca Trollop8 Ilrom April 20231 Co-opled Members ofth8 PCC.. Andy BullenNorth (from July 2023) Angus Fynes-clinton (from July 20231 Peter Ridgway (from July 20231 The Rect¢x, elected members of the PCC, the Churchwardens and the Represenlalivtrs on the Deangry Synod are 011 Trustses of the Charity for the purpose5 of Charity law. The Minister (Women & Parish), Annabd Heywood, also attended PCC as a stsff member lurstil retirement In September 20231. Alm of the Chur¢h The aim of the Church is to see GCYJ glorified as we engage in three task5= reaching out lo non-bellevers, building up Christians and sending out Chris118ns to serve. Structure, Govèrnancg and Management The PCC operates through a number of Committees. which rneel betwetrn full meetings ol the PCC.. The Standing Commillee, made up of the Rector, Churchwardens. Secretary, TreaSu￿r and Minister (Operations), has the power lo transact some of the business of the PCC between meetings and a150 acts as a Standing Committee of the Central Committee. The Central Committee has delegated fespon5ibilily for the work al Sl Ebbe's Central and has the following 5ub-committees'. The Overseas Partners Support GfOUP and UK Mission Group oversee selection. 58ndin9 and support of misslon partners and presellt proposals lo the PCC conceming mission work. An Evangelism Committee meets lo encourage and support evangelism. The Buildings Committee has responsibilily for thè fabric of our current buildings. The Pastoral Care Commilleo aims lo ensure there is support and care for those who need it within tho church family and considers ways lo improve our pastoral care across the ¢h*Jrch. The Headinglon Committee has delegated responsibility for the work al St Ebbe's He8dington, which has the following sub-committees: Headinglon Standing Committee Pastoral Support Group Buildings Committee Reach th8 Nations Committee Hèadington Finance Commlttee. The Grace Church Cowley Committee has dele9algd responsibility lor the work at Grace Church Cowley, which also operates under a Bishop's Mission Order18MOI and has its own Buildings Group. The Finance Committee supports the Treasurer in preparing budgets and financial forecasting to aid the PCC in ils decision-making. The Hardship Fund Committee oversees our support for those in our church and area in need. The Remuneration Committee, which advises the PCC on staff remuneration and Care. The Risk and Governance Committee, which audits, advises and makes recommendations on the govemance of and risks to St Ebb@'s. The Safeguardin9 Committee, which oversaes the policy and adminlstration of safeguarding. The PCC (Powers) Measure 1956 requires the PCC to Co-operate bmlh the minister in promoling the whole mission of the Church, pastoral. evangelistic. social arKI ecumenical. Inductlon and Training of PCC Mgmbers New members are briefed on their le9al Obl￿all0n5 under Church and charity law. the ¢omTnittee and declsion- making processes, the plans of the church and re¢enl financial perfoTm8nce. They are en¢our8ged lo receiv8 appropriate training lo facilitate the undertaking of Ihelr role. It is mandaled th81 all PCC m8mbers receive training in Safeguarding and are rgquired lo do a 08S check. Normally there ts a training session before each PCC Meeting. ObJo¢tlves and activities for the public benelit The objective of the charity is lo promote in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church. This is primarily done through meeting lor teaching of the Bible, pralse and prayer in 7 congregations14 at Central. 2 in Headington, 1 in Cowley). The church also provides for work w(Ih children and young people on Sundays. at a range of midweek groups, and in school holidays. The church supports the mission of the church through prayer and financial support of partneTs overseas and in the UK. The church also supports education through hosting the South Central Ministry Training Course and supporting trainees al theological college. The church hosts a number of weddings. baptlSm5 and funerals each year. and the Oxford Winter Night Shelter. The church aims to see Christians built up for service through midweek Fellowship Groups (Home Groups in Headington, Missional Cornmunilies at Cowleyl, Roots for those in their 205 and 30s. Focus 8nd iFocus (Explore at Headinglonl for domestic and international students, Thesis for post-graduate students. Men's and WDmen'5 Bible Studies, and Toddler groups. The church also aims to reach out lo others through a variety of evangelistic events as well as courses for those investigating the Christian lailh le.g. Chryslianity Explor8dl, Free English Cla5se5 and Open Door, a homeless outreach. The Trustee5 have compli&d with their duty lo have du9 regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties. Grant-making policies Annual budgets lor UK mission and Intemalional mission are sel al 6°h and 19% respectively of the previous yoar's regular giving. The decision making on spe¢ific grants is made by the Overseas Partners Support Group IOPSGI and UK Misslon Group IUKMGI (for Central and Co%￿ey) and, Reaching the Nations IRTNI at Haadinglon. The congregations are occasionally invited by the PCC lo contribute to speciftc appeals on behalf of designated charities. In 2023, £40,561 was coSlecled for our Harvest Offerings (2022.. £46,981 I in order to support DIBC Revival and the Hope Trust Oxford. Use of volunteers The PCC 8ppreciales that the work of St Ebbe's is hugely depgndenl upon the contributlon of volunteers 8nd wishes to re¢or¢Y Ils thanks to all who offer their tlme and lalenls. Voluntèèrs working with children and vulnerable adults are subject lo Safer Recruiting (including DBS checks) in line with St Ebbe's and the Church of England Safeguarding Policy. St Ebbe's has a Safeguarding Offi¢er for each base - Central.. Alison Willis,. Headinglon.. Weena West,. Cowley: Kelld￿ May. The safeguarding offi¢ers are supported by stsff members.. Lizzie Ling Icentrall, (succeeded in September 2023 by Alyson Grove (Central Adults). Toby Collins {Cefjlral U18sl, Tim Dossor ICentr81, Safeguarding Committee Chairll. Paul Bolton (Headinglon) and Ben Vane Icowleyl. Safgguarding is a regular consideration of the PCC and the Safeguarding Policy wa5 updated during the year. Achlevèment$ and Performance Gon•ral Rgvlew of tho Year The PCC met three limes durfng the year,. Local committees (Central, Headington ond Cowleyl mel more regularly in between meetings. The following main topics were considgred during the year. Following on fmm the Internal Review, the Central Committee continued lo Phase 2 IoDking at Healthler Church Culture. Thè Central Committee, staff and most small groups were consulted lo identify Areas of church Culture were a cause for praise. and which areas needed further work and prayer. Four main areas were idenlffied at the Annual Meeting in April.. Welcome and Inttrgralion.. Class and Diversity,. Staff and Volunteering,. Community and Mixing, Each ol these would be addressed in turn at Central Committee meetings in the year ahead. including further ¢>pportunities lor the church family to feed in. Th8 sale tsf the Rectory to the Liltlegate Trtjsl was completed on 171b February 2023 and the diocese is 8Ctively looking for a suitable replacement in a residential area nearby. The PCC approved updates to its policies on SafeguaFding, Health & Safety. Data Protection and Finance. A signif￿an1 area ol discussion was how lo respond lo the proposals put before General Synod conceming the blessing of same sex relationships. In response lo the Bishop of Oxford's leaching arKI action in this area. the PCC decided to direct Parish Share to the Oxford Good Stewards Trust, some will be passed to the Di0￿e and a proportion will be redirected lo support other orthodox ministry in the area olthe diocese. In response to declsions made by General Synod in November, the PCC decided to distance itself from the Diocese finan¢i8lly in 2024 and instead of paying Parish sha￿ lo pay the stipend ol the Rector and Curate directly. A payment will be made to the Diocese towards the Cost of safeguarding. As each of the sites approached capacily on Sundays (including for ¢hildren's grr>upsl an urgent topi¢ the PCC considered was church planting. It decided to send Paul Bolton to lead 8 church plant from Headington lo the easl of Oxford in autumn 2024 Ilhe plant would be part of the International Presbyterian Church), for Grace Church Cowley to appoint an Assistant Minister Isubjecl lo fundraising) to join Ben Vane with a vi6w lo slrenglhening the church and to begin explore a ministry that might reach pèople outside the ring road over time, possibly through to planlinglgraftinglleading a church there in the future. The PCC set up 8 new Remuneration Committee and reorganised committeès, so committees asso¢ialed with one oflhe bases reported to that local ¢ommittee1g.g. UK Mission Group, Overseas Partners Support Group, Reach The Nations. Buildings Committee). 11 also formed the New Charity Committee lo consider Headinglon becoming an independent charity managing the work in Headinglon. The PCC also Concerned itself with staff appointments, h'nance. safeguarding appointments, other Church of England matters, and received regular rerM)rts from committees and congregation leaders. Staff changes during the year included.. At Central.. Sam Gillespie (Youth Worker) moved lo be Pastor in Training al Waterfoo Road Ch(Jrch, Uxbri(Ige'. Holen Hambling IA550ciale M*nisler, Undgrgraduale Students) moved lo train for ordination at Wycliffe Hall., Annabel Heywood (Minister (City and Parishll rètired after 27 yeais on the staff with a Chur¢h Family shared lun¢h lo celebrate Annabel and her service. Kathy Havell w3s appointed as a Roots Worker Ipart-timel, and Ellie Dawson as Undèrgraduate Worker. At Headinglon, Kirsti Quarshie left the role of part-time Finance Adminislralor and Liz Bance took on this role. At Grace Church Cowley, Pa5caline Levillaine returned to France and Sophie Quanlrell took over as part-lime Administrator. During the summer, Ministry Assistants both left and joined the team. 4 r9fflained for a second year and 7 new MAS joined the staff14 at Central, 2 in Headinglon and 1 at Cowleyl. Thosè leaving us have moved lo a variety of roles and ministries. some remaining part of tho church family in Oxford. Sunday is the main opportunity for us lo rneel together- during term lime we hold seven services, four at Central. two al St Ebbe's Headinglon and one at Grace Church Cowley. In September 2023 Central dldn'l restart the 11.-45am service which posl-covid had bèen made up of mostly students. This changa flowed from the H6alll7ier Church Culture review and lead to more int8gralion of students al each of the remaining services. Unchanged has been a desire to sil under God's word and alongside series from books of the Bible, at Central we addressed series on 2 Corinthians, Mark, the Psalms, Exodus and John. At Headinglon sgries included John. Hosea, 1 John Colossians. 1 Samuel and Luke. Grace Church Cowley included series in Genesis, Ex¢xlus, John, Romans an(1 Psalrns. Our buildings are very well used during the week, with activities run nearly every day, including hosling the SoLtlh Central Gospel Partnership Ministry Training Course on Tuesdays, Mum'5 & Toddlers Groups. Women's Bible Studies, Coffee Momings and Thursday Aftemoon Fellowship. Students meet during the week lor Focus iFocus/Explore linternalionalsl, Free English Classes, and our weekly post-graduate ministry (Thesis). Week-night clubs are a150 held for children and teenagers. Many adults are membeis of regular FellowshiplHome Groups,. for 20s and 30s, Roots meets each weak for Bible study. prayer and encouragement. In Cowley a group also meet lo study th8 Bible in Farsi. Our ministry to ¢hildfen, youth and their families has continued over the year. OLtr annual children's Holiday Bible Club5 met. The youth groups have Conliriued to see growing malurily as younger children graduate through the different age groups. Al Central there has been significant growth in younger children.. Creche and Woddlers have flouiished. There has been good 9rovAh al Headinglon in both the Friday night 'He8ds Up. group for 11-18s and the Explorers, Club. At Cowley the main children's groups are fo¢ussed on the younger ages. We are so very grateful for all the leaders who care for and teach children in these ministries. Week by week we continue lo seek to grow in the knowledge of God. to increase our depth of fellowship and unity and lo proclaim the Gospel. We have hèld a variety of even18 throughout the year to enable people lo hear the good news of the gospel. some lied lo pa￿CUlar ministry areas, and some for the whole church family. We have run various groups for those interested in lindlng out more about Christ, induding Hope Explored and Christianity Explored. Various groups had weekends away ¢Juring th8 year, At Central. Youth {11-18s1, Roots with Thesis (Connect Weekend Away) each went away, and the Undergradu81es had Ihèir annual student 981herings al Ledbury. Sl Ebbe's has a closo relalionship with The Hope Trust Oxford ITHTOI. which seeks to support ministry lo the lo¢al parish and any facing housing or social hardship. THTO employ staff to run a Christians Against Poverty ICAPI Debt Cenlre and a CAP Life Skills Course. This wort( is strèngthened by The PCC Hardship Fund, which is able lo give financial support lo those with particular needs in the parish or part of Sl Ebbe's. A new Hardship fund has boèn sel up lo be used in Cowley. Church Attondance Al tho timé of the Annual Parochial Church Meeling in Apnl 2023 Iherewer8 46112022.. 3931 on the church elector81 ioll. not including those on the Mission Roll for Grace Church Cowley. In 2023 our lolal weekly Sunday allendance was up compared to pre-covid 2019 levels lal a little under 1400 individuals, some attending twice, about a 15% increase), but the 0-18s age group grew by 28Q/o. Grace Church Cowley numbers wer& up by 25°k overall wmpared to 2019 when planted. The majority of regular altendees are members of sTnall groups to help them study the Bible, enc￿rage each other. and grow 88 disciples ol Jesus Christ. Fabrle Report At Central, works were undertaken to reS0￿e issues with the fioor in the wesl end of the rnain church. Finan¢lal Review Our God has been very kind to us over rocenl years, providing just what is needed for his WOTk through St Ebbe's and 2023 was no exception. During the course of 2022, operational costs had gradually increased lo the levels prior lo the Covid pandemic bul 2023 has seen the first full year of 'normal' expenditure. In 2023, our total funds including reslricled funds have decreased by £102,928 in the year. After tsking Into account the depreciation charge there remains a significant shortfall of £66.437 which is largely due to decisions taken by PCC during the year. The Lord has provided, and we praise Himl The Headington General Restricted Fund showed a surplus in 2023 of £9,067 and in 2022 was £14.562 meaning over a two year period il recorded a surplus of £23,629 which more than offsets the deficit of £19.924 in 20211. Grace Church Cowley has been greatly blessed 3nd during the year there h85 been an operational surplus which will be used lo prepare for a church plant in coming year5. At the end of 2023, Grace Church Cowley had £67,345 reserves. The vast Majority of our income comes from the faithful regular giving of God's people, and we are once again thankful lo our Lord and the generosty of his people for this year'5 response. Once Gift Aid is included, in 2023 we received regular gifts of £1,222,950 an overall 1.8Yo from the previous year. We Ihank God for the commitment of our reoular givers, many for a gieot number of years ancl a15ignificanl personal cost, and partickjlarfy for those who have slartad lo give regularly this past year. Our Gift Days in May and November are significant moments in the year and are necessary lo meet the balance of our general expenditure and foi specific new expenditure. This year £581,277 was given 12022.. £353,324) across our Gift Days for which w8 are full of thanks and gralilude. Friends of St Ebbe's Trust IFoSE} has continued lo support the Sludenl work al Sl Ebbe's, and we remain exceedingly grateful to all those former students who support FOSE to enable it to make these donations year by year. Totsl expendlluTe in 2023 was £2,049,56912022.. £2.103.0441 Compared with previous years there were few items of exceptional expènditure. 11 Is appropriate to remember that our priority is the proclamation of the Good News of Jgsus to individuals, and appropriately our greatest cogls ar8 to enable people to minister this good news, either diredy or indirectly. We are ¢ommilled lo paying 19Yo ofour previous year's regular incorne as grants to support the work of the Gospel overseas and 6% within the UK. For 2023 a lolal of £271.85512022.' £251.2061 was given away as grants for this work. We also raise one-off collections lor special causes le.g. Harvest Offerings). Throughout the year, the PCC, each of tho Local Committees and Standing Comfnittee have been gubded by the Honorary Treasurer, Trevor Raymenl. Sarah Bond (for Grace Church Cowlgyl and Phil Cope (for Headingtonl. supporte(I by the Fin2nc8 Committee. There have been regular finance reports to all comrnitte&s. Helen Gerry has managed the finances throughout the year. Day lo day financial matters have been handled by Bev Adam lor Central and by Kirsti Quarshie (until March) and Liz Bance from April at Headington. We are thankful for their care and attentron. Slgnlflcant Events We are continually grateful lo our Lord for everyone who gives toward$ the work here, and very especially lo those who give regularly an($ faithfully over many y88rs. Our normal expenditure is relatively predi¢tsble and stable from ygar to year bul also significant. and so we remain dependent on renewed generosity of giving each year. Senlor Managemènt The PCC aims to align senior staff rernunerak'on with Ihe stipend scales applicable lo clergy and other lay workers within Oxford Diocese and updated by them with effect from each April. Senior management, comprising the Re¢lor, all ministers and the Minister Ioperalionsl are paid at Incumbent levels, either in total lincluding housing allowance) or on a nel basis where we provide housing (The Rector and Curate are paid a stipend by Oxford Dioces9 and housing or a housing allowance by PCC}. ReseNes Policy The PCC has a reserves policy that il considers appropriate lo the financial risks of the charity, and in accordance with best practice, namely that we should hold reserves in the form of nel cUr￿nt assets sufficient to cover the equivalent of al least Ihrtse months of unavoidable expenditure by the church. In this conlext°unavoidable" would include building and accommodalion-relaled costs, salaries and payToII expenses. expenditure norrnally met from grants received and grant commitments to mission partners. In circumstances where the Cover might reduce to a minimurn of 2.4 months expenditure for planned investment purposes, there should be an achievable recovèry plan alongside. 11 is the responsibility of each base of St Ebbe's lo maintain reserves for its own operation For the PCC general unrestricted fund, at the ond of2023 we had £138.878 of nel current assets11.46 monlhsl, compared 10 £208,332 81 the end of 2022.. £146,832 below the PCC policy requiremènt of 3 months. expendituro. Headington held 4.76 months of reserves and Grace Church Cowley held 7.22 monlhs of reserves. During 2023 the r&sgrves al each base have been kept under review by PCC. Central reserves are lower than required by PCC policy. Plans a￿ beir7g made lo restore raserves lo the 3-monlh level. Prin¢ipal Risks and Uncertalntles As part of its r&sponsibililies the PCC maintains an overview of the various activities of the church lo ensure that the best current pracllce is followed. Policies are in place for the following particular areas of the work of thg church.. Safeguarding for the pro1eGt￿Tr of Child￿n and Vulnerabl& Adults. This is an area where best practice develops year by year. Following Church of England guidance, we have updated some of our policies. pra¢ti¢es and training (which is now done mostly online frorn the Church of England Training Portal) during the year and Ihp PCC has continued to give Safeguarding its priority. In 2023. we strengthened Ihe team al Central, where thère are now th￿e members of staff supporting the Parish Safeguardlng Officer. Insurance. The present Parish Plus policy with Ecclesiastical Insurance Group plc was èstablished in 2000. The sums therein are increased annually to allow for inllalic>n and were fomially reviewed by E¢¢lesiastical during the year. Headington, Cowley and the Pennyfarthing buildings and other risks are also insured through Ecdesiastical Instjrance Group plc. Financial polKy and procedures covering best practice. Wenn Townsend Continue lo advise on church finances and oversee the staff payroll. The safety of monies on deposit and when invested, together with any rale of interest where appropriate are monitored by the Finance Manager and the Treasurerwho ￿pOrt lo the Standing Committee and the PCC regularly. Health & Safety. The pollcy was reviewed as part of an annual pr￿eSS. The Fire Safety policies were also reviewed and updatgd. The PCC considers there are two main 8reas of uncertainty as il looks forward.. Our regular expenditure is mel each year ffoffl giving within the year. We are very thankful to everyone who has committed to give regularly. but W6 remain dependent on that giving to continue our work. We are encouraged to see an increase in giving during the past year bul are also awa￿ of increasing expenditure commitments across all bases. Careful management of our income and expendiluie will be a priority during this year because current global un¢ertainlies will exert very high financial pressures upon donors and this might affect in¢ome. We consider that recent decisions made by the Church of England General Synod conceming the blessing of same sex couples are the most significant threat to the ongoing work of Sl Ebbe's. Church Assets 11 has always b88n tho practice for assets lo be written off in the year of purchase, and the cosvvalue of the church's furniture and equipmont is not induded in these financial slalements as a rgsull. The recent work upon the church building itself has been wrillen off as the building is not owned by the PCC. However. work lo the Church Centre (including the link area and stairs lo the church) and renovation of the Pennyfarthing has been capitalised and depreciated in these accounts over 20 and 5 years respectivety, reflecting the expected useful life of these works. Plans for Future Periods The church's plan for the future is to conllnue lo pursue its aim 'Yo see God Glorified by engaging in three tasks.. reaching out to non-believers. buildlng up Christians and sending out Christians to sèrve." Both Ihe need and opportunities are great. and we look to God to direct us and lo provide the means to accomplish his will. We hove a desire to church plant again from each of the bases.. A church plant is planned from Headington lo the east of Oxford Ithe plant will be part of the Intemalional Presbyterian Church). Grace Church Cowley will appoint an Assistant Minister Isubjecl lo fundraising) with a view lo slrenglhening the church and begin to explore a ministry that might reach people OLJtside the ring road over lime. Conversations have been Inltialed from Central with the Diocese. We pray the Lord will open the right door at th8 right lime. Responsibilities of the Parochlal Church Council (The Counclll The PCC is responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charllies in England and Wales r8qulres the Council to prepare financial statements Igr each financial year which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity forlhal period. In preparing these financial slatements the Council is reqLJired to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistenlly., obs¢Ne the methods and principles in the Chari(ies SORP., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., stale whether applicable accounting standards have been followed. sublecl to any material departures disclosed in the financial slalemenls.. and prepare the financi81 slalemenls on a going-concern basls unless il is inappropriate lo presume that the church will continue to oper8te. The Council is responsible for keeping proper accounting records that di8close with reasonable accuracy al any lime the financial position of thè charity and enable them lo ensure thal the financial stalemenls comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Rggulalions. They are also responsible for safeguar(Jing the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection ol fraud and other irregularities. The Council is responsible for the rnaintenance and integrity of the charity and financial infom78llon included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdorn governing the preparation and dissemination of financial slalements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. On behalf of the PCC Revd Canon Vaughan Roberts Date: 2024 The Parochial Church Councll Of the Eccl•$ia$tical Parish of St Ebbo wlth Holy Trlnity and St Pet•r Le Bailey, Oxford Independent Audltor'$ Report to tho Trustegs of Th• ParlBh of St Ebbe wlth Holy Trtnlly Oplnion and St Peter L8 Balley We have audited the finan¢ial statements of The Parish of St Ebbe with Holy Trinity and St Petor Le Balley for the year ended 31st December 2023 which ¢ompr15e the Stslement of Financial A¢livitie5, the Balance Sheet, th& Cash Flow Statement anij notes lo the financial 5tat8menls. Includlng 8 summary of significant accounting policae$. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their p￿paratiOn 15 applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, Induding Flnancial Reporting Slandarij 102 Tlje Financial Reporti￿ Slsndard applitr8bl8 in Ihe UK and R8publt¢ of lrtland (United Kingdom Generally Accept8d Accounting Practice). In our op￿10￿ the financkl slatetn8nt8'. gtve a true and fair view of th8 5¢ate ol the charty's affairs as al 315t December 2023, and ol ils incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended.. hav8 been propedy prepared in attordance with United Kingdo¥rn Generally Accepted Accounting Practs"ce," and have been p￿pa￿ in aCCDrda￿e With Ihe requirements ol the Charities Act 2011. Ba51s for oplnlon We conducted our avdit In accordance with Inlerna*'onal Standards tsn Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law. responsibilities under those $tsndards are further described In the Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit ol Ihe financial stateFnefj15 section of our report. We are independ8nt ofthe charity in accordan￿ ￿th Ihe ethical requir8m8nts thatare ￿levant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, indudin9 the FRC'S Ethical Standard, 8nd we have fuifi118d our other ethical re$pon5ibiliti8s in accordance with these r8quirements. We beli8ve that the a￿￿1t evidence we have obtained iq sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. ¢oncluslon¥ r•lating Io golng concem We have nolhing to report in respecl of the following matters in relatKJn lo whlch the ISA5 IUKI requi￿ us to repol toytsu wh8r8'. the tru5te85' use of the gthng concem basls of accounting in the preparation of Ihe fin8nual statements is no¢ appropriate., or the tru5tee5 have not disd05erJ in the financial slatèm8nts any ￿entifIed materi81 uncertainties that may tast $ignifKant doubt about Ihe ¢harity's ability to continue to adopt the goirvj concern basis of acrnunting for a perith of at least iwelve months from the d8te when the financial statemerTr15 ar8 authorised for issue. Other infofmation The tffuslees a￿ responsible for the other infomialion. The other infoTrnats"on comprises th8 information induded in the trustees. annual Feport. other than the financial statements and our audilorfs report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements doos not cover the other information and, except to the extent Othe￿ise expliciuy $taled in our r8POrt. we do not express any form ol assurance conclusion Ihereon. In connech.on wth Our audit of the financi815tsternenls. our re5ponsibilily is to ￿a￿ the other infonmalion and, in doin9 $0, consider whether the other infom)ation is rnaterially inconsistent with th8 h'nan¢181 statements or our knowleijge obtained In the audit or otherwise appears lo be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsisten¢ies or apparent material tll15slatements, we are rèquiod to de18rrnine whether there 15 a material misstatèmenl in the financial stateFnents or a material misststement of the other infomation. If. b8$ed on the work we have perfomed. we conclude that there is a rnaterial misslatemenl of Ihi5 Other infomiation, we are required to ￿pOrt that fact. We have nothing to r8POrt in this ￿gard. Matters on which we are iequired to r8POrt by ex￿pIlOn We have nolhing ¢0 report In respect of the following matter5 in rdation to which the Chaftbes (Account5 and ReKY)rtsl Regulations 2008 reouire us io report lo you if, in our opinion.. the inf(Kmalion wen in the financi81 slalernenls is inconsistent in any material r8sp8Ct with tho trusteès, rèport.. or sufficient ac¢ounling records h8ve not been kept,. or the financial stalernents 8re not In agreement wilh the accounting records., or we have not received 811 Ih8 information and explanations we ￿QuI￿ for our 8udrt. Th¢ Parochlal Church Council of the Eccl¢sia$tical Parlsh of St Ebbe with Holy Trinity and St Peter Lfj Bailey. Oxford Independent Audltorfs Report to th* Trustee5 of The Parish of St Ebbe wlth Holy Trlnlty and St Peter Le Balley Responslbllttles oltru5tee8 As eX￿ained more fully in the trustees. resWnSi￿'lItles 5tatem8nt set out on page 7. the trustee$ are respon51￿8 for tho preparation ol finalloal stslemenls which give 8 true and fair view, a￿$ for such inlernal control Ss the Iruste8s delemilne 15 necessary lo enable the preparation of financial stslernen15 Ihat are freo from matenal misstaternenl. whether due lo fraud or error. In preparing Ihe financial statements, the trusiees a￿ re5w)n8ibl8 for assessing the chantys ability to continue as a going concern. disclosin9, as applicable. matters related lo golng conc8m and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations. or have no realistic alternatwe bul to th so. Auditor's re$pon$ibilities for the audit of the flnan¢lal statèrnents We hav8 b88n appolnied as auditor under seclion 144 01 the Ch8ritigs Act 2011 and report In accordance with regulation5 rnade under section 154 of that Act. Our objectNes are to obtain reasonablE a55urance aboLrt whether the finanoal sta18ments as a vthole are free from m8tertal misstatement, whether due to fraud or èrror, and to issue an audilor's report that indu(Jes our o￿niOn. Reasonable a5suran¢e is a high level ol assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audrt conducted in accordanee witr ISAS IUKI wll always delect a rnaterial misstatement when it exists. Nlisslaternenls can arise from fraud or e￿or and 8re considered materpl il, indiwdually or in the a99￿ate, Ihey could reasonably be 8xpecte¢J lo Influen￿ the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financSal statements. Afurtherdes¢ription of our re5ponsib￿ltresfQrIhe auditof the financial statements is located on the Ftnancial Reporting Council's website 8t.. %Yww.froorg.ukJaudilOrs￿sp0n$ItsJ1Ities. This description forms part of our auditoffs rewrt. Irregularities. including fraud, are inslancos of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedu￿$ in line with our r8SFK)nsibili11gs, outtined abovè. lo detect m8terial misstaternents in respect ol irregularities. including fraud. The spec¢fic procedure$ forthis engagement and the exlent to which these ar8 capable ol detecting irregulaflties. including fraud is detsiled b810w'. Enquiry ol manag8m8nt, those charged with governance around actual and potenkn'81 litigation and clatms.. Enquiryof ents"tystafF in t8X 8nd compliance functions to Kjenbty any instances of non-(x)mpliance wtlh lawsand ￿gU(atIonS., Revlewing mlnulos of me8tings of those charged wlh governance., RevIe￿n9 financial statement disd05ure5 and t¢s￿n9 to suPpor￿r@ documentatron to assess compliance with applicable laws and ￿gUlationS., Perforniing audit work over the risk of management override of wntrols. induding testing of joumal entries 8nd other adjustmenls for appropriateness, evalualiTFg Ihe business r8tionale of Significant tran5aclion5 OÈrtside the fjormal course of business and revlewing accounting esbrnates for bias. Because of the inherent Iimit8tion8 of an audit. lttere B 8 risk that we will not detect all iffegularit18s, induding those feading to a material rnisststement in the financial statement5 or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that complianc8 with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial slalements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding i￿gUlaritieS occurying du8 lo fraud rather than error, as fraud Snvolve5 inienlional concealment, forgery, ¢ollu*on, omission or mis￿P[e5entrIioll. U$e of our report This report is fflade solely to the eharity'5 trustees. as a boéy, in accordance wth Part 4 of the Charitie5 IAccounts and ReFQrtsl Regulations 2008. Our audit work h85 been undertaken 50 that we mlght 5ts1e to the chadly's tru5t885 those matters we a required lo stat8 lo them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted bylaw, we do not accept or assume r85ponsibility to anyone other than the charity anij the charity's trustees a5 8 body. for our audit work, forthig reporL or lor the opinions we have formed. W6v7 Wenn Townsend, Statutory Audltor Oxford - 2024 Wenn Townsend is 81igible to act as an auditor in terms of s8Ction 1212 of the Companles Act 2006. ¢0 o¢0 I￿￿¢0(0 O) (D JwJry)¢o Ln