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2024-12-31-accounts

The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd Sand Hill Farnborough GU14 8ER

Annual Report and Financial Statements

of the Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Incumbent

Revd Thea Edwards The Vicarage 45, Sand Hill Farnborough GU14 8ER

Banks

National Westminster Bank plc CAF (Charities Aid Foundation)

CCLA Investment Management Ltd (CBF Church of England Fund)

Cambridge and Counties Bank Charity Bank Ltd

Independent Examiner:

Mr Zachary Ramsden FCA

Registered Charity No 1127829

The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Administrative information

The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd is situated in Sand Hill, Farnborough, Hampshire. Together with the Parish of St. Peter’s it forms the North Farnborough Group Ministry as part of the Diocese of Guildford within the Church of England. The church’s patron is the Church Pastoral Aid Society.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Church of the Good Shepherd is a charity, registered with the Charity Commission as Registered Charity Number 1127829.

PCC members who have served from 1 January 2024 until the date this report was approved are:

Incumbent: Revd Thea Edwards Chair
Wardens: Lance Nevill Lay Chair
Karen Dawson
Representatives on the Deanery Synod:
Malcolm Bardsley
Alison Lake
Elected Members: Kay Bademosi (from 21.5.2024)
Iris McKee (from 21.5.2024)
Bev Marchment Secretary
Michelle Minchin (from 21.5.2024)
Derick Musonda (to 21.5.2024)
Dianne Pickford
Steve Reid
David Riddlestone
Steven Robinson
Marian Rudall Treasurer
Doris Rudd
Carole Speller (to 21.5.2024)
Richard Troughton
Co-opted Members Judith Hillary (from Deaf church)

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Structure governance and management

The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. New members receive initial training into the workings of the PCC. The PCC operates through a small number of committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC.

The Standing Committee is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. The Standing Committee consists of the Vicar, Wardens, Secretary and Treasurer.

The full PCC met six times during 2024, with the Standing Committee meeting eleven times.

Safeguarding

The PCC has a safeguarding policy and appoints a Safeguarding Officer who acts as a focal point for concerns. All key staff and volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults are recruited using Safer Recruitment principles and, where appropriate, are checked with the Disclosure and Barring Service. Clergy receive regular safeguarding training through the Diocese of Guildford and training is undertaken by other staff and volunteers as required. The PCC receives an annual report on safeguarding and reviews the safeguarding policy. Additionally, safeguarding is an item on the agenda of every PCC meeting.

Objectives and activities

The PCC of the Church of the Good Shepherd has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent, the Revd Thea Edwards, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church of the Good Shepherd, Sand Hill, Farnborough and its grounds. The incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

Church attendance

There are 151 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, 29% of whom are resident within the parish. The average Sunday attendance at services across the year was 110 (2023-83). The October measure of ‘usual Sunday attendance’ was 98. These figures are for those attending in person but we also we live stream on YouTube.

Review of the year

2024 has seen a year of gentle growth both in number of people joining our congregation from across the demographics, and growth in discipleship, as our preaching, prayer and organisational life look to be more defined by God's nature and mission in the world.

2024 included the introduction of new church values to frame and eventually steer our discernment and resourcing processes as we explore who God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do as the Church of the Good Shepherd in this next season.

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Review of the year (contd)

Follow Daily: we are devoted to following Jesus, becoming more like him and doing the things he did.

Care Deeply : we believe in Jesus’ power to transform our lives and those around us in body, mind and spirit.

Share Boldly: we are committed to speaking about God’s love and grace and enabling everyone to encounter Jesus for themselves.

Grow Courageously : we pray that God will increase our faith for the future, as we seek to build a joyful, intergenerational, diverse and safe church community that will thrive beyond our time.

Our outreach activities continue to provide help to those in our parish who are most in need, with the Olive Branch clothing exchange and Food Larder both faithfully available weekly, and No Questions Asked bags of food, on a monthly pattern.

Ministry to senior citizens is more popular than ever and the monthly ‘Thursday Service’ continues alongside other important outreaches such as ‘Toddler Music Time’, Messy Church, Deaf church, Youth Club and POD - a small group with a focus on discipleship for young people. With the increase in teenagers coming to church on Sunday morning too, we have introduced a new group for teens which is more discussion based and starts with toast!

We have baptised 4 young people and admitted 6 young people to communion as part of them taking their next step in discipleship.

All our mission and ministry is facilitated by a dedicated group of church members, many of whom hold multiple roles and have been serving for many years, complemented by our staff team.

We continue to pray that God will increase our faith and go ahead of us, as our good and gracious shepherd, and that his kingdom would come a little closer in the communities of Sandhill and Prospect through his power at work in us.

Financial review

During 2024, total donations to the Church of the Good Shepherd, increased by 4% to £232,727. Expenditure increased from £226,151 to £258,143 – a sign of increased ministry. Our Vicar was in post for the full year and our Community Worker returned from maternity leave. Inflationary costs also had an impact, especially on the cost of gas and electricity, as we reached the end of four year fixed term contracts in November 2023. Demand for our Larder increased, with fewer donations of food being received, leading to a substantial draw down on the Larder restricted Fund. The Church’s 2024 contribution to Parish Share of £74,367 was met in full. At the end of the year the general reserves had decreased by £1,366. We transferred £10,000 into the Major Repairs designated fund as it has become apparent that we will need to replace the church boilers in 2025.

Reserves policy

The PCC’s policy is to maintain a minimum balance on unrestricted funds of three months’ expenditure. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. The balance held at 31 December 2024 was £54,207 which equates to just under three months’ budgeted expenditure for 2025.

Missions Policy

The church aims to give 10% of its donated and investment income to other local, national, and overseas mission organisations.

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Independent Examiner's Report to the Parochial Church Council of The Church of the Good Shepherd, Farnborough

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 13.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and Independent Examiner

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Zachary Ramsden FCA Chartered Accountant 63 Deakin Leas, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2JT

25 March 2025

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ending 31 December 2024

Notes
INCOME FROM:
Donations
2a
Investments
2b
Church activities
2c
Total income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Church activities
3
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
before transfers
Transfers between funds
11
Net movement in funds
Fund balances brought forward
at 1 January 2024
Fund balances carried forward
at 31 December 2024		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
188,421
44,306
232,727
175,183
48,608
223,791
8,549
-
8,549
5,587
-
5,587
12,768 -
12,768
13,987 -
13,987
209,738
44,306
254,044
194,757
48,608
243,365
200,904
57,239
258,143
184,493
41,658
226,151
200,904
57,239
258,143
184,493
41,658
226,151
8,834
(12,933)
(4,099)
10,264
6,950
17,214
1,600
(1,600)
- -
-
-
10,434
(14,533)
(4,099)
10,264
6,950
17,214
190,573
31,936
222,509
180,309
24,986
205,295
201,007
17,403
218,410
190,573
31,936
222,509

The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these accounts.

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Balance Sheet

At 31 December 2024

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets 7
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
9
LIABILITIES
Creditors - amounts falling
due within one year 10
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS
PARISH FUNDS
11
Restricted
Unrestricted:
Designated funds
General funds (free reserves)
12		 2024
2023
£
£
5,422
4,368
7,584
5,530
209,854
220,355
217,438
225,885
(4,450)
(7,744)
212,988
218,141
218,410
222,509
17,403
31,936
146,800
135,000
54,207
55,573
218,410
222,509

The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 25 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Revd Thea Edwards Incumbent

Bev Marchment PCC Secretary

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting policies

The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations’ ‘true and fair view’ provisions, together with FRS102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS102)).

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 main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Funds

Restricted funds represent a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds which the PCC has earmarked for a particular purpose. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

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

Income: Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross. The value of gifts donated for the Larder is calculated by valuing the parcels given out and deducting the costs of items purchased.

Expenditure: This includes all expenditure incurred in meeting the church’s main objectives and includes all costs in support of those objectives. Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due.

Fixed assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993.

Moveable church furnishings held by the Incumbent and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are inalienable property, listed in the Church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements.

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis over 5 years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

7

The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

2 Income
a Donations
Planned giving:
Gift aid donations
Income tax recoverable
Other planned giving
Legacy
Collections at services
Grants
Donations/appeals etc
Value of food given for Larder
b Investments
Bank and other interest
c Church activities
Bookstall
Church hall lettings
Fees
Miscellaneous
TOTAL INCOME		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total 2024
Total 2023
£
£
£
£
126,719
8,914 135,633
122,551
33,126
2,200
35,326
31,520
20,101
2,203
22,304
17,889
1,000
-
1,000
-
2,196
-
2,196
1,655
-
500
500
7,250
5,279
14,644
19,923
21,394
- 15,845
15,845
21,532
188,421
44,306
232,727
223,791
8,549
-
8,549
5,587
8,549
-
8,549
5,587
232
-
232
245
8,959
-
8,959
10,969
925
-
925
402
2,652
-
2,652
2,371
12,768
-
12,768
13,987
209,738
44,306
254,044
243,365

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

3 Expenditure

xpenure
Missionary and charitable giving:
Overseas
Mission organisations
Relief and development agencies
Home mission
Secular charities
Ministry:
Diocesan parish share
Other ministry costs
Larder
Office expenses
Church and hall running expenses
Church and grounds maintenance
Bookstall
Salaries and pension
Training costs
Special events
Total expenditure
4 Staff costs
Salaries
National Insurance
Pension costs		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
10,973
1,127
3,500
-
3,350
-
750
-		 Total 2024
Total 2023
£
£
12,100
10,273
3,500
2,950
3,350
3,000
750
650
18,573
1,127		 19,700
16,873
74,367
-
20,756
211
- 41,651
1,185
-
16,615
-
9,502
-
218
-
58,300
14,250
1,135
-
253
-		 74,367
71,679
20,967
14,023
41,651
36,887
1,185
1,398
16,615
14,135
9,502
8,724
218
324

72,550
60,786
1,135
164
253 1,158
182,331
56,112		 238,443 209,278
200,904
57,239		 258,143
226,151
2024
2023
£
£
68,605
54,973
-
780
3,945
5,033
72,550
60,786

During 2024 the PCC employed a parish secretary, a Pioneer Community Worker and a Youth and Children’s Minister, none of whom earned £60,000 or more. The Pioneer Community Worker, the Youth and Children’s Minister and the parish secretary were reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

5 Pension Scheme

The Church of the Good Shepherd participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of the Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) for lay staff. The Scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the schemes separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.

The CWPF has two sections - the Defined Benefits Scheme and the Pension Builder Scheme which has two subsections - a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic and a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.

Pension Builder Scheme

The Pension Builder Scheme of the CWPF is made up of two sections, Pension Builder Classic and Pension Builder 2014, both of which are classed as defined benefit schemes. The Church of the Good Shepherd participates in the latter section.

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 Statement of Financial Activities in the year are contributions payable (2024: £3,945; 2023: £5,033).

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent scheme valuation completed was carried out as at 31 December 2022. For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £8.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

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

6 Trustees

None of the PCC members was paid any remuneration or received any benefit from an employment with the charity but, where appropriate, were reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses. 10 (2023 – 11) trustees were reimbursed a total of £9,263 (2023 - £4,323) during the year for expenses incurred on behalf of the church. Donations received from members of the PCC and their related parties amounted to £65,752 (2023 - £57,190) in the year.

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

7 Fixed assets for use by the PCC

7 Fixed assets for use by the PCC
,
Actual / deemed costAt 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
DepreciationAt 1 January 2024
Disposals
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
Net Book ValueAt 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Church
Equipment
Total
£
£
28,339
28,339
4,270 4,270
(575)
(575)
32,034
32,034
23,971
23,971
(575)
(575)
3,216
3,216
26,612
26,612
5,422
5,422
4,368
4,368

Church equipment comprises office equipment, two video projectors, a sound desk, hybrid services equipment, worship area chairs and kitchen equipment.

8 Debtors

Income tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
Cash and bank accounts
Charities Aid Foundation current account
Nat West current account
Cambridge and Counties Bank 95 day access
Cambridge and Counties Bank 60 day access
CBF Deposit Fund
Charity Bank 1 year fixed term account
Cash in hand		 2024
2023
£
£
4,620
3,461
2,293
136
671
1,933
7,584
5,530
2024
2023
£
£
14,797 33,322
675
28,047
68,294
65,345
14,055
13,507
61,981
29,474
50,000
50,000
52
660
209,854
220,355

9 Cash and bank accounts

11

The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

10 Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year: 2024
2023
£
£
4,450
7,744

11 Statement of funds

Restricted funds

Larder
Banner workshop
Youth and Children’s Minister
Church for deaf people
Mission Fund
Spring Harvest		 Balance at
Incoming
Resources
Balance at
1 Jan 2024 resources Expended Transfers
31 Dec 2024
£ £
£
£
£
14,440
28,929
41,651
-
1,718
454
-
-
-
454
15,000
14,250
14,250
-
15,000
306
-
75
-
231
1,600
1,127
1,127
(1,600)
-
136
-
136
-
-
31,936
44,306
57,239
(1,600)
17,403

The Larder Fund is for the provision of food and essential household items to people within the local community.

Unrestricted funds

Designated funds:
Development fund
Major repairs fund
Mission fund
General funds:
Free reserves		 Balance at
Incoming
Resources
Balance at
1 Jan 2024 resources Expended Transfers
31 Dec 2024
£ £
£
£
£
95,000
-
- -
95,000
40,000
-
-
10,000
50,000
-
18,473
20,273
1,800
135,000
-
- 30,273
146,800
55,573
209,738
182,431(28,673)
54,207
190,573
209,738
200,904 1,600
201,007

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The Parish Church of the Good Shepherd – Annual Report for 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

11 Statement of funds (continued)

Funds are held in the Development Fund to provide for the future development of the church’s ministry and it is anticipated that these will be used up over the next five years as we build up our regular giving to meet the cost of employing a Youth and Children’s Minister.

The Major Repairs Fund is being built up so that funds are available when major repairs are required to our buildings.

12 Analysis of net assets by fund

.
Fixed assets for church use
Current assets
Current liabilities
Fund balance
 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
5,422 -
5,422
199,979
17,459
217,438
(4,394)
(56)
(4,450)
201,007
17,403
218,410

13 Mission and charitable giving

Overseas mission

Crosslinks / Arise - Debbie and Alan Burt
Operation Mobilisation (OM) - Jenny and Nihad Shihadi
Relief and development agencies
Giving Hope to Turkey
Open Doors
Tearfund
Home mission
BSL Translation
Christian Deaflink
Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS)
Connect Christian Counselling
Signs of God
The Triangle
Secular charities
Step-By-Step		 6,050
6,050
1,700
900
900
350
50
900
650
300
1,100
750
19,700

Additionally, special offerings have been taken up for Children’s Society, National Deaf Children’s Society and Step by Step.

13