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2024-12-31-accounts

St Mary the Virgin Horsell

The Annual Parishioners Meeting And the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 27[th] April 2025, at 11:30am St Mary’s Church, Horsell

Index to Book 1

Annual meeting of parishioners and annual parochial church meeting

Agenda for 2025 meetings 3 Minutes of 2024 meetings 4 Annual report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 Annual review

Membership 12 Electoral Roll, PCC, and Church attendance 13 PCC Review of the Year 13 Review of the Deanery Synod Year 14 Safeguarding & DBS Report 15

Financial Statements

Outward Giving 17
Financial Review 18
Independent Examiner’s report 21
Statement of Financial Activities 22

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Agendas for the Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the

Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St Mary the Virgin, Horsell

11.30am on Sunday 27th April 2025 in St Mary's Church

Annual Meeting of Parishioners

You are entitled to vote in the election of Churchwardens if you are either on the Church Electoral Roll or on a register of Local Government Electors because you live in the ecclesiastical parish.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

You are entitled to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) if you are on the Church Electoral Roll.

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Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held at 11:30 am on Sunday 28 April 2024 in St Mary’s Church, Horsell

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Parishioners

  1. Prayer – Revd Dmitry Lutsenko opened the meeting and said a prayer.

  2. Apologies – John Lock, Sarah Bugler, Colin Bugler, Alan Nicholls. 43 Parishioners were present.

  3. Minutes of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Parishioners – Proposer – Hilary Mitchell, Seconder – Marion Wernham, 3 abstentions, approved by a majority.

  4. Election of Churchwardens for 2024 – 2025 – The Vicar thanked Brian Sheriff and Mark McMurtrie for their support and for doing a good job as churchwardens and both wish to stay on. They will each be in their 4[th] and 2[nd] years respectively. The parishioners showed their appreciation with applause. Brian Sheriff and Mark McMurtrie were re-elected by a majority with no abstentions or oppositions. Many thanks to them both.

Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

  1. Minutes of the 2023 Annual Parochial Church Meeting – approved by a majority, 3 abstentions.

  2. Annual Report for 2023

a) Electoral Roll – 156 parishioners are listed on the Electoral Roll (153 at the end of 2022). The roll will be redone in 2025.

b) Report on the fabric, goods, and ornaments – The Church Wardens report that everything is in good order.

c) PCC Review of the Year – Mark McMurtrie gave a summary (attached to these minutes).

d) Financial Statements – David Leach gave a presentation of the financial statements with slides.

Planned giving comprises 60% of our income, with gift aid, making nearly 75%. Our income has dropped since 2017 and has not kept up with inflation.

Horsell giving does not match the affluence of the parish. Average giving in UK is £16.24 pw. Horsell is 5% more affluent than Guildford average (£22.84 pw) and Horsell is in the top 5% by affluence nationally yet giving is below national average at £13.39 pw. Consequently, we are relying on high interest rates and rental income (6 Walden Park Road) to cover lower giving (interest rates are out of our control, but rental income is within it (no assistant minister or curate)). In 2024 we expect to spend less on utilities and more on ministry.

David explained what we get for our Parish share and shared costs.

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Future proofing led to a large spend on the much-improved lighting and employing Rebecca as our Children and Families’ worker. The Church clock repair was funded by community; and the wall repair funded by a legacy.

David thanked everyone for their planned giving and also for the time they give (which saves money). David noted that much voluntary work is falling on a reducing number of people.

Particular thanks were given to Tim Jordan for saving us tens of thousands in the reconstruction of the wall and Hilary Mitchell for doing our banking for numerous years (a task becoming more difficult as High St banks close).

Planned giving is by far the preferred method and David is looking to set up a banking (via the village PO) rota.

Questions: which legacy paid for the churchyard wall? Tindall Family (in common with Serum College in Salisbury).

Why has the upkeep of services increased from £50 in 2022 to £1000 in 2023? It covers not just bread, wine and candles but meals and refreshments for Messy Church and other costs e.g. from AAW, plus restocking of supplies (in 2022 we made use of old supplies).

How is the average giving calculated? By the number of people who give on a planned basis and the figures are submitted to the CoE, who make the national comparisons.

How would you summarise our overall financial position? Ok in the short term but we need to consider our medium-term position.

Thanks with applause were given to the PCC treasurer.

  1. Appointment of the Independent Examiner – David Weller would like to continue as the Independent Examiner. Proposer – June Locke, Seconder– Brian Sheriff, appointed by majority.

  2. Elections

a) Deanery Synod – The vicar thanked David Leach and Gill Squibb, who were appointed representatives in 2023. The parishioners showed their appreciation with applause. Gill Squibb is stepping down for personal reasons and thereby comes off the PCC leaving 2 Deanery Synod vacancies.

b) Parochial Church Council – The vicar thanked everyone who served on the PCC during the year. Sarah Bugler is not seeking re-election after 6 years’ service and Elaine Davies wishes to be re-elected as her term has ended.

There are 2 other nominees for election, namely Nick Duncan-Brown and Carmen Duncan-Brown. All 3 were elected by a majority with no abstentions or oppositions.

  1. Annual Reports from Church Organisations (Book 2) – The vicar thanked all contributors to Book 2. If you have a question, please ask the author of the report.

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6. Vicar’s Report for 2023

Based on the theme of our annual meeting, ‘ celebrating the achievements of 2023’ , my vicar’s report outlines the reasons for us to be grateful for:

Rebecca’s 6-month review suggested that going forward she needs to focus on the following areas:

A. To start formulating the overarching strategy of our Children and Families’ work; how all the groups and activities fit together; what is the purpose of doing them and how they fulfil the church vision:

‘Making Jesus known, Getting to know Jesus better and Sharing Jesus’ love in the community and world’. B. To consolidate on the success of Christmas and Easter parties, where we saw over 100 people joining us, and to think how to build relationships with these families and to enable their transition between various children’s groups.

C. To deepen her involvement with the local schools, as a start, to get to know RE leads and to offer her help with contributing to the RE curriculum.

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Sunday of the month service has been introduced and the new music group was formed (overseen by James Connolly) to aid worship during this service.

The rebuilding of the church wall is almost complete, and the plan is to transfer the churchyard to the WBC. Hopefully this will happen in 2024. Many thanks to Tim Jordan for overseeing this project for us. I want to finish my report by offering my sincere thanks to the churchwardens, staff team and the PCC, as well as to all who work behind the scenes - cleaners, flower arrangers, bell ringers, money counters, tea and coffee makers, servers, welcomers, AV operators, chalice assistants and many more. Without you St Mary’s would not be what it is - a thriving church community at the heart of Horsell.

  1. Update on the St Andrew’s room extension – Brian Sheriff reported that after much toing and froing, as of 10 April 2024, we have full and final Woking Borough Council (WBC) planning permission of the St Andrew’s room extension project. The quantity surveyor has been asked to update the costs. Those who have long served on the sub-committee (for which grateful thanks were given) invite new members to join, replace and realise the plans to take it forward.

Our 1873 clock has undergone various repairs by Gillett and Johnson (G & J) and the clock has worked for short periods but then stopped again. Several Bushes, which connect the cogs to the Spindles, have been replaced, as has the Pendulum. The community has raised funds of £5,400 of which £2,500 has been spent under careful management. On 8/4/24 the clock was taken away to the G & J workshop for a final attempt at repairing the old mechanism. Sufficient funds are preserved to purchase an electric clock as a last resort.

  1. Children and Families Worker – Rebecca Connolly has been in post since August 2023 and gave her report. Attendance at JAM and Messy Church has increased steadily, and the weekday groups on Tuesday and Thursday have been maintained. There was exceptionally high attendance at the Christmas

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(105) and Easter (130) parties, both children and adults. Rebecca has engaged with both schools, conducting RE lessons to year 3, and leading the Easter service at the Village school.

Thanks were given to Mike Couper (Twinkle Tots) and Angela Murphy (Baby/toddler grp), Ros Haines (Open the Book), Lesley Templeman (LT) (All Age Worship).

Safeguarding – LT first line of report on temporary basis.

Thanks were given to RC and all the volunteers by the vicar and all present, with applause.

  1. Any Other Business (prior agreed with the PCC secretary) – No other items of business for this meeting.

The meeting was closed with the Grace.

Revd Lutsenko thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Church of St Mary the Virgin Horsell

PCC Annual Report for 2024

Directory

Incumbent : Reverend Dmitry Lutsenko Tel: 07365 356228

The Vicarage, Wilson Way, Horsell, Woking, Surrey Email: vicar@stmarys-horsell.org.uk

Children & Families’ Worker : Rebecca Connolly

Tel: 07388 931904

Email: childrenandfamiliesstmarys@gmail.com

Parish Administrator : Helen Gravette

01483 772134 Email: stmaryshorsell@btinternet.com

Parish Office, The Vicarage, Wilson Way, Horsell, Woking, Surrey (Tues 9am-4pm, Wed, Fri 9am-I pm)

Wardens: Brian Sheriff, Barcroft House, Littlewick Road, Horsell, Woking, Surrey Tel: 01483 474975 Mark McMurtrie, 6 Bedford Close, Horsell, Woking, Surrey Tel: 07815 635609 Secretary : Sarah Lockhart Treasurer : David Leach Bank : CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, ME19 ATA

Independent Examiner : David Weller

Charity registration number : 1128175

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Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible for co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish of Horsell the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibility for the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Horsell and its grounds.

PCC Membership

The incumbent, churchwardens and synod representatives are automatically members of the PCC. Other members are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules or are co-opted by the PCC.

During the year, the following served as members of the PCC:

Incumbent : Reverend Dmitry Lutsenko

Wardens : Mark McMurtrie

Brian Sheriff

Representatives on the Deanery Synod :

David Leach

Elected members:

Sarah Bugler (until APCM 2024)

Elaine Davies

Helen Teresa Edwards

Vanessa McMurtrie

Lesley Templeman

Michael Templeman Tim Jordan Adrian Harvey

Nick Duncan-Jones (from APCM 2024)

Carmen Duncan-Jones (from APCM 2024)

Co-Opted members:

Sarah Lockhart ( from May 2024)

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1 Electoral Roll

At the end of the year there were 156 on the Church Electoral Roll (the same at the end of 2023).

2 Church Attendance

The usual Sunday attendance, counted during October, was 71 (56 in October 2023) Easter Sunday attendance was 186 (145), Christmas Eve was 93 (96), and on Christmas Day 120 (106).

3 Fabric, Goods and Ornaments

The Churchwardens have undertaken the annual inventory of the goods and fabric of the Church and report that all are on good order.

4 PCC Review of the Year 2024

There were 14 members of the PCC, who met 6 times in 2024, and the average attendance was 80%.

Safeguarding was discussed at each PCC meeting and there were no concerns raised requiring further action throughout the year.

At the PCC meeting in January , the All Age Worship (AAW) Team recommended using the first Sunday of each month for a new style of service and a number of suggestions were discussed. The PCC also agreed to approve the budget paper that was prepared by the PCC Treasurer. Discussion also took place as to whether it would be possible to employ a Curate at some point, but it was agreed that this would require additional funding.

In March , we discussed the Church Development Plan, focussing on the topics of Music and the structure of Sunday services. This month saw the first service lead by the Music Band and there had been positive comments in terms of how this had been received.

The Racial Justice Covenant was approved unanimously by the PCC with an agreement to review after two years.

In May , we welcomed two new members to the PCC and said farewell to one other. At this PCC meeting the appointment of PCC officers and members of the various subcommittees were approved.

Additionally, the PCC approved the following resolution: The PCC of the parish of St Mary the Virgin Horsell in the Diocese of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, as one of the appointing bodies for governors gives its approval for the Horsell Church of England (Aided) Junior School, Woking, Surrey to become an academy with Newark (Learning Partners Church Academy) Trust.

At the July meeting it was agreed the children’s group, Twinkle Tots would cease, and that Tiny Treasures would remain as the only pre-school children’s group, however there would need to be some Christian input into the sessions.

It was also unanimously agreed by the PCC that The Diocese of Guildford Statement of Safeguarding Policy be adopted.

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In September a number of the PCC attended a Diocesan Parish Development Planning meeting, and discussions were started on possible options for changing the structure and timings of services. We also started planning for the Christmas period.

At the meeting in November , we continued to discuss the possible options for changing the service structure and timings. The ownership of many of the areas detailed in the Church Development Plan was also assigned.

5 Review of the Deanery Synod Year

Deanery Synod is made up of churches across Woking. We meet up, usually three times a year to discuss issues across Woking’s churches and the wider church. Deanery Synod members have the responsibility of electing representatives to Diocesan and General Synods.

Dmitry is an automatic member of Deanery Synod and St Mary’s may elect up to three additional members. Currently David Leach is the only elected representative of St Mary’s.

During 2024, a new deanery leadership team was formed of Shani Orchard (chair), Caroline Harvey (secretary), Barbara Humphries (treasurer), Camilla Nicholls-Wilson and Andy Smith.

Deanery Synod only met twice in 2024. The February meeting clashed with Woking Council’s main budget meeting, so Deanery Synod members spent the time praying for our councillors instead.

At the June 2024 meeting, the main item on the agenda was a panel discussion one intergenerational church with representatives of differing age groups.

The older generations generally grew up with experience of church but sometimes these experiences were negative. Younger generations typically have less experience of church, but this creates opportunity of a blank slate to define what church is.

The panellists did not think they were changing much on the inside, more growing older on the outside.

The discussion concluded by considering the typical needs for each group:

At the October 2024 meeting, we worshipped together in a service of evening prayer.

Diocesan synod elections were held in 2024 for a new three year term. Woking’s representatives on Diocesan synod are: Lucy Bush, Gillaine Holland, Mark Wallace, Nigel Cundy, Rosalind Cyphus, David Leach, Gordon McFarland, Steven Morris and Steve Roberts.

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6 Safeguarding and Disclosure and Barring Service Checks

Sandra Bayliss-Hare continued as Parish Safeguarding Officer, but had to take leave of absence for personal reasons. Lesley Templeman stood in for her as PSO, supported by Helen Gravette. Brian Sherriff continued as DBS validator.

The PCC has continued to give due regard during the year to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy, which adopts the C of E’s ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy statement, the House of Bishops’ practice guidance and the supporting diocesan safeguarding protocols. The PCC agreed to the policy statement at the PCC meeting held on Monday 15th July 2024.

DBS checks have continued throughout the year. The parish dashboard continued at level 3.

No safeguarding concerns requiring investigation or action were reported during the year.

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Financial Statements

of Horsell Parochial Church Council

For the year ending 31[st] December 2024

Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

OUTWARD GIVING 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Financial Review

Income and Expenditure

Planned and voluntary giving with associated gift aid is our primary source of income. Planned giving and cash collections in 2024 were in line with 2023. We extend our grateful thanks to all who donate and review their giving regularly.

Investment income totalled £78,897 in 2024 and included upfront rent of £22,341 for 6 Waldens Park Road. Excluding the upfront rent, investment income totalled £56,556 which is in line with 2023. The PCC continues to benefit from higher bank interest returns on our reserves.

In 2023, maintenance work was undertaken to replace the church lighting and repair the church clock for which we received £16,760 in grants and donations.

In 2024, income totalled £182,229. Income was £4k higher than 2023 due to the upfront rent received in 2024 being mostly offset by maintenance work donations in 2023. Income in 2024 was otherwise in line with 2023.

We continue to donate 10% of our unrestricted income to key mission partners as we believe it is a joy to give from what God has so generously given to us and share Jesus' love in our world.

The Parish Share is our most significant outgoing at £98,053, a rise of £3k on 2023.

Utility costs reduced £3,500 due to falling wholesale costs and installing low energy lighting at the end of 2023. Insurance was £4,776. Costs of running the parish office were £12,145.

The PCC welcomed Rebecca Connolly as our children and families worker in August 2023. Expenditure on children’s work was lower in 2023 as we did not have an employed children and families worker for the first seven months of the year.

£6,834 was spent in 2024 on further architectural drawings and costings as we seek the best way forward to renovate the St Andrew’s Room and facilities.

Expenditure in 2023 included £10,493 on rebuilding the churchyard wall.

Overall, expenditure and income are broadly in line due to receiving upfront rental income. Excluding the upfront rent and St Andrew’s room redevelopment works, 2024 recorded an adjusted ordinary operating deficit of £12,107.

Investments

The PCC holds a mix of cash deposits and investment funds.

Investment values increased £11,018 for the year to 31 December 2024. The PCC have elected to invest ethically through CCLA’s Church of England funds.

A £10,634 depreciation charge was taken against the church lighting.

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Risk Management

In line with best practice the PCC is aware of the risks to which it is exposed in the following categories:-

There is a robust structure of various sub-committees reporting to the PCC and independent financial management. The PCC reviews its risk register at least annually and, having given consideration to the major risks to which the PCC is exposed, are satisfied that systems and procedures are established in order to manage those risks.

Reserves Policy

It is the long term policy of the PCC for annual income to cover annual budgeted expenditure. The PCC have accrued reserves from investment gains and are utilising these funds to support growth of our church over the short to medium term.

Legacies are excluded from the annual budgeted income.

The PCC’s policy on reserves is to have sufficient in order to fund known future expenditure with an appropriate contingency.

The unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2024 were £155,025.

Related Charities

Parish Institute - The Trustees of the Parish Institute are the Incumbent of St Mary’s and the Bishop of Winchester. The PCC assists the Incumbent in carrying out their role. There were no financial transactions between the Parish Institute and the PCC during 2024.

Structure of the Financial Statements

The PCC accounts consist of the following including comparative figures for the previous year:

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with statutory requirements, the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities 2015 (SORP) and the Church Accounting Regulations.

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Responsibilities of the PCC

Under charity law, the PCC is required to prepare financial statements for this financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the net movement in funds. In preparing the financial statements, generally accepted practice requires the PCC to:

The PCC is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the PCC and enable them to ensure that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (SORP 2015), issued in July 2014, UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 2011. The PCC has general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably available to safeguard its assets and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. The PCC confirms that its assets are available and adequate to fulfil its obligations.

Adoption of report and financial statements

Adopted and signed on behalf of the PCC.

Dmitry Lutsenko

Chairman

Date 17 March 2025

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Report of the Independent Examiner to Horsell Parochial Church Council

This report is on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 16 and is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’) and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (‘the Regulations’).

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Church Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Church Trustees consider that an audit is not required as set out in Section 144(2) of the Act and Regulations and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission and as contained in the Church guidance. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements.

Independent examiner’s statement

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

  1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the regulations, as also contained in the Church Accounting Regulations 2008 have not been met: or

  3. To which in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Signed :

David Weller DMA, ONC/HNC 26 February 2025

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Statement of Financial Activities

For the period from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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Horsell Parochial Church Council Financial Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

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