The PCC of St Michael’s, Framlingham Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2024
Aim and purposes:
St. Michael’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector, the Reverend Christopher Davey, in promoting the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church of St Michael and Castle Community Rooms.
Administrative information:
St. Michael’s is part of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Church Office, Castle Community Rooms, Church Street, Framlingham IP13 9BQ. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and became a registered charity on 23[rd] February 2009, Charity Number 1128206, with the Charity Commission.
PCC members who have served from the Annual Parish Meeting in 2024 are:
Elected Members:
Peter Lamb Adrian Morgan Margaret Wilkins Wendy Phelan Edith Peck Jeffery Burt Chris Wasmuth Catherine Johnson Caroline Foster (Vice Chair) Alan Rabjohn Sabrina Crooks Linda Shelley
Rector:
Christopher Davey
Associate Priest:
Mary Lamb
Curate:
Edith Peck
Reader:
Terry Gilder
Warden:
Caroline Foster
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The PCC of St Michael’s, Framlingham Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2024
Deanery Synod:
Sandra Whalley-Maude Alan Rabjohn Edith Peck
Objectives and Activities:
The PCC is committed to encouraging people to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through sacrament, scripture, prayer and music.
When planning our activities, the incumbent and the PCC work together to enable Christian people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
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Worship and prayer;
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Learning about the Gospel;
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Developing their knowledge and trust in God;
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Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish;
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Work with children and young people;
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Missionary and outreach work.
In addition to this the PCC exercise their responsibility to maintain the fabric of our Church of St. Michael and Castle Community Rooms.
Achievements and Performance
Worship and Prayer:
A range of services is offered on Sundays and during the week and over the course of the year that endeavour to meet the spiritual needs of our community.
For example, Sunday morning 8.00am Book of Common Prayer Communion provides a quiet, and reflective environment for traditional worship.
The main service on Sundays is the 9.30 Parish Eucharist which is enhanced by a sermon and music provided by our choir and organ. On the first Sunday of the month a different style of service is held, a Family Communion, which is more inclusive and specifically welcomes children and young people to be totally engaged in the worship. Families of our Sing Praise Children’s choir regularly attend this service and the Sing Praise choir sing as part of it. A mid-week Holy Communion service is held at 10.30 a.m. each Wednesday. The Major Feast Days of the Church’s year are observed throughout the year.
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The PCC of St Michael’s, Framlingham Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2024
As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping.
Many people are involved in the spiritual and practical work of the parish and this is how it should be as we use our gifts together and respond to the challenges and opportunities of a considerable growth in the population of the town.
Growing in God – Our Mission in Framlingham:
The PCC continue to focus on growth and particularly service both to the town but also the wider community. During the year we supported local and international charities with financial donations. We continue to be a collection point for the local food banks and with other churches help deliver supplies to local families. Our twice monthly coffee morning, Toast Rack, welcomes people into church for refreshment and community.
Deanery Synod:
Three members of the PCC sit on the Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with important links between the parish and the wider structures of the church.
The Church:
Our church is open to our community for private prayer during daylight hours throughout the year. During 2024 work on the issues identified in the Quinquennial inspection continued.
The Church Yard wall which remains the responsibility of the PCC even though the church yard closed over twenty years ago collapsed in the autumn of 2021. This will present a large challenge for the PCC who will need to plan for its rebuilding and, as no insurance claim is associated with the collapse, will need to secure funding for the rebuilding and repair. Funding will need to come from grant making bodies as we don’t have the financial resources ourselves.
Huge thanks are owed to Caroline Foster and Graham Haerle and those who assist them and who have helped doing repairs large and small spending their time to save us considerable amounts of money.
Castle Community Rooms:
Has now been open for over two years, managed by a community management committee. Use of the hall is very good and large numbers of people are hiring the space for a number of activities.
A restricted fund and associated bank account remain in place for this project.
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The PCC of St Michael’s, Framlingham Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2024
Ecumenical Relationships:
The church is a member of Churches Together in Framlingham. It meets regularly to discuss matters relating to all the churches in Framlingham, and to plan and implement joint activities.
Financial Review:
There has been an Independent Examination of the accounts. The total receipts on ordinary (unrestricted) funds were £154,595 (2023: £96,272) and are detailed in the Financial Statements. £129,920 (2023: £95,758) was spent to provide the Christian Ministry from St Michaels Church, which includes the contribution of £59,700 (2023: £52,000) to the Diocesan Parish Share. Net incoming resources for the year, taking into account restricted and designated funds, reflected an excess of income over expenditure of £61,751 (2023: £61,058).
Reserves policy:
The PCC’s reserves policy is to seek to hold £20k in unrestricted reserves to cover running costs in the event of a major problem, and a building repair reserve of £15k to cover the outcome of any urgent work identified.
Our thanks to our treasurer Margaret Wilkins who has so ably managed the church’s accounts and its finances, and all the other members of the PCC for their valuable contribution to our ministry and for keeping the church running.
Volunteers:
We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is, helping the worship, the caring, our learning and our building.
Structure, governance and management:
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St. Michael’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent, associate priest, reader, churchwardens, Deanery Synod representatives, and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. The PCC from time to time appoints co-opted members. All those who attend our services / members of the congregation 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.
The full PCC met 9 times during the year.
Thanks to those who have served and contributed to our shared life and development.
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The PCC of St Michael’s, Framlingham Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2024
Approved by the PCC on …. May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Revd. Chris Davey (Rector)
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The PCC of St Michael’s, Framlingham Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2024
Independent examiner’s report to the members of the Parochial Church Council of St Michael’s, Framlingham (‘the PCC’)
This report has been prepared following an independent examination of the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act') and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ('the Regulations').
Responsibilities of members of the PCC
As members of the PCC, you are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records and for preparing accounts which have been prepared in accordance with the Regulations.
You are also responsible for determining whether, in respect of the year (and the preceding two years), the PCC meets the conditions for exemption from an audit of the accounts set out in section 144(1) of the Act and the Regulations, and for providing me with information and explanations required for my examination.
Responsibilities of the independent examiner
As an independent examiner I have a statutory duty to state in my report whether any matter has come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records have not been properly kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records or do not comply with the Regulations.
I also have a statutory duty to disclose in my report matters coming to my attention in connection with the examination to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Scope of the independent examiner's work
My work was carried out in accordance with general directions setting out the duties of an independent examiner issued by the Charity Commission and as contained in the Church guidance.
My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included a review of the accounts and consideration of any unusual items or disclosures identified and seeking explanations from the PCC concerning any such matters.
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The PCC of St Michael’s, Framlingham Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2024
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Regulations other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Dominic Carter FCA
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The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from donors 2a Other voluntary incoming resources 2b Incoming resources from operating activities To further the PCC's objectives 2c To generate funds 2d Income from investment 2e Other incoming resources 2f Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of generating funds 3a Activities directly relating to the work of the Church 3b Governance costs 3c Total resources expended Net incoming resources Gain on investments Balance brought forward at 1 January 2024 Transfer between funds Balance carried forward at 31 December 2024 |
Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Total funds funds funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 59,144 21,725 - 80,869 74,357 10,163 64,451 950 75,564 114,110 6,632 130 32,852 39,615 36,536 478 4,314 - 4,792 4,552 1,045 638 - 1,683 1,033 77,133 894 - 78,026 9,877 |
|---|---|
| 154,595 92,151 33,802 280,548 240,465 |
|
| - 701 18,555 19,257 17,508 102,177 68,814 808 171,799 138,788 27,742 - - 27,742 23,111 |
|
| 129,920 69,515 19,363 218,798 179,407 |
|
| 24,675 22,636 14,440 61,751 61,058 - 69 - 69 261 |
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| 24,675 22,705 14,440 61,820 61,319 |
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| 56,244 280,150 11,115 347,510 286,190 |
|
| 1,039 - (1,039) - - 81,958 302,855 24,516 409,329 347,510 |
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 5 Investments 6 CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 8 Amounts falling due after more than one year 8 NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted 4 Restricted 4 Designated 4 |
2024 2023 £ £ |
|---|---|
| 1,174,153 1,206,664 |
|
| 3,079 3,011 |
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| 1,177,233 1,209,675 2,000 2,600 12,410 17,648 184,503 147,827 |
|
| 198,913 168,075 |
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| (45,903) (75,218) (920,914) (955,022) |
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| 409,329 347,510 |
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| 81,958 56,244 302,855 280,150 24,516 11,115 |
|
| 409,329 347,510 |
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
b Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked for particular purposes.
c Fixed assets
Investments held as fixed assets are revalued at market value at the balance sheet date. The gain or loss is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.
Land and buildings are initially measured at cost and subsequently cost less depreciation.
The annual depreciation charge is calculated based on the estimated useful life and the estimated residual value of the asset.
d Capital grants
Income from capital grants is recognised on the accrual model of grant accounting. The grant income is initially recognised as a deferred income creditor and released to the Statement of Financial Activities over the useful life of the asset.
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
2. INCOMING RESOURCES
| 2a. Incoming resources from donors Committed giving under Gift Aid Committed giving not gift aided Planned giving via pew envelopes Planned giving - income tax recovered Collection plate Legacies and bequests 2b. Other voluntary incoming resources Grants Flowers Donations/appeals Castle Community Rooms Sing Praise GeeWizz East Anglian Academy Cloisters 2c. Incoming resouces from operating activities to further PCC objectives Church lettings Church Hall lettings Other fees Wall safe 2d. Incoming resources from operating activitites to generate funds Other fund raising 2e. Income from investment Investment income 2f. Other incoming resources Clergy expenses VAT refunds Utilities Insurance claim Bell ringers Total incoming resources |
Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Total funds funds funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 43,348 - - 43,348 42,843 6,379 11,725 - 18,104 8,755 3,082 - - 3,082 3,922 3,444 - - 3,444 15,215 2,891 - - 2,891 3,622 - 10,000 - 10,000 - |
|---|---|
| 59,144 21,725 - 80,869 74,357 |
|
| 8,460 250 - 8,710 474 - - 950 950 771 1,703 1,356 - 3,059 5,051 - 36,761 - 36,761 88,413 - 11,083 - 11,083 10,053 - - - - 7,000 - - - - 2,349 - 15,000 - 15,000 - |
|
| 10,163 64,451 950 75,564 114,110 |
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| 145 130 - 275 465 - - 32,852 32,852 26,840 2,785 - - 2,785 4,786 3,702 - - 3,702 4,444 |
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| 6,632 130 32,852 39,615 36,536 |
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| 478 4,314 - 4,792 4,552 |
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| 478 4,314 - 4,792 4,552 |
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| 1,045 638 - 1,683 1,033 |
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| 1,045 638 - 1,683 1,033 |
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| 406 - - 406 24 2,656 - - 2,656 173 3,235 - - 3,235 8,364 70,835 - - 70,835 - - 894 - 894 1,317 |
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| 77,133 894 - 78,026 9,877 |
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| 154,595 92,151 33,802 280,548 240,465 |
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
3. RESOURCES EXPENDED
| 3a. Costs of generating funds Fund raising Church hall expenses 3b. Activities directly relating to work of Church Diocesan Parish Share Clergy expenses Church running expenses Insurance Church maintenance Salary of organist Donations Flowers Wedding fees Other FOSM expenditure Castle Community Rooms Depreciation - building Depreciation - fixtures, fittings and equipment Sing Praise GeeWizz East Anglian Academy Cloisters Bank charges 3c. Governance costs Printing and stationery Administrator Miscellaneous costs Total resources expended |
Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Total funds funds funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ - 701 - 701 846 - - 18,555 18,555 16,662 |
|---|---|
| - 701 18,555 19,257 17,508 |
|
| 59,700 - - 59,700 52,000 1,125 - - 1,125 638 7,445 - - 7,445 11,474 5,169 - - 5,169 4,458 24,761 - - 24,761 13,413 3,907 - - 3,907 - - 800 - 800 1,100 - - 808 808 820 - 1,120 - 1,120 1,247 - 18,644 - 18,644 - - 139 - 139 3,422 - 30,704 - 30,704 30,704 - 1,807 - 1,807 1,807 - 8,848 - 8,848 13,733 - 3,472 - 3,472 3,528 - 1,100 - 1,100 250 - 2,057 - 2,057 - 71 123 - 194 195 |
|
| 102,177 68,814 808 171,799 138,788 |
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| 1,328 - - 1,328 586 6,336 - - 6,336 5,724 20,078 - - 20,078 16,802 |
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| 27,742 - - 27,742 23,111 |
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| 129,920 69,515 19,363 218,798 179,407 |
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
4. FUND SUMMARY
| Unrestricted Funds PCC General Fund Restricted Funds Tombs Fund Friends of St Michael's Fund Bells Fund Friends of Delhi Brotherhood Sing Praise GeeWizz East Anglian Academy Cloisters Castle Community Rooms Gain/(loss) on investments Designated Funds Church Hall Fund Church Flower Food Bank |
Transfer £ £ £ £ 56,244 24,675 1,039 81,958 As at 1.1.24 Surplus/ (deficit) As at 31.12.24 |
|---|---|
| 10,117 250 - 10,367 33,475 6,988 - 40,463 4,053 (76) - 3,977 449 756 - 1,205 5,481 2,235 - 7,716 3,472 (3,472) - - 2,099 (1,100) - 999 - 12,943 - 12,943 219,503 4,112 - 223,615 1,501 69 - 1,570 |
|
| 280,150 22,705 - 302,855 |
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| 10,178 14,297 (1,039) 23,436 |
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| 776 142 - 919 161 - - 161 |
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| 11,115 14,440 (1,039) 24,516 |
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| 347,510 61,820 - 409,329 |
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Cost At 31 December 2023 Additions At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 31 December 2023 Charged in year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2024 |
Building Fixtures, fittings and equipment Total £ £ £ 1,221,106 18,067 1,239,174 - - - |
|---|---|
| 1,221,106 18,067 1,239,174 |
|
| 30,704 1,807 32,510 30,704 1,807 32,510 |
|
| 61,408 3,614 65,021 |
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| 1,190,402 16,260 1,206,664 |
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| 1,159,699 14,454 1,174,153 |
6. INVESTMENTS
The following investments are held with the Diocesan Board of Finance and the interest is paid into the church account. The income from the Buckmaster charity is for the repair and maintenance, upkeep and improvement of the church.
The investments are included on the balance sheet at market value at 31 December and any gain or loss is taken to the Statement of Financial Activity.
| Value at 31 December 2023 Movement in valuation Value at 31 December 2024 |
Fabric & Organ Bell Ropes Total £ £ £ £ 169 152 2,690 3,011 4 3 62 69 Buckmaster |
|---|---|
| 172 156 2,751 3,079 |
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
7. DEBTORS
| Tax recoverable from Gift Aid Church Hall lettings Prepayments 8. CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year Other creditors Accruals Christmas collection charity donation Deferred income Amounts falling due after more than one year Deferred income |
2024 2023 £ £ 10,400 12,148 2,010 2,620 - 2,880 |
|---|---|
| 12,410 17,648 |
|
| 2024 2023 £ £ 11,445 14,069 - 27,040 350 - 34,108 34,108 |
|
| 45,903 75,218 |
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| 2024 2023 £ £ 920,914 955,022 |
Deferred income relates to capital grants accounted for on the accrual model. See also Note 1(d).
9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
| Unrestricted | **Restricted ** | Designated | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible assets | - | 1,174,153 | - | 1,174,153 | 1,206,664 |
| Investments | - | 3,079 | - | 3,079 | 3,011 |
| Current assets | 82,307 | 91,937 | 24,670 | 198,914 | 168,075 |
| Creditors < 1 year | (350) | (45,400) | (153) | (45,903) | (75,218) |
| Creditors > 1 year | - | (920,914) | - | (920,914) | (955,022) |
| 81,958 | 302,855 | 24,516 | 409,329 | 347,510 |
The PCC of St Michael's, Framlingham Charity No. 1128206 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
10. EMPLOYEES
| During the year the number of employees paid for by the charity was: Employment costs Payment to highest paid employee 11. PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES During the year payments to trustees for services were as follows: |
2024 2023 £ £ 2 1 |
|---|---|
| 2024 2023 £ £ 10,243 5,724 |
|
| 6,336 5,724 |
|
| 2024 2023 £ £ 10,978 17,231 |
One trustee received payment for the provision of services to the charity. The services were provided on an arm's length basis and were in addition to normal trustee duties.
The expense is included in the Statement of Financial Activities, within activites directly relating to the work of the Church. The trustees are satisfied that the expenditure is in the best interests of the charity and is reasonable in relation to the service provided.
One trustee is employed by the PCC and receives payment for the duties of their employment. The amounts paid were £6,336 (2023: £5,724) as reflected in Note 10.
The PCC is satisfied that the conditions for employment of a trustee in s.185(2) Charities Act 2011 are met.