The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Leonard's Lexden Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31st December 2023 Priest in Charge The Rev'd Matthew Simpkins, 2 Wroxham Close, Colchester, C03 3RQ Parish Office St Leonard's Church, Lexden Road, Colchester, C03 4BL Registered Charity number 1128302 Admlnlstrative inforniation The parish of St Leonard's, Lexden is part of the Diocese of Chelmsford, within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St Leonard's Church, Lexden Road, Colchester, C03 4BL. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956 and Church Representation Rules 2017 and 2020). The charity number is 1128302. Aims and purposes The Parochial ChurGh Council (PCCI of St Leonard's, Lexden is responsible for co-operating with the Priest in Charge, the Rev'd Matthew Simpkins, In promotlng wlthin the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Chur¢h. The PCC is speGifically responsible for the church building and the church hall and manages the day to day life of the buildings and congregation. The PCC employs a Parish Administrator. The parish serves a population of approximately 6,445 and is mainly residential with three carelnursing homes, three schools, and some retail outlets. Objectlves and activlties We put Jesus at the ￿ntre of everything that we do., we try to be a force for good in the world and we believe nothing is impossible with God. Our vision is to serve the Community. to proclaim and teach the Gospel through worship and prayer and to be a welcoming and inclusive church where anyone and everyone can feel welcome and accepted. This PCC is ommitted to living out our faith, both corporalely and individually, in ways which serve the local community practically and pastorally. REVIEW OF THE YEAR Mlsslon and evangellsm We believe that every member of St Leonard's contributes to mission and evangelism, and we nurture and support them in this. Church members continue to be actively involved across Lexden and Colchester through their everyday lives as well as initiatives such as Colchester CMA Debt Centre (CAP}, Colchester Foodbank, Dr Bike, St Cedd's Community Café and school governarn￿. The PCC is committed to supporting mission to young people in the parish. We have an active Junior Church at each Parish Eucharist All-Age Eucharists usually happened on the first Sunday of the month with young people taking roles in those services. Messy Church ontinues to expand. Many of those attending this 'fresh expression, are not regular members of other congregations and it is an ex￿lIent bridge to our Baby & Toddler Group, schools work and Brick Club. Messy Church foms a significant part of our outreach and remains our second best attended regular act ofworship with an average of 23 children and 25 adults in the autumn and winter of 2023. The Baby & Toddler group continued to flourish during this year. Approximately 70 Carers, babies and toddlers attended each week. This continues to be popular with the ¢ommunity of Lexden and beyond, and is of substantial missional importance, attrading many fro beyond the church. This group holds 5erviGes at major festivals and also Gonnects people with our other activities such as Messy Church and Junior Church. The ministry team is actively involved in all three of the parish's schools through assemblies, visits, and carol services. Our outreach Brick Club continues - on Tuesdays during the school holidays and proved an exGellent way of encouraging the n0n-chu￿hed to spend time in our building and among our wmmunity. Our buildings were used by local community groups for gatherings, rehearsals, concerts, arol serVI￿S and other events in 2023. We hosted 6 regular groups, which formed a key aspect of our community engagement. In partnership with the ecumeni¢al Colchester CMA Debt Cenlre, a number of CAP Life Skills courses continued across the town. The Bereavement Support Group continues to offer assistance to those living with grief. St Leonard's offered active support to the neighbouring Parish of Shrub End in continuing the St Cedd's Community Café- a community hub which meets a month. This includes the Dr Bike initiative, run by members of St Leonard's. The Surnmer Fete took place as usual and was well received by the cornmunity, as well as raising funds. Our usual Remembrance Day service and Act of Remembrance was well attended. Men's and Women's breakfasts continued to attract people from the congregation and beyond. Other charitable service lo the wider Gommunity involved church members in, and fundraising for, charities including Colchester Food Bank. Colchester CMA Debt Centre, Christian Aid, OMF international, Colchester YES, CYO, Colchester Refugee Action, English for Women. the Next Chapter. the Children's Society, Sheepfold Centre, Essex Integration, Beacon House, Colchester Korban Project, Operation Christmas Child, MacMill2n Can￿r Care, and the New Hythe. The PCC aims to give a proportion of income to Gharities. donating approximately £11,021 during 2023. St Leonard's also reached out through during 2023 using social media including such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and podcasts. Worship and prayer Our pattem of worship is shaped by the Priest in Charge in consuItation with the PCC. We are cornmitted lo enabling worship which resources those who share in it to live lives of faithfulness and seNice, is welcoming and attractive to newcomers, and helps to make God known to those on the fringes of farth. We strive to offer a variety of inclusive, thoughtful and high-quality services. St Leonard's worship centres on Ihe Eucharist, and we aim to provide engaging and relevant preaching and maintain a living tradition of choral music. The music group continues alongside the choir at ourAII Age Services and proved a valuable way of engaging children in our worship. Ourworship draws people from beyond the parish. Our main act ofworship is the Parish Eucharist each Sunday, with 8am Book of Common Prayer Holy Cornmunion twi￿ a month, and Evensong and a Eucharlsl for Wholenèss and Healing using once a month in the evening. On the first Sunday ofthe month there was usually an All-Age Eucharist. Eucharists also held at 10am on Wednesday, and at 8am on Thursday. The main Sunday morning seNice continued to be broadcast through Facebook. Our average Sunday attendan￿ was 71 adults with 4 children and young people. This does not take into account the numberjoining us online. By the end of 2022, usually 4 or 5 people would watch the service live online, with many more being engaged after the service. During 2023 the￿ were 9 baptisrns, 3 weddings and 1 marriage blessing, and 17 funerals were conducted either in church or at local crematoria. The provision of baptisms, weddings and funerals for the parish and community remains a critical aspect of the parish's mission, with new relationships being established and nurtured. Many ofthose families who approach us for baptism are not yet regular members of our congregations and we are delighted lo be able lo respond to their desire to bring new family members into the Church. We offer opportunity for further nurturing into the St Leonard's community through our many other activities and fresh expressions including Baby & Toddler Group, Messy Church, Brick Club, and our annual Commemoration of the Departed. On the 71h May we held a Coronation Parade Service followed by lunGh in the hall. The Rev'd Viv Mendham. Rev'd Jacquie Messinger and the Rev'd Maggie Whiteman continued lo serve the parish as Associate Priests . Retired priest with PTO, the Rev'd Canon Hugh Beavan, and Readers Ernerita with PTO, Rosemary Elden, continued to contribute to ministry at St Leonard's. Other visiting clergy and ministers, including the Rev'd Canon Martin Wood and Phyll Wood, made an important contribution during 2023. Stewardship Stewardships is used by the congregation to make donations to the church. Pastoral Care Much pastoral care wrthin our congregation is informal and mutual. Our team of Pastoral Visitors supports a growing number of individuals in need or with mobility difficulties. and has been increasingly involved in offering home communion. and- with others- in visits and monthly services in our four local care homes. Regular pasloral visiting was usually organised by the Pastoral Co-ordinator. Buildings The year of 2023 was an interesting one with a water leak under the floor in the rear nave resulting in the whole of the wooden flooring needing to be taken up. The hall continues to be used most days of the week, which is very salisfying. All the regular maintenance has been carried out and the underfoor heating to the annex is Gurrently under investigation. Deanery Synod Deallery Synod met th￿e times during the year. St Leonard's was represented on Deanery Synod by three lay representatives of our allocation of four lay representatives. and by three Glergy representatives. Safeguarding The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church. At St Leonards we are committed to promoting a safer environment and culture, and supporting all those who come into our church. We ensure there is support for any Tnember ofthe church who has particular responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults. The Parish Safeguarding policy is reviewed regularly and our Parish Safeguarding Officer ensures all those who need lo have DBS checks are up to date, and that training for those who require this for their role is arranged. Safeguarding information is displayed in the hall and the church, and a safeguarding folder including the Parish Safeguarding Policy, the Promoting a Safer Church booklet and the Parish Safegu8rding Handbook is available. As thè above measures and ongoing practices and policies make ¢lear, the PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have regard to the House of Bishops, guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Flnanclal revlew The accounts this year show income of £153,974 compared to a lower £133.351 from last year. This increase is due to increased "income from activities for generating funds" (church hall lettings and summer fetelchristmas fayre) better returns from investments and an insurance claim. Claiming Gift Aid on donations continues to provide a signTrficant income, in 2023 amounting to £17,302. Expenditure for 2023 was £197,446 up from £172,410 in the previous year. The increased expenditure comprised church hall running costs and making repairs to the church nave flooring. Additional expenditure also included PCC donations to charities of £11,021. On 31 December 2023, the principle balances were £217,487 (excluding the £684.319 value of the church hall) and £221,483 in the restricted and endowment funds. This year the accounts show a deficit balance of £33,354. StruGture, Governance and Management PCC members are elected and appointed according to the Church Representation Rules 2017. All members of our Congregations are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and to participate in the annual elections. As of 31st DeGember 2023 there were 202 names on the Electoral Roll. PCC members are responsible for all matters of general Concern and Importan￿ to the parish, including decisions about its finances. The PCC met six times in 2023. The PCC has a number of subcommittees (Standing Cornmittee, Finance, Fabric and Hall, and Children and Young Peoples, Group) which report to the main Council for decisions and approval of major issues. The Priest in Charge and Churchwardens are ex-officio mèmbers of all committees. During the year ending 31 st December 2023 the following served on the Parochial Church Council- Ex-officio Members Priest in Charge The Rev'd Matthew Simpkins Associate Priest The Rev'd Viv Mendham Assistant Curate The Rev'd Ja¢quie Messinger Assistant Curate The Rev'd Maggie Whiteman Churchwardens David Watkins Esther Hepstonstall (Until January 2023) Nick Allston (from Apri5 2023) Parish Safeguarding OffI￿r Mrs Julie Hinchcliffe Deputy Parish Safeguarding Officer Mrs Amanda Allston Treasury Team Clare Cleverdon David Burrows Adrian Steward Representatives to Deanery Synod Mrs Margaret Srnith (Until April) Mrs Maureen Watkins Mrs Julie Hinchcliffe Mrs Linda Firth Elected members.. Judith Steele {SeGretary) Chris Newton {Until April} Yvonne Romain Nick Allston (until April) Mike Firth Janice Cocks (until April) The Standing Committee members are.. Priest in Charge. Churchwardens, PCC Treasurer and Secretary. THE PAROCHJAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. LEONARD'S. LEXDEN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTivrriES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 TOTAL FUNDS 2022 General Fynd Rèslricied Fund8 ETrJO%￿￿Ènt Funds Not8 Ineoming rosour¢•s Volunlary income A¢livibes lorgsneotAng lunds Inconw Irom Invesfvnts Chur¢h Activilie8 Olhwincoming r&sOur￿S Total incoming rosourcos £109.$87 £13.244 £13.582 £4.046 £12,534 £152,974 £1,000 £110.567 £13,244 £13,582 È4.046 £12.534 £153,974 £116,296 £10,861 £3,141 £3,053 2b 2¢ 2d £1,000 £133,351 Resourc￿ expended Costs of gSn6Rt￿g voluntaryincomè Fund rai&ng trading costs Churcl) Activifres Govemancg co$tÉ Total rnSourc￿ •xpgnded 3a £38 £9,440 £151,641 £1,070 £162,189 £38 £9,440 £186,898 £1,070 £197.446 £156 3b £5.943 £165,248 £1.063 £172.410 £35.257 £35,257 N&t Incominolotstgoingl resowces ReValuat￿n g8nslk)s8es on investments Nèt mov•mont in funds -£9,215 £6,596 -£2.619 -£34,257 £3,522 30,736 -£43,472 £10,118 -£33,354 -£39.059 -£5,853 -£44,912 Transfer5 IJel￿￿￿ funds Net movem0￿ In funds -£2.619 -£30.736 -£33,354 -£44.912 Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2023 £804,425 £241,927 £10.292 £1.156,644 £1.201.555 Total funds carrted forward at 31 December 2023 £901,806 £211,191 £10,292 £1,123,289 £1.156.644 THE PARWH14L CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLEStASTI¢AL PARISH OF ST. LEONARD'S. LEXDEN BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Note5 2023 2022 Flxed a5%ts TawfDk8 frthj asset5 In¥eslrr*nts t684,319 £117,660 £e84,319 £107,542 Total ftxod a888ts £801,979 E791,861 Cwront ass•l$ Short t￿M deposits Debtor6 (Accounts Receiv**181 Cash at ba￿( and in hand £308,786 £6.047 £12,689 t327,522 E335.253 £5.012 £28,928 69.193 Agency collxl*Jns Accounts payabl? Total LIabIllt￿& E1 £6.211 £6,212 £1 £4,410 £4,411 Total a8s8tB £1,123,289 £1,156,644 Par15h Funds Endth¥m8nt funds £10,292 £1D,292 Restrict*l fLJrKIs £211,191 £241,927 LInrest￿oj furtds £901,806 £904,425 £1,123.289 £1.156,644 ApprrN&J by the ParcchiEJ Church Cwncil C￿ 14 April 2024 and 5bned on Is bEhafby cIAre4Cl4verao D8vld Watklns. Deputy Chalr. PCC pp. The Revdmattsknpklns Chairman Ckn Cifftr¢ton TrwdSUFer The ￿coMPan￿[￿j notes a pwt L*thEse statemenls. THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. LEONARD'S, LEXDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 l. Accounting pollcle8 a Accountlng conventlon The finanual statèmènts have ￿en prèparèd in accordanc8 with the Church Accounting Reoulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP 2005. The financAal statements have been prepared under the histori￿1 c08t ￿nVentIon as modif￿d by the inc]usion ol investments at market value and the revaluation of fixed assets. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not indude the accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation lo another body, nor those whiGh are iDfortnal galheiings gf Ghurch members. b Parish funds un￿stri￿9d fund$ 8ro g8ner81 funds whlch can b& used for PCC ordinary purposes D8signated funds represent moni8s Set aside bylhe PCC out of unrostrictéd funds for spèctfic future purposes or proj8ets. Restricted funds Tepresenl {al income from trusts or en(k>wment5 which may be expended only on those restricted objeds prts￿ded in the teims of the trust or bequest. and Ib} donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only bè expended on the spee4fic obj8cI for whith they were giv8n. Any balanc6 remalnlNJ unspent al the end of the year Is rathed ft)rwatd as a balan￿ on that fund. Endowment funds arè fund$ ¢apit81 ofwhlch must be m8intAin@d'. only incomo 8rising from the investmént of the endowment may be used. either as restricted or unreslricled funds, depending on the purpose set out in the lerrn8 of the original endowment. e IncomSng resources Planned giving, coHections and donations are recognised when ￿ceIved. Tax ￿lundS are recognised whon the incomlng resource lo whirh they relate i¥ reG¢ived. Grants and legacAes are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled lo the amounts due. Dividends are accounled for when receivable, interest is accwed. All other incomè 1$ recognised whèn r￿1vab1é. All incoming règoureès arè aeetiuntéd for gross. d Re80urces expgnded Grants and donations are accounted forwhen paid over. or when awarded. if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation lo the PCC. The diLKg58ll parish share 15 accuuntgd fot when duo. Al olhgr expetwjiture is generally recognised when it is incJJrred and is accounted for gross. e Fixgd assets Conséerat8d and b8n8fic8d prop8ty of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.96121 of the Charities Act 1993. Movable thurch fumithing held by the Rector and ChUr￿￿8rdenS on spÈci81 tmst for th8 PCC and which require a facuty for disposal. are xccounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected. For inalienable property awuired prior to 2003 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not dIU￿ in the 8ecounts. Subsequently all Èxpenditure on consécr8tÈd or b8nÈfic8d buildings and indimdual iiems costing under £1,000 are written off in the year in which they were incurfed. Investmerrts are stated Bt market value 81 the balance sheet date. THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. LEONARD'S. LEXDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS lcontlnuodl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 2 Income & Endownowts Restrncled Erx1obw￿nt Funds Funds FIJNDS 2023 FUNDS 2022 Fut Voltsntstyln¢omè Planned giving Colkctions atarn Ser￿8 Sunrhy donations 8nd 8w8al StewBrdship che1￿$ othor funds genefated In(x)n* Tax recovered Leg&les N￿rtCUrring (￿e-Off grants £84,425 £3,838 £2.377 £84A25 £3.838 £3J77 £82.909 £2.932 £2.029 £1,000 £595 £17,302 £175 £855 £109,567 £595 £17.302 £175 £8SS £110 5$7 £2.136 £16,824 £5,486 £4,0(10 £116.2 £1,000 b Acfvlrfes forg¢n¢raI￿jYfvnd$ Church HaH and Church rolltns letbw$ Fundmsiro events £6,339 £6,906 £13.244 £6,339 £6.906 £7.018 £3.842 £10,861 ¢ lrtVest￿n$kn&0￿è Dw¥l￿dS and InleFest £13.582 £13.582 £3.141 d Incomo from ChU￿h 8ebvths Wedding 8t￿ funera￿ fees Parish mag?￿e 18aksl T(K*1￿ Gr¢up £3,176 £114 £756 £4.046 £3.178 £114 £706 £2.4fJ t630 £3,053 ¢ OU¥erthcomtrw resources Insurdnr* daitNS £12.534 £12,534 £12534 £12.534 Total lrtcomo & Endowm•nts £152 974 £153.974 £133.351 10 THE PAROCHIAL CHLRCH CCWNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARL8H OF ST. LEONARD'S, LE¥DEN NOTES TO THE FIM4NCIAL STATEfyIENT3 {con￿n￿ad FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 3 ￿&0￿1¢*1 8¥p8nd8d TOTAL fun¢Js 2022 Funds Funds Funds 2023 Costts of generating vduntary Incom8 Fees pad lofund SW£rdshipcLsts £38 E38 £35 £121 £156 £38 Fund ralslng trading eosts Church Yunning Cx*s FurKI ra￿￿0 trdwts.. £9￿59 £381 £9,059 £351 £6.747 E197 £9.440 £9WO Church a¢tlvltl•8 MIs&onary￿￿ tharitatle ll1￿ £10.461 £10.111 £9.1 Churth 0¥￿￿8 & DwdLynentagenoes £180 om HOMB mlssions Secul* Charl￿88 CAP partn*ship Ch¥tsas £548 £180 £360 £180 £360 £11021 £11.021 £10.284 Ministy Cost8.. tri(Ke5an Parish ￿trtribUti É97.020 £97.020 £104.932 Church ￿nnIng￿enseS ￿ athninistratta)". Church fthc and ManI￿ance rJ3.407 £4.945 £33,407 £6,081 £31,613 £3.872 £1,116 Upkeep of £4,660 £4,660 £6,482 T￿nIng Educauon È235 É235 Misslw & OUtre￿h £12 £12 £269 Pwish M￿3￿n0 & b￿ks1￿1 JunKX Church and yO￿th Miniatry Grwp £35 £3 £35 £206 £200 £301 Churth Repgirs. InStal￿K)n £34,141 £34.t41 £7,296 Go%*rna £1,070 £1.Q70 £1,063 Ttstal we80￿r¢8$ oxponttod £162,169 £197.446 £172 41D ThE PARCCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTLCAL PARISH OF ST. LEONARD'S, LEXOEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENfs I￿rtInU#d} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 4 St•ff ¢o$ts 2023 £16,475 £14,390 Ourlng the yearlhe PCC rnayepaYm￿ts to acno1rdi￿tty, ugan1$￿, Church Hal cl0Th8nd pBrish Bdrnlnl&rat(r. dl Pffi Ilme Tttege ￿n¢￿t￿ts are I￿lU￿& in thechargetr'fhurch running ath)Irrist￿￿*' ￿ Note 3e on Paje 9 5 Tanglbje tlxed as58ts Freehdd land Total and bjildlnas Flxod Assets Cost or valuatlon At 1 JaTruary 2023 At 31 D￿￿ber 2023 £684 319 £684,319 £6BIJqg Depr8clatlon At 1 January 2023 At 34 Dec*mber 2023 Net botyk amounts At 31 D8comb8r 2023 At 31 December 2023 £684.319 £684,319 £6B4,319 £684,319 The freehold land and buildinEs