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2023-12-31-accounts

Financial Statements & Review of the Year 2023

Parish Church Council of St Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield.

Charity Reg No 1128336

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The PCC present their report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The PCC have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial and Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.

Administrative Information

The Church of St Columba is situated on Manchester Road, Crosspool, Sheffield. It is part of the Sheffield Diocese.

The correspondence address is: The Church of St Columba, 503 Manchester Road, Crosspool, Sheffield S10 5PL.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a registered charity with the Charity Commission since 2 March 2009. Registered Charity 1128336.

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

PCC members who have served throughout the year 2023 are:

Ex Officio members: Vicar: The Revd Tracey Morris Reader & Focal Minister: Steve Ellis (also chair of Finance and Fabric) Children & Family Worker & Focal Minister: Tara Osborne Wardens: Jacky Hodgson Richard Wales Deputy Warden: Brenda Nelson Representatives on the Deanery Synod: Heidi Adcock George Wild Elected Members : Eddie Sherwood (Treasurer) Clare Fowler (Secretary) Michael Nelson Jan Rose George Wild Andrew Burkinshaw Heidi Adcock Briony Broome Stephen Hill Representative : Trevor Wilson

Electoral Roll Officer: Peter Brown

Structure, Governance and Management

The Standing Committee consists of the Vicar, Churchwardens, Secretary, Chair of Finance and the Treasurer. Where necessary the Standing Committee may review the planning of any major campaign, but there has been no need to meet during 2023.

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 (currently 56 in number) and stand for election to the PCC. There is no formal training offered to members of the PCC but guidance can be and is provided by colleagues and the Diocese as required. The booklet, “Trusteeship: An Introduction for PCC Members” is provided and discussed with all PCC members. Allocation to sub-committees is based on their areas of interest and

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specialism. Currently the sub-committees, whose memberships consist of PCC members and co-opted representatives, are as follows:

  1. Finance & Fabric

  2. Mission & Outreach

All members of the PCC give their time freely and no remuneration was paid in the year. Details of expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 5 to the accounts. The PCC met on 6 occasions in 2023, and the Finance & Fabric and Joint Leadership Team each met regularly.

Our Risk Management policy is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees, casual labour and voluntary helpers, and to provide such information, training and supervision, as they need for this purpose.

We will also endeavour to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all members of the congregation, contractors, visitors and others who may visit the church, its surrounding grounds and any associated buildings.

The allocation of duties for safeguarding and safety matters and the arrangements that we will make to implement the policies are set out in the Safeguarding and Health & Safety Documents currently in force. These policies and the way in which they operate will be reviewed regularly and the appropriate changes made. Employees and voluntary workers will be consulted on a regular basis in order to seek their views on these matters.

Objectives and Values

The Primary objective of the PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrine and practices of the Church of England. St Columba’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

This primary objective is shared as we continue to develop our partnership with Stephen Hill under the overarching covenant between the circuit and the diocese

Shared Values for St Columba and Stephen Hill

We are a community that endeavours:

These values were summarised by the following phrases which go on the newssheet:

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Worshipping God // Including All // Space to explore // Promoting Justice

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of the community of St Columba’s and Stephen Hill.

When planning our activities for the year the Vicar and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

Review of the year

Worship, prayer and fellowship groups

We continue to worship in Stephen Hill and St Columba’s church buildings, alternating on a weekly basis, with the first and third Sundays at St Columba, second and fourth at Stephen Hill, and alternating fifth Sundays.

The first Sunday of the month is usually an All-Age Worship style, and some of those have been a café church.

We are blessed to have a rich resource of folk able to lead and preach, including Rev Tracey, Steve Ellis, Neil Craig, Tara Osborne, Louise Yaull, John Parker and the Stephen Hill Worship Team. We welcomed a new member to the team, Rev Dr Chris Ellis, a retired Baptist minister. We also welcomed several guest preachers including Rev Romeo Pedro (Circuit Superintendent), Rev Ian Parkinson (Associate Archdeacon), Bishop Sophie, Inderjit Bhogal, and local preachers from the Methodist Circuit. As well as the usual seasonal themes we covered Christian Aid Week, Poverty Sunday, Being a Sanctuary, the Climate, and Carer’s Sunday in our weekly services.

One highlight was a visit in July from our mission partners from Thailand, Jason, Tracy, Ruby and Libby Day, who shared their work, faith and family situation with us.

Earlier in the year we said goodbye to Jonathan, our keyboard player, after 12 years with us, as he realised a long-time ambition to become a firefighter. John Parker and Ian Sharpe have played for us faithfully, and Liz Bentley & Fiona Burton have helped on occasions. Later in the year we welcomed Marilyn Ellis to the church community, who has taken up the role of music co-ordinator. She has begun working with Tracey, John and Ian in developing the music ministry.

On the last weekend in September, we had a “Church Weekend Away @ Home.” We spent time worshipping together and talking about our hopes, dreams and potential barriers for future mission and ministry. We also had a lot of fun and food together and it was a great opportunity to strengthen relationships and build new ones across the covenant community.

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Our ministry to Cairn Home, a monthly home communion, has continued. These are facilitated by care worker and former member of our congregation Lis Selwood, and have been led by Steve Ellis.

The Tuesday pastoral prayer group continues its faithful weekly prayer time.

Funerals

Steve and Tracey had the privilege of ministering to bereaved families and conducting 11 funerals in 2023.

Focal Ministry

On 15th January, Steve and Tara were authorised as Focal Ministers by Rev Sally Myers, Director of Focal Ministry, during the morning service.

Living with Loss

This group started in July 2019. The vision for it was originally to be able to provide ongoing support for bereaved relatives following funerals. However, the invitation was extended to anyone struggling with any kind of loss, such as loss of job, independence, as well as bereavement.

The group meets every 6 weeks or so. There is no agenda, and we meet together over tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks, and chat. Those attending are a mixture of folk, some who are church members, some from other churches and some who are not involved in church at all. Some of the key features of the group are:

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Church and Community Development Worker

We welcomed Sue Stew at the beginning of January. This role fulfils the existing administrator’s role of 9 hours supporting the priest and leadership team, plus an extra 6 hours (partly funded by the Church Burgesses) to support community facing roles and activities. Sue has settled in well and has helped Tara with Family Fun Friday. She is also working with Briony and team in preparing for a dementia café to begin in 2024. Sue has also been valuable in helping us keep up to the mark with safeguarding (she is a safeguarding trainer for the Sheffield Methodist Circuit).

Vaccinations and Links with the NHS

The St Columba’s site continued as a vaccination centre for the Spring campaign which involved some Saturday clinics. There was an Autumn vaccination programme which for various reasons the local Primary Care Network could not facilitate, but we remain available and may still be used for clinics in 2024.

Our links with the PCN remain strong and in the Autumn we had a fruitful meeting with local social prescribers who now permanently rent the Jim Johnston room as a base for appointments. We are hoping to work with them in 2024 as we offer an occasional Dementia Café. They also plan to use the premises to put on an open day showcasing support and organisations available for those in the community with various needs.

User Groups

Dinky Discoverers, Pilates, Imagine Theatre Company, the W.I., and the quarterly Forum meetings continued, and we were pleased to welcome two new pre-school groups during the year – Bloom Baby Classes on Mondays and Mini Movers on Fridays.

We continue to host one-off events such as children’s parties, and fund-raising evenings for various projects.

It is fair to say that all our weekly and one-off users have been hugely grateful for the love and support shown by all the church community.

Looking Forward

Well, what a year we've had! We are heading into 2024 with an even stronger sense of community across the covenant. At the end of 2023 we welcomed a student from St Hild, Hannah Chester, who is having a placement with us for an initial period of 6 months. We have also had new people join us and the Weekend Away @ Home has helped create new friendships and a sense of what the opportunities and challenges might be going forwards.

In 2024 the newly created Eco Group will begin to meet and start looking at how we can be an Eco Church, focusing on our carbon footprint and sustainability. We will be forming the

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new EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Group which will focus on how we can be an Inclusive Church and what being inclusive actually looks like. We will also be continuing to work on our identity as a church community, and we will be looking specifically at how we can reach out further to children, youth and young adults. The creation of the Joint Leadership Team has given us an opportunity to dream of new ways of working together and these conversations will continue, with some exciting possibilities. Let’s pray for more resources for all this and an open heart ready to be brave and creative, whilst holding on to those things that are at the heart of who we are. At the centre of all that we do is to try and be the church community that God wants us to be. We all have a part to play and a gift that God has blessed us with to help be a part of this. Let’s pray for God's guidance on how we do this.

Revd Tracey Morris & Steve Ellis

Wardens’ Report 2023

We have enjoyed working with Revd Tracey Morris during her first year as Priest in Charge of St Columba’s, Minister of Stephen Hill and Oversight Minister for Crosspool and Lodge Moor. Congregation numbers have grown by around 20% over the year, and we have added much more variety to our worship.

We are grateful to Steve Ellis, Tara Osborne, Louise Yaull, Neil Craig and Chris Ellis for their roles in leading and preaching alongside Tracey, and in the case of Steve and Tara in particular for their vital work in reaching out to our local community. We are also thankful for Tara’s ongoing work on Sundays and during the week with our children and families.

Brenda Nelson has continued as deputy warden during the year, offering much valued support - thank you, Brenda, for all you have done and continue to do.

We are also grateful to Sue Stew who started work with us as Church and Community Support Worker in January 2023. Sue’s work offers a valuable resource for the leadership team and provides essential support for the church’s community-facing activities.

We would like to express our thanks to Eddie, our treasurer, for the huge amount of work he continues to do for us; to Clare, our PCC Secretary, who is also part of the SacREd Space, AV and intercession teams; to Briony for her pastoral work; to Heidi for the beautiful flower arrangements she provides for both churches (and we look forward to welcoming Heidi back in the Spring); to Debbie, our cleaner; to Michelle who collected and delivered donations to the Fir Vale Food Bank on our behalf; and to all members of the congregation who have offered their unfailing support over the last year.

Richard Wales & Jacky Hodgson

Pastoral Report

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St Columba’s is a warm and welcoming community. Our congregation are a valuable resource, caring for and supporting each other and those in the community whether they are members of a church or not. We understand the importance of hospitality and ensure that visitors to the church as well those who use the building are looked after. Some church members have known each other for many years and conscientiously stay in touch with each other, including those who have moved away or whose situations have changed.

Recently Tracey and Steve have re-established home communion visits and this has been greatly appreciated by those who aren’t able to attend our services.

Over the last year our Carers Café has continued to grow. The meetings are organised in partnership with Sheffield Carers Centre and we meet every month at Stephen Hill. The group includes carers from Fulwood, Crookes and Stannington and sometimes further afield. This year we’ve welcomed a range of speakers -Trading Standards, South Yorkshire Police, Diabetes UK and had advice on wills and Power of Attorney and the impact of living with dementia. We’ve met socially and been out for Christmas lunch together. The most important part of the meeting is the opportunity it provides for our carers to share their concerns and experiences with each other.

A number of our carers support someone living with dementia and we have become aware that dementia is now an issue that touches many others in our community. This year we started to discuss the possibility of a regular meeting where carers could bring their loved ones and have some time together, with refreshments, crafts and music. At the Crosspool Festival we had a wonderful evening when the Lost Chord charity came to talk about their work bringing music into the lives of those living with dementia. There is a great deal of support for this initiative across the community and we hope to take this forward in the coming year.

Briony Broome

SacREd Space

The team of Adrian Scott, Monica Sutton, Anesia Nascimiento-Cook, Heather Schofield, Fiona Watson, Clare Fowler and Tracey Morris enjoyed another year of putting together quiet reflective services. These take place on the second Sunday evening of each month and use music, poetry, art, rituals, meditation and silence to provide a space for reflection. This year we alternated Compline style services with themed sessions including “Hope”, “Horizons”, and “Holy”. SacREd Space continues this year and all are welcome.

Clare Fowler

Open Room Sessions

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

During 2023, small groups have continued to meet regularly via Zoom to share, learn and discuss, following a rolling programme on the themes of:

We have continued to meet on Zoom rather than in person because some of those who attend are not members of the St Columba’s and Stephen Hill congregation and may not live locally.

Jacky Hodgson

House Groups

Our house group has nine members and meets once a month at George’s home. We open with a short prayer or reading and then we share a Bible study. We talk about the passage and often find something helpful in it. Sometimes George prepares handouts with maps of the places we are reading about, or we might watch a short film that illustrates the chapters we’ve read. This year we’ve studied Colossians, and the letters of James and Peter.

Later, we enjoy tea and an excellent array of biscuits and catch up with everyone’s news. We all value this time together and our caring fellowship.

George Wild and Briony Broome

Flowers

We enjoyed lots of seasonal British flowers this year. Bright tulips in January, a proliferation of daffodils for Mothering Sunday and regal red and white roses, with bluebells made a splash for the royal Coronation.

We celebrated a beautiful May wedding in pink. Our wedding party enjoyed an abundance of pink alstroemerias. The wedding flowers were sustainably sourced, British flowers, without plastic packaging. Additionally, the church was decorated with two lilac trees brought indoors just for the weekend, tied with compostable ribbon. On our eco church journey we have continued to use more glass vases, reusable and recyclable materials. We have also enjoyed several dried and silk flower displays in both churches, including poppies in November.

At our fabulous away weekend @home, congregation members made a recycled egg box poppy wreath for Remembrance Sunday and attendees were invited to make floral jam jar decorations to share with friends, including those unable to attend. On Christmas Eve we had very fragrant white narcissi alongside more traditional Christmas foliage.

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Throughout the year we continued to remember members of our congregation no longer with us, with love and in floral tributes including Brian in December and Mary in October.

Heidi Adcock

Sanctuary

Once again, the Church would like to express our appreciation for the faithful work of John Norman in taking care of the sanctuary, changing the frontals in the worship area to fit the changing church seasons, and providing materials such as candles for Easter and Advent. During 2023, John has also shared some of his considerable knowledge with other members of the team.

Jacky Hodgson

Mission and Outreach Committee

During the past year, St. Columba’s has maintained its close partnership with a small number of specific overseas mission workers, currently based in Uganda and Thailand, in addition to providing more general support to a wide range of charities at home and abroad. This partnership is based not only on financial donations but on prayer and regular contacts by e- mail and other forms of communication if and when these are available and practical. Clearly the changing situations in many areas in the last year have not always been helpful but have largely been overcome.

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Our support for Jason and Tracy Day, our Church Mission Society (CMS) partners and their children, Ruby and Libby, began in 2007 before they moved to Thailand from Tansen Nursing School in Nepal. Some 5 years later Jason was offered a post with OMF (Overseas Mission Fellowship), a partner organisation of CMS, using his extensive experience in human resource management to provide support for Christian mission workers in many parts of East and South-east Asia. This has been a major challenge as many of the workers are in areas where Christian evangelism is discouraged and they may be in danger of persecution for their work. Tracy has worked in various volunteer roles as well as prioritising caring for their two children but has also recently taken on an extra responsibility as Child Protection Officer for OMF. Pressures on Christian groups in parts of the area for which Jason is responsible have increased in recent years while Jason and Tracy’s financial situation has also become more difficult, largely because of changes in the value of sterling relative to the Thai baht. They repeatedly express their thanks to St. Columba’s for the support they receive from both the Church as a whole and from individual members. They have maintained very close relationships with members of St. Columba’s via frequent e-mails, regular link-letters and occasional phone calls and letters as well as through a good number of visits to Church during their home visits every few years including in summer 2023. Sadly Jason’s father has since passed away following an accident. This has caused Jason to spend some time back in the UK while the girls are with Tracy in Thailand in what may be the final school year for Ruby.

Links with our current East African MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) partners Geoff and Celia Linkletter began in 2015 following the retirement of Ian Sinkinson who was based in Nairobi but for some years had a wide managerial role for MAF in East Africa and neighbouring areas. This involved him in considerable travel but also enabled him to visit St Columba’s quite frequently with his wife Dadirai, who was very actively involved in charitable work in her homeland, Zimbabwe. Together they provided many insights into Christian mission activities in Africa. Geoff and Celia, their successors as our MAF partners, live near Kampala in Uganda where Geoff is an aircraft maintenance engineer at Kajansi, while Celia works in the MAF Office there and leads a local house group among her other activities; their daughter, Mim, is at school locally and has had to cope with many problems similar to those in schools in much of the world during the Covid pandemic, including temporary school closures. Geoff’s work is crucial in MAF’s efforts to develop links with remote parts of Uganda and neighbouring countries where organisations such as UNICEF provide economic, medical and educational facilities to refugee camps and other needy areas. Uganda has over a million refugees according to some recent estimates, many of them in camps near the borders with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both these countries have suffered recent political conflicts which have caused rapid expansion of refugee numbers in Uganda as well as its neighbours. Variable climatic conditions in recent years have also caused access to troubled areas to be almost impossible at times, except by air. Lake Victoria is an area with special problems. Links between islands in the lake are largely by traditional wooden boats and one recent accident resulted in the loss of 25 lives, which could have been more without help from MAF. A trip from Kajansi by plane to one of the few island hospitals on Lake Victoria would take about 20 minutes but by traditional transport including boats maybe 8 hours. No wonder a recent letter from Geoff and Celia recognised the beginning of the rainy season and its unreliable nature as

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significant for MAF. Geoff’s work has also been affected by changes in local flying regulations and political events in neighbouring countries (e.g. Chad) making it difficult to continue with routine repair work there.

As in previous years, recommendations have been made to PCC concerning the annual distribution of grants from Church income given to local, national and international charities we support. Details of charities helped in this way in 2023 are given below. In addition, various other charitable donations have been made during the year in response to particular appeals, including collections made at some special services.

Charity Grant allocated
Alzheimer's Society £220
Care in Crosspool £240
Cavendish Centre £200
Christian Aid £1,000
City of Sanctuary £600
CMS (mission partners) £2,000
Macmillan Nurses £180
MAF (mission partners) £1,400
Mary’s Meals £180
Open Doors £250
Practical Action £400
Sheffield C.C.C.C. £480
Sheffield Downs Syndrome Support Group £180
St Andrew’s Child Contact Centre £220
St. Luke’s Hospice £400
Taste £200
UK Sepsis Trust Ltd £150
Total allocation £8,300

Bill Hornby & Jacky Hodgson

Children and Families Work

The Children and Families work throughout 2023 has been very exciting with several groups meeting:

Blast Kids

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Meets on the 2[nd] and 5[th] Sunday of the month. We have continued to look at the Bible and explore their faith by using the Rooted Journals. This is something that each child has and will continue to use until filled out, then they can take this home to look through and grow from. We have had a few kids participate in Blast Kids throughout the year. The great news is that these children's faith has developed/grown and most of them have either been baptised or want to be over the next year. Seeing them take a step of faith for themselves is really encouraging. Please do continue to pray for the children. Even though they are small in numbers they are mighty in faith!

Godly Play

Meets on 3[rd] Sunday of the month. This started getting put together in the mid-year of 2022. We were gifted a lot of Godly Play resources from the Montgomery Centre, which I have taken and with the help of Kathryn Lord turned it into a Godly Play Resource Centre. There are new units, and the stage has been cleared so it is all organised to be used at any time. Please pray for this to be a support to others and a space to connect with the wider community. We are open on Mondays 11am till 1pm and Fridays 10am till 12pm for people to pop in and borrow the stories and watch a Godly Play Story.

All Age Service/Cafe Church

This session is on the 1[st] Sunday of the month at 10.30am. This is unlike the format of the regular Sunday service. We have crafts, stories, action songs, bible reading and quizzes, video clips. The Cafe Church services went to every 3 months, which we felt worked much better. Sadly, we have not had many families due to the timing of the service, and for this reason in 2024 we plan on removing this from the Sunday morning service and relaunching a new Cafe Church as a fresh expression at a different time. We will continue to do an All-Age service on a Sunday morning on the first Sunday of the month.

Family Fun Friday

Meets on the 1[st] Friday of the month at Stephen Hill. This group has grown and grown and is now regularly seeing on average 13 to 16 families attend. This group has craft and board games, prayer station with tuckshop in the foyer. Then a film in the main Church worship area, and the hall has ping pong, indoor football and badminton. We have now added a quiet area as the group can get quite loud. We have had to ask for more and more volunteers, but I am happy to say God is good and providing them. We are now a team of ten that work hard in all different areas of the church. The families that are attending are not regular Church goers, but they have found this a place to connect with others and start to establish this as an area for them to feel welcome and loved. I would love in 2024 to arrange a day trip out.

Bumps, Babies and Bairns

This group meets at Stephen Hill every Tuesday during term time at 10am till 11.30am. This group has had lots through the door over the years and we have got things in place so the new people that attend feel welcomed and invited to stay and connect with others. The numbers range from 15 to 40 every Tuesday. We had pop up crafts and activities for toddlers throughout the year but from the start of 2024 there will be a tuff tray activity every session.

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Outdoor Church

This group meets instead of Blast Kids on the 2[nd] Sunday of the month from May to October, and we explore the great outdoors and learn about God and what we can do to help our environment, not forgetting climbing trees and sharing snacks together. We usually have between 6 and 15 attend this group which is nice. We hope when we bring this back in 2024 to try and help in the St Columba’s and Stephen Hill gardens.

Lydgate Junior Assembly

I have been invited into Lydgate Junior School on a regular basis for assemblies every other week from September 2023, which I have loved being involved in. This has been a great connection as I have been able to talk and connect with the head of the school, Mrs Hurding, and the head of year 6, Mrs Shaw. They have enjoyed and liked all that I have been doing in the assemblies so much that they have allowed me to lead an assembly in whatever subject I want, which is such a blessing. I see over 600 children every fortnight, and some of these children have started attending Family Fun Friday. Please continue to pray for all the work and connections there.

Lydgate Junior Craft with Meaning Lunch Club

Since September 2023 I have also been invited, on a permanent basis, to run a lunchtime club on whatever I wanted. This group meets every Thursday from 11.30am to 1.15pm. I decided after talking with the pupils that a craft club was a great idea. So, I came up with “Craft with Meaning” which is a lunch time club open to all pupils to come and make a craft but with a meaning behind it. Sometimes it has a Bible verse, poem or bible story. This has grown in numbers from as few as 20 to over 100 so I have been moved into the main canteen area where I see all the children in the school, and they get to connect with me over craft and talk about their life and God and their week. This is such a blessing to be involved in. Please do pray that it can continue to grow in conversation about faith.

Uniform groups

I was invited to work with the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in a Nativity Service this year. I visited the Cubs to run 2 Family Fun Friday sessions and 2 sessions with the Beavers to teach them BSL sign language (Away in a manger) to perform for everyone at the Christmas Nativity. This service went very well and was attended by over 145 people in Stephen Hill. The hope for next year 2024 is to try and do this again. We also involved the Rainbow groups in the Flag parade down Benty Lane for the opening of the Crosspool Festival in June 2023. This was very well attended, and we hope to do this again in 2024. I do hope to work with the uniform groups more over 2024. Please pray for these groups to connect with us more in services and events.

Tara Osborne

Financial Review 2023

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The unrestricted funds income for 2023 totalled £106,994 (2022: £91,257) and this is detailed in the financial statement. Planned Stewardship Giving through envelopes and bankers orders has seen an increase from 2022, reflecting increased numbers attending church regularly. Planned giving, excluding tax recoverable, was £50,826 (2022: £47,392); and gift aid giving, including tax recoverable, was £52,936 (2022: £49,358). Our income from cash collections increased to £2,109 compared to £1,570 in 2022. We introduced in 2023 easy to pay swipe card technology, and this may also be starting to have a positive impact.

This year, as the need for us to act as a Covid-19 vaccination centre reduced significantly, we have been able to re-promote the hire of our facilities for community use. This has led to income in 2023 of £12,569 ( £10,182 of which is non-vaccination centre income) compared a 2022 total of £12,231 ( £5,737 of which is non-vaccination centre income).

A total of £103,526 (2022: £99,594) was expended from unrestricted funds before exceptional items, including the common fund contribution to the diocese of £38,272 (2022: £38,272). Our partner, Stephen Hill Methodist church also contributed to the cost of ministry via the common fund. The church’s overall giving in support of charitable work within and beyond the parish, both church and secular, was £10,378 (2022: £8,350), which accounts for around 10% of our ordinary income. Beneficiaries receiving £500 or more are detailed in the financial statement.

During the year, the PCC decided to relet, rather than sell, our flat at 20 Moorbank Road. Hence in 2023 the gross income from this was of £7,599 (2022: £1,438).

The investment portfolio value at year end 2023 was £284,708 (2022: £264,536). This consists of shares and cash managed by Finn & Co, and the CBF Church of England investment and Deposit funds. In the autumn 2023, The Finance & Fabric reviewed our investment strategy from an ethical and eco perspective. We held a meeting with Alan Fleming from Finn & Co who manages our portfolio. This was very constructive and as a result, there has been a number of changes to the companies that we invest in.Historically, we have sought to avoid being associated with any direct investment in tobacco and gambling. We have extended this to also exclude direct investment in fossil fuels, arms and weaponry.Our portfolio now longer includes shares in Shell, BP and have instead, increased our shares in renewable energy companies. We have also purchased Government Bonds and invested in Asset Management Trusts that deal with investments that are compatible with our strategy, with an emphasis on renewables. Together, around £30,000 of our investments have been changed. Whilst this may lead to less dividends in the short term of around £1,500, it is a price we believe is acceptable for achieving a more ethical and eco friendly portfolio.

Full details of all these investments can be provided to church members on request.

The net result for the year was a surplus on unrestricted funds of £13,503 (2022: £6,967 deficit); this after accounting for gains of £10,035 on investments (2022: £1,370 gains)

The net result on restricted funds was £nil (2022: £672 deficit). The balance carried forward on restricted funds totalled £6,373(2022: £6,373)

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The total amount of unrestricted funds has increased in the last year to £488,508 (2022: £475,005); and the total amount of restricted funds is unchanged at £6,373 (2022: £6,373). Combined, our total funds as at 31/12/2023 were £494,881 compared to £481,378 in 2022.

Reserves and Designated Funds policies.

In November 2020 the PCC introduced a designated funds policy to replace the legacy policy. It also reviewed and updated the reserves policy. Both policies determine how we spend the investments held by the church. It is PCC policy on reserves to maintain a balance on funds which equates to six months payments. This is equivalent to around £55,000. We have retained investment of £27,728 in the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund. There is a further £63,011 in the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund.

In 2023 we anticipated a high draw down of the designated funds to help towards the costs of children’s work and other mission and capital priorities. In reality, we actually did not require any transfer of funds as we were able to manage utilising the cash reserves held in our current account. We used £0 of the designated funds (other than that held in our current account) compared to £15,000, in 2022, £0, in 2021, £15,000 both in 2020 and 2019; £35,000 in 2018 and £62,000 in 2017.

Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF)

Church of St Columba (Crosspool) (PB2014) participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers.

CWPF has two sections:

  1. the Defined Benefits Scheme

  2. the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;

a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,

Pension Builder Scheme

Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.

Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors.

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

17

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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 SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2023: £2,429, 2022: £1,797, 2021 £1035).

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2019.

For the Pension Builder Classic section, the 2019 valuation revealed a deficit of £4.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective 1 January 2024, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 6.7% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997; and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 2006 service so that the pension increase was 5% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to 2.5%). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2023. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the 2019 valuation revealed a surplus of £5.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2022. Calculations for this are currently under way.

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, the Church of St Columba (Crosspool) could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.

Members’ responsibility for the financial statements

The members of the PCC (Members) are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the members to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

18

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

· make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

· state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

· Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The members are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 04/03/2024 and signed on their behalf by

Jacky Hodgson and Richard Wales Church Wardens

19

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 21 to 28

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

q examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

q to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

q to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

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:

q to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

q to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:______

Craig Williamson White Rose Accounting for Charities The Ghyll Threapland Aspatria CA7 2EL

Date:______

20

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
Income
Income from
Donations and legacies
2
72,379
Charitable activities
14,049
Other trading activities
-
Investments
20,566
Total Income
106,994
Expenditure
Charitable activities
103,526
Total expenditure
103,526
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources
3,468
Net gain/ (losses) on investments
10,035
Net income / expenditure
13,503
Total funds brought forward
475,005
Total funds carried forward
488,508		 Restricted
fund
-
-
-
-
0
-
0
-
-
0
6,373
6,373		 Total
2023
£
72,379
14,049
-
20,566
106,994
103,526
103,526
3,468
10,035
13,503
481,378
494,881		 Total
2022
£
63,532
14,811
399
12,515
91,257
100,266
100,266
(9,009)
1,370
(7,639)
489,017
481,378

21

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023

Notes
Fixed Assets
4
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
5
Short term deposits
6
Balance at bank and cash
Total current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
7
Net Current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets
Represented By
FUNDS
Unrestricted income fund
Restricted		 2023
£
-
160,000
284,708
444,708
11,139
27,728
13,970
52,837
(2,665)
50,172
494,881
494,881
488,508
6,373
494,881		 2022
£
160,000
264,536
424,536
10,390
27,728
20,058
58,176
(1,335)
56,841
481,378
481,378
475,005
6,373
481,378

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 4th March 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Church Wardens

22

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable

to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102 (effective from January 2015 and updated with effect from January 2016) - (the Charities SORP (FRS102)), as modified for smaller charities.

The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as defined under FRS102.

Income

Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid or otherwise is recognised only when received. Collections are recognised when received by, or on behalf of, the PCC. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income to which it relates is recognised.

Grants and legacies are counted for when the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is probable. Income from the use of the church’s premises and investment income is recognised when it becomes due and payable.

Restricted Funds

Restricted funds are used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets the criteria is identified to the fund together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted Funds are other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds .

Resources expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded if the award creates a binding obligation on the Parochial Church Council. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Any parish share unpaid at 31 December is provided for in the accounts as an operational (though not legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the Balance Sheet. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounts for gross of VAT.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated property and moveable church furnishings Consecrated property is excluded from the financial statements by s10 (2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011. Unconsecrated moveable furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trusts for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property. Such property is listed in the church inventory, which can be inspected at any reasonable time. Most of the church’s inalienable property was acquired well before the year 2001 and, as there is insufficient cost information readily available, such property has not been valued in the counts. Items acquired since 1 January 20012 are capitalised and depreciated in the financial statements on a straight-line basis over their currently anticipated useful life.

Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

Major items of equipment acquired for us within the church premises are capitalised and depreciated in the financial year statements on a straight lined basis over four years. Other items of equipment costing £2,000 or less are written off in the financial statements in the period in which they are acquired.

23

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

2
Income
Donations and legacies
Planned giving:
Gift Aid donations
Income tax recoverable
Other planned giving
Cash collections on plate
Donations unrestricted
Grants
Donations. Collections and appeals for charities
Soup run
Charitable activities
Church Hall lettings
Fees
Other trading activities
Womens Empowerment Day
Luncheon Club takings including trips
Investments
Dividends and interest
Flat rental income		 Total
2023
£
43,114
11,482
7,713
2,109
3,311
4,650
-
-
72,379
11,986
2,063
14,049
-
-
-
12,967
7,599
20,566		 Total
2022
£
39,172
10,186
8,220
1,570
4,384
-
-
-
63,532
12,620
2,191
14,811
399
-
399
11,077
1,438
12,515

24

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

3
Expenditure
Charitable activities
Grants
Church overseas: (note 11)
- Missionary societies
- Relief & development agencies
Home missions and other church societies
Secular charities
Ministry:
Diocesan Parish Share and fees
Vicar's discretionary fund and expenses
Children & Family Worker
Superannuation
Buildings:
Caretaking and cleaning
Gas, electricity and water
Insurance
Equipment
Repairs and maintenance
Flat expenses
Worship expenses
Organists' fees
Teaching and training
Womens Empowerment Day
Children and young people's activities and worship
Messy Church
Luncheon Club
Soup run
Sundry expenditure
Website
Vaccination Centre
Printing, stationery, publications & postage
Telephone
Remuneration of secretarial assistant
Independent examination fees
Payroll		 Total
2023
4,753
606
1,874
2,944
38,837
529
15,224
1,425
6,419
7,243
1,646
331
2,346
1,766
618
919
486
874
-
-
-
1,058
-
343
528
1,557
10,228
575
396
103,526		 Total
2022
4,150
300
1,315
2,550
38,522
91
13,981
1,055
6,295
5,588
1,496
902
11,813
1,849
147
2,815
449
1,013
561
-
-
37
773
922
1,605
111
1,016
-
550
360
100,266

25

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

4
Fixed assets
4a
Tangible Fixed Assets
Valuation at 1 January 2023
At 31 December 2023		 Investment
properties
£
160,000
160,000

The investment properties comprise a flat within 20 Moorbank Road which was received as part of a legacy during 2009. This was orginally capitalised at its estimated valuation of £100,000. A valuation as at 31 December 2015 was carried out by Blundells who valued the property at £160,000 based on current use value. Blundells are a professional valuer with recent experience in the location and class of investment property being valued.

4b
Investments
Market value and cash at 1 January 2023
Additions
Dividends
Net (loss)/gain on revaluation at 31 December 2023
Transfers
Market value at 31 December 2023
Investments at Market Value comprised:
CBF Church of England Investment Fund
Equities
Cash held by Stockbrokers		 2023
£
264,536
-
10,137
10,035
-
284,708
63,011
197,056
24,641
284,708

These investments are shares in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund and a share portfolio managed by JM Finn & Co. The original cost of the CBF shares retained at 31 December 2015 was £6,835 and the original cost of the other shares is £nil as they were given to the PCC.

No holdings in the investments represent more than 10% of the value of the portfolio at 31 December 2022.

26

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

5
Debtors
Income tax recoverable
Hall charges and other receivable income
Fees
6
Short term deposits
These are funds deposited in the CBF Church of England
Deposit Fund and relate to:
General Fund
7
Liabilities: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
Liabilities for goods and services
Prepayments
8
Analysis of net assets by fund
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Fixed assets
160,000
Investments fixed assets
284,708
Current assets
46,464
Current liabilities
(2,665)
488,508		 2023
£
10,500
407
232
11,139
2023
£
27,728
2023
£
2,665
-
2,665
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
6,373
-
6,373		 2022
£
10,000
390
-
10,390
2022
£
27,728
2022
£
1,335
-
1,335
Total
Funds
£
160,000
284,708
52,837
(2,665)
494,881

27

Parish Church Council of ST. Columba, Crosspool, Sheffield

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

9 Funds

Restricted Funds
Luncheon Club
Covid 19 Community Hub
Communications Project
Soup Run
Sacred Space		 Balance
b/fwd
£
3,725
1,612
328
608
100
6,373		 Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance
c/fwd
£
3,725
1,612
328
608
100
6,373

There has been no income or expenditure with our restricted funds. The Lunch Club has not resumed after Covid but the soup run has started up again.

Transfers are made from unrestricted funds to cover any restricted funds in deficit.

10
Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Pension costs		 2023
£
22,562
1,425
23,987		 2022
£
23,091
1,035
24,126

There were no payments in excess of £60,000 p.a. (2022: Nil).

No other payments or expenses were paid to any other PCC member or their relatives. One payment of £850.00 was paid to Sherwood Building & Maintenace Services for repairing the flat roof and guttering, some double glazing and painting work. This business is owned and run by Mr. D Sherwood who is the son of the PCC treasurer. Mr. E Sherwood made this relationship known to the PCC and takes no part in the decisions relating to this work and its costs, which were made by members of the Finance & Fabric Committee, on behalf of the PCC.

11 Beneficiaries receiving £500 or more were:

eneficiaries receiving £500 or more were:
Unrestricted
funds
£
Christian Aid 1,000
Church Mission Society 2,000
City of Sanctuary 600
Mission Aviation Fellowship 1,400

28