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2022-12-31-accounts

THE PARISH OF ST MARTIN WITH ST PETER

In the Worcester Deanery of the Diocese of Worcester Worcester South East Team Ministry

ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of the

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Incumbent: Revd Peter Hart The Rectory 6 St Catherine’s Hill Worcester WR5 2EA Bank: CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Independent Sally Bishop FCA Examiner: Bishop’s Accountancy Ltd Chartered Accountants Unit 3 Elgar Business Centre Moseley Road, Hallow Worcester WR2 6NJ

Registered Charity No: 1128519 Parish National Church Code:420642141

CONTENTS

Introduction and Current PCC Members 1
Structure, Governance and Management 2
Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit 2
Rector’s Report 2
Churchwarden’s Report 4
PCC Decisions and Actions 6
Church Statistics 8
Safeguarding 9
Church Fabric, Goods and Ornaments 10
Junior Church 10
Bible Study 10
Prayer Groups 11
Forest Church 11
Community Care 12
Social Committee 12
Missionary Committee 12
Mainly Music 13
Music Director’s Report 13
Mothers’ Union 14
Flower Club 14
Parish and Team Office 14
Deanery Synod 15
Concerts 16
Donations to charity 17
Financial Report 18
Financial Review and PCC statement 19
Independent Examiner’s Report 20
Balance Sheet 21
Statement of Financial Activities 22
Summary of Income and Expenditure 23
Notes to the Financial Statements 24

The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter Annual Report for the year ending December 31[st] 2022

The PCC presents its annual report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) 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 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

Reference and Administration details

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Martin with St Peter, Worcester (also known as St Martin with St Peter PCC, Worcester), St Martins Church, Parish Office, London Road, Worcester, WR5 2ED is registered with the Charity Commissioners (number 1128519).

Current PCC members (until 2023 Annual Parochial Church Meeting)

Ex officio:
Rector: Chair Revd Peter Hart
Other Clergy: Assistant Curate Revd Dr Robin Parry
Licensed Reader: (Appointed by APCM) Mike Bunclark
Churchwardens: (Elected annually by AVM) Elizabeth Yarker Joy Grimwood
Deputy Churchwardens: (Elected annually by AVM) Barbara Richards Vacancy
Representatives on the (Elected by APCM for Michael Bunclark
Deanery Synod: 3yrs to 31st May 2023) Anthony Glossop
Shirley Scott
Representatives of To 2023 APCM: Bill Simpson David Scott
the laity Christine Williams *
(Four elected by APCM To 2024 APCM: Alison Fraser * David Hall
each year, for 3 years) Garth Williams
To 2025 APCM: Alf Ienzi Robin Walker
Maximum voting members: 23, actual: 17 A quorum is one third of voting members
PCC Officers: Lay Vice Chair Elizabeth Yarker
(Elected annually Secretary Nick Harrison
By PCC) Hon. Treasurer Garth Williams
Hon. Deputy Treasurer Bill Simpson
Independent Examiner Sally Bishop
Planned Giving Recorder Christine Williams
(Appointed by APCM) Safeguarding Officer Malcolm McMurray
Electoral Roll Officer Julia Glossop *

AVM:- Annual Vestry Meeting.

The Lay Vice Chair must be a PCC member. Appointments continue until changed by the APCM. Deputy Churchwardens and PCC Officers are NOT PCC members unless otherwise elected or co-opted. *Trustees to whom responsibility has been delegated for the reporting of serious safeguarding and other incidents to the Charity Commission.

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Page 1

Structure, Governance and Management

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England and operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure in providing facilities for worship and religious observance for the people of Worcester and environs.

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

Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit

The object of the charity is promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church. The PCC confirms that in planning the activities for the year, they kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at their trustee meetings.

The PCC carries out its activities via a number of committees and working parties, using a mixture of PCC members and co-opted members. It has a Standing Committee to undertake any urgent PCC business between PCC meetings, and to prepare agendas for the PCC meetings.

Other committees are:

Community Care (Chair: Isobel Maher) Concerts (Chair: Shirley Scott) Finance & Management (Chair: Anthony Glossop) Magazine & Publicity (Chair: Jim Wheldon) Missionary (Chair: Elizabeth Yarker) Social (Chair: Alison Fraser)

Rector’s Report

It is good to report on a full year of parish life which was not restricted by COVID limitations. We have been able to worship in the way that we want to, we have been able to gather for small groups and larger community events, and we have been able to lift our eyes beyond ourselves to the wider parish and its needs and desires.

We have settled into a pattern of worship on a Sunday morning that welcomes all. The 8 am congregation has re-emerged, Forest Church now meets on a Sunday afternoon at Whittington churchyard, so there is something for families every Sunday of the month: Junior Church meets on the 2[nd] & 3[rd] Sundays and the 4[th] Sunday is All Together Worship, involving everyone in music-making (the noisy song at the end) and an interactive sermon. Choral Evensong is now fixed on the 2[nd] Sunday of the month, and our Thursday morning Eucharist congregation is steadily growing, flowing downstairs into Popins, which is thriving too. The Mothers’ Union, the Flower Club and other groups have fully returned to the building: only the prayer groups continue to meet online.

Aspects of our ministry to the parish have changed completely since the pandemic. A lot of our work with children is new: there has been a change of head teacher and of foundation governors at Red Hill School, and baptism preparation is now a regular part of our outreach to local families. This has raised questions about how we take our mission forward, whether we have the right resources, both human and practical, to expand this work, and where the obvious gaps are in the congregation. Financially, we have been as exposed to the cost of living crisis as everyone else in the country, and money is tight. How can we drive our mission forward if we are lacking in available volunteers and financial resources?

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Page 2

There is a way to address this. The diocese is running a 5 year project to provide and support children and family workers to parishes, teams and local partnerships, with guaranteed funding, HR support and guidance from the Diocesan children and youth team. We are in the process of developing this across the Worcester South East Team in partnership with St Barnabas and Christchurch Tolladine, to employ a full-time children and families worker to help us reach out to the many families who live within our neighbourhood. The Diocese expects a percentage of the funding to come from the participating parishes, so we will be contributing a percentage of the costs over the 5 years from the Margaret Benson legacy, which was left to the Rector and Church Wardens “for religious purposes”. However, the majority of the funding will come from the Diocese. At the time of writing this, we are still in the preparation stage, but with the Diocese’s help and encouragement, we can move swiftly when the project is ready.

There are other developments on the horizon. In July, Richard Wood will join us as a stipendiary curate. The Diocese has bought a house for Richard and his family on the new estate beneath Perry Wood, so that will immediately put a member of the clergy in the middle of an area of new housing. Richard used to live in the parish when he was younger, and sang in the choir until he went to university. He will bring a great deal of experience and creativity to the parish, and we look forward very much to the family’s arrival.

In addition, Mike Bunclark has been accepted onto a brand new ordination training scheme for experienced lay ministers, with a view to ordination at Michaelmas. The course is delivered by the Diocese, and it is very intensive, so we hope and pray that Mike’s progress towards the goal of ordination is successful. Mike already does a great deal of work within the parish, but ordination will give him a new rôle, which is very exciting.

If that were not enough, St Martin’s and the South East Worcester Team in general has been identified as a good training ground for those preparing for different forms of ministry. We welcomed Pippa here a while ago as part of her Reader training – she is now very active in the ARCH benefice in the Evesham and Pershore Deanery. This summer a candidate on the Queen’s Birmingham ordination course will spend 4 months in the team as part of her training for non-stipendiary ministry – the same course that Robin Parry followed prior to his ordination.

However, mention of Robin Parry leads to the reminder that Robin has moved on from his curacy in the Team. He is now licensed to the Cathedral, to develop a ministry of prayer and eco-spirituality across the Diocese. We wished him well in his new ministry at a grand Choral Evensong in January, but he and Carol will still be running Forest Church for the foreseeable future, so he has not left us entirely.

This year therefore presents itself with both challenges and possibilities. We need to focus on growth, reaching out to everyone within our parish and across the whole Team, demonstrating God’s love in practical ways and offering support to those who need it. We dearly desire more people to worship with us, we would really love to work with more children and we need our presence to more actively known within our neighbourhood. St Martin’s is such a large building that it cannot be missed. Its members need to be equally visible.

I must finish with many thanks to those who work with me and support the life and worship of the parish and Team. My clergy colleagues, Rebecca in the office, the wardens and deputy warden, Dr Beverley Hart for great work on the magazine and everyone who delivers it, Dave Hall and his crew who maintain the building and its surroundings, John who brings such quality music to our worship and the two choirs he leads, the welcomers, those who decorate the church and those who deliver social events and fundraising ventures – I am extremely grateful to you all, and especially to Garth, who has put this Annual Report together – I commend it to you.

Fr Peter

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Page 3

Churchwardens’ Report

2022 has been a time of recovery and consolidation after the Covid pandemic. Normal activity has now resumed, though we are perhaps still a little cautious. We have not yet gone back to the friendly handshake at the Peace and we still take communion by intinction rather than from the chalice. Sunday morning numbers at church have remained fairly steady, though below pre-Covid levels.

During the year our Widening Our Welcome (WOW) plans have been actively pursued. Finishing touches have completed the down-stairs improvements. A Faculty was obtained for the upstairs work, and the Storage Area and Lobby were completed. The work has been admired as a neat and attractive addition to the Church, and it has cleared the West end of the church which allows us to provide the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra convenient storage space. We thank David Hall, our indefatigable Clerk of Works for his enormous effort planning, organising, overseeing and varnishing; all at an affordable cost. It is a pity to lose the Peter and Paul Chapel, but its main use was to make a home for the altar which came from St Paul’s Church and was used by Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, known by his nick-name Woodbine Willie, the First World War army chaplain, preacher and poet, acting also as a memorial to St Peter the Great church in Sidbury which closed in 1972. The only regular use of the Chapel was for Prayers for Peace and Justice held on Saturdays, which continues online.

Widening our Welcome has also involved Holiday Activities with Food (HAF). We thank David and Shirley Scott for organising this response to the Government initiative to provide for children aged 5-12 who are eligible for free school meals in the Easter and Summer holidays. The events ran for four days after Easter, and for three weeks, Tuesdays to Fridays, in August. Activities were organised for the children by outside providers, but members of the Community Care Committee helped with the catering, using our new kitchen facilities. Many of the youngsters who benefited and enjoyed it were Ukrainian children, refugees from the Russian invasion. We thank David and Shirley for all their hard work, and Shirley and the Community Care helpers for the catering.

Church life continues to recover. January saw the start of children’s activities downstairs during the Parish Eucharist on the second Sunday each month. They enjoy telling us what they have made and done. In February the Choir appeared resplendent in their new dark red robes as they resumed a full processional start to the service, though processional hymns came a lot later. The Community Care Lunch was held in May, rather than its usual February. Children’s activities made steady progress. Lent was heralded by a much-enjoyed Pancake Party with children’s games. The Tunes and Chips Choir has grown in confidence. Forest Church encourages cross-team worship for children and their families in Whittington Churchyard. We are very grateful to Rev. Robin and Carol Parry and thankful that they will continue it. Mainly Music provides infants and their mothers with a good introduction to St Martin’s. Numbers attending our services have steadied, and we have welcomed and been enriched by both new and returning people. The Wednesday Bible Study is well attended and valued.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tea Party was a splendid occasion. The church was decorated with bunting specially made for the occasion by Angie Dale. In the morning Bishop Martin came to celebrate Eucharist for Pentecost. The Social Committee led by Alison Fraser served a sumptuous tea. Ivor Pond played the piano, and the Choir sang appropriate songs. Unfortunately, both Church wardens and our Deputy missed this party as we were at the Oberammergau Passion Play (delayed from 2020), and had to hold our own Jubilee celebrations the next day. After a Lunch in Seefeld we tried Jo Wheldon’s Jubilee Quiz, then toasted the Queen and sang the National Anthem, applauded by the other diners. We all mourned her death in September, and were proud of the two members of our congregation who joined the long queue to the Lying in State.

In August Paul Trepte led a Come and Sing Choral Evensong. In September we welcomed the Mothers Union for their Deanery Festival Eucharist, and the Cathedral Choir to sing a Saturday Choral Evensong. November saw an Autumn Fair to raise much needed funds for Church. It was popular and successful, with a Prize Draw, a soup and rolls lunch, and a variety of stalls. The newly completed Storage space notice boards were colourfully decorated with autumn paintings from Redhill School.

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Page 4

Many people help St Martin’s to serve God and our local community. We know we need to do better, but we cannot do all at once. Particular thanks must go to our Treasurer and our Planned Giving Recorder, Garth and Christine Williams, who keep our finances with immaculate care. David Hall’s attention to detail, and his ability to find the best craftsmen and contractors are second to none. Malcolm McMurray keeps our Parish Centre in good repair as well as Safeguarding us. The Choir under John Swindells’ direction are a constant support and encouragement, with help from Robin Walker our Associate Organist, and we thank Matt Gardiner for his playing. Both Community Care and Social Committees have been very busy, and we thank Isobel Maher and Alison Fraser for their wise leadership and loving care. Naomi Swindells and Rosie Venner have successfully organised Junior Church. David and Shirley Scott do far more than organise concerts and Tiny Tunes and we thank them both for so many things. Susan Boreham has taken on the garden round the Baptistery and kept it colourful. Anthony and Julia Glossop give wise counsel, and much help. Beverley Hart has worked hard at the Parish Magazine and introduced ‘Church Mouse’ for children.

We wish Robin Parry well in his new role as Associate Priest at the Cathedral, and shall follow his progress with great interest. We shall miss him here. Nick Harrison is PCC Secretary as well as Head and, for the most part, only Server, totally reliable. Mike Bunclark is a tower of strength. We pray for his ordination at Michaelmas. Both Joy, my fellow Warden, and Barbara, Deputy Warden have worked overtime this year, and I am enormously grateful to them both. Peter Hart, our Rector, has energy and vision to widen our welcome and to bring people in. We thank God for him.

Elizabeth Yarker, Church Warden .

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Page 5

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter Decisions and Actions 2022

Mtg Date Decisions Actions Actions Notes
Jan 11th AGREED – to replace Parish
Office computer with a laptop
and to replace the second
computer with a new one.
AGREED – to a have a sound
proofed lobby area with
automatic door in church
toilet area.
AGREED – Emily Roe
(ministerial student on
placement) to act as liturgical
deacon and administrate
chalice.
AGREED – no
recommencement of live-
streamingof services.		 Garth Williams to research
cost and funding.
Anthony Glossop to
submit plans.		 St Martin’s no longer able
to use Roger Waters-Duke
as Independent Examiner
due to our income
exceeding £250,000.
Legacies received from
Fred Allen and Margaret
Benson.
Feb 15th AGREED – implement
common-sense approach to
lifting of Covid restrictions.
AGREED – phase 2
refurbishment proposals to be
submitted to chancellor.
AGREED – new fire alarm
system to be fitted in Parish
Centre.
AGREED – ‘Holiday Activities
and Food’ (HAF) to be
provided duringEaster week.		 Maintain current
guidelines and
communicate via Weekly
Bulletin.
Anthony Glossop to action
this.
Malcolm McMurray to
organise this.
David & Shirley Scott to
take this forward.
Mar 8th AGREED – use of social media
for Church activities.
AGREED - Alison Fraser to be
delegated trustee in regard to
reporting serious safeguarding
issues to the Charity
Commission.		 Shirley Scott to be ‘named
person’ to whom
submissions/comments
for Facebook are
accountable.		 Sally Bishop is now our
Independent Financial
Advisor.
Christine Williams and
Julia Glossop are the other
delegated Safeguarding
Trustees.
April 24th
APCM		 Elected:
Churchwardens: Elizabeth Yarker
Joy Grimwood
Assistant Warden: Barbara Richards
Treasurer:
Garth Williams
Deputy Treasurer: Bill Simpson
Planned Giving Recorder: Christine Williams
Acting Safeguarding Officer: Malcolm McMurray
Electoral Roll Officer: Julia Glossop
Elected to PCC:
Alfredo Ienzi & Robin Walker		 Reports Received:
Electoral Roll Report
Annual Report of the PCC
Safeguarding Report
Fabric Goods and Ornaments
Audited Financial Statement
Deanery Synod Report
May 10th AGREED – letter to be sent to
Fliss Rothery (London Road
Playgroup Manager) in reply
to her complaints.		 The Rector to sign and
send letter.		 Liz Frani resigned as Red
Hill Primary School
Governor. Val Hall to take
herplace.

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Page 6

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Mtg Date Decisions Actions Notes
June 14th AGREED – Terracycling bins to
be kept in Church.
AGREED – to celebrate
Patronal Festival in July.
AGREED – to circulate
Diocesan Questionnaire on
Health & Sustainability to the
whole congregation.
AGREED – Sarah Burgess
approved as Governor of Red
Hill Primary School.
AGREED – Mask wearing in
Church will be up to the
individual. Altar party will
wear masks in communion.		 SEYAS (South East Youth
Action & Study) to empty
bin (Joy Grimwood to
liaise with Andy Stand)
Questionnaire to be
circulated in Church and
via Bulletin.
The Rector to recommend
her to the Diocesan Board
of Education.
To be communicated via
the Bulletin.		 Spencer Morris leaving
post as headmaster of Red
Hill Primary School.
July 12th AGREED – St Martin’s to host
a pop-up café to talk through
issues relating to Ukrainian
refugees.		 Funding for HAF secured.
Church level
improvements approved
by Chancellor.
Jolande Simmonds
appointed head teacher of
Red Hill PrimarySchool.
Sep 14th AGREED – Discontinue Sunday
Evening Prayer services.
AGREED – to regularly review
intercession list to prevent it
becoming too long.
AGREED – review of
Almsgiving.
AGREED – small group to be
set up to look at the problem
of rising energy costs.
AGREED – to have general
fundraising event in
November.		 Joy, Shirley and Bill will
review with Rebecca.
Communicate this via
magazine.
Garth to discuss this with
the Rector.
Malcolm to meet with
David, Garth and Anthony.		 Choral Evensong to
continue on 2ndSunday.
Mike Bunclark is
commencing Auxiliary
Pathway towards
ordination and will
subsequently reduce his
day-to day work in the
Church.
Richard Wood will become
stipendiary Curate next
year.
Oct 11th AGREED – to trial the
Diocesan Planned Giving
Scheme.
AGREED – almsgiving will
continue to be arranged by
the Missionary Committee,
with guidance from the PCC.
AGREED – two Christmas
Trees only to be purchased
thisyear.		 Garth and Christine to
register and trial the
scheme.
Garth and the Rector to
decide on allocation of
alms.
Dave Hall is actioning this.		 Sarah Burgess has
withdrawn from Red Hill
School governorship.
Nov 8th AGREED – to postpone any
post-covid changes until after
the Flu season.		 Use of chalice and sharing
of Peace to remain the
same.		 Quinquennial Report
received: Electoral
certificate out of date
otherwise no issues.

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Page 7

Church Statistics

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Number on the electoral roll (31 December) 120 116 123 118(1) 155
Average attendance at Sunday services
(adults/children)
Total attending services on Easter eve/day
Total attending services on Christmas eve/day
Total “worshipping community”		 62/5
140
101
119		 [2]
69
164
101		 [2]
[2]
[2]
165		 92/4
131
272
189		 102/2
218
378
161
Safeguarding
Persons registered as working with children
Persons registered as working with vulnerable
adults
Safeguarding Dashboard Audit compliance		 9
8
70%		 12
8
66%		 16
16
N/A		 9
16
N/A		 9
22
N/A
Number of weddings/blessings at St. Martin’s
Number of baptisms
Number of church funerals/burial of ashes/
crem. funerals		 6
9
6		 3
9
19		 3
2
13		 7
15
20		 5
12
26
Planned Giving (including gift aid)
No. of Planned Givers (S.O.’s and envelopes)
Average giving per giver
Parish Share (to Diocese)
Total expenditure
Surplus / (Deficit)
Current Assets less Liabilities “liquid assets”
Total funds c/f		 £98,447
85
£1,158
£105,914
£223,709
(£9,579)
£232,571
£417,028		 £96,840
85
£1,139
£105,914
£228,537
£52,151
£242,149
£451,389		 £109,376
92
£1,189
£105,914
£173,784
(£4,611)
£189,998
£372,775		 £110,518
96
£1,151
£103,837
£179,499
(£3,820)
£195,254
£369,493		 £101,318
104
£974
£110,411
£158,710
(£16,847)
£198,411
£340,894

NOTES: [1] New Electoral Roll.

[2] Due to COVID19, Services were held in church on 11 Sundays only in 2020 and much reduced in 2021. Easter and Christmas attendance was much reduced

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Page 8

Safeguarding

The Parochial Church Council and the incumbent have a duty of care to ensure the protection of the vulnerable in their church community.

The incumbent and the PCC have implemented The House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’, and we are compliant with our duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

The PCC agenda includes a standing item for a Safeguarding Report, and it regularly reviews our safeguarding policy and procedures, and also the safeguarding action plans generated by the Safeguard Dashboard.

The PCC has adopted a policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders, and acknowledges that all those responsible for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults on behalf of the church, must be recruited in accordance with the House of Bishops’ Safer Recruitment and People Management Practice Guidance.

It was not necessary to seek advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSA)/ADSA in 2022, and there were no serious incidents requiring a report to the Charity Commission.

There are no current safeguarding agreements in place.

During 2022, all of our activities that had been curtailed during 2021 returned to their regular schedules.

There are currently five activities involving children: Forest Church and Tiny Tunes (both monthly), Junior Church and Tunes & Chips (monthly for the first part of 2022 and then twice monthly from September) and Mainly Music (weekly). Activities involving adults are: Home Communion, Community Care home visits and Community Care outings and lunches.

We now have four people (as against seven in 2021) with DBS accreditation to work with children, three with adults and five with both. One person received a renewed DBS accreditation in 2022 – for both children and adults. All DBS applications are now processed online.

All 12 have completed the online ‘Safeguarding Foundations’ training and most PCC members have completed the online ‘Safeguarding Awareness’ training. However, the new “Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework” requires all those with safeguarding responsibilities to undertake further training and development. Dependant on their safeguarding role, this may include Leadership, Safer Recruitment & People Management, and Domestic Abuse Training.

Also, PCC members should undertake Basic Awareness, Foundation, and from 2023, Domestic Abuse Training.

Our safeguarding ‘performance’ is audited using the online Safeguarding Dashboard App. The Dashboard generates an Action Plan for the PCC to consider, and identifies specific issues to be addressed in order to achieve greater compliance. At the end of 2022 we were compliant with 70% of the measures (66% in 2021).

Malcolm McMurray, Parish Safeguarding Officer

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Page 9

Church Fabric, Goods and Ornaments

In September the Quinquennial Inspection of the church fabric by our architect, Nick Joyce, reported that it is in good condition, apart from some minor repairs which have now been done.

A lock has been fitted to the doors moved from the Victoria Avenue entrance to the church to the foot of the stairs. It is unlikely to be often necessary to separate the two areas of the building.

Efforts to improve the Church heating have been successful. The central heating pipes have been cleared of an accumulation of pine needles which were acting as insulation and have been backed by heat–reflecting foil. Some of the radiators have also benefited from the reflecting foil. The improvement has been much appreciated.

The main alteration to the Fabric has been the erection of the Storage Area in the Peter and Paul Chapel in the North Transept. The screens and notice boards from the north-west pillars were moved to form the front. Matching panels and a bookcase were made to complete the store. A lobby was constructed to the toilets to meet Building Regulations for disabled access ready for the planned improvements, uniting the two projects. The original exterior doors were removed, as they were too narrow and heavy for wheelchairs. They have been sold for £400. The remaining space in the North Transept is adequate for the Peter and Paul Altar, now on wheels, and for the grand piano.

A new carving of the infant Jesus has been acquired for the Nativity set to replace the much damaged original.

Elizabeth Yarker, Churchwarden

Junior Church

Junior Church meets in the Lower Vestry during the Sunday morning service, for children and their parents/carers to explore faith together. In 2022 we started to meet more frequently – on the second and third Sunday – and we’ve enjoyed welcoming children of all ages. We use Bible stories, crafts and games to get everyone involved, and we pray together for each other, the church and the world. Sometimes we link to the lectionary readings but we’ve also explored other themes like Jesus’ ‘I am’ sayings, and we spent one session baking some bread to share. We’ve been making plans to create a processional cross and thinking about how to use our new noticeboard to share what we’ve been doing. The Junior church leaders would welcome occasional or regular helpers who’d like to come and get involved as the group grows .

Rosie Venner and Naomi Swindells, Junior Church leaders

Bible Study Group

Each Wednesday morning at 11am, a small group gathers in the Undercroft to study the Bible readings for the coming Sunday. The texts are put under intense scrutiny, pulled this way and that until we are happy with our understanding of all that the passages contain. There is plenty of room around the table – come and join us!

Fr Peter

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Prayer Groups

Our prayer groups have met regularly over the year but the Monday prayer group needed to have a break during October 2022 up to the present time owing to bereavements in two families. However, prayer still continued individually and this kept us all in touch through the Whats App prayer group. The Zoom Compline group often hosted by Mike Bunclark or Ann Bunclark also has a prayer time when we regularly pray for people and, as well as from the Diocesan prayer calendar, from our weekly bulletin list.

Our prayer time on a Saturday for Peace and Justice changed to 4pm for similar reasons to the above and this has been a real time for consolidating the reason for prayer within the group. The belief that God was in control of all Nations and all situations has been a challenge, but finding and reading the scriptures has given all of us a sense of purpose to not only pray for people and places but thank God for the things that have been achieved.

We are an inclusive group and always very pleased to welcome folk join us.

Joan Hazzard

Forest Church 2022

The Shape of the Year

We started 2022 with a special Forest Church event in the beautiful gardens at The River School on the Droitwich Road. The service was built around Psalm 104, exploring the sky, water (around the pond), and plants. Most of the rest of the year we were based in the churchyard of St Philip and St James Parish Church, Whittington. In March we focused on God’s faithfulness, shown in the seasons; April was our Easter service; and May was about seeds – how God can use small things for his kingdom. (Our Pentecost service in June, which would have considered the Holy Spirit using the natural images of fire, wind, and water, was cancelled for the Jubilee weekend.) In July we had our second ‘special’ event of the year. We met at Worcester Countryside Centre and had a walking service around the meadows and the woods, with stops for various activities and prayers. Our focus moved from (i) animals, insects, and birds to (ii) wildflowers, to (iii) grasses, to (iv) woods. After a summer break we were back at Whittington in September with a harvest service. In October we celebrated St Francis, with a special focus on insects (or Sister Cricket, as Francis would have said). In November, with Autumn in full swing, we thought about how seasons change, but God does not. December marked our final special service – Advent. This was a service that took place in the dark, with candlelit pathways around the churchyard and some entrancing singing from our very own Angel Gabriel.

Activities

All our services involve worship, prayer, Scripture, intercession, and such like. But we always link these in with the changing seasons, what is happening in the world around us, and with various activities. This year we have done a range of things, including:

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The Community

We are a small group of children aged 0–11 and their families. Numbers in 2022 ranged from nine of us to thirty, with most months being between twenty-two and twenty-four people (including Carol and Robin). There is a core of families that come most months and then quite a range of families who come periodically. With the opening of the lovely new Elizabethan Room at Whittington we were able to start having drinks and cake afterwards, which really helped make for a friendly and fun atmosphere.

All in all, 2022 was an encouraging year.

Revd Dr Robin Parry and Carol Parry, Forest Church leaders

Community Care

Popins has grown in popularity over the year, and we now have 12- 15 regulars, some lovely new friends. It can be very noisy! We held our lunch party in May, postponed from our usual February date whilst Covid abated. Our guests were very happy to be back together again. In September we held an Afternoon Tea, which was very enjoyable. The end of September saw us distributing Harvest gifts to local charities, and in December we delivered 30 beautiful poinsettias, courtesy of St. Peter's Garden Centre, to people who had been bereaved during the year, and to housebound parishioners. It has been a joy to be together again.

Isobel Maher, Chair, Community Care Committee

Social Committee

The Social Committee has had a busy year, starting with the Pancake party on Shrove Tuesday, March 1st. There were pancakes, with a variety of fillings, and races and games.

The Platinum Jubilee Party on June 5th. was held in the church and 100 people sat down for a delicious afternoon tea. The church was beautifully decorated, Ivor Pond played the piano, and our choir sang a medley of songs from the seven decades of the Queen’s reign. There were fun activities for the children….. all to be repeated for the Coronation party on May 7th 2023!!

Our Annual Harvest Lunch was held in the Parish Centre on September 25th and 70 people sat down for a magnificent three course homemade lunch.

Alison Fraser, Chair, Social Committee

Missionary Committee

We continue to fund-raise throughout the year to enable us to support Mission locally, nationally and world-wide. Our regular commitments include support through USPG for the Diocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s work among isolated workers in the many tea plantations, and support through Embrace the Middle East for medical outreach in the neediest areas there. Recent Appeals have supported Mission Aviation Fellowship, whose planes fly in the world’s most difficult terrains, serving an impressive number of charitable organisations, and Worcester Foodbank, who are feeding more people than ever. Regular events include the popular Plant Sale in May, and the Harvest Produce Sale which fund most of our giving. Christian Aid Week in May involves many church members delivering envelopes, although we now no longer return to collect them. The collection in 2022 raised about half our recent totals, so we hope to do better in 2023.

Elizabeth Yarker, Chair, Missionary Committee

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Mainly Music

There has been steady and sustained growth in the number of families regularly attending Mainly Music, which has been encouraging for all who support this ministry to young children and families. The songs are very catchy and the children join in enthusiastically, especially when instruments or bubbles are involved. The favourite song, though, is The Worm, during which the children hide under a sheet and pretend to be worms.

Thanks are due to Barbara for her unstinting commitment to the group, and to all those other faithful supporters who sit and chat with parents and grandparents: Jill Jupe, Ruth Kirwan, Jeannette Haly and Joan Hazzard. You are all very welcome to join us on a Wednesday morning from 9.30am.

Fr Peter

Music Director’s Report

This year has seen the full resumption of our musical ministry after disruption caused by Covid and other events. At the Queen’s Jubilee lunch the Church and Tunes and Chips choirs entertained those present with songs from most decades of Her Late Majesty’s reign. Then, in the summer, we hosted a joint event with The Worcester Festival for a Come and Sing Evensong that was attended by 60 singers, directed by eminent musician Paul Trepte, formerly of Ely and Worcester cathedrals.

Tunes and Chips remains popular with the 8 or so families who come and we now need to think about how we can develop this and aim to grow our numbers. They sang very well at The Crib Service, which brought them to the attention of many visiting families and we had plenty of fliers out for interested people to learn more. The Tunes and Chips choir also sang at the Harvest Festival and more frequent appearances at Altogether Worship are planned. We are looking for some more volunteers to help with Tunes and Chips – speak to John if you think you can offer help.

Music in liturgy continues to evolve rather than go back to pre-covid days. Most services now include one 20[th] century hymn or song and the new settings of the Eucharist are reasonably known, especially the Altogether Worship settings. This is probably at the expense of the traditional settings, as we have now 5 settings to use over the year (not including the Altogether Worship one) which, with the church seasons, means almost a year will elapse before we re-visit one again. So long memories are needed!

The church choir now number 15 who sing regularly which is growth. They are very hardworking and manage to contribute their talents over the vast majority of the year even though some have less than perfect health, do not live locally and have many other commitments to fulfil. The new robes work well and have enhanced the choir’s appearance in worship. The choir have sung for three evensongs in other venues: Ledbury Parish Church, St Wulstan’s, Worcester, and the RSCM evensong at the Cathedral. Two social events were organised over the year – an afternoon tea at the Swindells house and a curry evening at the Scotts’. Now that we are not limited in number by regulations, singers who are interested in joining are encouraged to do so - especially tenors and basses.

In the last year, Robin Walker has been made associate organist and regularly plays the organ for the monthly choral evensong allowing John Swindells to conduct the choir. He is also able to play for most of the funerals held in church. It is also good to be able to have Matthew Gardner to help at Altogether Worship services on the organ and piano. He also contributed on his viola at the Advent Carol Service. Thank you to both.

The priorities for the next year are:

John Swindells, Organist & Director of Music

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Mother’s Union

We sold Easter chicks and raised £42. In July we held our strawberry tea and raised £134, sending half to Mother’s Union for the “Summer of Hope” appeal, with the remainder going to church funds. In September we hosted the Deanery Festival at church and raised £117, then in October, to mark AntiSlavery Day the Mother’s Union knitted and displayed 1500 links in church. Thanks to everyone for their help with this project. To round the year off we held our Christmas party at the March Hare which everyone enjoyed.

We meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month except January and August. We usually have a speaker each time. Anyone can come and join us as you don’t need to belong to Mother’s Union. We are continuing the newsletter which was started during the pandemic as members find it useful to know what is going on in the diocese. We have an exciting program for this year which includes selling Easter chicks again and having a strawberry tea in June which everyone is invited to join. You can even join us for our Christmas lunch! The 2023 programme is displayed on the Mother’s Union notice board in church.

Barbara Richards, Deputy Warden

Flower club

We meet on a Monday each month except January and August. We watch a demonstration of a different flower arrangement each month that we do the following month. Anyone is welcome to join us as we are all learners and the flower arrangements are not exotic. We have a rota for doing the flowers in church, but currently funds for the church flower arrangements are depleted so hampering our aim to use real flowers.

Barbara Richards, Deputy Warden

Parish & Team Office

2022 has been a year of re-establishing the regular office tasks to support our current offering of services and events, the Team Rector, and the Team Churches, following the disruption of the previous two years. Producing, printing and distributing the St Martin’s Weekly Bulletin is the main weekly task (occasionally more complicated than it may at first appear!), as well as providing printing services for all the Team Churches, such as the Church’s monthly magazines, pew sheets, service booklets and posters.

Administrative support for all baptisms and weddings across the Team is provided by the Team Administrator. 8 baptisms were held at St Martin’s during 2022, including one for the parish of Ronkswood (18 were held at either Whittington or St Mark’s). 5 Team baptism preparation sessions were held, attended by 16 families in total. 6 weddings were held at St Martin’s in 2022 (and 2 at Whittington), with the new legal registration system becoming more familiar. Only 2 weddings are booked so far at St Martin’s for 2023 (and 3 at Whittington). An increasing proportion of couples are choosing to have their wedding order of service produced by the Team Office.

In general, an increasing number of parishioners, and others, make enquiries to the Parish Office via email, rather than phoning, or dropping in in person. This helps to make flexible working more possible. Working from home on a Monday during the winter months has hopefully saved a little on heating bills for the Office. I am grateful to be able to work fairly flexibly from home for some of the school holidays, whilst still being available by email and phone, and hope that there are some benefits both ways.

Rebecca Caskie, Team Administrator

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Deanery Synod report

There were three meetings of the Worcester Area Deanery Synod in 2022 with Representative numbers rising from 33 to 39 over the year. Understandably there will always be people who find that their diaries have a clash of commitments, but it is sad when one hears comments from people in parishes that they had not been aware of a recent initiative or change in Diocesan policy direction. The question usually then asked is why that PCC is not disseminating the information to parishioners given to them by their Deanery Synod Representatives? Of course, some churches cannot find anyone interested enough to volunteer to be a Deanery Synod Representative or, if elected, to attend the very few annual meetings.

Our first meeting of the year was at St Wulstan, Cranham Drive on Thursday 28th April. Chosen especially so that there would be well lit streets to park in with a bright and cheerful building to sit in where we could be gathered in a friendly manner around tables, rather than serried rows of uncomfortable pews. Our Area Dean, Revd Diane Cooksey reported on the results of the ‘Deanery Enquiry’ questionnaire that had circulated. Unfortunately, some Parish representatives had either not consulted their parishioners or had declined to answer but there were 26 replies from a possible 31 Churches. The aim of the survey had been to get a ‘Base Line’ of what is happening around the deanery as we came out of the pandemic.

This being our first ‘in person’ meeting for a while we were shown a map of the Deanery so that members could get an idea of the geography. We had: 42 Church Buildings; 31 Parishes; 12 Benefices. There are 14 Stipendiary Clergy; 4 Curates; 12 Readers with 4 in training; 27 A.L.M’s but the number of clergy with ‘Permission To Officiate’ was not mentioned.

A lack of a cohesive Youth Programme was the main criticism and that funding an Outreach initiative would probably be the best way forwards for ‘Growing the Kingdom’.

The meeting was handed over to guests, Simon Hill and his colleague Emma who passed out to the meeting identical sets of Lego © which were then used to express concepts that we were being offered on a range of subjects. The aim of this was to encourage people to respond to the question ‘What is the deanery for now?’ It certainly got people talking and feedback was collected afterwards for the Leadership Team to peruse later.

The 5th Session of the Worcester Area Deanery Synod was held in rural splendour at St John the Baptist, Suckley on Tuesday 5th July. Revd Anne Potter was acting as Area Dean because Revd. Diane Cooksey had departed on sabbatical leave. Again, the meeting was in a comfortable hall and whilst it had required a little navigation to find, in my opinion, Worcestershire in July cannot be bettered. The meeting was opened by the Deanery Lay Chair, Robert Pearce who welcomed us and then asked the acting Area Dean to lead us in a short act of worship. We were shown a video of the local community and school.

We were then treated to an exceptional talk by Geoff Sansome, Head of Agriculture at Natural England who had worked in both Russia and Ukraine for several years, about the history, culture, and current situation in Ukraine. He went on to speak about the refugee and invasion problems caused by Russia and local efforts to help in Worcestershire.

Our 6th Session of the Worcester Area Deanery Synod in November was due to the need for parking and street lighting, held in St Stephen, Barbourne. The Area Dean having returned to harness welcomed us to the meeting and it was gratifying that more Synod representatives felt able to attend. Revd Andy Todd, the Vicar introduced us to the church building where although we were warm and well lit, we had to sit in pews.

Guest speakers, Sian Morgan and Helen Laird gave an input to the meeting about the ‘Calling Young Disciples’ Scheme. A short introduction and a short video included descriptions of youth work in Kidderminster; Halas; Stourbridge; Leigh; and also Warndon. As we had discovered on the Deanery questionnaire post-covid this was the area that all parishes in our Deanery wanted to develop.

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Members were then able to explore the opportunities offered and ask questions about the direction that their parishes could expand in.

On a slightly downbeat note, Revd Andy Todd gave the meeting the current Diocesan budget view on the new Ministry Share system. His message was clear. If you as a Church can meet the financial demand, then OK, if not then there may be repercussions about future levels of paid ministry. Some churches will become uneconomic. Unrepresented churches will lose that discussion opportunity.

Revd. Diane Cooksey spoke more on the ‘three priorities’ and Developing Diocesan Strategy document that is now available on the Diocesan website. The Kingdom People Vision had not been replaced by this, but the strategy highlights the direction of travel and intentionality in the use of resources to encourage and enable church growth. It was very helpful to have fulsome explanations of this. The continued diocesan vision for all churches to become Healthy and Sustainable reiterated the point that sustainability includes being able to fund the Ministry as well as the Mission.

One of the priorities focussed on connecting with children and young families with the possibility of employing some Children/Youth/Family Workers in a couple of parishes in each deanery. The hope is that across the diocese each major centre of population will have at least one flourishing church with children/youth and families. As always current and up to date information was provided to members to pass on to their PCC’s and also to their congregations.

Another priority spoken of was around the developing New Worshipping Communities e.g., walking church; forest church; café church with the emphasis they will involve new people rather than recycling existing congregations. This is something that all parishes are being asked to get involved with and we hope to devote some time in Synod during 2023 to focus on this. Bishop John has made it clear that he intends that there will be training provided to support clergy and laity and we will pass this on as soon as we hear how that develops.

As ever, the ages of Deanery Synod members increases, and I urge you all to consider recruiting younger parishioners to take on the task ahead.

Paul Fulbrook (Worcester Area Deanery Secretary)

Concerts

During the year, audiences gradually increased almost to pre-Pandemic levels, as the thirst for live music overtook the (understandable) reluctance to mix closely with others.

Audience numbers at our monthly Coffee Concerts ranged between 35 and 60, many of whom were regulars who attended almost every month. Donations to charity (nominated by the musicians who give their services free) averaged £203 per concert (plus Gift Aid) over the 11 months in the year, which excludes December. (Some donations were sent direct to the charity, not through St Martin's bank account, so these amounts are not included in the Donations to Charity on the following page.) We also raised £1,063 – an average of almost £100 each month – on proceeds from the café (coffee, tea and homemade cake), which went into St Martin’s funds.

Attendance at Tiny Tunes varied quite a lot, with numbers as low as 23 (11 adults with 12 children) on one occasion, and rising to 70 (34 adults with 36 children) in August, when more parents and older siblings were available. With modest fees to the professional musicians, the series is self-financing and over the year there was a surplus of £263 which went into St Martin’s funds, more than paying for the heating used in the colder months.

Bookings by outside hirers also returned to something near normal. There were afternoon concerts promoted by Severn Arts, Elgar Festival, and Worcestershire Winds. Avoncroft Folk Dance Group held their first Summer Ball for three years. Evening concerts were given by Worcester Male Voice Choir (a joint promotion which raised around £700 for St Martin’s WOW Appeal), Elgar Chorale, and four

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concerts were promoted by Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra – who also held their Thursday evening rehearsals on 32 weeks in the year. In addition, WSO arranged for us to host BBC Hereford & Worcester’s Celebration of Christmas which was a huge event for the community, with performers, staff, volunteers and audience amounting to nearly 300 people. The recording was broadcast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and St Martin’s was given a lot of publicity, as well as a significant facility fee.

When the church’s energy rates quadrupled in October, we started to charge outside hirers heating supplements in addition to facility fees, which they all willingly paid. These supplements went directly into the General Account to help to pay the energy bills.

Shirley Scott, Chair, Concerts Committee

Donations to Charity

St Martin’s aims to donate at least 5% of the church’s income, and the Missionary Committee fundraise through the year. Donations to local, national and international charities are made from these sources and from other income. After the 2020-21 pandemic which affected fundraising efforts, some normal fundraising was resumed in 2022 and the following gifts are included in the church accounts.

USPG £1,200 £1,200 Childrens Society Childrens Society £300
Worcester Foodbank £1,200 Christian Aid £250
Maggs DayCentre £1,135 Embrace the Middle East £250
Church Army £950 WaterAid £200
St Pauls Hostel £700 Vision Aid Overseas £200
Acorns Childrens Hospice £600 Worcester Home for the Deaf £200
Mothers Union £600 Just MoneyMovement £200
Mission Aviation Fellowship £505 Diocese of Cyprus & The Gulf £200
Christians Against Poverty £400 Bible Society £100
Church Mission Society £300 TOTAL £9,490
St Martin’s sponsors Coffee Concerts featuring local artists who choose a charity to benefit fro
collection during the performance. The proceeds are paid directly to the charity and are not in
the church accounts. The table below shows the amounts raised net of gift-aid as this is claim
charity concerned.
St Richards Hospice £393 Alzheimers Society £180
Whittington Elizabethan Room appeal £275 MacMillan Cancer Support £170
Grace KellyChildhood Trust £230 Music in Hospitals Care £160
National Youth Orchestra £215
UNICEF £197 TOTAL £1,820

St Martin’s sponsors Coffee Concerts featuring local artists who choose a charity to benefit from a collection during the performance. The proceeds are paid directly to the charity and are not included in the church accounts. The table below shows the amounts raised net of gift-aid as this is claimed by the charity concerned.

St Martin’s also organises collections for many charities (including for Christian Aid Week and the Disasters Emergency Committee) and facilitates charitable donations at funerals and other events which are not included in the church accounts. For example, the Harvest Festival food collection was donated to Worcester Foodbank.

Garth Williams, Treasurer

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Financial Report

After the hiatus in all our lives caused by the Covid pandemic, St Martin’s progressed to something like normality in 2022 with a full range of activities, and from a financial point of view, a more regular income and expenditure. By the year end, the planned giving was slightly more than in 2021 despite St Martin’s losing several of our supporters. However overall expenditure was some £9,000 more than income by the year-end, and the overall expenditure from our unrestricted funds continues to be considerably more than our income with a deficit of about £19,000. The unrestricted funds pay for the day-to-day running of the church such as salaries, the Parish Share, insurance and energy costs.

The latter causes most concern as the energy bills for the near future are expected to be considerably above the approximately £8,000 per year of the recent past, so we are very grateful for the small number of church members who gave very generous one-off donations in 2022 toward our energy costs. We have had to pass on some of the extra energy costs to regular users who rent the church and Parish Centre, but we have also made the heating more effective by installing reflective material behind the radiators and heating pipes, by closely monitoring the length of time and temperature of the heating cycles, and ensuring that our heating systems continue to be well maintained. St Martin’s is part of a large group of churches who use their considerable buying power to negotiate energy contracts at a competitive rate.

St Martin’s is also part of the Worcester South East Benefice of four churches who combine their individual Parish Shares into a Ministry Share, paid to the Worcester Diocese to support clergy and mission costs. In 2022 the Benefice paid the Ministry Share in full, aided by the successful application for a Ministry Support Grant which bridged the gap between the expected Ministry Share and the actual Ministry Share that the Benefice could afford to pay.

Planning and preparatory work on Phase 2 of the current church development projects continued through 2022, and the storage area was completed and put into immediate use. Funds were raised through individual donations and by a transfer of funds from the Margaret Benson Memorial Fund, and fundraising for the remaining part of the project will continue in 2023.

Sadly, during 2022 we learned of the sudden and unexpected passing of St Martin’s former independent examiner, Roger Waters Duke. Roger had checked the church accounts for many years during the tenure of several treasurers, and his experience and guidance were highly valued. Roger and his family had strong links with the church, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and many friends as they come to terms with their loss.

Detailed figures for church income, expenditure and fund balances are given later in this document.

Garth Williams, Treasurer

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The Parochial Church Councll of St Martin with St Peter Financial Review Statement of the PCC members re5ponslbllltles regardlng flnanclal matter5 The PCC members are responslble for preparlng the Trustees, Annual Report and the financ131 statements In accordance wlth applicable law and United Kingdom Acwunting Standards Iunlted Klngdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law appllcable to charities in England & Wales requires the PCC members to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the PCC Incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparin8 these finan¢lal Statements. the PCC members are required to: select sultable accountlng pollcles and then apply them conslstently observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any materlal departure5 disc105ed and explalned in the financial 5taternents Pre￿re the financial Statements on the going concern bas15 unle55 it 15 inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The PCC members a￿ responslble for keeplng proper accountlng ￿cOrdS that disc105e with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the PCC and enable them to ensure that the financlal statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity IAccounts and Reports) Regulatlon5 2CQ8 and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006. They are also responslble for safeguarding the assets of the PCC and hence for taklng reasonable steps for the prevention and detertion of fraud and other Irregularitie5. Approved by the PCC on ...... nd signed on their behalf by www.SIMartinsWorce%teT.oE.uk Page 19 www.laeebook.eomlSIM2riitt%WorLester

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Parish of St Martin with St Peter, Worcester

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022 which are set out on pages 21 to 30.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records ; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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 this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Sally Bishop FCA Bishops Accountancy Ltd Chartered Accountants Unit 3 Elgar Business Centre Moseley Road Hallow Worcester WR2 6NJ

Date: 13/03/22

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There may be minor discrepancies in the totals as the pence are not being shown

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There may be minor discrepancies in the totals as the pence are not being shown

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Summary of income and expenditure From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

2022(£) 2022(£) 2022(£) 2021(£) 2021(£) 2021(£)
Income Expenditure Difference Income Expenditure Difference
Plannedgiving 79,136 77,770
Gift Aid received 20,271 19,070
Plate collections 4,272 1,935
Legacies 30,002 56,889
Donations 778 5,245
Coronavirus Grants 1,000 8,162
Bank/BuildingSocietyinterest 2,240 608
John Carter Bequest 5,470 5,290
Parish Share 105,914 105,914
Alms from St Martin's 6,600 6,640
Church Insurance 5,650 5,400
Church maintenance & repairs 4,006 3,660
Church cleaning 1,985 1,775
Parish Centre cleaning 6,473 6,925
Parish Centre Insurance 1,842 1,683
Sub-total 143,169 132,470 10,699 174,969 131,997 42,972
Church utilitybills 7,370 8,332 (963) 4,797 (4,797)
Parish Centre utilitybills 793 4,681 (3,888) 2,929 (2,929)
All other Parish Centre 17,867 12,450 5,417 17,070 2,981 14,089
All other salaries 2,000 21,928 (19,928) 2,000 19,973 (17,973)
MissionaryFund 2,440 2,890 (450) 3,422 2,944 478
Biliki Fund 182 0 182 198 198 0
Projects Fund 1,830 21,275 (19,445) 52,630 37,759 14,871
YoungPeople 3,269 1,053 2,216 8,933 8,601 332
Organ and Church Music 913 3,608 (2,695) 161 7,153 (6,992)
Garages 6,372 50 6,322 5,892 0 5,892
Concerts 9,425 2,661 6,763 7,620 384 7,236
Mag printingcost(actual) 0 527 (527) Estimate-> 500 (500)
Magazine Income/expenditure 3,611 48 3,563 2,280 0 2,280
Other income and expenditure 14,891 11,736 3,155 5,511 8,322 (2,811)
Total 214,130 223,709 (9,579) 280,688 228,537 52,151

There may be minor discrepancies in the figures above as the pence are not being shown

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

1 Summary of significant accounting policies

(a) General information and basis of preparation

The charity (St Martin with St Peter PCC) constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

(b) Funds

Unrestricted general funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Unrestricted designated funds are used by the trustees for particular projects and purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. These funds cannot be used by the trustees for any other purposes unless determined by the Courts or the Charity Commissioners. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in note 3 in the financial statements. Specific fund policies are detailed in note 2.

Endowment funds are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Details of the single St Martin’s endowment fund is shown in note 2(g).

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

(c) Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained, then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. At this point income is recognised. On occasion legacies will be notified to the charity when it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed. On these occasions, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed.

Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable.

Gift Aid received from donations is recognised during the financial year in which the donation is received.

Rental income from the letting of church premises, income from church magazine adverts and any other income is recognised when received.

(d) Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which the expenditure arose.

Costs of raising funds comprise those costs directly attributable to fund raising events.

(e) Tangible fixed assets

Expenditure on equipment used within the church is depreciated on a straight line basis over 4 years. Individual items of equipment costing £1,500 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

(f) Fixed asset investments

Investments are quoted on a recognised stock exchange and the value that derives from them is valued at market value at the year end.

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

(g) Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

(h) Pensions

Contributions to defined contribution plans are expended in the period to which they relate.

(i) Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

2 Specific fund policies

(a) Free Reserves

The PCC will try to maintain a balance on Free Reserves equivalent to at least six months Unrestricted Funds expenditure. This is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. If the reserves fall below this level, the PCC will plan to reduce expenditure and increase income so that this balance can be achieved. Free Reserves comprise the General Fund and the Designated Funds. Refer to note 11 for a compliance check.

(b) General Fund

This must be maintained at a higher level than the total of the other unrestricted funds (except the Reserve Fund). If needed, the Treasurer can transfer money from the Reserve Fund to the General Fund. A balance of £10,000 in this fund is maintained at year-end by transfer to or from the Reserve Fund.

(c) Concerts Fund

This generates profits received from church musical events. A balance of £1,500 in this fund is maintained at year-end, with the surplus being transferred to the General Fund.

(d) Parish Centre Fund

This fund is used to financially manage the Parish Centre and any profit is used for the church general purposes as decided by the PCC. A balance of £2,000 in the Parish Centre Fund is maintained at year end by transfer to or from the General Fund.

(e) Projects Fund

This was set up by the PCC in January 2021 to financially manage major church projects. The PCC reserves the right to close the Projects Fund and transfer any money to the General Fund.

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

(f) Margaret Benson Memorial Fund

St Martin’s Church received a substantial legacy in 2021-2 from the estate of the late Margaret Benson. The legacy was donated to the Vicar and Churchwardens of St Martin’s Church “for such religious purposes in the said Parish as the said Vicar and Churchwardens shall in their absolute discretion think fit”. Accordingly the legacy was deposited in the restricted Margaret Benson Memorial Fund.

(g) Endowment Fund - John Frederick Carter Bequest

St Martin’s Church received a bequest in 2008 from the estate of John Frederick Carter. The capital is invested in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund administered by CCLA. The church receives the dividend from the investment but is not allowed to spend the capital.

3 St Martin’s Restricted Funds

These funds contain donations for particular purposes specified by the donor. By law these funds cannot be used by the PCC for any other purpose. The groups managing these funds have to give notice to the PCC for any substantial expenditure, and the PCC has the authority to veto such expenditure if it was to cause financial hardship to St Martin’s Church.

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

4 Fixed Assets (Capital value)

The income from this is paid into the General Fund. No shares were added or

The income is paid into the General Fund and can be used for any ecclesiastical purpose but the capital (received from a 2008 bequest) cannot be spent. No shares were added or sold during the year.

Valuation Change in value Change in value Valuation
31/12/22 in 2022 31/12/21
CBF Fixed Interest Securities Fund £666 (£104) £770
CBF Investment Fund (capital) £183,791 (£24,679) £208,470
Total £184,457 (£24,782) £209,239
5 Debtors 2022 2021
Gift Aid rebate £2,323 £2,168
Other debtors £2,942 £1,518
Total £5,265 £3,686
6 Liabilities: Amounts falling due within one year
Creditors for goods and services £9,728 £4,624
There are no long term creditors.
7 Staff Costs
(a) Mrs Rebecca Caskie (Team Administrator) - gross
St Martin’s PCC contribution : £11,214 £10,619
Worcester South East Team contribution: £2,000 £2,000
(b) Mrs Donna Vickers (cleaner) - gross £8,458 £8,700
(c) John Swindells (Director of Music) - gross £7,568 £7,081
(d) Organist holiday cover £325 £80
(e) Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind £29,565 £28,480
(f) Employer’s national insurance costs £0 £0
(g) Pension costs £821 £192
(h) Total staff costs £30,386 £28,672
No employees received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of
more than £60,000.

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

8 Statement of Financial Activities

In this statement:

9 Fund Reconciliation

FUNDS At
1.1.2022
£		 Transfers
£		 Income
£		 Outgoings
£		 Gains/
(Losses)
£		 At
31.12.2022
£
Unrestricted 161,983 51 173,802 193,441 (103) 142,291
Restricted 80,936 (51) 40,329 30,268 0 90,946
Endowment 208,470 0 0 0 (24,678) 183,791
Totals 451,389 0 214,130 223,709 (24,782) 417,028
At
1.1.2021
£		 Transfers
£		 Income
£		 Outgoings
£		 Gains/
(Losses)
£		 At
31.12.2021
Unrestricted 169,509 0 164,985 172,455 (56) 161,983
Restricted 21,315 0 115,703 56,082 0 80,936
Endowment 181,951 0 0 0 26,518 208,470
Totals 372,775 0 280,688 228,537 26,462 451,389

There may be minor discrepancies in the figures above as the pence are not being shown

10 Analysis of net assets by fund

2022 Unrestricted
Funds(£)		 Restricted
Funds(£)		 Endowment
Funds(£)		 Total
(£)
Fixed assets 666 0 183,791 184,457
Current assets 148,535 93,764 0 242,299
Current liabilities (6,910) (2,819) 0 (9,729)
Net total assets 142,291 90,946 183,791 417,028
2021 Unrestricted
Funds(£)		 Restricted
Funds(£)		 Endowment
Funds(£)		 Total
(£)
Fixed assets 770 0 208,470 209,239
Current assets 164,164 82,609 0 246,773
Current liabilities (2,951) (1,673) 0 (4,624)
Net total assets 161,983 80,936 208,470 451,389

There may be minor discrepancies in the figures above as the pence are not being shown

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The Parochial Church Council of St Martin with St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements From January 1[st] 2022 to December 31[st] 2022

11 Check for compliance to Reserves Policy

Free Reserves (General Fund + Designated Funds) at year-end: £142,291

Six months Unrestricted Funds expenditure: £96,720

Therefore St Martins Church conforms to the PCC Reserves Policy (see note 2a).

12 Independent examiner’s remuneration

The independent examiner’s remuneration for the 2022 accounts amounts to an independent examination fee of £500. (2021: £480)

13 Related party transaction

In 2022 St Martin’s received donations of £41,953 (2021: £45,595) from PCC members.

14 Trustees’ and key management personnel remuneration and expenses

St Martin’s considers its key management personnel are the members of the PCC.

PCC members neither received nor waived any remuneration during 2022 (2021: £nil). The members of the PCC did not have any expenses reimbursed during 2022 (2021: £nil).

15 Contingent asset

A legacy in the region of £20,000 is expected in 2023. As the amount cannot be accurately measured it is not included in these financial statements.

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