St. Peter's
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The Parochial Council of St. Peter's Church, Little Aston
Annual Report and Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 December 2021
Incumbent
Reverend Philip Daniel
3 Walsall Road
Little Aston B74 3BD
Honorary Assistant Priest
Reverend Jeremy Blunt
Readers
Andrew Farrow
Pamela Strong
Bank
HSBC UK
67 Thè Parade
Sutton Coldfield B72 1 PD
Independent Examiner
Michael Johnson
stpeterslittleaston.co.uk

The Parochlal Council of St. Peter's Church, Little Aston
Annual Report for the Year ended 31 December 2021
IThis report is made in accordance with the Church Representation Rules {20111 and is separate from any
oiher stalemeni or addre&s that the incumbeni may wish lo make or any reports Ihat any other individual or
parish group may present at the Annual Parochial Church Meelingl
Administrative Informatlon
St. Peter's Church is situated on Roman Road, Little Aston B74 3AT. It is part of the
Diocese of Lichfield within the Church of England. Correspondence is addressed to the
Vicarage, 3 Walsall Road, Little Aston B74 3BD. The PCC is a body corporate {PCC
Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2011 } and a Registered Charity
1128819.
Ex officio members
Incumbent
Church Warden
Church Warden
Sacretary
Reverend Philip Daniel
Jane Alderson
Tony Sweeney
Brenda Clarke
Elected Members
Treasurer
Gift Aid Secretary
Deanery Synod Representative
& Electoral Roll
Margaret Pye
Deanery Synod Representative Jill Hope
Ethne Owen
Jane Medlicott
Richard Paxton
Elisabeth Paxton
Lynne Gibson
Nina Diaper
Kathryn Sweeney
Christopher Hulland
Paul Eveleigh
It is considered that all PCC members and any others who could be understood to be
'managers' in the activities and affairs of the church, as defined in Schedule 6 of the
Finance Act 2010, are 'fit and proper, persons under the ierms of the Act.
AII PCC members elected for the first time and those re-elected are supplied with minutes
of PGC meetings and receive a copy of the last Annual Rewrt and Accounts. They are
entitled to ask for any ex￿anationS of their content. In service training is offered as
appropriate.
Page1

Structurei government and management
The Parochial Church Council {PCCI is a corporate body established by the Church of
England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure.
The method of appointment of PCC members is set OLrt in the Church Representation
Rules. At St. Peter's the membership consists of the incumbent (our vicar).
churchwardens and members elected by those members of the congregation that are on
the electoral roll of the church.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern
and importance to the parish, including how the funds of th8 PCC are spent. New
members receive inttial training in the workings of the PCC.
The PCC met 6 times during th8 year.
There is a Standing Committee that is the only committee r8quired to be in 8XiStence by
church law and has the power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings.
subject to ratification by the PCC. Weekly meetings were via Zoom.
Aims and purposes
St Peter's Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of cooperating with the
incumbent. the Reverend Phillip Daniel, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole
mission of the church. pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
Objectives and Activities
Th8 PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church
and to become part of the community of St. Peter's.The PCC maintains an overview of
worship and will feedback to the vicar suggestions and comments relating to forms of
servlce undertaken. Our services are intended to put our faith into practice through
prayer, Scripture. music and the sacraments.
We endeavour to 8nabl8 ordinary people to live out theirfaith as part of our church
community.
Worship & Prayer - Bible studies, Discipleship courses. Lent courses, preaching and
different types of service with some meeting particular needs are promoted.
Provision of pastoral care for members of the congregation both within and out-with
the parish. This includes our Authorised Lay Ministers taking communion to those
unable to attend church and visiting in hospitals, nursing homes and homes.
Missionary and outreach work - our targeted charitable giving and support for social
opportunities ar8 well understood supporting both local and international concerns.
To facilitate all this, we consider it vttal we maintain and, if possible, improve the fabric
of th& church of St. Potar's and 21so tha P2rioh Room.
Page 2

Achiovaments and Perforniance
Worship and Prayer
The PCG is keen to support our Vicar in offering a range of services to meet the
requirements of the community who have differing preferences for worship. The
Churchwardens have continued their extraordinary efforts to ensure our Vicar Is
supported at all times.
Covid-19 meant nonnal Service timings and attendances were initially imposslb18 to
maintain.
Adopting the statutory 2 m8tre social distancing meant numbers had to be restricted and
a booking system set up to record the names of attendees. Fac8 masks were mandatory
and continue to be so.
Individual setvice sheets were provided to be retained by attendees and collections w8re
suspended.
A maximum of 32 was allowable at each service. Initially only two services were held on
Sunday mornings but demand dictated a third service was required from 1st Nov8rnb8r.
A Wednesday morning service was also continued.
Communion arrangements initially involv8d th8 vlcar and the sacrlstan taklng th8 bread to
the congregation in th8 pews who th@n exited through the north door to maintain a one-
way system. The sanctified wine was taken on their behalf by the celebrant. A sort of
normality in receiving the sacram8nts retumed in late September with communicants
going up to the altar for the bread and recelving the wine in individual glasses rather than
the Common Cup. Subsequently, in early December following the arrival of th8 Omicron
variant W8 returnad to bread only served in the pews and coffee was cancelled post
seNices.
Booking arrangements were suspended at the end of September and thanks must go to
Margaret Pye and Jane Medlicott who took many calls and m8ssages regarding booking
places.
Servicos are now publicisad in a w88kly Welcome to Worship that is also emalled to those
in th8 Parish Directory, Without doubt, the us8 of technology in communicating has been
enomously important with servicas and management meetings h8ld over Zoom. Not
everybody is on-line and Jan8 Alderson has put an incredible effort into this part of the
organisation by ensuring universal inclusion in this different way of working.
Special ServSce8 have been held throughout the year including Easter, Harvest,
Thanksgiving and Remembrance and Christmas.
Baptism, Wédding and Funeral arrangements have been disrupted by Government
regulations and numbers attending have been s8verèly restricted.
Baptisms
Weddings
Church Funerals 18
Crematoria 4
Pastoral Care
Th8 81@ctoral roll contains 233 names but 70% live outside the parish.
Covid-19 restrictions have sevarely curtailed physical visiting but te18phone and email
contacts have been expanded to try and meet essentlal contact needs.
Page 3

Mission and Evangelism
2021 continued to be dominat8d by the changes brought aboLrt as a result of the
Covid-19 pandemic. Our priority was to foster and maintain the s8nse of community
within St Peter's while protecting the safety of church members as far as possible - a full
risk assessment was undertaken before resuming services in church. Our "Church
Friends" network was revitalised to encourage telephone contact and support between
church members.
In order to maintain contacts within the church, modern technology was utilised where
the capability existed. The church website and Facebook page w8re kept up to date and
the Vicar's weekly vidao and other notices were posted on Facebook. The weekly
newsletter that Paul Eveleigh instigated in March 2020 and which Jeremy Blunt produced
latterly was used to maintain essential contact with the congregation. It terminated in
September as the congregation were able to collect the Welcome to Worship in church or
have it emailed to them. Initially going out to recipients drawn from th8 church directory,
email circulation of the newsletter increased steadily to 145 addresses who now rec81V8
copies of the Welcome to Worship. Additionally, some church m8mb8rs printed copies to
pass on to those who do not have email.
The newsletter also proved to be a channel for continuing our links with external charities
including the L8prosy Mission and the Pathway Project by passing on news and
information.
The Wicar grew and then gained sponsorship of £1015 for shaving his beard for the
benefrt of the L8prosy Mission. That sum was doubled by matched funding from UK Aid.
Just before Christmas, church members contributed £470 for Christmas presents for the
children at the Pathway Project in addition to the gifts of food, clothing, etc. given
throughout the year.
Another technical innovation was the use of 'Zoom' for services that could not be held in
church. A regular online Sunday serwicg was welcomed during the second lockdown and
sp8Gial services including Remembrance Sunday, a successful "Virtual Christingle" and
an online Carol Service all reached a good "congregation" by this means.
In December 2021 a Reverse Advent Calendar resulted in a substantial co118Ction of gifts
for the Pathway project.
All the Christmas services were held as nonmal in church with the exception of the Family
carol service which took place on Zoom due concerns over a very busy Church with the
Omicron variant in full flow.
The Church Building
St. Peter's is a listed Wictorian Building and any repairs have to conform to regulations
and are invariably expensive.
Vegetation growth was removed from tha steeple and the lightning conductor repaired
and tested.
Our whole entery)rise relies on the many willing volunteers that make this church the
friendly and responsive community so appreciated by all concerned. This was especially
important given the requirements placed upon us conforming to Covid-19 regulations.
The social context of our church cannot be underestimated and those opportunities have
been missed by all.
After service coffee recommenced in November but was halted in early December
subsequent to the arrival of the Omicron variant.
Page 4

The late Reverend Brian Weaver
Brian and Jacqui moved to Streetly when Brian retired from his clergy post. After looking at
their options for church, they decided to support their local one, St. Peter's, where they
were welcomed in the early 2000's. Brian didn't admit at first that he was a retired
clergyman but an astute Church Warden sussed him OLrt and told the then vicar of her
thoughts. He was soon given permission to take up the cloth again as a retired minister.
Brian had come late to the ministry having been a BA pilot after a stint in the RAF. His
sermons often contained anecdotes about time as a pilot.
His ministry added much to the mission of St. Peter's as he was a willing participant in
leading and preaching and presiding al Baptisms, Funerals and Weddings.
Unfortunately, last year he succumbed to an illness from which he had previously suffered
and he sadly passed away in May. He has left a congregation who miss his kind and
soothing Vol￿ and his passion for the faith. We trust his wings have flown him high.
Risk Management
St.Peters usa the Health and Safety Ecclesiastical Pro fonna I Small Churches ) taken
from their website www.ecclesiastical.com/healthandsafet
in conjunction with
www.hse.
ov.uk
The PCC approved an annual review covering the church, the Parish Room. the
churchyard and the car park.
Any possible hazards are dealt with immediately. Headstones are inspected half yearly
and any that are loose are laid down to avoid possible accidents unless repairs can be
made speedily .
Communicants who have mobility prob18ms have been considered bearing in mind steps
to be negotiated.
Fire extinguish8rs are certified and t8Sted. PAT testing has been completed on electrical
equipment.
First Aid Box checked and up to dat8.
Food and Hygiene Rules updated and displayed in the kitchen.
A tree suNey done by R8uben Hayes recommended by the Church Architect was
undertaken last year . All the recommendations in the report will be implemented.
We have adjusted our Covid protocols in line with the Church of England guidelines.
which we shall continue to monitor.
We have taken all reasonable steps to maintain a one metre distance both inside/outsida
of the church.
We Gonsider we have done everything practical to manage transmission risk and up to
date we have no incidents to report
Safeguarding
The safety and security of chlldren is of the utmost importance and guidelines and
policies have been adopted to ensure that all children taking part in activities in our
churches may do so in a loving, caring and safe atmosphere. The. Protection Policy in
respect of childr8n and vulnerable adults is recognised by the PCC who appointed Mrs
Deborah Hartland as Safeguarding Officer.
Page 5

Safeguarding continued
A forrnalised programme, monitored by the Diocese. of serious learning and c8rtlfication
has been undertaken by the Ministry team and members of the Church identified as
having contact with children and vulnerable adults.
COVID-19 r8Strictions hav8 necessitated suspension of a Sunday School during ihis year
but meetings are held via Zoom in the meantime ensuring that all children have adult
accompaniment on screen.
C3 Gertification
Ministry Team 4
C2 Cartification
Churchwardens and 2 others
C1 Certification
34 Church members
Financial Review
Because of the overall constraints caused by Covid-19, Lichfield Diocese have been in
close touch with parishes regarding up to date financial positions. Our financial records
are available to Lichfield Diocese who are now the main licence holders of the on-line
software from Data Developments.The arrangement is also consid8r8d by the PCC to be
a useful backstop for us.
Thanks are due to Michael Johnson for undartaking the Independent Examination of the
accounts.
Fee Income generated from Weddings and Funerals is important and thanks are due to
Margaret Pye and Annie Stretton for ensuring th8 Treasurer is up to speed with the
necessary information.
Cash collections have all but ceased for the tim8 b8ing although the congregation have
very generoLAsly stood by St. Pet8r's by continuing their Standing Orders and Direct
Giving with the majority Gift-aided. The tax refund is a major source of income and
Paul Eveleigh continues to ensure these refunds are obtained in good time.
Our bankers, HSBC continue their programme of branch closures and paying-in is now
via a Post Office. This is likely to give rise to bank charges during 2022. The Treasur8r
does now have the ability to pay in cheques via the HSBC iPhone app.
Thanks ar8 due to John Tait and Helen Baker who handle any cash received despite the
difficulties encountered.
The major expense on the fabric of the Church was a repairto the lightning conductor
and the clearing of vegetation from the steeple costing £6180. The VAT £1236 was
subsequently reclaimed through the Listed Places of Worshlp Grant Scheme.
We continue with the Friends of St. Peter's to ensure the maintenance of tha Churchyard
with overall costs of £11335. Following the sad d8ath of Dave Marston, Nigel Jones has
taken over the main task, continuing the good work.
Energy costs are rising substantially and, following brokers, advice. we have agreed a 3
year contract until September 2024 with EDF for electricity on the basis that smart meters
will be installed. EDF electricty is mostly produced by nuclear energy and consider8d
"green"
Our main expense was the Parish Share. Due to national circumstances relating to
Covid-19. the Diocase managed to obtain som8 central funding that effectively reduced
our liability by £7980.
This meant that a potential overall deficit was turned into a mod8St but welcome surplus
of £3300. {2020 £7085)
Page 6

Sl. Peterfs Church, Liitle Aston
Balance Sheet Year Endod 31 Docember2Q21
Fued Assets
Land and Buildings
1.00
1.00
TO￿ Flxod Assèts
1.00
Curr6ntAs88ts
HSBC Current Aco)LN
728￿.78
69.93
HSBC FrienLls of St.PÈt8r¥ Cufftnt Account
22538.36
22921.58
CCLA I¢BB Detosit Ac¢ount
Interior De¢oratlng S¢hem9
LKI.00
.00
921.15
521.15
Total Currert Assets
105313.29
105313.29
102012.66
102012.66
102013.66
Current knabilities
A9￿cY Collections
Totsl Curr•nt knabilib•ts
Nat Assets
Roservè$
alance tKwht forward
102013.66
94928.33
Surplus J Deficit
8300.63
7085.33
B8lanc8 carried fomard
10521&29
102013.68
Reprosented by FuThJs
Land and Buildlngs
Un￿striCt6￿
Ge￿ra1 Fund
71172.37
711T2.37
66256.52
6256.52
Restiict8d
A9￿Y Collectb
S35.00
Charty Popèals & Fundraisng
425.41
425.41
Churchyard Malntenance
Friends of St. P8t8I8
1630.00
22536.96
22921.58
InterioT Dec[￿atIng S¢heme
921.15
521.15
Special Prciects Fund
9000.
9(K)O.
Teathing & Evangelism Fu
7?3.W
723.00
35756.14
85756.14
11)531419
102013.fj6

St Petets Church. Little Aston
5ncomè &Expenditr¥eYthwEnded31 PecemberWI1
Income
GiftA4d
83&41
747g9.50 j
1 Nan Gfft Atd
4201.4
Lcn5e Plala¢dkclkin8
1539ll6
2(H).81 ',
sO￿(M>
. Church Boxe8
2B7.20
Dona￿On￿Ap￿S Grants
435&
s9￿.e3..
Tax R8covor4d GiftAid
18827.49
11092&70
429.7
144346.93
PCC Fees
121y3￿(m)
12090L
84QD.
240.(K)
l Other Fund8 Gènèrat
59D.91
., RLMnmagg Sales 9tc
>3￿
186.10 |
26.
Pthsh fvtsgazlnè &Cthrth
1S2191
13SS.52
Bank Ini
15415i54
Exp8n(litu
i St8vrdrd8hip¢ampaiw &Fèté Co>ts
46.(PJ I
Donatkni$
Pansh Shar•
79770.[￿1
74235.M I
3620.w I
U70.41
Oryanisl
38W.00
V￿all ExpBn8f¥
1341.OT
I 1hcry&Exp￿8Os
i Telepkwe
S77.SO
418.
671.88
Edu¢atltsi & &ThJayCI
43.99
Inyutancè
3574.06
chU￿h MaJnlerwKg
485.50
2708.01
Cleaning
687.39
1393.98
Upk98p of s*￿¥$
Upkèep of Churchyard
2091.11
1D70.61
11335.98
14294.69
AdThlTh¥trat￿n
337.08
180.co
Prtntl
ge620
1215.
El￿t￿chty
7825.93
S666.50
Watei
75.18
236.
P8rlsh R(￿ Mantena￿e
MIorRo￿￿O 8 In9talaUonB
7416.
120S98 87
37879 1
147021.12
13J39B
147081.21
Balance lrton*. Exwh1ftur•
15415154

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 December 2021
l. Notes to the Accounts
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the
Church Accounting Flegulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis.
2. Fixed Assets
Consecrated and benefice property is not included from the Accounts by
s.10{2llal&(Cl of the Charities Act 2011.
Moveable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust
for the PCC and which require a facufty for disposable are inalienable property
listed in the Church's inventory which can be inspected {at any reasonable timel.
For any acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost infonnation available and
therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements.
Oth8r tangib18 ass8ts fix8d assets ar8 valuèd at cost.
3. Degeription of Fundg
Unrestricted funds are income funds of the PCC that are available for spending
on the general purposes of the PCC. including amounts designated by the PCC for
fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which a
therefore not included in its "free reserves" as disclosed in the trustees, annual
report.
Restricted funds comprise two elements
al income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those
restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest
bl donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a
specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which
they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of the year must be
carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest
separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is
apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.
Endowment funds are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital
either permanently or subject to discretionary powar to spend capital as income
and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be
restricted or unrestricted.
Page 9

Inde￿ndent Examiner's Report
to the Trustees of Ihe PCC of SL Peter's Church, Little Aston.
Registered Charity 1128819
report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are s8t out in the
Annual Report and Financial Statements.
Respactive responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent 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 of the
Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) rather an ind8p8ndent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility
to examine th8 accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Commission (under section 145(5}(b) of the Charitl8s Act and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner￿ Statement
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 thes8 records. It also
includes consideration of unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking
explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. Thg procedures undertaken do
not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequ8ntly no
opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 't￿e and fair" view and the report
is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independant Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination. no matarial matters have com8 to my attention which
give me Gause to believe that in any material respect
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act
or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I hav8 coma across no other matters in connection with the examination to which
attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to
be reached.
Signed
Date
Gèa
Page10