St. Peter's t* The Parochial Council of St. Peter's Church, Little Aston Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 December 2024 Incumbent Interregnum 30.12.24 Honorary Assistant Priest Reverend Jeremy Blunt Readers Andrew Farrow Pamela Strong Bank HSBC UK 67 The Parade Sutton Coldfield B72 1 PD Independent Examiner Ray Boyland htt s://v4WW.St eterslittleaston.co.ukl
The Parochial Council of SL Petsrfs Church. Little Aston Annual Report for the Year 31 December 2024 (rhis report is made in accordance with the Church Repwtation Rules (2011) and is separate from ary other statement or addr8ss that the incumbent may wish to make or any rewrts that any other individual or parish group may present at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting) Administrative Infomiation St. Peter's Church is situated on Roman Road, Little Aston B74 3AT. It is part of th8 Diocese of Lichfield within the Church of England. Correspondence is also addressed to the Vicarage, 3 Walsall Road. Little Aston B74 3BD. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representstion Rules 2011) and a Registered Charity 1128819. Ex officio members Incumbent Interregnum from 30.12.24 Church Warden Church Warden Secretary Jane Alderson Richard Paxton Brenda Clarf(e Elected Mombers Treasurer Gift Aid Secretary Deanery Synod Member & Electoral Roll Diocesan Synod Member and A&sistant Lay Chair of Dean Synod Christopher Hulland Paul Eveleigh maaret Pye Jill Hope Elisabeth Paxton Lynne GibsDn Emma Paxton Helen Gart)8tt Deborah Hartland Annie Horton 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 'fft and proper. persons under the terms of the Act. AII PCC members electgj for the first time and those rtrelected are supplied wlth minutes of PCC meetings and receive a copy of the last Annual Report and Accounts. They are entitled to ask for any explanations of their content. In seniice training is offered as appropriat& Page 1
The Parochlal Church Council (PCC) is a pte boty 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 out in the Church Represantation Rules. At St. Peter's the meml)ership consists of the inujmbent (our vicar). churchwardens and members elected by those EMberS of the congregation that are on tha electoral roll of the Church. The PCC men)ers are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the palish, induding how the funds of the PCC are spent. New members receive initial training in the wort(ings of the PCC. The PCC met 6 ttines during the year. There is a Standing Committe6 that is the onty commlttee ullEd to be in exist6nc6 by church law and has th8 power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to ratification by the PCC. Meetings were via Zoom when necessary. Aims and pLmpose8 St Peterfs Parochial Church cour11 has thè resportsibilty of cooperating with th& incumbenL tn promoting in the ecdesi&8tical parish the whole mi&sion of the church, pastoral, evangeli8ttC. Social and ecumenical. Object5v08 and Actlvitles The PCC FS corrmÉtted to gnabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of the communty of St. Peterfs.The PCC rnnnS an oveNi8w of worship and will feedback to the vicar suggestions and comrnents relating to forms of service undertaken. Our seNices arn Rntended to put our fath into practice through wayer, Scripturq muslc and the sacrarr We endeavour to enal)le ordlnary peop to uve out their fallh as part ot our church communlty. Worship & Prayer- Bible studies, Discipleship coursts. Lent coursos. preaching and diffent types of seNice wrth some me8ting particular needs are prornot8d. Provision of pastoral car8 for Merr of the congregation both withln and outside the parish. This includes our Authc¥ised Lay Minlsters taking communFon to those unabl8 to attend church and visiting in ht)sprtals, nursing homes and homes. Misslonary and outreach work - our targeted charitable gi"ng and support for social opportunitles are well understood Support# both lo(a international concerns. To facilitate ati thls. we consider it vital we rtain arKI, rf possible, improve the fabric of the church of St. PetS and akn the Church Ro( Page 2
Achlevements and perfonnance Worship and Prayer There are usually three seNices on Sundays at 8am,1 Oam and 5pm and Holy Communion at 9.30am on Wednesdays. Baptisms, weddings and funerals took place throughout the year and special seniices were held for Easter. Harvest. Remembrance. Friends Remembered, Christingle and Nine Lessons and Carols. The Bishop of Lichfield assisted in our celebration of 150 years of worship at St. Peter's and a drone flypast marked the occasion. htt s:// outu.be/sc 6 6 GIOE?si=euZsUFR52civt f3$ A special Mention must go to Nina Diaper and Lynne Gibson for running a series of very meaningful and inspiring early evening services during Lent and Advent. In our Welcome to Worship publication we list family and friends of the congregation Gurrently in need of prayer and who have been bereaved. We also have a facility for private prayer during the 1 Oam service on a Sunday and run a prayer chain for people requiring emergency prayers which is completely confidential. Misslon and Evangelism The weekly Welcome to Worship publication continues to be an important means of communication with the congregation and other interested parties. They are available at all services and are emailed to 163 addresses plus some printed copies are passed on to those who do not have email. The What's on at St Peter's leaflet giving details of contacts. rular services. activities, and events is available in strategic places around the parish as well as in church. There are regular meetings of Mothers, Union, the l<ntt and Natter group, the Keep Fit group, the Fllm Club. the Bereavement group. the Hand Bell ringers, the SACRED groups and the SPOGS - a group of gentlemen who meet monthly dining at local pubs for fellowship and goodwill. A band of volUntrS mt very regularly to help with maintenance of the churchyard and every Tuesday there is a coffee morning with entertaining quizzes which is well supported. A Historical Talk organised by Emma Paxton was a sell-out and Elisabeth Paxton researched and published a booklet incorporating details of Vicars past and present to raise both interest arKI funds for our 150th celebrations. We continue our close connection with Pathways - the domestic and sexual abuse charity in Lichfield. They receive donations throughout the year especially from our harvest festival and when members of the congregation give 25 small gifts through our reverse advent calendar scheme. We also support The Leprosy Mission. Page 3
Pastoral Care The team meets regularly and discusses members of the congregation who may need help and support. They also arrange visits with home communion. Monthly coffee mornings were introduced by the team in 2022 that became weekly Winter Warmer Coffee mornings and these continue to encourage members of the congregation and any friends OT acquaintances to meet together for relaxed, informal socialising in a wann welcoming space. The vergers for the fonnal occasions of baptisms, weddings and funerals are meeting those in need with great skills of guidance, organisation and, when required empathy. They have our particular grateful thanks when undertaking the occasional difficult aspects encountered. Baptisms Weddings. 7 Church Funerals 21 Crematoria 2 The electoral roll contains 186 names bLrt 69% live outside the parish The Church Building St. Peter's is a listed Victorian Building and any repairs have to confonn to regulations and are invariably expensive. New notice boards have b*n installed that meet the ciiteria set by the Diocese. Our whole enterprise relies on the many willing volunteers that make this church the friendly and responsive community so appreciated by all concerned. The aged demographic of the congregation places added expectations of and responsibilities to those involved The social context of our church cannot be underestimated After service coffee forms an increasing opportunity for social dialogue and thanks are due to those who offer to cater to meet the demand. The Churchwardens have continued their extraordinary efforts to ensure the Vicar was supported at all times. In view of his very recent loss their responsibilities have suddenly expanded enormously. It will mean others in the congregation will need to &ist wherever possible. Pag8 4
Safeguarding The safety arKJ security of children is of the utmost importance and guidelines and policies are part of the processes that have been adopted to ensure that all children tskn'ng part in activities in our churches may do so in a loving, caring and safe atmosphere. There is a Protection Policy in respect of children and vulnerable adults. recognised by the PCC .Mrs Deborah Hartland is the Safeguarding Officer. A formalised programme of serious leaming and certrfication has been undertaken by the Ministry team and members of the Church identified as having contact with children and vulnerable adults. It was undwtsken on-line and highlights any possible signs of risk that need reporting. The programrne is monitored by Lichfield Diocese. There has been one report to the police by the Vicar during the year and they took responsibilty. A mission is to support children and young people. A monthly Breakfast Club Offe families an opportunty to be Support by our church communty. Monthty prayer groups focus on children and young people* needs. The aim is to broad6n and open up further services to wpport families. C3 Certification Ministy Twi 4 C2 Certification Churchwardens and 2 others C1 Certification 34 Church member Rlsk Management St. Peters use the Health and Safety EcthSiaSt Pro-forma (small churches) taken from their website in conjunction The PCC approved an annual review covering the church, church room. churchyard and carpark. We ensure that any possible hazards are dealt with immediaiely by the appropriate group of people. Hoad¢tones are inspected every six morrths and any that are loose are laid flat to avoid FX)ssible accidents unless repairs can b8 made speedily. Fire extinguishers are tested and certified PAT testing is completed on all electrical equipment annually.Both certificates are displa1 on the noticeboard in the church room. There are two First Aid boxes with a(xident books. One is kept in the church and one in the church room and both storage cupLK)ards are dearly labelled with a green cross. Communicants with mobilty diffthltses have been considered, bearing in mirKJ Ihe multiple steps to be negotiated. All trees within the church grounds have been monitored and any nec&8sary work carried out by Chris Peake, registered tree surgeon. The trees are monitored annually. We consider we have done eVerhIng practical to ensure the safety of anyon8 visiting St. Peter's Church. To dats we have no incidents to report. Pag8 5
Financial Review 2024 started as a celebratory year of 150 years and there was a good deal of positivity that has reflected in the financial results. Regular giving has remained largely static but we have gained Legacies of £11000 (2023 Nil) with One-off Gifts and Donations £12811 (2023 £1828). A Historical Talk and the Christmas Fayre produced income of £3459 (2023 £2652) which offset expenses in connection with the 150th celebration of £1938. With BT Broadband now available to the congregation, a contactless card reader has been installed in the Church foyer and is slowly gaining support alongside a QR code for donations via smart-phones. There are still a number of the congregation giving with cash but the system for handling this and paying in to a Post Office is in place although at a cost. Total Income £141,405 We met our commitment to the Common Fund of £67704 that is considered essential. Expenses of £1938 covered the 150th celebrations that included the Historical Talk and also the production of a You-Tube video using a drone that flew past the congregation during a visit from the Bishop of Lichfield. After many months of emails and phone calls with our electricity supplier, EDF, they have yet to instal a smart meter that they requested. However, we persuaded them that, as we are a charity, the lower 5% VAT would be appropriate and this resulted in a reduction covering the then existing 3 year contract of £3788. As a consequence 2024 Electricty costs have been £7,245 (2023 £11252) As we have been fortunate to maintain good liquidity, it has not been necessary so far to raid reserves for the major expense of renovating the toilets in the Church Room and the electrical circuits within both the Church and the Church Room. These needed to confonn to modern standards and the electrical work in particular was quite complex and expensive Costs £11726. We anticipate expenditure on Church repairs following the quinquennial examination and the reserves may well be needed. Total Expenditure £124,769 The sudden death of our Vicar, Philip Daniel put a deep gloom on the end of the year and we will all need to retain and, if possible, increase our support for the very valuable social work undertaken by the Churchwardens and many other members of St. Peter's. Page 6
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Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 December 2024 1. Notes to the Accounts The financial ststements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and PaYrn basis. l Fixed AsBets Consecrated and benefice property is not included from the Accounts by s.10(2)(a)&(C) of the Charities Act 2011. Moveable church fumishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposable are inalienable property listed in the ChUh'S inventory which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For any acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Other tangible assets fixed assets are valued at cost. De8criptlon of Funds Unrnstricted funds are income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purpoges of the PCC . including amounts designated by the PCC for red assets for its own us8 or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its 'free resenies. as d5sclosed in the truste8s' annual r8POrt. Rastricted funds compiise two elemts a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the tenns of the trust or bequest b} 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 obiect for which they wer8 given. Any balanca Temaining unspent at the end of the 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 retsined as trust capital either pennanently or subject to discretionary power to spend capital as income and wher8 the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted.
Independent Examinevs Report to the Tru8tees of th8 PCC of SL Pet8 Church. Litue Aston. Registered Charity 1128819 I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 Decnber 2024 which are set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements. Respective responsibilities of the TnMtoe8 and Independent Examln8r 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 independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilty . to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charitias Act . to follow the pCedureS laid down in the General Directions given by the Charty Commission (under sectFon 14515)(b) of the Charities Act and to state whether particular matter3 have come to my attention. Basis of Ind8pondent Examiner's Statemont 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 these records. It also includes consideration of unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the tnjstees concerning such matters. The procedures undtaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair. view arKI the report is limFted to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examin6 Statement In connection with my examination. no material matters have come to my att8ntio which give me cause to believe that in any material reSpt . accounting records were rK)t kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or . the accounts do not accord with the accounting r I have come across no other matters in cOnntIon with tha examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date 07 202£ Page 10