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2021-12-31-accounts

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Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council August 2021 – May 2022

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On behalf of the PCC

………….………………………………….. Paul Rawlings and Amit John Churchwardens

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CONTENTS

  1. The Aims of the Council

  2. Council Members, Committees and Information for 2021/2022

  3. A Review of the Year

  4. Vicar’s Report

  5. Fabric Report

  6. Finance Report and Accounts

  7. Parochial Church Council Report

  8. Deanery Synod Report

  9. Mission Committee Report

  10. Pastoral Report

  11. Safeguarding Report

  12. Music Ministry Report

  13. Children & Families Report

  14. Social and Fundraising Report

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1 The Aims of the Council

The primary aim of the PCC is to co-operate with the Vicar in promoting in the Parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. In particular, the PCC supports the vision and mission statement of the Parish:

“to Seek, to Serve and to Share Jesus Christ daily”

The Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council gives an opportunity to present an overview of the whole mission of the Church in addition to the formal documentation associated with the accounts and the fabric reports.

2 The Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Iver

Council members for 2021-2022

Ex Officio and Co-opted
Vicar
Licensed Lay Minister
Curate
Churchwardens
Deanery Synod
Members
Robert Gooding
Jim Dashper
Sarah Smith
Paul Rawlings
Amit John*
Anitra Cuff
Paul Fisher		 Elected PCC members:
Date of Retirement
Gerald Paine
2024
Tina Lewis (Hon Treasurer)
2023
Rachel Nikolay (Hon Secretary) 2022
Reina Fisher
2024
Jan Rayner
2023
Angela Lindstrom
2023
Lesley Bristol
2023
Michael Sullivan
2024
*elected Lay Vice Chair of the PCC

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Committees for 2021-2022

Standing

Fabric

Finance

Oversees general finances, prepares budgets and monitors income and expenditure.

The legal requirement, with power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings.

Attends to all matters concerning our buildings and churchyard, their maintenance and improvement.

Robert Gooding (chair) Paul Rawlings (chair) Paul Rawlings Graeme Jenner (co-opted) Amit John Peter Owen (co-opted) Rachel Nikolay Paul Fisher Tina Lewis Murray Macdonald (co-opted)

Tina Lewis (chair) Robert Gooding Wendy Jenner (co-opted) Gerald Paine Paul Fisher Amit John

Mission Social & Fundraising Jan Rayner (chair) Rachel Nikolay (chair) Diana Stroud (co-opted & secretary) Paul Rawlings Robert Gooding Helen Macdonald (co-opted) Reina Fisher Lesley Bristol June Rawlings (resigned July 2021) Heather Harper (co-opted)

Pastoral

Robert Gooding (chair) Sue Kightley (co-opted) Maureen Traxler (co-opted) Anitra Cuff

Angela Lindstrom (resigned Sept 21) Jan Rayner

Children & Families Committee

Sarah Smith (chair) Jan ayner
Robert Gooding
Amit John
Anitra Cuff
Tina Lewis
Inspecting Architect Mr David Pendery
Pendery Architecture & Heritage Ltd
23 Orchard Road
Hook Norton, Oxon
OX15 5LX
Bankers NatWest
118 High Street
Slough, Berks
SL1 1JH
Independent Examiner Mr Michael Kennedy
5 Woodwaye
Woodley
Reading, Berks
RG5 3HA
Hon PCC Secretary
Mrs Rachel Nikolay
155 High Street
Iver, Bucks
SL0 9QB
Hon Treasurer Mrs Tina Lewis
367 Rochford Gardens
Slough, Berks
SL2 5XE

On 3[rd] April 2009 Iver Parish Church was registered with the Charity Commission as “The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Iver” Charity No.1128999. All PCC members are now trustees of the charity.

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3 A Review of the Year

Electoral Roll:

The Electoral Roll for 2022 stands at 85. There have been 3 deletions and 2 additions since last year.

Attendance at Services:

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has not been feasible to do a year on year comparison because for much of the period from August 2020 to May 2021, we were not able to hold in-person Sunday services, therefore unfortunately we cannot make any meaningful comparison in attendance figures between 2020-21 and 2021-22.

We have continued with our online streaming of services (mostly from St Peter’s) to our church Facebook page. This is still a blessing to those who do not yet feel comfortable about returning to in person services, as well as reaching others who could not attend church in person due to distance or infirmity.

Occasional Services in 2021 (calendar year)

Baptisms: Infant/Children (<1-10)
Young People (11-17)
Adult		 4
0
2
(0)
(0)
(0)
Marriages 0
(3)
MarriageBlessings 0
(0)
Funeral Services in St Peter’s or
St Leonard’s (followed or preceded
by a burial or cremation)		 11
(4)
Burials in the churchyards or
Burial Ground		 1
(1)
FullService at Crematorium 7
(7)
Interment of Ashes 2
(4)

Figures in parenthesis are previous year’s statistics for comparison

3.1 Reviews undertaken during the year

– Statutory and Legal Risks Safeguarding Policy (including Child Protection)

The PCC complies with the Safeguarding Policy in the Parish to ensure compliance with the House of Bishops’ Policy and Diocesan procedures. The policy was last reviewed and presented to the PCC on 15[th] September 2021. Reina Fisher-van Werkhoven continued as Safeguarding Officer.

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

The PCC complies with the principles under which personal data may only be obtained, held or disclosed to others under the Data Protection Act 2018, which is the UK's implementation of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Financial Risks – Budgeting and Cash Monitoring

The PCC prepares an annual budget and, through the Finance Committee, monitors cash flow and budgetary control on a regular basis.

Insurable Risks – Review of Insurances

During the year all our insurance policies were reviewed in conjunction with our Insurance Advisors Access Insurance Ltd and appropriate adjustments were made to our policies with Ansvar Ltd.

– Operational Risks Identifying Essential Repairs

In addition to the quinquennial inspections of St Peter’s and St Leonard’s churches, there is a policy of prioritising maintenance. Details of the work carried out this year is set out in the Fabric Report.

Health and Safety (including fire precautions and disability access)

The Fabric Committee maintains its ongoing commitment to ensure that all activities are risk assessed and that appropriate training, equipment, records and processes are made available. Annual servicing of fire

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equipment was carried out in February 2022. The Health and Safety buildings risk assessments and the disability access audit are continually kept under review.

3.2 Programme and Activities

Special Occasions

Regular Activities

Home Groups

The pattern of Home Groups continues with considerable variety in style and content. For a number of people they represent the most meaningful aspect of church life. If you are interested in joining a group, please contact the Church Office. We currently have 3 Home Groups - 1 on a Monday afternoon (fortnightly), 1 on a Monday evening and 1 on a Wednesday evening. Two of the groups are now meeting again in person and the third group is planning to return to in person meetings after Easter

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Parish Magazine

The St Peter’s and St Leonard’s Parish Magazine is produced by the church and compiled by Kathryn Pike and is delivered free of charge to all residents in Iver Village and Richings Park by a team of volunteers from both the church and the local community. There are over 2,600 households. The magazine contains news from St Peter’s and St Leonard’s churches as well as the other churches in Iver. It also provides community information and carries adverts for local businesses and services. A digital copy is also available on the church website and Facebook page and is also published on local community Facebook pages

Website

Our website, viewable on all devices plays an important role in the parish providing many people with communication, information, direct links to our sermons and Facebook Live streaming of our Sunday services and other services e.g. Christmas and also one click access to our donations platform ‘Give a Little’. Rachel (with back-up from Robert) is responsible for updating the site on a weekly basis so that there is easy access to our sermons and notices. The website address is www.iverparishchurch.org.uk

Social Media

The St Peter’s and St Leonard’s Facebook page provides another source of up-to-date information and can be found at www.facebook.com/iverparishchurch The content now additionally includes videos of Morning and Evening Prayer (for a period of 2 weeks) and of our 10am services from St Peter’s each week and combined services from St Leonard’s. The page is administered and monitored by Rachel Nikolay, supported by Revd Robert Gooding

Opening up our Churches to the Community

St Peter’s had not been open to the public during the week since November 2020. Following the lifting of all legal restrictions, the PCC approved for St Peter’s to re-open from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday (during term time) and this commenced from Monday 4[th] April 2022

St Peter’s was open and manned for prayer for Ukraine on Wednesday 16[th] March from 5.30pm to 8pm and Wednesday 23[rd] March from 10am to 8pm

3.3 Things We’ve Done Together With Others

The Ivers Neighbourhood Plan will help shape our Parish for years to come. Its purpose is to set out a positive vision for how those living in the Ivers want the area to develop so that it meets the local needs of all. The plan will attain the same legal status as the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan once it has been approved at a referendum. Whilst it cannot change the Local Plan, as part of the statutory development plan, it can influence it.

It has been an exciting opportunity for our church to work alongside Councillors and key local leaders in our community.

3.4 The People Who Make It All Work

Again this year, God has worked through so many different people and, as always, we want to express our very warmest thanks to all those who help our churches to carry on their work throughout the year. Some of these are very obvious, whilst others serve much more "behind the scenes". We as a church rely on these gifts of time, effort and specialist skills, which are given with love and grace. All gifts are of great value. They include:

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Some people have stepped back from some of these roles during the pandemic, and it is vitally important that these key roles are now taken up again.

4 Vicar’s Report

The period since our last APCM in July last year has continued to be challenging in many ways, largely as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, with the removal of the remaining legal restrictions early this year, it has started to “feel” like we are returning to some degree of normality, whatever that is, despite continuing very high infection levels. Thankfully for the majority of fully vaccinated individuals the symptoms of the currently dominant Omicron strain of Covid-19 appear to be less severe and so not so many people are ending up in hospital and fewer still are needing beds in ITU. However, we need to continue to take appropriate and proportionate measures to keep one another safe, and some updated recommendations have recently been agreed by PCC.

During Advent last year we had a short sermon series on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, which had quite an impact on a number of people in our church family and this was carried over to the decorations in the lychgate on Christmas Eve and similar topics (love, hope and unity) were used for the focus of the decorations for the PCC tree at the Christmas Tree Festival. These qualities need to underpin our Vision Statement “To seek, to serve and to share Jesus Christ daily”.

As we started to come out of lockdown, I felt it was right for us as a church to step back from some of our regular activities and particularly our “business” meetings, to take time to listen to God. Therefore, this year we had a “Fallow February” and I produced some Bible study and prayer resources for church members to use for personal reflection, especially around the topics of listening prayer and fasting.

As always, I am indebted to all those who work alongside me in any form of leadership capacity in the church including those on PCC and Deanery Synod. In particular it has been a joy to welcome Revd Sarah Smith to the leadership team as our part time Curate. Sadly, Tina Lewis has announced that she will be stepping down as our Treasurer at the end of this year. I am very grateful to Tina for all she has done, and we all need to be earnestly praying for a suitable replacement, to work alongside Tina for the rest of this year, with a view to taking over from early 2023. If you feel that God might be calling you to this role, then please speak to either Tina or I as soon as possible.

It has been a difficult period for me personally over the months since my father’s unexpected death in August last year, and I am very grateful for the extra support that I have received from many people, both in the church and in the Diocese. Life has been very stressful, both personally (for a number of reasons) and workwise. I think I came fairly close to “burn-out” but hopefully the worst is now behind me, but I need to monitor the situation closely. There has also been much to celebrate however, especially in recent weeks, with the birth of our first grandchild, Levi, to our daughter and son-in-law, together with the news that our son and daughter-in-law are expecting a baby girl in September.

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The majority of folk have returned to in-person services at St Leonard’s but unfortunately more are yet to return regularly to St Peter’s. We have, over recent weeks, started to experiment with our 10am service at St Peter’s especially on the 3[rd] Sunday of the month, when we often have baptisms. This is now becoming a more “all-age” style service with a shorter and more interactive talk and intercessions. The feedback received so far has been very positive from all age groups. We have also reintroduced refreshments after all of our 10am services at St Peter’s following the earlier reintroduction at St Leonard’s; I am sure that this helps with the sense of “fellowship”. I am pleased to report that we have seen some growth in attendance at our 12noon service on a Thursday (Holy Communion with prayers for healing).

Sadly, since last year we have lost three more faithful and much-loved members of our church family, Dr Joe King, Eira Griffith and Sir Richard Buckley. It was a real privilege for me to be able to walk alongside Eira and her family in the final couple of weeks of her earthly life. Her trust in Christ was an inspiration to us all. We were also able to have a wonderful Thanksgiving Service for Eira at St Peter’s on 11[th] February attended by many members of the local community. There will be a Thanksgiving service for Sir Richard Buckley on Tuesday 31[st] May at 2pm at St Peter’s, which I am sure will also be well attended.

I have been very encouraged over the last month by a number of requests that I have received from people outside the church wanting to know more about the Christian faith, including a couple of adults enquiring about baptism. To my mind this demonstrates that God is at work which is always encouraging for our future growth as a church.

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

Revd Robert Gooding

5 Fabric Report

1. Introduction

All members of the Fabric Committee have assisted with a variety of tasks during the year. The Fabric Committee work to ensure costs are kept to a minimum and where possible look to carry out tasks using their own skills. The Committee continues to seek practical help from other members of the church fellowship. There is a rolling maintenance programme for our buildings but of course if work is postponed it means that the fabric will continue to deteriorate, and the costs will increase when the work is finally undertaken.

2. St Peter’s Church

2.1 External

North Aisle Roof

There is some pointing work needed to repair cracks in the flashing.

Annexe Roof

On the annexe roof a cover angle has been placed at the edge of the roofing material. This means that rainwater needs to pass through a very small opening to reach the gutter. Water overflows during heavy rain if debris collects near the opening. Where the Annexe roof abuts the pitched clay vestry roof the annexe gutter has not been extended to take water from the wide gutter at this point. As a result water has been leaking into the kitchen area and has damaged the plaster. Repairs for this work are currently being looked into.

South Aisle Roof

The flashing in this area has been repaired and no further leaks have been found.

Walls

On the walls there are a number of “clunch” stones that are exfoliating and there is a section of flint work which needs to be replaced. In addition, there are several areas of “clunch” and limestone pieces exfoliating and repairs are required.

Chancel Wall

The blocked window opening stonework is exfoliating and repairs and consolidation are required.

Stonework

The stonework is still in the same state as last year and is in places in urgent need of repair. The render applied to the stonework of the west door continues to slowly break away and has also become a problem around the south aisle door. This must be rectified by removing the render and replacing damaged stone then applying further render.

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Windows

The west window in the south aisle has a serious crack in the jamb at high level. The damage to the west window in the north aisle has deteriorated further. There are a considerable number or minor repairs needed to windows to prevent further deterioration of the stonework. The North window in particular was badly repaired some decades ago and needs attention. Our architect will be providing an update on this issue in the latest Quinquennial report and will also send to the DAC which should help in applying for grants to cover the cost of the repairs.

2.2 Internal

Some repointing of stonework is recommended and the plaster on the west and north walls in the tower area is breaking away and needs repair and redecoration. A recommended survey of the wooden roof rafters is still outstanding, there has still been no sign of death watch beetle activity, but this needs to be kept under review.

Annexe

The kitchen area, including the floor (which has deteriorated further) will need to be replaced and redecoration will be needed urgently. The damp to the back wall of the toilet has been controlled, however the plaster which has fallen away will need repairing. These items have been prioritised by the Fabric Committee and quotes/grants are being looked into for these works, along with the appropriate Faculty applications.

Furnishings

The chancel furnishings are still in good repair but the nave cushions have not been replaced. The linen is in good order with thanks to those who launder and care for the linen at both churches.

Heating

All four boilers are due to be serviced again in June 2022 and no issues are anticipated. However, we do need to keep in mind that the heating system is over 16 years old.

During the Winter months the church has been heated only by hot water pipes as the blow heaters were not allowed to be used due to covid-19 restrictions. The need to heat the church in other ways may have to be looked into going forward.

Lighting

The light bulbs in the Nave, South and North Aisle have all now been replaced with halogen bulbs and are in good working order. However, it was proving very costly to change these to LED bulbs as the entire light fittings would need to be upgraded.

Miscellaneous

The Quinquennial inspection took place in December 2021 and the report is still awaited due to a backlog of works at the Diocese.

The lightning conductor was tested by Bacon Ltd in February 2022 and the insurance certificate was issued.

The cellar is very damp and every opportunity must be taken to ventilate this space.

The situation with regard to mice, bees and flies continues to be monitored.

Evidence of bats has been found in the Chancel area. As a protected species we can only monitor their existence and clean up after them accordingly. St Peter’s has been identified as part of 1,000 representative churches in England for inclusion in the National Bats in Churches Survey 2022. This is an important heritage and ecology project run by Bats in Churches, a partnership between the Church of England and conservation and heritage organisations.

Plans to take over ownership from the Diocese of the driveway between the two churchyards continue and after an unsuccessful grant application, alternative grants will be looked into. There have been developments from the Iver and District Countryside Association with the permissive footpath from Iver Churchyard to Colne Brook (i.e. Farlows). This could have a positive impact on the maintenance and clearing of the driveway.

There was a further problem with the amp on the sound desk and this has now been fixed.

The clock was serviced in October 2021 and is in good working order.

The service board in the Churchyard has been updated with the new office telephone number and another line which had previously been omitted. This work was carried out at no cost.

Inspection for asbestos in all buildings is now a requirement and will need to be carried out. The Fabric Committee are currently looking into this.

A new Union flag was purchased due to deterioration of the current flag. The Diocesan flag is also looking very tired and will need replacing in the near future.

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2.3 Tower Report

The bells and fittings were checked recently by members of the Oxford Diocesan Guild’s bells advisory experts and found to be in satisfactory condition. Paul Rawlings, Churchwarden was present during the inspection.

They make some (valid) adverse comments concerning warning would-be ringers of the need to pull the clock strike hammer clear, before ringing/swinging the treble bell on which the clock strikes.

There is/are a couple of notices which are usually attached to the treble rope, reminding ringers to ensure that the hammer is clear before the bell is swung. Some new notices may be required.

This aside, the bells are in reasonably good condition and safe to ring under the direction of a competent ringer

David Rowlands, Bell Tower Captain

2.4 Churchyards

Churchyard work mornings were arranged for September 2021 and May 2022 at St Peter’s and October 2021 and April 2022 at St Leonard’s. At St Peter’s, a group of people, including members from the community cleared undergrowth and tidied beds from the churchyards and gullies and gutters were cleared. The tap in the New Churchyard has not been working for some time. Several attempts have been made to establish the reason for this. Further investigation is still underway, and advice is being sought.

The churchyard is generally in good condition, and we would like to thank the Ivers Parish Council for all their work in maintaining the grounds.

Following completion of the Faculty process, the fencing in the New Churchyard has now been replaced by the Ivers Parish Council.

There was a problem with badgers in the New Churchyard, having dug through a grave. As badgers are a protected species, the hole could not just be filled. Following contact by the Church with the family of the deceased and permission from the Diocese, Ivers Parish Council contacted the Badger Trust and arranged the fitting of a ‘Badger Gate’ which had to be done before breeding season and the hole was then filled by the Badgers Trust at the end of November.

NB: Upkeep of the Old and New Churchyards, and the Burial Ground is the responsibility of the Parish Council. Responsibility for the administration of burials and monuments in the Burial Ground was handed over to the Parish Council on 1st January 2016. No further new graves will be allowed. Interment in existing graves and interment of ashes will continue.

3. St Leonard’s Church

The next Quinquennial inspection is due in the Autumn of 2022.

3.1 Exterior

There is moss on the roofs which will require attention. Repair work will be required to broken/missing tiles of all roofs. Some repointing of brickwork and stonework is required to windows, walls and the boundary wall. The render on the walls is in poor condition and has cracked in a number of places.

The deteriorating and outdated service board outside St Leonard’s has now been replaced with a new and updated information board.

The putty around the windows in the vestry is in need of repair and members of the Fabric committee will be carrying out this work as soon as possible.

The current state of the bell at St Leonard’s has been raised at the most recent PCC meeting and will be considered by the Fabric committee at their next meeting.

3.2 Interior

The interior of St Leonard’s Church is in reasonable condition although some repairs to the stone work of the windows should be carried out to prevent further deterioration. The south west corner of the Nave has a possible water ingress and is being monitored.

The damp patch on the wall of the vestry above the side door has now been investigated and repaired.

The majority of the radiator valves in the church need replacing as they were found to be missing. One still needs to be replaced.

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4. St Leonard’s Hall

Overall, the hall is in good repair and is being regularly used and respected by hirers.

5. St Leonard’s House

The house is let at present and the building is generally in good condition.

6. St Leonard’s Grounds

The grass is being cut regularly by volunteers for which we are very grateful.

7. The Core

The Core has not been used since December 2017 but serious health and safety consideration would be needed should this building be put to future use.

8. Health and Safety

The Fabric Committee maintains its ongoing commitment to ensure that all activities are risk assessed and appropriate training, equipment, records and processes are made available.

A Health and Safety Policy is in place (reviewed in October 2021) and Accident Report books are in all buildings, first aid kits are maintained, signage and health and safety notices comply with current legislation. Paul Rawlings continues as our elected Health & Safety Officer.

Fire Risk Assessments have been carried out in all of our buildings. Reports have been received and any works required will be reviewed by the Fabric Committee.

Minor remedial works from the 5-year electrical inspection carried out in 2019 are to be carried out as appropriate.

9. Fabric Maintenance

The availability of volunteers over the past months has decreased. More volunteers are required to maintain the buildings and to keep maintenance work up to date. Volunteers with practical skills are always welcomed.

There will be a considerable increase in fabric costs should we need to employ external people/ organisations to carry out normal maintenance tasks.

Cleaning teams are still required at both churches. If you feel you would be able to help in the future, please contact Rachel in the Church Office.

Paul Rawlings, Churchwarden and Chair of Fabric Committee

6 Finance Report and Accounts

Executive Summary

This year has been more normal than 2020 and the various lockdowns. However, the financial year ended 31 December 2021 with an overall deficit of income over expenditure of £8,116.87. There has been an increase in legacies of £21,000 on last year, rental income for St Leonard’s House increased to £19,200 as we now have tenants who have been there for more than a year, rent for St Leonard’s Hall decreased by £2,090.33 on the previous year. No grants have been applied for during 2021. Money received for weddings and funerals being £1,659 a decrease of £3,025 on 2020. Youthwork contributions amounted to £770 being an increase of £465. We currently have 46 planned givers, some of which are couples, with a weekly average total of planned giving, for 2021 per total planned giver, as being £19.

Our Parish General Fund, the amount we have available to spend on all unrestricted expenditure, amounted to £36,580. Our restricted fund balances total £34,919.44 and endowment fund balances total £111,091.72 (including the investment assets, monies that may only be spent on specific purposes), a combined total of £182,591.16.

Your PCC is immensely grateful to you all for the contributions and donations received in 2021. We give thanks we have had the opportunity to use this money wisely to continue God’s work here in Iver Parish and beyond, despite the restrictions of COVID during some of the year.

INCOME

Our overall income increased in 2021 by 0.74% from £121,806 to £122,710.41

Our income is derived from 5 sources: voluntary income; fund raising; investments; charitable activities and other resources.

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(i) Voluntary Income increased by £3,616 from £86,030 to £89,646

Giving by standing order decreased by £1,945 and gift aid received decreased by £4,921, which includes all claims made for GADs. Plate collections increased in 2021 by £910, as services resumed in person, and there was a £25 decrease in wall box donations. General unrestricted donations decreased from £11,477 to £1,403 and donations for children’s work increased from £305 to £770. Legacies increased from £1,000 to £22,000.

(ii) Fund raising decreased by £995 (net)

2021 has seen fundraising events with a net income of £3,204 with expenditure being £103. It has been an extremely difficult year for the Social & Fund-Raising team, with restrictions still in place for COVID, and the finance team are immensely grateful for their continued resilience in providing events that have been online for Quizzes and the delicious Cream Teas, that have proved to be a new venture, and the Christmas Tree Festival was able to be in person this year.

(iii) Investment income increased by £1,944

We received a small return of £7.22 on our Santander shares donated to the PCC in 2002 an increase of £6.68. We also received interest of £754 a slight increase of £71 in 2021 from The Ethel Leach Memorial Fund; an original investment of £1,000 in 2006 invested in M&G Charifund Unit Trust units is currently worth £15,873 an increase from £14,000 in 2020.

We also let St Leonard’s House, a 3 bed-roomed house in St Leonard’s Walk behind St Leonard’s Church, at £1,600 per month, which is managed by the church office, so there are no agency fees. This generated an income of £19,200, pa net excluding insurance and repair costs and is a vital source of income.

(iv) Income from charitable activities increased by £512

This income source is analysed across three headings

Income from the hire of St Leonard’s Hall decreased by £2,090 from £3,624 to £1,534 in 2021. Again, this is a result of COVID and lockdowns.

The advertising income for the magazine has resulted in a decrease of revenue from £3,539 to £2,137 in 2021. Again, a result of COVID and the magazine becoming digital during this period.

Fees received for weddings and funeral services decreased in 2021 from £2,246 to £1,659. Fees due to the Diocese amounted to £2,803, which is reflected in our Ministry costs.

(v) Other Income Resources decreased to £120 from £203 in 2021

EXPENDITURE

Our Expenditure increased by 22.19% in 2021 from £101,807 to £130,827.

The significant reasons for this are:

Restricted funds

The church has a number of funds which are for restricted use only. These are separately disclosed in the accounts see note 21(b).

Thank you and appreciation

Once again, the PCC would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in the many and varied aspects of financial activity undertaken at St Peter’s and St Leonard’s.

You will be aware I am standing down as treasurer from 31 December 2022, and would encourage everyone to prayerfully pray for a new treasurer to continue this important work and support of the church.

I personally would like to say thank you to the Finance Committee and the PCC for their support and commitment during a difficult year in having to make hard decisions as to expenditure during 2021.

Tina Lewis, Hon Treasurer

7 Report on the activities of the Parochial Church Council for 2021-22

The Parochial Church Council met virtually, via Zoom conferencing to transact business on two occasions (November 2021 and January 2022). The September and October 2021 and February, March and April 2022 meetings were held ‘in person’.

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The Standing Committee of the PCC also met either virtually or in person as necessary.

Rachel Nikolay was re-elected as Hon PCC Secretary. Tina Lewis was re-elected as Hon Treasurer. Paul Rawlings and Amit John were elected as Churchwardens.

Robert chaired the above PCC meetings and Amit John was re-elected as Lay Vice Chair.

There was one PCC vacancy not filled at the last APCM.

Paul Fisher was elected to the Deanery Synod at the 2021 APCM.

Due to restrictions and availability, it was not possible to hold a PCC Away Day between September 2021 and May 2022. The next PCC Away Day is planned for Saturday 9[th] July 2022.

In these continued difficult and challenging times, the PCC worked to ensure the best use was made of our available financial resources and to ensure that our Church continues to be able to support a range of charitable activities outside of the Parish.

Thanks go to the PCC, the Churchwardens, the Vicar and our LLM for all of their support and prayer, during the last year.

Rachel Nikolay, Hon PCC Secretary

8 Deanery Synod Report

Deanery Synod met a number of times during the financial year 2021/22. The earlier meetings where online using Zoom but with the relaxation of Covid restrictions, later meetings were held face to face. One of these meetings coincided with the inauguration of our new Area Dean Revd Canon Janet Binns. All who attended were able to welcome her and for Janet, a new, challenging ministerial role began. She has made a good start and is leading our Deanery into thinking about the current and future direction our Deanery must take if we are to survive.

One of the key discussion topics, though very unpopular was the Parish Share and to decide on a fair means of calculating it. All parishes have been warned that the Diocese wants each Deanery to be paying its full share within three years. The consequences, should we fail would lead to the loss of Janet and some of our Ministers. In December Synod decided to adopt the 80% / 120% formula where each parish would be required to pay between 80% and 120% of ministry costs, based on a “ministry cost” figure of £60,000 per stipendiary minister which includes stipend, pension, housing and all other costs involved (including training costs for future clergy).

The Deanery Finance & Standing Committee has discussed the situation in depth and proposed the following for 2022:

Further proposals: To help the Deanery to make a good start on reducing the deficit, parishes paying over £72,000 have been asked if they could continue their current level of parish share for one more year. The increases will be based on the parish shares allocated for 2021.

The Deanery has welcomed new ministerial positions.

The main objective of our new Area Dean Revd Canon Janet Binns, concerns Mission and Outreach and she has a lot of challenges ahead of her. Janet wants to find out what is happening within the Deanery and about the different initiatives parishes are introducing to connect more effectively to their parishioners. She wants parishes to aim at reaching more people by inviting them to participate in the “good news of Jesus Christ" and to become more involved in the new digital initiative. If we cannot expand in this way we will not have Janet in three years’ time and risk losing ministers. We have to balance our books.

Digital Church Mission

This is one of the biggest changes the church has had to recognise while going through Covid. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has said it is very important for the Church of England to embrace Digital Church Mission. Our new Dean Janet has recognised the expertise of Paul Fisher in this field and has invited him to join a new committee she is forming to develop this new initiative. I am sure he will be a

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very useful member of the committee and be able to keep this parish in touch with how these new initiatives are being developed in the deanery.

The Church has recognised that we must take a look at this new means of reaching people where they are and not where we think they should be. We must plan ahead if this is to happen. It is not a question of either online worship or meeting in-person, it is about how we, as a church will be shaped by the online experience and begin to think outside of the box.

The world has changed since the pandemic, some people have come back to church, some have checked out. Some churches are still engaging on-line and some churches have stopped. When nearly everyone has online connections, why are we phasing these out instead of engaging digital congregations?

Greenhouse

This is a new, functional place for growth and nurture we were told hence the name greenhouse: A place where you nurture young plants. Greenhouse is designed to help and nurture people who do not already know and love the Lord Jesus to become part of a new worshipping community.

In Mark 6:30-32 Jesus invites us to ‘come away with me’ a message that is vital as we emerge from the challenges of the last few years. The disciples withdraw so that they can be renewed, restored refreshed and sent out again

Three Greenhouses are now up and running across the Diocese in Witney, Bicester and Aylesbury: Youth Greenhouse in Bicester and Greenhouse in Witney has a community garden project. Greenhouse provides resources through a step-by step framework for teams to work through, with the support of others through the Loving First Cycle that is based on:

Listen Love Community, Share Jesus Church Repeat

Greenhouse is helpful in growing new worshipping communities by offering shared focus for missional energy, regular gathering and prayer. Through listening they prayerfully discover a simple way to love people around them and they build community in the process.

Living in Love and Faith

Living in Love and Faith (LFD) is another new project raised at the latest Deanery meeting. They are looking at relationships, especially LGBT, and other matters relating to marriage. The hope is for people in churches across the country to use LLF resources to study and pray together.

Now that Janet is leading our Deanery it is her aim for all Parishes within it to become Mission minded, more united and self-funding in order to improve the financial position of the Deanery. Janet wants us to support her mission objectives and to grow our parishes by reaching out into the community perhaps in ways we have not seen or used before. Burnham Deanery is moving into the 21st century and it is a very exciting thing to be a deanery Rep under Janet’s leadership.

Nita Cuff and Paul Fisher, Lay Deanery Synod Representatives

9 Mission Committee

Mission Giving

The mission budget for the year 2021 was distributed as planned.

The mission budget for 2022 is £5,352.00 (+£523.05 compared to 2021 budget of £4,828.95). This equates to 5% of the forecast income as at January 2022. In line with mission giving for 2021 and previous years, it was agreed at the January 2022 PCC that more would be awarded to individuals. Our church remains committed to Mission giving and careful financial management and budgeting has allowed us to increase our giving for 2022. The Finance Committee continue to have a standing agenda item to review the opportunity to increase Mission giving, should the financial position of the church improve during the year.

The following organisations and individuals were recommended and agreed at the January 2022 PCC as our Mission Partners who we would continue to support financially in 2022 (no change to previous year).

Mission Aviation Fellowship Church Army

Far Eastern Broadcasting Associates (FEBA) London City Mission

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Tear Fund

Wayne Dixon (Christian Connections in Schools; in association with Scripture Union) David and Joy James (InnerCHANGE) Paula Carey (World Horizons) Stewart and Jo Johnson (Wycliffe Bible Translators) Simon French (Africa Inland Mission)

A letter was sent to each of our individual Mission Partners advising them that we are still continuing to support them financially and that we have been able to increase our giving compared to 2021. A number of response letters and messages of thanks and gratitude for our continued support have been received.

Visits from Mission Partners

Following a lift on the Covid lockdown restrictions, it has been possible to have visits in person from our Mission Partners:

Other activities

Coronavirus

The global pandemic has continued to impact the work and ministry of all of our Mission Partners. They have successfully adapted to distanced and new ways of working but are now able to introduce more direct contact, in line with local country and government regulations, in areas of their ministry. Our Mission Partners are still working in a world that is very different - the coronavirus pandemic has forced all organisations to change the way they work in the service of God. Our continued financial and spiritual support is as vital as ever.

Janet Rayner, Mission Committee Chair

10 Pastoral Report

The current Pastoral Care Committee has met regularly since the last APCM report. Angela Lindstrom has, sadly, stepped down as a member of the Committee but we are very grateful for her past involvement.

Pastoral Care has become a little easier now that we have returned to in-person services, and Robert has been able to make more pastoral visits, including offering Holy Communion, concentrating on those who, sadly, have not yet returned to church

Recognising that the mental health of many people has suffered as a result of the pandemic, in September 2021 we started a monthly Wellbeing Coffee Morning in conjunction with St Mary’s Wexham, meeting there on the 1st Sunday of each month and at St Peter’s Centre on 3[rd] Sunday of each month. This was designed for those feeling anxious, lonely or isolated, but sadly attendance has been very disappointing, and we are

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considering discontinuing this, especially as CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) recommenced, as a community driven initiative with support from some of the Church fellowship, on 16[th] April 2022 at St Leonard’s Hall and will meet on the 2[nd] Saturday of each month.

We were able to organise our annual Remembering Service on Sunday 31[st] October and, although numbers were down on previous (pre-covid) years, positive comments were made by many from the wider community who attended.

All three home groups are now meeting again in person

Robert has not yet been able to recommence (with others) the monthly Holy Communion service at to Sunnyside Nursing Home, although he has recently offered once more.

Despite ongoing strict Covid visiting restrictions, Sue Knightly and the rest of the chaplaincy volunteers are now able to visit wards at Wexham Park Hospital, although Maureen Traxler has not yet returned to this role.

We are, as always, very grateful for all the “unofficial” pastoral support that members of the church family offer to others quietly behind the scenes.

Revd Robert Gooding - Chair of Pastoral Care Committee

11 Safeguarding

This parish is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children and people of all ages in our church community, Promoting a Safer Church is important, and Safeguarding is a standing agenda item at each PCC meeting. This is where policies are being reviewed, or any relevant topics are discussed. It has also been an opportunity for learning from national case reviews.

On average bi-monthly meetings take place with the Safeguarding committee, consisting of Revd Robert Gooding, Rachel Nikolay, Church Administrator and Reina Fisher-van Werkhoven, Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO).

Safeguarding activities and management take place in line with Church of England Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. Where appropriate Diocese Safeguarding meetings or workshops are attended.

Safeguarding Policy, Guidance and Information

Details of Parish Safeguarding Policy are available on the parish website, and are reviewed annually (last updated September 2021).

As part of the Church of England Safer Recruitment and People Management strategy a recruitment of exoffenders policy was approved this year.

The ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ information poster with key contact details for safeguarding concerns is available on the website and displayed in both church buildings.

Safeguarding Learning and Development

All employed staff and volunteers involved with children and vulnerable adults are required to complete Safeguarding training, according to CoE training guidance, almost all of which is available as online learning. The purpose of this is to raise awareness of abuse that could take place, but most of all to make the church a safe m place.

Currently 46.51.% of staff and volunteers are fully compliant, 11.5% is partly compliant and 37% is not compliant with this. All have been reminded via email on several occasions that training is still outstanding, and this also being reiterated at PCC meetings.

The fact that the training is only available online is a barrier for some volunteers who do not have access to the internet or are not conversant with online training. There is the opportunity for them to complete the training with support at the Vicarage. Many of the activities involving interactions with children and vulnerable adults did not take place during lockdown, but as more activities resume the urgency to complete the training is growing.

Safer Recruitment and People Management

The Church of England has developed a comprehensive Safer Recruitment and People Management toolkit in order to formalise the process of employing paid staff and volunteers. This includes the use of job descriptions and obtaining references, DBS clearance, and regular meetings with staff and volunteers to identify issues early and completion of required safeguarding training. The parish reports to the Diocese the progress in meeting these recruitment and management requirements via an online dashboard. When

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new staff or volunteers join the team the process will now need to be followed. During the last year only one new PCC member has joined the team.

Concerns Raised

No safeguarding concerns have been shared with Parish Safeguarding Officer since the last report.

Reina Fisher-van Werkhoven, Parish Safeguarding Officer

12 Music Ministry

As the restrictions regarding singing have been eased over the past year we have been pleased to see the return of congregational worship. Roger Hall continues to provide music leadership at most St Peter’s 10am services, and has recently been re-joined by Reina Fisher-van Werkhoven with carefully considered risk assessments around the use of wind instruments including regular covid-19 testing, social distancing and the use of mic shields. Anne Torrent has also kindly agreed to resume music provision on occasions for St. Leonard’s, parish joint services and other special events.

Roger Hall

13 Children & Families

To start with, a big thank you for the Children and Families Committee. This is the first committee I have been Chair of, and it has been a pleasure. The whole committee is committed and enthusiastic as well as being patient with me too! The Committee has changed its name from “Youth and Children’s Committee” to “Children and Families Committee” as we felt that this more accurately described the focus of our activities as a church in this area.

Sunday Seekers and Sunday services

This year has been a tricky year for rotas, with the team being reduced to two core leaders plus another occasional leader. We are short of helpers and have often only had one person available each week. This means, we have needed to have the doors to the Annexe open and someone in church “within-sight” to ensure we meet our safeguarding responsibilities. We urgently need more volunteers. We are also only able to cover 3 out of 4 Sundays a month.

We are now using Scripture Union material (with a small amount of supplementary material occasionally) which has been well received by the children and the leaders.

We have now discontinued the “online” resources offered through “Google Classroom”

Due to reduced volunteers we have been experimenting with the service on the 3rd Sunday of the month, making it into an All Age Service. This is usually the week for Baptisms with a lot of nonchurch people attending. We have included elements such as drama, a shorter interactive talk, and interactive prayers. Feedback from this so far has been very positive, both from visitors and regulars.

We have obviously been operating under Covid restrictions but have now dispensed with the separate craft boxes for the children. We are however looking into some Book/P.E. Kit style bags for each child to use for their equipment.

As we really need to “kick-start” our vitally important work with children and young people, the committee have been discussing how we could do this without a Children and Families Worker.

To try to attract more children, we are planning on conducting a local survey amongst local families with children to look at their needs and how we can best serve them.

To attract more leaders, we are looking into contacting Brunel University to see if they have any “children’s work” students who would appreciate some work experience; contacting the local scouts to see if they have any youth who could help as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award “service”. We are looking into the Kickstart Scheme, which provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment, to see if we would be eligible.

Schools Ministry

We continue to keep in good contact with the two Village schools but unfortunately, due to ongoing Covid restrictions, neither are yet ready for us to return “in person” for Open the Book or assemblies. We hope this can restart after Easter. We have provided them with “video” assemblies instead for key Christian festivals.

TotZone

Until half-term we had a strong group of parents regularly attending, but since then it has been disappointing. We have had a week when three new Mums came with their babies, but none of the “regulars”.

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Other Events

We had an “online” Light Party on 31st October (a Christian alternative to Halloween) as well as special “in-person” services over Christmas; an “All Age Family Praise” service at 4pm on Christmas Eve and a Family Communion service on Christmas Day. These were great fun and a few families attended on Christmas Eve. They were also on FB live.

Baptism Preparation and Follow Up

Sarah Smith has taken over responsibility for this as part of her curacy role assisted with visiting by Sue Kightley (and occasionally Robert) and with administration from Rachel Nikolay. A “Baptism Bonanza” event took place on 23rd April with games and crafts for the whole family, inviting back those who have previously been baptised and with information for those considering baptism.

St Peter’s Football Club

Robert continues to visit St Peter’s Football club regularly, once or twice a month, and has developed good relationships with some of the coaches. In due course we hope to restart our occasional involvement with their refreshment rota on a Saturday morning.

Please continue to remember all of our work with Children and Families in your prayers and please come forward if you can help (appropriate training can be given).

Revd Sarah Smith – Chair of Youth and Children’s Committee

14 Social and Fundraising

The Social & Fundraising Team has again been busy organising a variety of events involving many meetings and behind the scenes planning and preparation, especially during a time of ever changing restrictions and recommendations. In addition to raising valuable funds for general church funds we strive to reach out to the wider community, serving and sharing the love of Jesus through all we do. The events reported on are those which took place during the period of this report, August 2021 to May 2022 and the amounts raised are net (after costs).

Tower Tours & Cream Teas – 22[nd] August 2021

Due to a lack of available volunteers, we were only able to run one event (instead of the usual two) during August. However, it was great to finally have Tower Tours and Cream Teas back up and running and really good to see some familiar faces and some new faces visiting. We were blessed with dry, warm weather and mostly clear skies allowing for some great views from the top of the Tower. A number of people visited the Tower and also took the audio tour of the church, we had a ‘ Noah’s Ark’ Treasure Hunt for the children and many cream teas were consumed. The event raised £222.66 + 4 Euro’s!

Takeaway Cream Teas – 19[th] September 2021

A repeat of our previous popular event - delicious homemade, beautifully and lovingly boxed cream teas. All pre-booked and collected at given times from the Vicarage driveway, with people being greeted by a cheerful and socially distanced S&F team. Again, some great feedback was received and this event has become a popular way of blessing others with the gift of the boxed cream tea. This event raised £259.60

‘All Directions’ Virtual Quiz – 13[th] November 2021

Due to the ongoing pandemic situation, sadly, we were not able hold this quiz in person and although we were unable to share fish or sausage and chips together, we know many still had their fish and chip supper at home before the start! Entry was by households with teams of between 1 and 6 people. The quiz was again very entertaining and enjoyed by all. This event raised £210.00

Iver Christmas Tree Festival – 3[rd] to 5[th] December 2022

It was great to have the Festival back in person for 2021. There were 35 trees on display and whilst this is a much lower number than in recent years, we recognise that covid will have impacted on this and we hope to continue to grow the Festival again year on year. The church still looked amazing with the wonderful array of different trees! Whilst there were some quiet times, due to obvious reasons, there were also times when the church was busy with visitors. We have again received positive feedback on the event and it was great to see and have conversations with members of the community as well as church members.

Although the ‘Real Christmas’ Grotto was unmanned this year due to lack of resource, it was still well received and children were encouraged to have their photo taken (by a parent/carer) and to take away a Christmas story book with them. We were helped with the loan of straw bales by a local farm, Gschwendt Dexter’s and some additions to the grotto donated by a church member.

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The in person Christmas Market was well attended, with some great stallholders selling quality items – some new stalls and some returning ones from previous years – a total of 17 stalls (although money was raised from 19 stalls as 2 had to cancel at the last minute due to covid). Positive feedback has been received from both visitors and stallholders.

The online market had 14 virtual stalls selling a wide variety of quality items. The market ran well although possibly not as popular as in 2020 when online shopping was mostly the only option!

Oakwoods kindly sponsored the event again with advertising boards.

Despite some of the hurdles faced an amazing final amount of £1327.25 was raised.

We would like to thank all those who entered trees or stalls, those who visited and those who volunteered to help in any way during the weekend, we could not have done this without you all!

Light Up the Ivers – Christmas Eve 2021

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to change our planned display at very short notice, however an idea of changing the display completely to follow the theme of our Advent sermon series, the gifts of Advent – Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. These words were displayed on the front of the lychgate in large colourful lettering and lit up with colourful lights and turned out to be a real blessing. We were also able to leave this up for a bit longer than first planned.

‘Number 3’ Virtual Quiz Night – 5[th] March 2022

It was originally planned to hold this quiz in person with a restriction on numbers, however the planning was in the middle of the omicron surge in the pandemic and therefore the decision was made to again run the quiz virtually via Zoom and ran as per the November quiz. Although less entries, the quiz was again well received. This event raised £115.00

In addition to those already thanked, the Social & Fundraising team would like to extend their grateful thanks to the following:

Gerald Paine for supplying countless jars of his popular and delicious jams and marmalade which have been sold in aid of church funds, raising £298.25

Roger and Karen Hall who continue to skilfully compile and host our quizzes, even virtually!

Our very talented scone makers and those who have generously donated the costs of all expenditure for producing the boxed Cream Teas and items towards other events.

Jo Elkins for the fabulous hand knitted toys, decorations, hats and gloves for selling in aid of church funds.

Kathryn Pike for her continued help, knowledge and support and all those who have supported our events, especially during this difficult and challenging time.

Please continue to prayerfully consider ways in which you could help us in the coming year as we seek to serve the Lord in our community and church. All of these events would not have been possible without the help of many people, and we thank them all again for their time and service.

Rachel Nikolay, Chair of Social & Fundraising Committee Chair

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