**Annual Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth (Charity No. 1129018)** For the Year Ended 31 December 2023 5 May 2024 1 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **Dartmouth PCC – Annual Report 2023** ## **Report Contents** **INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 3 ACHEIVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE .................................................................................................. 3** Vicar’s Report ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Parish Safeguarding Report .................................................................................................................... 4 Parish Churchwardens’ Report on the Proceedings of the PCC ............................................................. 5 Deputy Churchwardens’ Reports of the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Churches ...................... 5 St Clement .......................................................................................................................................... 5 St Saviour ........................................................................................................................................... 6 St Petrox ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Parish Music ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Other Aspects of the Work of the Parish and Related Activities ............................................................ 8 Southford Schoolrooms (SFSR) .......................................................................................................... 8 Ecclesiastical Share (ES) of Dartmouth Trust ..................................................................................... 8 Garden of Remembrance ................................................................................................................... 9 **FINANCIAL REVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 10** Parish Financial Report for 2023 .......................................................................................................... 10 **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** ’ **S REPORT ................................................................................................. 12** Responsibilities and Basis of Report ..................................................................................................... 12 Independent Examiner’s Statement ..................................................................................................... 12 **INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED ACCOUNTS ........................................................................................... 12** Income & Expenditure (Receipts) ......................................................................................................... 13 Income & Expenditure (Payments) ....................................................................................................... 14 Assets & Liabilities ................................................................................................................................ 15 Approval ............................................................................................................................................... 15 **RESERVES POLICY .............................................................................................................................. 16 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT .............................................................................. 16** Electoral Roll Officers Report ............................................................................................................... 16 **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ...................................................................................................... 16** PCC Membership .................................................................................................................................. 16 2023 Annual Report – Approval ........................................................................................................... 17 Contact Details ..................................................................................................................................... 18 2 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE 5 May 2024 ## **Dartmouth PCC – Annual Report 2023** ## **2023 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth (Charity No. 1129018)** ## **INTRODUCTION** ## **Rev Dr Andrew Langley, Incumbent** The church would be lost without the numerous people involved in making things happen and so, again, I would like to begin this Annual Report by thanking everyone for all that they have done in the Parish and Benefice. The wardens, director of music, choir, organists, treasurers, secretary, safeguarding reps, PCC members, sacristan, vergers, barista, flower arrangers, cleaners, churchyard recorders, bell ringers, fundraisers, and charitable givers. This is what it is to be the body of Christ, and nothing gives him more pleasure than seeing us work together in his name. The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth (the PCC) has the responsibility of working with the vicar in promoting within the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. The Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth includes the three church districts of St Clement's, St Saviour's, and St Petrox. The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of the Southford Schoolrooms near St Saviour's church and the Parish Hall adjacent to St Clement's church, Townstal. The Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth, along with the Parish of Dittisham, forms the United Benefice of Dartmouth & Dittisham. As vicar, and so Chair of the PCC and the DCCs, it falls to me to set the agenda not only of our meetings, but all our activity which we do in the name of Christ and for his glory. Part of the commitment required to be a member of the PCC, and therefore Trustee, is to be committed to our safeguarding objectives, to be welcoming to all and to enable as many people as possible to worship in church and for them to feel part of our parish community across Dartmouth. Charity trustees also hold specific responsibilities relating to raising funds and spending it wisely in support of our mission here in Dartmouth and elsewhere. ## **ACHEIVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Vicar’s Report** ## **Rev Dr Andrew Langley, Incumbent** Since the last APCM we have seen many positive changes across the parish. The addition of new PCC members, complementing our long-standing and committed members, has strengthened us as a whole and enabled us to share the work in delivering our mission. Reflecting on the journey we have travelled 3 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE together can be a source of great encouragement and one of the greatest sources of encouragement that I have had for the past few years is the enthusiastic support of our Parish Churchwardens, Ernie Wingeatt and now also Fiona Rendell. I have valued not only their support with parish matters, but their personal support too. I am also extremely grateful for the work that Charlie Rendell, Tim Willson, Julia Springett, and Sue Black have given during the past year. I am delighted that Charlie will be supported at St Saviour by David Gent, who has kindly agreed to become one of the church wardens there. Plans are still very much at the forefront of our thinking to build a more resilient team. Currently most services are led by me, and I am supported by Lay Ministers David Woods and David Gent. I am also ably assisted by Rev Diana Crook (PtO) who has, along with Ernie Wingeatt, David Gent, Julia Springett, Carol Lingard, Marion Marshall, and Gill Secretan, been commissioned as part of our Anna Chaplaincy team. This team can make pastoral visits and offer home communion to elderly and house bound parishioners across our community. I am grateful for the flexibility and commitment provided to enable us to hold all our services across the Parish and Benefice. I am also very pleased that we have now appointed a Families, Children and Youth Lead who will begin in the next school year by building a team so that our mission priorities can be advanced. As we look ahead, plans are still taking shape to appoint an Associate Vicar. I am grateful for the support from Christopher and the choir who enrich our worship; our barista Alis, on the front-line of mission in St Clement; as well as our staff team which manages the operations and administration across the Parish and Benefice – this includes part-time office administration from Rosie Beard, part-time operations, finance, and planning from Andy Course, and part-time project management from Tim Willson. This team is supplemented by numerous volunteers who help to open and close churches, maintain and clean the buildings, and act as treasurers for our churches. We now have some strong foundations in place on which to build our mission focus. Plans for 2024 include more social events, greening our churches as well as providing more inclusive access. These activities reflect our priorities for mission to be relevant to modern lives, to be accessible to all, to be inclusive, to be sustainable, and to be engaging. The breadth of worship that we can offer across the three churches in the Parish (and the four in the Benefice) complements our opportunities to be the body of Christ so enabling God through the power of his Spirit to transform lives across our community. ## **Parish Safeguarding Report** ## **Ernie Wingeatt, Parish Warden** It remains essential that we continue to ensure the protection of vulnerable people in our Christian community and beyond. Safeguarding concerns continued to be addressed during 2023 and new ones have emerged. In most cases, the diocesan safeguarding team are involved, and we work closely with them to monitor and resolve them. Some are more long-term than others. All these matters have been dealt with quietly and effectively by those who needed to know. There is a need to consider more carefully our internal monitoring processes. Events in our churches which lie outside of the normal pattern of regular and other sacramental services need to be on record. This can be anything from an organisation using one of the churches for choral rehearsals through to our special events which we put on for ourselves or others. Ensuring for example that we carry out risk assessments or apply for alcohol licences as appropriate matters greatly. 4 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE If there is ever any doubt about safeguarding, why it is needed and how it functions, please ask. As always, we need to see safeguarding as an expression of human love for all. And we should always remember that when we are with vulnerable people we are equally as vulnerable. ## **Parish Churchwardens’ Report on the Proceedings of the PCC Fiona Rendell & Ernie Wingeatt, Parish Wardens** Throughout the year we have reviewed our mission action plan, refining how we 'Serve the people of Devon with joy' whilst developing our own mission objectives. We have identified our strengths in weekly services with different styles available in the different churches in the benefice, music including choral evensong, lay led intercessions and a welcoming environment (including a cafe in St Clements) and community amongst other things. We have resolved to prioritise encouraging new people to engage with the church, especially families and young people. To that end we are excited to have recruited a youth, children and families lead to develop the vision that serves the children, young people, and families of Dartmouth. In conjunction with that objective, we were able to finalise negotiations and grant a new lease to Exwick Ark Limited who have set up a new nursery school in the Southford Schoolrooms. Another exciting initiative is in ministering to the ‘senior’ members of the Parish and wider community. We now have a nascent Anna Ministry group working under the guidance of Andrew. Three Anna Chaplains and four Anna Friends have been commissioned to deliver this vital element of mission. We continue to focus on greening our churches to reduce our carbon footprint and energy expenditure. The project is still in the preparation stage, with many surveys and tests having been carried out to enable us to prepare a comprehensive plan for implementation. One difficulty faced during 2023, is the failure of the Charity Commission’s new accounts access system. Some difficulties remain but progress has been made. There are four registered charities (including the PCC) and one trust fund in the parish. Our charities, with one exception, were unable for several months to access their accounts to update information held or make their annual returns. A nationwide problem, it was not specific to our parish. We were sorry to say goodbye to dear Wendy Rendle who served faithfully for many years as St Saviours' churchwarden until her passing during 2023. We were pleased to welcome three new wardens and thanked the long and dedicated service of those stepping down who we are delighted will continue to be involved in the church. We are blessed to have a vibrant community and are thankful to all our volunteers for their contributions large and small throughout the year: wardens, treasurers, side persons, readers, intercessors, cleaners, flower arrangers, servers, bell ringers, administrators, finance advisor, caterers, barista, prayer leaders, organists, choristers, and director of music. ## **Deputy Churchwardens’ Reports of the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Churches St Clement** ## **Julia Springett & Tim Wilson, Churchwardens – St Clement** 2023 has been a productive year for St Clement’s Church and work is scheduled to continue into the forthcoming year which will improve the fabric and the upkeep of the building. 5 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE In May, we celebrated the Coronation of King Charles II, along with the rest of the country, holding a full day event incorporating the previously installed audio-visual system and St Clement’s café facility. Improvements have also been made in the Churchyard. Tree Surgery has been carried out as required and repair to the outside lights along the footpaths is due to be carried out in March 2024. St Clement’s has also signed a contract to maintain the upkeep of the Churchyard safely, at the same time remaining cognizant of the environment. **South Transept** – A project to repair the South Transept wall was launched in 2023. This was to address significant water ingress causing damage to the wall and is in keeping with the recommendations of the last quinquennial report. The works were approved in 2023 together with financing provided from the Ecclesiastical Share. It is a three-phase project, initial preparatory base works were completed in November 2023, the bulk of the work will take place in spring 2024 and completed in the autumn. **Heating Review** – During 2023, St Clement’s became involved in a Parish wide review of Net Zero Carbon initiatives in keeping with the goals of the Parish and larger Church of England. This is focused around reducing emissions and moves to implement more environmentally friendly means of heating and lighting within the church buildings. As this requires a ‘whole building approach’, it touches on numerous aspects of the building fabric, operating costs, how the building is used, future use, and the overall mission of the church within the local area. Work is in progress. **Future** – Looking forward to the challenges of 2024, St Clement’s team will be investigating the water ingress in the bell tower; draft-proofing the exterior doors; seeking replacement options for the gas boiler which is past its recommended serviceable life; updating the hot water supply; and resolving plumbing issues in the kitchen. A busy 2023, being followed by another busy 12 months ahead. ## **St Saviour** ## **Charlie Rendell, Churchwarden – St Saviour** I am grateful to my predecessor, Howard O’Keeffe, who hands over a well-maintained church. Howard is continuing to have oversight of the planned Quinquennial Inspection works for the church, which should be completed during the first half of 2024. Works carried out during 2023 included: repairs internally to the window frame in the bell ringing chamber (where some masonry had fallen into the chamber and could have been dangerous); the wonderful external restoration of the West Door (previously badly deteriorated); and repairs to window frames and ferramenta (the metal struts which protect the windows) particularly on the north side of the church as you enter from the West Door. **Church Clock** – The clock has been serviced and continues to operate. However, the clock hands on one of the four faces no longer work. Quotes to repair this face were excessive and so the repair has been paused until such time as other work is required on the tower, when the costs of scaffolding and other associated costs can be shared. Funds raised for this clock face repair will be kept for that purpose. **Daily Church routines** – 2023 saw the passing of Wendy Rendle, long-standing St Saviour Churchwarden and an active member of the Dartmouth Community. A great loss to us all. Margaret Probyn (Verger) and Lauriel Pearson continue to carry out many vital daily activities on a voluntary basis including keeping the church clean and well maintained. Sadly, during 2023, a Churchwarden’s Wand Finial was removed from the church, presumed stolen. 6 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE **Churchyard** – Dartmouth Town Council have responsibility for maintaining the ‘closed’ churchyard at St Saviour’s. We have clarified responsibilities with the Council, who now keep the churchyard clean and tidy, including weekly litter picking and regular mowing/strimming. Overgrown Buddleia have been removed and ivy has been removed from the ground gutters. The Council are awaiting dates for the contractors to start work on the collapsed wall leaning against the church at the west end. Also, for repairing the steps into the churchyard at the south-east corner. **Annual Servicing** – Western Lightning carried out the annual service of the lightning protection system and found a fault. This has been repaired. Steeplejacks also cleared out the gutters. The boiler was serviced by WemCo as usual but again failed to start and required a call-out when the cold weather began. We will seek a new service provider for the boiler for 2024 and hope to have servicing carried out nearer to the time that the heating is turned on for the winter. **For 2024** – Tim Wilson has been carrying out a project to determine the best way to heat and light the church; we await his recommendations before looking to replace the existing boiler. Security cameras will be installed covering the whole church. Funding has been agreed by the Ecclesiastical Share. The external Vestry door is rotten at the base. This will be repaired by Barley Manor during 2024. ## **St Petrox** ## **Sue Black, Churchwarden – St Petrox** The Summer was again very busy with visitors, with a lot of people putting their thanks for the church being open in the visitors’ book. Our weekly evensong during the Summer was well attended and continued fortnightly during the Winter. This has also been well supported and appreciated. **St Petroc Icon** – A new icon of St Petroc was installed and dedicated in May. Unfortunately, due to a very wet August, it became affected by damp, so is now stored in a dry place. Due to the paint used, it must dry out for two years before it can be varnished and fixed on the wall within the church. **Maintenance & Repairs** – The East wall was painted in the Spring. This involved Andrew Stanton negotiating with English Heritage to erect scaffolding in the castle grounds. Andrew managed to dodge the rain in the Autumn and paint the South wall as well. The organ project is slowly progressing, and samples of the ironwork and woodwork for the raised choir music stands are under way. Work has been done on the electrics to enable under pew and overhead heaters to be trialled. We have two issues with shared walls, one with English Heritage and the other with owner unknown and is under investigation. **War Memorial** – The quotation under the war memorial boards has been replaced with the correct wording _“They shall grow not old”_ , very kindly done by a member of the U3A calligraphy group. It has also been neatly housed in a glass picture frame. **Volunteering** – Thanks go to our noble band of volunteers for all the opening and closing, and for their help in other ways. Also, a huge thankyou to the castle staff for opening St Petrox throughout the Summer and at weekends in Winter. ## **Parish Music** ## **Christopher Helyer, Director of Music** A clear positive from the past year has been the rebuilding of the choir’s repertoire, which had shrunk during the Covid years. Little-by-little hymns are being refreshed, and anthems and settings are being 7 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE relearned. Meanwhile, we are being supported by a larger number of _irregular regulars_ in the choir. The _irregular regulars_ used to be exclusively singers who holiday here, who sing with their respective home church choirs, and sing with us when they are in Dartmouth. This group has now extended to local singers who are happy to sing with us from time-to-time, but not full-time. For example, at a recent Sung funeral, nine singers were regulars and three – completing six sopranos, two altos, two tenors, two basses – were from our _irregular regulars_ . With choristers sometimes committed elsewhere in different ways, it is an innovation which provides cover when needed and is working well. As ever, we are greatly indebted to our regular organists and rehearsal accompanist: Jan Dietz, Karen White, Sean Sweeney, and Mike Dodsworth. Sean, who has been part of this team for some years, has taken up a new post at Launceston Parish Church, and we are most grateful for all the musicianship as organist and occasional choir director which Sean has brought to the parish. During the year Rob Atkin, from St Marychurch, has played for some of our services and will become a regular at some Evensongs from Easter 2024. Furthermore, Tom Lowe, a former Oxford organ scholar, has played for the past two Christmas mornings and will play for this coming Easter Day. Both are most welcome to the team. A highlight this year was to sing in a gathered choir assembled for Archbishop Justin’s visit to Torbay on Remembrance Saturday. Not only did he express his general thanks to the gathered choir for their contribution to the worship, but he singled out the psalm-singing for special mention. Praise indeed! **Other Aspects of the Work of the Parish and Related Activities** ## **Southford Schoolrooms (SFSR)** ## **Colin Cooper, SFSR Committee** The year started off without a tenant in the school room following the sudden demise of Dartmouth Pre-School at the end of July 2022. It was therefore with great pleasure we received an approach from a potential tenant who operated three other pre-school nurseries in Devon. Following several weeks of discussion, a letter of intent was received from Exwick Ark, and the terms of a lease were agreed and eventually signed. This development was welcomed by our local community as it continued the long tradition of having a central town-based pre-school nursery/early learning centre in the premises. We wish Paula and Harriett, the owners of Exwick Ark, every success in expanding their pre-school activities in Dartmouth. In June, thanks to the co-operation of neighbours, scaffolding was erected, and all the exterior woodwork was redecorated. In the summer a new parish management committee was agreed, it meets once a quarter to discuss any ongoing maintenance issues with our tenants and to review finances. ## **Ecclesiastical Share (ES) of Dartmouth Trust Charlie Rendell, Chair of ES Trust** We again thank the Dartmouth Trust for their invaluable financial support which means our churches can be well maintained. It is hugely appreciated and makes so much possible and affordable. The ES has supported repairs in all three churches this year. This includes St Saviour Quinquennial Inspection repairs of around £30,000 (including 2024 funding) and still with organ refurbishment and central heating works in the pipeline; St Clement Quinquennial Inspection repairs of around £6,000 with a further £40,000 in the pipeline, along with some tree surgery; and St Petrox South Wall repairs of 8 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE around £11,000 and Quinquennial Inspection repairs also around £6,000, and a pipeline of work too. The ES continues to pay for some parish office salaries and other office costs, piano and organ tuning, Clements Coffee staff wages, ad hoc maintenance, some insurance costs, and some energy bills. In addition, the ES funded the Parish-wide energy project started in 2023 and being undertaken by Tim Wilson, with a view to making a big impact on the parish’s consumption/energy efficiency priorities as well as substantial cost savings in the long term. ## **Garden of Remembrance** ## **Harry Franks, GoR Committee** The Garden of Remembrance (GoR) committee is responsible for the improvement and upkeep of the Garden (interments remain the responsibility of the incumbent, parish staff, and appointed sextons). There were 16 internments in 2023 making a total of 256 since the Garden was consecrated in 1998. With increasing numbers, care needs to be taken in keeping to a planned rotation of the lawns as well as digging the holes deep enough to avoid mingling separate lots of ashes. **Highlights** – The main highlight of the year was the service of rededication held on the 4th. June by the Bishop pf Plymouth. The choir sang an anthem “King Jesus had a Garden” and the Bishop followed with a short prayer. Some 50 people attended. Planting and maintenance continue at pace with ‘garden days’ combined with committee meetings held three times a year to progress work. In addition, all the members of the committee as well as key volunteers visit individually to attend various activities such as lawn mowing, new planting etc. However, this year, very little supplementary watering was necessary. **Plans for 2024** – Two significant projects are due in 2024. First the committee wishes to extend the fence at the end of the garden up the bank to the hedge, partly for safety but also to give the feeling of an enclosed and secluded garden. Secondly there are two large dead trees between the Garden and the high tide line. These need to be cleared partly because they must constitute a hazard to inshore canoes and other small craft but also because they spoil the view. **Funds** – The budget for 2023 was £660 and actual expenditure was £785 due to the necessity to hire labour for hedge cutting and moving the Cornus to a more suitable place in the main border. However, we received 18 donations totally £1,480, along with a small amount of gift aid to be recovered. The circulation of the newsletter was important in encouraging such donations. The contribution of the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society is particularly acknowledged. The end of year balance was £1,257. It may be noted that Garden does not receive any part of the interment fee of £182. **Thanks** – The PCC owes a depth of thanks to the many volunteers who have brought the Garden to its current condition. These include Carol Beaumont (head gardener), Ken Woodman (lawn keeper), Sheena McCready (publicity), and Richard Rendle (Old Dartmothians). Special thanks to Ken who repaired the compost bins and organised the replacement of the shed lock as well as tending the grass. 9 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Parish Financial Report for 2023** ## **Andy Course, Parish Treasurer** The PCC reviewed the financial matters of the parish at each of its meetings throughout 2023. The focus was primarily on the steady improvement of parish-wide financial information and reporting. Processes are now firmly in place for the office team to manage most financial transactions in the parish, with the support of the St Petrox DCC Treasurer who continues to focus on St Petrox financial matters and the Garden of Remembrance. The financial management systems have been simplified and standardised across the Parish, St Saviour, St Clement, and the Parish Hall accounts. It is worth noting that the Parish of Dartmouth Charities (207574) has been incorrectly included in these Annual Reports in the past – it is a separate charity (to the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth: 1129018) and is reported elsewhere. The financial performance for 2023 was presented to the PCC in January 2024. Receipts and Payments were analysed to determine the ‘adjusted operating performance’: this is where exceptional items are discounted to better present the in-year surplus/deficit performance across the five main accounts (Parish, St Clement, St Saviour, St Petrox, and the Parish Hall). The adjusted position is shown here: |**Receipts (page 13)**
**£160,617**
SFSR income (not one of 5 accounts)
£16,045
Income from ES/DG to fund repairs
£16,919
CBF drawn down (StC Cash Flow)
£1,500
CBF drawn down (StP Architect fees)
£1,097
CBF drawn down (StP Bell Tower/Elec)
£957
CBF drawn down (StP Organ Storage)
£900
ES Funds (Office Printer Lease)
£1,811
StP Loan
£500
**Adjusted Income:**
**£122,699**|**Payments (page 14)**
**£198,573**
SFSR spend (not one of 5 accounts)
£38,336
Exceptional Spend (Repairs)
£16,206
2022 Clock Appeal Funds to ES
£2,098
Office Printer Lease
£1,811
Supplier payment (refunded Jan 24)
£960
2021/22 EBDF Q-Fees Backlog
£6,444
2022/23 Common Fund adjustments
£679
StP Loan Repayment
£500
St George EBDF Q-Fees (paid Feb 24)
£1,494
**Adjusted Expenditure**
**£130,045**| |---|---| This gives a net **2023 operating deficit of -£7,346** (the operating deficit in 2022 was -£14,469) Overall financial performance reflects a slightly reduced operating deficit compared to 2022. Recovery to the pre-pandemic levels, in terms of church congregations and related income, has still not yet materialised, even though income was up by 5%. The reduction in cash balances in the parish’s bank accounts, and to some extent the reduced Asset/Investment values, reflect substantial funds expended on Southford Schoolrooms works, St Petrox works, the payment of some outstanding 2021/2022 Diocese Fees, along with the repayment of funds to the Ecclesiastical Share. The overall financial position is relatively strong with **£139,716 cash balances** (in current bank accounts and deposit accounts), and **£285,299 in investments** (long term share deposits and share holdings). 10 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE Some notable facts relating to 2023 performance were presented to the PCC in Jan 24 and they include: - Voluntary Giving accounts for 57% of all income at £69.9k. - Regular Giving is down by 6%, Collections are up by 57%, Non-GA Giving is down by 9%. - 50% of Regular Giving is from just 8 people (a fifth of all donors); 16% from one donor. - 21% of all income ‘passes through’ (e.g., fees for weddings/funerals, special service collections). - £53,688 (41% of expenditure) was paid to the Diocese (Common Fund). An indication of parish expenditure across the five main accounts is shown below. We continue to benefit from generous bequests, special donations and investment income from the Duncan Gerrard Trust which is reflected in an enhanced asset base. We are also very grateful to the trustees of the Ecclesiastical Share for loans and donations that enabled externally funded work to continue during 2023. 2024 is likely to be another tight year as far as the operational performance is concerned, especially as operating bank balances are declining. Despite a relatively strong cash and asset position, the PCC are determined to ‘break-even’ (in terms of adjusted net operating performance) with a view to increasing revenue and to take other steps to enable more mission priority work/mission giving. We continue to be blessed with robust reserves and substantial assets and so, with the exciting plans for mission, the outlook remains strong. The Independent Examination of our accountants is now complete, and the finalised version was submitted to the PCC on 5 May 2024. The report will be used to complete the annual return to the Diocese as well as being included in our Annual Return submission to the Charity Commission, in accordance with statutory requirements. Our Annual Return for 2023 needs to be submitted within 10 months of our financial year end, which is no later than 31 October 2024, and our annual return to the Diocese needs to be submitted before 31 May 2024. 11 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** ’ **S REPORT** ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth – Charity no. 1129018** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023. ## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report** As the charity trustees of the Church, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 130 of the Act or; 2. The accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts being reached. Ian Barrett FCA FCIE Barretts Chartered Accountants and Chartered Taxation Advisors 22 Union Street Newton Abbot Devon, TQ12 2JS ## **Dated: 30 April 2024** ## **INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED ACCOUNTS** The following pages are a presentation of the Independently Examined accounts: - Income & Expenditure (Receipts) (page 13) - Income & Expenditure (Payments) (page 14) - Assets & Liabilities (page 15) 12 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **Income & Expenditure (Receipts)** ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth Financial Statements** ## **Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 31st December 2023 RECEIPTS:** |**Voluntary Giving:**
Gift aid giving
Other giving (non-gift aid)
Contactless Donations/Sales
Wall safes
Appeals income
Gift aid recovered
Worldwide & Missionary giving
**Activities for Generating Funds:**
Summer fete
Christmas fair
Book & garden of remembrance
Special events & outreach
Music
**Investments & Property income:**
Hall lettings
Church lettings
Dividends
Bank and investment interest
Southford schoolrooms
**Church Activities:**
Funerals, burials, & weddings
Refunds
Clements Coffee
Electricity and gas
Amen account
**Other incoming resources:**
Fees income (net)
Ecclesiastical Share
Transfers from deposit accounts
St George's Dittisham
Grants and Loans
**Total Receipts**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
**2023**
**2022**
41298
41298
40250
6028
6028
15435
2972
2972
0
6520
6520
5695
1895
1895
2253
11137
11137
10065
0
150
591
591
0
776
776
557
480
480
168
1832
1832
3616
0
1483
2405
2405
2586
4345
4345
2660
1352
1352
0
1751
1751
3680
16045
16045
14842
13328
13328
0
6303
6303
134
3629
3629
506
0
620
0
53
12092
12092
17502
5919
5919
0
15454
15454
0
3965
3965
0
500
500
12311| |---|---| ||**158722**
**1895**
**0**
**160617**
134566| 13 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **Income & Expenditure (Payments)** ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth Financial Statements** ## **Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 31st December 2023 PAYMENTS:** |**Costs of Generating Funds:**
GoR and churchyard expenses
Bookstall purchases
Clements Coffee
Book of remembrance
Special events costs
**Church Activities:**
Worldwide and missionary giving
Diocesan Common Fund
Services, organists, and choir fees
Vicar's and curate's expenses
Staff and stewardship expenses
**Church Expenses:**
Service books, candles & sacristy
Youth Ministry
Flowers
Music, organ and piano
Insurance
Governance
Printing, postage, and stationery
Telephone , internet, and website
Utilities
Bank charges
Lettings costs
Southford schoolrooms
Car parking costs
**Major & Capital Expenditure:**
Repairs, maintenance & cleaning
Fees (inc. legal/architect costs)
Capital Expenditure
**Other expenditure:**
Special Service collections & Fees
Repayments to Ecclesiastical Share
St George's Dittisham
Loan Repayments
**Total Payments**
**Net Surplus/Deficit for the Year**
Bank current accounts brought forward
Parish of Dartmouth Charities
**Bank current accounts carried forward**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
**2023**
**2022**
3731
3731
5112
1648
1648
1483
1646
1646
523
1170
1170
0
4018
4018
440
1268
1268
1300
54367
54367
64381
13822
13822
12070
1514
1514
1781
1040
1040
215
2012
2012
2019
181
181
178
17
17
276
2867
2867
1497
6855
6855
5627
729
729
1497
3293
3293
3306
3598
3598
1826
7899
7899
7465
278
278
125
205
205
450
38336
38336
10377
1990
1990
1930
22477
22477
11758
2593
2593
777
0
0
1320
17353
17353
4410
2490
2490
47626
676
676
0
500
500
0| |---|---| ||**198573**
**0**
**0**
**198573**
189769| ||| ||**-39851**
**1895**
**0**
**-37956**
-55203| ||73921
0
0
73921
129124
-3625
0
0
-3625
0| ||**30445**
**1895**
**0**
**32340**
73921| 14 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **Assets & Liabilities** ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth Financial Statements** ## **Statement if Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2023** ||**2023**|**2022**| |---|---|---| |**Bank Current Accounts:**||| |Dartmouth PCC - Lloyds|4832
|13262| |St Clement - Lloyds|2091
|6106| |St Saviour - Lloyds|5237
|8508| |St Petrox - HSBC|3485
|3927| |Parish Hall - Lloyds|1227
|735| |Southford Schoolrooms|15468
|37758| |Parish of Dartmouth Charities|-
|3625| ||**_32340_**
|**_73921_**| |**Bank Deposits/Minor Accounts:**||| |St Saviour - Cambridge & Counties|22046
|21551| |St Clement - CBF CCLA Deposit fund|16464
|17553| |St Petrox - CBF CCLA Deposit fund|29888
|31872| |St Petrox - Duncan Gerrard Fund|37720
|48720| |St Clement - Parish of Dartmouth Amen|-|53| |St Petrox - Garden of Remembrance|1258
|563| ||**_107376_**
|**_120312_**| |**Investments:**||| |St Clement - CBF Investment Trust|5409
|4940| |St Clement - CBF Investment|20527
|18762| |St Saviour - Edentree Amity|16822
|15774| |St Saviour - CBF Investment|20754
|18955| |St Petrox - Duncan Gerrard Investment Portfolio|188150
|196146| ||**_251662_**
|**_254577_**| |**Investments - Endowments:**||| |St Clement - JP Morgan Mid Cap (825@940.0p)|7755
|9360| |St Clement - JP Morgan Global & Growth (941@503.0p)|4733
|3300| |St Clement - Law Debenture Corporation (2,150@801.0p)|17222
|14600| |St Clement - Witan Investment Trust (500@237.5p)|1188
|5355| |St Clement - Edinburgh Investment Trust (400@685.0p)|2740
|2135| ||**_33637_**
|**_34750_**| ## **Approval** Independent Examiner’s Accounts approved and signed on behalf of the Trustees: **Signed by Rev Dr Andrew Langley (Chair): Signed by Fiona Rendell (Parish Warden):** **Dated: 5 May 2024 Dated: 5 May 2024** 15 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **RESERVES POLICY** The PCC seeks to ensure that receipts outnumber payments in any given year. This has not been easy, nor achieved of late. As highlighted above, we are blessed to be able to call upon the funds available within the Ecclesiastical Share of the Dartmouth Trust which has the following charitable objectives: the maintenance and repair of the church of St Saviour, Dartmouth; and in so far as the income cannot be applied for the above, the Trustees may apply it in furthering the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Clement (Townstal) with St Saviour and St Petrox, Dartmouth. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The Dartmouth PCC’s membership consists of the incumbent (our vicar), two Parish Wardens, readers (or soon-to-be called Licensed Lay Ministers), retired clergy with Permission to Officiate (Co-Opted), and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services as members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and all communicants can stand for election to the PCC. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. Other than the Parish Finance Committee detailed above, a Standing Committee will be re-established in 2024. There have been no significant transactions with PCC members nor closely related persons. ## **Electoral Roll Officers Report** Rosie Beard, Electoral Roll Officer, reported there are currently 115 names on the Electoral Roll which has been reviewed in preparation for the APCM. This is up from the 110 reported last year, and 106 the year before. New members are welcome to apply at any time. ## **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** The Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth’s registered address is St Saviour Church, Anzac Street, Dartmouth, TQ6 9DL and correspondence should be addressed to the Benefice Office. St Clement, St Saviour, and St Petrox District Church Councils (DCC) are within the Parish of Dartmouth, which is part of the Diocese of Exeter within the Church of England. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission (No. 1129018). The establishment of the three District Church Councils are detailed in the three separate (St Clement, St Saviour, and St Petrox) Draft District Church Council Scheme Draft 1 dated 5th April 1989 (signed on 11th April 1989). ## **PCC Membership** PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2023 until the date this report was approved are listed below. Clergy, Lay Readers and Parish Churchwardens, Deputy Churchwardens (from each DCC) and the elected Deanery Synod Representative are ex-officio members of the PCC. The remaining PCC Members are elected. 16 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE ## **PCC Ex-Officio Members:** - Rev Dr Andrew Langley (Chair) - Fiona Rendell (from May 2023) - Ernie Wingeatt - Julia Springett - Tim Willson (from May 2023) - Charlie Rendell (from May 2023) - Susan Black - Colin Cooper (Incumbent) (Parish Churchwarden) (Parish Churchwarden) (Deputy Churchwarden – St Clement) (Deputy Churchwarden – St Clement) (Deputy Churchwarden – St Saviour) (Deputy Churchwarden – St Petrox) (Parish Churchwarden Emeritus) ## **PCC Elected Members:** - Sheila Boswell - Harry Franks - David Gent ## **PCC Members standing down during 2023:** - Marion Marshall (until May 2023) - Margaret Probyn (until May 2023) - Wendy Rendle (June 2023 deceased) - Howard O’Keeffe (until May 2023) - Edna McGregor (until May 2023) ## **2023 Annual Report – Approval** Annual Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth was approved by the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dartmouth PCC on 5 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by the Rev Dr Andrew Langley (Chair of the PCC). **Signed by Rev Dr Andrew Langley (Chair):** **Dated: 5 May 2024** 17 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE **Contact Details Website:** - https://dartmouthanddittisham anglican.org **Social Media:** https://www.facebook.com/UnitedBeneficeofDartmouthandDittisham https://www.instagram.com/beneficeofdartmouthdittisham/ ## **Address:** St Saviour Church Anzac Street Dartmouth TQ6 9DL ## **Telephone:** 01803 835540 18 of 18 ST CLEMENT, ST SAVIOUR, ST PETROX & ST GEORGE