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2023-12-31-accounts

Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

GROVE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Registered Charity No. 1129066

Annual Report and Financial Statements

Year ended 31st December 2023

Contents

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council 1–4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Statement of Cash Flows 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9–16

Abbreviations:

PCC Parochial Church Council SOFA Statement of financial activities

1

Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Grove Parochial Church Council

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023

Administrative Information

The parish of St John the Baptist, Grove is part of the Vale Benefice, consisting of the parishes of Grove, Hanney, Denchworth and East Challow, in the Wantage Deanery of the Diocese of Oxford.

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Baptist, Grove (Grove PCC) is registered with the Charity Commissioners, Registered Charity Number 1129066.

The contact address for Grove PCC is Vale Benefice Office, Main Street, Grove, Wantage, Oxon, OX12 7LQ.

The trustees, members of Grove PCC (abbreviated to PCC), were as follows:

Clergy:

Vicar: Revd W John N Durant Associate Vicar: Revd A Gill

Licensed Lay Minister: Sue Powditch

PCC Secretary: Anna Mabbett (to May) Georgina Cook (from May)

Churchwardens: Nicky Gibbard Nick Terrill

Treasurer: Frank Parnell

Co-opted members: Parish Safeguarding Officer: Anne Cheeseman

Elected Deanery Synod representatives: Sarah Shackleton Helen Harwood

Elected PCC members: James Mabbett Colin Moulds (from May) John Hudson Rachel Hutchin (from May) Johanna Fadipe (from May)

Principal Advisors

Banker:

The Co-operative Bank, PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT

Independent Examiner:

David Cooke & Co., 5 Briar Close, Banbury, OX16 9DS

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Trustees' Annual Report

Management

The PCC has been formed under the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956.

PCC members are recruited in a number of ways. The clergy, churchwardens and treasurer are members by virtue of their office. Deanery Synod representatives are elected by the annual parochial church meeting (APCM) and hold office for three years. Other members of the PCC are elected on a three year rolling basis at the APCM, except for times when there are gaps to be filled.

The PCC makes all decisions corporately except that the Standing Committee has delegated powers to make decisions between PCC meetings subject to keeping the PCC informed as fully as necessary. The full council meets bi-monthly with sub-committees as detailed below. These sub-committees report and recommend to the full council.

The PCC is responsible for all parish finances, its management and control, including the appointment of a treasurer. Members of the PCC are responsible for keeping accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the PCC to enable them to ascertain the financial position of the PCC and so ensure that the financial statements comply with the Church Accounting Regulations 1997 as amended by the Church Accounting (Amendment) Regulations 2001, the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102). The PCC is responsible for safeguarding any assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The PCC is also required to ensure that the financial statements are examined by an independent examiner or auditor prior to presentation to the APCM.

In preparing the financial statements, the PCC is required to:

The PCC met every other month on Monday nights until September, from then on it was a Tuesday night, and is served by a Standing Committee and various sub-committees as detailed below. There is an Annual Parochial Church Meeting meeting held between March and May each year, which in 2023 was held in May.

There are the following sub-committees which all contain at least one PCC member and all regularly report back to the PCC:

Standing Committee:

Consists of the Vicar, Associate Minister, Churchwardens, Treasurer and Secretary. Responsibilities as stated above.

Finance Committee:

Supports the treasurer. Monitors church finances and makes recommendations to the PCC on budget setting and management of church funds.

Pastoral Committee:

Monitors and supports pastoral work within the church.

Facilities Management Group:

Manages the day to day issues with church fabric and the churchyard. Also supports and advises on any new fabric projects.

Social Committee:

Encourages, plans and organises social and fund-raising events for the church.

GroW:

Its Management Committee is a sub-committee of the PCC and include at least two members of the PCC.

Mission:

A member of the PCC monitors our interaction with the Mission organisations we support.

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Trustees' Annual Report

Objectives and Activities

The aim of the PCC is to cooperate with the ordained clergy in providing and promoting the whole Christian mission of the church, through worship, pastoral, evangelistic and social activities, and to support and draw others to the love of God.

Our vision is for St John’s to be a Christ-centred Church and grow in numbers, faith, fellowship and mature godliness, sharing God’s hope and expressing God’s love for creation. While taking an active role in building a flourishing and inclusive community in Grove.

The full PCC met seven times during the year discussing issues including finance; worship; outreach; child protection; youth work; fabric improvements; health and safety; community engagement.

In carrying out the activities of the PCC in the year under review, the trustees have had regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission, and are satisfied that the activities mentioned above have all been for the public benefit.

Achievements and Performance

We continue to hold three services every Sunday, offering a range of different worship opportunities across our congregations. Our 10am service was live-streamed throughout 2023 and has been a support for those who are not able to attend in person.

The number of people on the Electoral Roll is now 122 with attendance to Sunday services increasing during the year. We have seen a number of families, couples and individuals join our church community.

There were 3 Blessing and Thanksgivings of children and 9 baptisms. The clergy conducted 14 funerals in church and 5 at the cremetorium along with 17 interments and 4 weddings.

The link with our church school is very strong. Rev. John Durant has led termly collective worship in school and welcomed the school to church for a service every term. A very dedicated Open the Book team continue to go into school each week to teach a bible story.

Across the year the Viva Network has been our overseas focus of mission and we have had visits from The Cornerstone and have increased our connections with The Wantage Street Pastors.

A new Church of England primary school has opened as part of the new housing developments, with a Church of England secondary school soon to be built as well. St John’s has been in discussion with local Deanery partners and the Vale Academy Trust, who are all working together to provide a chaplaincy post for the secondary school.

The church community coped well with Rev. John Durant being off for 6 weeks following a second successful knee operation. At the end of 2023, Rev. John retired, having faithfully served the parish and benefice for 10 years.

Reserves Policy

Grove PCC aims to hold in reserve sufficient to cover the equivalent of 25% of annual general running costs. The current general funds are enough for this policy. The children’s work (GroW) has approximately nine months’ worth of normal expenditure in hand and is currently looking at obtaining additional grants. It is fully expected that these reserves, along with expected grants, should enable this work to continue for 2024.

We are grateful to God for all his blessings and the faithful service of our church members.

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Financial Review

This year things have returned to a more normal state following the last few years after the pandemic. As can be seen from the accounts we have returned to a more normal financial situation in both income and expenditure.

The accounts show an income of £20,600 more than the expenditure for unrestricted funds. This is due to the increase in our lettings income along with several one off donations. Whilst we hope that the lettings will remain at this level we cannot rely on the other donations. However even without the one off donations we would have a surplus of income over expenditure.

In 2023 our income from hall and room lettings was about £13,000 which is an increase of just over 50% on the pre-pandemic levels and hopefully this will continue, however some of the increase was offset by our higher fuel costs.

In 2023 our utility costs increased from £5,000 in 2022 to £12,500. This was due to the general increases in gas and electricity prices. In 2024 our gas and electricity contracts are due for renewal and we have managed to achieve a much reduced rate for both, with a different company.

During 2023 we received income of just over £13,000 from the rental of the Curate’s house. However, we did have to continue to carry out some further refurbishment work, including replacing the windows, totalling some £12,383 as our 52% portion of the costs. We also received a Gift Aided donation towards the refurbishment of £1,000, which resulted in just over £2,000 surplus for the year. In 2024 there will be further costs to complete the refurbishment.

We are, as always, extremely grateful to those of the congregation who continue giving on a regular basis, as well as the special donations we receive from them for additional expenditure items that arise.

In terms of general funds, the financial position is healthy, with an unrestricted cash balance of just over £60,000. Some of this is held as reserves in line with the policy above, whilst other is earmarked towards several large expenditures that will occur in 2024 .

Finally, thanks are also due to Sue Parnell who acted as bookkeeper during the year and to Pat Bates who counts and banks the money each week.

The report was compiled by Revd Alec Gill and Frank Parnell.

Approved by the PCC and signed on its behalf:

Signed: Date:

Ms Nicky Gibbard Church Warden grovecw@valebenefice.org.uk

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Trustees' Annual Report

Independent Examiner's Report to Grove PCC

I report on the accounts of Grove Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31st December 2023, which are set out on pages 6–16.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner

The PCC is responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC considers that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The PCC is preparing accrued accounts and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

It is my responsibility to

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission, and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

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 which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Date:

D C S Cooke MA (Oxon) FCA FCIE

David Cooke & Co. 5 Briar Close Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9DS

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Statement of financial activities

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted
Notes funds funds Total funds 2022
£ £ £ £
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 3(a) 142,395 65,284 207,679 182,329
Charitable activities 3(b) 18,525 96 18,621 12,782
Other trading activities 3(c) 19,852 - 19,852 7,956
Investments 3(d) 475 - 475 134
Other 3(e) 981 - 981 2,120
Total income 182,228 65,380 247,608 205,321
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 4(a) 60 - 60 -
Charitable activies 4(b) 160,876 57,145 218,021 218,655
Other 4(c) 685 - 685 3,825
Total expenditure 161,621 57,145 218,766 222,480
Net income/(expenditure) 20,607 8,235 28,842 (17,159)
Transfers between funds 9 (6,925) 6,925 - -
Net movement in funds 13,682 15,160 28,842 (17,159)
Total funds brought forward 81,189 38,702 119,891 137,050
Total funds carried forward 94,871 53,862 148,733 119,891
----- End of picture text -----

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Trustees' Annual Report

Statement of cash flows

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net movement in funds (as per SOFA) 13,682 15,160 28,842 (16,775)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 5 3,262 505 3,767 3,324
Purchase of assets 5 (1,776) - (1,776) (7,248)
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 3(d) (475) - (475) (134)
(Increase)/decrease in debtors 6 (1,611) 57 (1,554) (1,135)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 8 (6,391) (193) (6,584) 10,520
Net cash provided (used) 6,691 15,529 22,220 (11,448)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 3(d) 475 - 475 134
Net cash provided (used) 475 - 475 134
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net cash provided (used) - - - -
Change in cash and cash equivalents 7,166 15,529 22,695 (11,314)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year 52,958 38,684 91,642 102,956
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 7 60,124 54,213 114,337 91,642
----- End of picture text -----

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Trustees' Annual Report

Balance sheet as at 31st December 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted
Notes funds funds Total 2022
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets:
Tangible assets 5 35,987 625 36,612 38,603
Total fixed assets 35,987 625 36,612 38,603
Current assets:
Debtors 6 2,832 616 3,448 1,894
Cash at bank and in hand 7 60,124 54,213 114,337 91,642
Total current assets 62,956 54,829 117,785 93,536
Liabilities:
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 8 4,072 1,592 5,664 12,248
Net current assets 58,884 53,237 112,121 81,288
Total net assets 94,871 53,862 148,733 119,891
The funds of the church
Unrestricted funds
General fund 9 64,671 - 64,671 53,780
Designated funds 9 30,200 - 30,200 27,409
94,871 - 94,871 81,189
Restricted funds 9 - 53,862 53,862 38,702
Total funds of the church 94,871 53,862 148,733 119,891
----- End of picture text -----

Signed:

Frank Parnell Nicky Gibbard Treasurer Churchwarden Date: Date:

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Notes to the financial statements

1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value.

The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the financial statements of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

2 Accounting policies

Funds

The financial statements are prepared under the current Church Accounting Regulations and in accordance with the 2015 Charities SORP and applicable accounting standards

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds are those funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions are provided in note 9.

Incoming resources

Voluntary income and capital sources

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC.

Planned giving is recognised only when received.

Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the donation is recognised.

Grants and legacies are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due can be measured reliably and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is probable.

When incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising income) the incoming resources and the related resources expended are accounted for gross.

Other income

Rental income from letting the Church Hall, St John's Rooms and the Curate's house is accounted for when it falls due.

Income from investments

Dividends are accounted for when due and payable, and interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting year.

Gains and losses on investments

Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold.

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Notes to the financial statements

Resources used

Grants

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Activities directly relating to the work of the Church

The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. If the PCC has not paid the parish share in full by 31[st] December but intends to do so in the future, then outstanding payments are provided for in these financial statements as an operational (though not a legal) liability. Such a liability is shown as a creditor on the balance sheet. If the PCC does not intend to pay any outstanding parish share, then no liability is shown.

Fixed assets

Consecrated property and movable church furnishings

The church building is an historic asset and no valuation has been included in the accounts because of the significant costs involved in such a valuation compared with the additional benefit derived by the users of the accounts in assessing the trustees' stewardship of assets.

Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the Church's inventory, which can be inspected on request. For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000, there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Items acquired since 1st January 2000 have been capitalized and depreciated in the financial statements over their currently anticipated useful economic life.

All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings or on the repair of movable church furnishings acquired before 1[st] January 2000 is written off.

Other fixed assets

The Curate's House is valued at cost less 2% straight-line depreciation per annum.

All equipment is valued at cost less 25% depreciation per annum, from the initial purchase price.

Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £500 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

Investments

Investments are valued at market value on 31[st] December.

Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31[st] December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.

Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit at the bank.

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Notes to the financial statements

----- Start of picture text -----
3 Analysis of incoming resources Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds 2022
£ £ £ £
3(a) Donations and legacies
Planned giving 99,628 600 100,228 91,852
Collections at services 5,506 453 5,959 7,646
Other giving including appeals 11,830 580 12,410 6,950
Gift Aid recovered 22,545 559 23,104 23,993
Legacies received 2,886 - 2,886 2,000
Grants received - 7,071 7,071 7,423
GroW Childrens work - 56,021 56,021 42,465
142,395 65,284 207,679 182,329
3(b) Charitable activities
Statutory fees 6,931 6,931 5,470
Church groups and activities 11,594 96 11,690 7,312
18,525 96 18,621 12,782
3(c) Other trading activities
Fundraising activities 2,462 2,462 2,653
Lettings and rental income 17,390 17,390 5,303
19,852 - 19,852 7,956
3(d) Investments
Interest received 475 - 475 134
475 - 475 134
3(e) Other
Interest received - - - 152
Other income 981 - 981 1,968
981 - 981 2,120
4 Analysis of resources expended Unrestricted Restricted
Notes funds funds Total funds 2022
£ £ £ £
4(a) Raising funds
Raising funds 60 - 60 -
60 - 60 -
4(b) Charitable activities
Grants to partner organisations 12 2,850 802 3,652 3,005
Parish share 86,236 - 86,236 89,413
Running costs 46,414 45,294 91,708 80,492
Repairs, maintenance and building work 25,376 781 26,157 35,515
GroW - Children's work 10,268 10,268 10,230
160,876 57,145 218,021 218,655
4(c) Other
Governance costs 685 - 685 650
Other expenditure - - - 3,175
685 - 685 3,825
----- End of picture text -----

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Notes to the financial statements

5 Tangible assets
Cost or valuation
At beginning of the year
Additions
At end of the year
Depreciation and impairments
At beginning of the year
Depreciation
At end of the year
Net book value
At beginning of the year
At end of the year
6 Debtors and Prepayments
Prepayments and accrued interest
Other debtors		 Freehold land
& buildings
(unrestricted)
Church
equipment
(unrestricted)
Church
equipment
(restricted)
£
£
£
65,950
7,062
2,020
-
1,776
-
65,950
8,838
2,020
32,975
2,564
890
1,319
1,943
505
34,294
4,507
1,395
32,975
4,498
1,130
31,656
4,331
625
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
£
£
£
-
-
-
2,832
616
3,448
2,832
616
3,448
Amounts falling due within one year		 Total
£
75,032
1,776
76,808
36,429
3,767
40,196
38,603
36,612
2022
£
-
1,894
1,894

The sum shown under Other debtors represents amounts due for room hire and funerals.

No amounts were due in more than one year.

7 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash in hand		 Unrestricted
funds
£
60,124
60,124		 Restricted
funds
£
54,213
54,213		 Total funds
£
114,337
114,337		 2022
£
91,642
91,642

Cash in hand includes cash in current and immediate access bank accounts.

8 Creditors and accruals
Diocesan fees
Other creditors		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
£
£
£
833
833
3,239
1,592
4,831
4,072
1,592
5,664
Amounts falling due within one year		 2023
£
1,172
11,076
12,248

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Notes to the financial statements

9 The funds of the church

Unrestricted funds
General
Legacy donations unrestricted
Curates House
Organ
Tech Replacements
Contingency		 Fund
balances
brought
forward
£
53,780
17,409
-
-
-
10,000
81,189		 Incoming
resources
£
164,776
2,886
14,416
130
20
182,228		 Outgoing
resources
£
(146,960)
(2,278)
(12,383)
-
-
(161,621)		 Transfers
£
(6,925)
(6,925)		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
64,671
18,017
2,033
130
20
10,000
94,871

The Contingency fund is held as part of the PCC's reserves policy as stated in the annual report.

Restricted funds
GroW - Children's work
Special Collections
Chaplaincy
Fabric
Benefice
Local Mission
Flowers		 Fund
balances
brought
forward
£
22,706
145
-
5,783
2,018
7,967
83
38,702		 Incoming
resources
£
56,522
818
3,900
600
3,267
273
65,380		 Outgoing
resources
£
(41,449)
(902)
(3,900)
(873)
(9,855)
(166)
(57,145)		 Transfers
£
(61)
61
6,925
6,925		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
37,779
-
-
5,571
2,355
7,967
190
53,862

The Fabric fund includes money collected for the Church Hall refurbishment and extension.

The Local Mission fund holds money for use in local mission and outreach.

The Chaplaincy fund was for collecting money for the deanery chaplain and passing it on to them.

The Benefice fund contains money from all four churches in the Benefice to be used for payment of shared Benefice expenses. All shared Benefice expenses are recorded as expenditure from the Benefice fund. The contribution to those expenses from Grove PCC is made as a transfer from the General fund to the Benefice fund, and the contributions from the other three PCCs are made as grant income to the Benefice fund.

The Special Collections fund holds money collected for third parties as part of normal church activities. In 2023 this included money for VIVA Network, Christian Aid Middle East Appeal, The Gatehouse, Open Doors and Little People. The transfer is the remaining money given for the prayer walk stones, which has now been transferred to the Fabric Fund for maintenance of the stones going forward. Two stones had been purchased from the donations made, and there was not enough left to purchase a third.

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Notes to the financial statements

10 Staff costs

During the year, the PCC employed a part-time cleaner (to March), a part-time co-ordinator for GroW childrens work, two part-time children workers for GroW and a church office administrator. The total costs incurred were: £48,690 in gross wages and £1,871 in Employers Pension Costs. £5,683 of the office administrators costs were contributed by the other churches in the Benefice for Benefice office work.

11 Trustee remuneration, expenses, and related party transactions

No lay members of the PCC received any remuneration for their work on the PCC. The clergy, who are ex officio members, do receive a stipend but are not remunerated for their service on the PCC.

The following PCC members received reimbursement from PCC funds for out-of-pocket expenses: Frank Parnell (£288), Nicky Gibbard (£171) and Helen Harwood (£150)

The clergy received directly paid expenses in their role as parish priests: John Durant (£1,456), and Alec Gill (£1,147). These costs are shared with the other parishes in the Benefice, who between them contributed £781 (30%).

The total value of all donations received by the PCC from PCC members or their close family members during 2023 was £33,320, this includes a total of £5,700 of recovered Gift Aid. None of these donations had attached conditions which either did or might require the PCC to significantly alter the nature of its existing activities.

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Year ended 31st December 2023

Trustees' Annual Report

Notes to the financial statements

12 Grants made

Grants were made to the following institutions.

Wantage & Grove Street Pastors
Cornerstone Christian Centre
Wantage & Grove Partnership		 Unrestricted
funds
£
1,000
1,600
250
2,850		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-		 Total funds
£
1,000
1,600
250
2,850

13 Collections for third parties

During 2023, thefollowing amounts were collected and passed on

Viva Network
Open Doors
The Gatehouse
Christian Aid Middle East Appeal
Wantage & Grove Little People		 £
-
-
-
-
-
-		 £
267
135
40
300
60
802

16